Meet The Team

Instructor

Jolena Payan

Jolena Payan was born in San Diego, CA and began dancing at the age of 3! She graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Chula Vista and began her professional career aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. After gaining her sea legs, she performed in a variety of shows ranging from Superbowl XXXVII to American Superstars in Las Vegas. Performing was exhilarating but she discovered that her true passion was sharing the gift of dance with others when she began teaching and studying dance education. Jolena holds her bachelor's degree in dance and theater, a master's degree in secondary education and is committed to being a lifelong learner by pursuing frequent professional development opportunities. Jolena has over 20 years of teaching experience in studios, public schools and dance conventions and her favorite thing about teaching is watching dancers light up when they achieve their goals!

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Instructor

Cierra Mariano

Cierra Mariano was born in Phoenix, AZ, and began gymnastics at the age of 5 and dancing at the age of 8! She became a competitively trained dancer at the age of 10. While a competition dancer, she competed and attended dance conventions at the following: Dance Caravan in Las Vegas, NV and Orlando, FL; Tremaine in Anaheim, CA and Hollywood Vibe in Las Vegas, NV. She competed locally at the following dance competitions: Kids Artist Revue (KAR), Showstoppers, and Stars of Tomorrow. She trained at the ASU high school dance experience, the U of A high school dance festival in 2011 and 2013, attended classes at GCU's dance program, trained at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, performed at Disneyland, and contributed to a dance team that was ranked superior at the Arizona High School dance festival two years in a row. Cierra holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology, and a master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. Cierra loves to brainstorm with students and continues her education to give her students the most well-rounded training. Her favorite thing about dancing is performing and she loves getting to share the joy of performance with her students!

Instructor

Megan Wampler

Miss Megan was born in Phoenix and started her dance career at the age of 3. She danced competively throughout highschool and assisted with classes growing up. She then went on to college where she earned a fine arts degree with an emphasis in dance. Megan has 8 years of teaching experience and is certified through Acrobatic Arts. She continues to take classes and earn more certification to further her dance education. 

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Instructor

Bailey Wegner

  Bailey Wegner was born in Huntington Beach, California in 2004 and lived there for 2 years before moving to Surprise, Arizona. She took her first dance class when she was 3 years old and has not stopped dancing since! She began competing with a dance team when she was 7 years old, and continued to dance competitively until she graduated High School. Bailey graduated from Shadow Ridge High School where she was a participant in the Shadow Ridge dance program as well as the Varsity Pom team. She discovered her love for choreographing and teaching during her 4 years of High School and hoped to continue that passion after she graduated.  Her first year out of High School she joined the Heart & Sole team. Shortly after beginning her job, Bailey knew this was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She loves the relationships she builds with the kids and how rewarding the job is.

Instructor

Hailee Mastrapasqua

Hailee Mastrapasqua was born in Glendale, Arizona and began her dance journey at age ten. Hailee has grown with the Heart & Sole family since they opened in 2015 and considers the studio her second home. She has been trained in several styles of dance including jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, hip hop, and acro. Hailee served as captain of her high school dance team which opened her eyes to being a leader. After graduating in May 2022, Hailee decided that she wanted to pursue teaching as a way to share her passion for dance. She is currently attending Glendale Community College working towards achieving an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Dance. Hailee’s favorite part about being a teacher at Heart & Sole is that it is an outlet to create alongside amazing teachers, students, and families that show her unconditional love and support.

Instructor

Brooke Arden

Brooke Arden is an Arizona native and started dancing at 3 years old. She is trained in Ballet,
Pointe Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, and Lyrical.
Brooke spent many years of her career dancing competitively. She has performed with the
Moscow Ballet in the production of the Nutcracker.
Brooke has been with Heart and Sole for 7 years. She began as a student and transitioned to a
teacher after graduating. She has been actively teaching for the last four years. Brooke has choreographed award winning dances in overall and judges’ choice categories.
Brooke is completing her degree in Exercise Science in December 2023, with an emphasis in
Sports Performance from Grand Canyon University. She is passionate about health and fitness and certified as a Personal Trainer and as an Applied Stretching Practitioner.

Instructor

Breanna Gabaldon

Bre Gabaldon started her dancing career at the age of 7 here in Avondale, AZ. She competed in competitions until she was the age of 18! Bre was apart of many teams growing up including her high school's varsity Pom and dance team, dance clubs, and her studio. She performed in the halftime performance with Katy Perry in Super Bowl XLIX, and competed in the Hip Hop International competition! She is well versed in every dance style! Bre has been teaching now for 2 years with Heart and Sole and loves to teach students and see them reach their goals!

Instructor

Traci Mann

Traci Mann has made a living as a professional dancer and instructor for over 40 years! She began dancing at a young age in New Mexico and eventually found her way to New York City where she worked extensively in the dance industry. Once in NYC, Traci ran her own dance company called The Young Hoofers. Traci choreographed and performed in a number of shows such as, 'Les MIserables', 'Shrek', 'Once on this Island', and the Lincoln Center Broadway Series - 'Reel to Real'. She has also produced and co-produced for over 30 years for events such as, the annual Tap Extravaganza, Taste of Broadway, Tap in for Clean Tap Water, and a 12-series show for New York Town Hall. To this day, Traci is an active member of the NY Committee to Celebrate National Tap Day as Chair Emeritus, and her favorite thing about working at a dance studio is the poise, progressive thinking, creativity, teamwork, and, most importantly, the joy that dance creates!

Office Manager

Hannah Natale

Hannah Natale was born in Corpus Christi, TX and started dancing at the age of 3! She trained in various styles of dance at an Arizona dance studio and was a part of her high school's dance team and pom team. Hannah competed regionally throughout the state with both her studio and high school teams and had the opportunity to perform in Super Bowl XLIX. After high school, Hannah went on to obtain her Bachelor's in Community Health and Master's in Family and Human Development through Arizona State University. It was during this time that she found her way back into the dance world as the office manager of Heart and Sole. Her favorite thing about working at a dance studio is being able to see the dancers shine on stage and share her passion for dance with everyone that comes through the doors!

Receptionist

Abbi McLyman

Miss Abbi grew up dancing, competing in gymnastics and in high school she was a member of her school's Pom team. Miss Abbi has a keen eye for detail and always strives to provide amazing customer service. Miss Abbi has been the receptionist at Heart and Sole for about a year and a half and her favorite part of the job has been building relationships with all of our dance families.  

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"This job has brought so many happy memories to myself, the staff and dancers and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Heart and Sole!!"

- Miss Abbi

Receptionist 

Sam Morris

Samantha Morris was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and moved to Surprise, Arizona, at the age of 5. She began her performing arts career in her elementary school band, close to 10 years ago! Samantha began playing trumpet at the age of 10 in her school’s band, and then the cello at age 13 in her school’s orchestra. She went on to perform in the Shadow Ridge High School marching and Symphonic concert band, and competed in several competitions for both bands throughout her 4 years in high school. Her favorite memory from band was getting to be a part of the 2016 Holiday Bowl halftime show and parade in San Diego, California! Samantha currently studies psychology at one of the local Maricopa Community Colleges, with plans to transfer to Arizona State University for a degree in Forensic Psychology. What Samantha loves most about working at Heart and Sole Performing Arts is getting to watch dancers hone their dance skills throughout the season!