Meet Our Faculty
Every instructor here brings real professional experience into the studio — not just teaching technique, but sharing what it actually takes to dance at a high level.
At Groundworks, dancers train under instructors who’ve performed on some of the biggest stages in the industry. Our faculty includes performers with credits from the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and Coachella, and who’ve shared the stage with artists like Lady Gaga, Adele, and Rihanna. Director Giovanni Allen trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theatre in New York before founding Groundworks as a place where dancers could train seriously while growing as artists and people.
Director
Giovanni Allen
Giovanni Allen, Gio, is originally from New York City, where he received his early training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and American Ballet Theater. He did his undergraduate work at California Institute for the Arts in LA. After graduating, he spent two years performing with La Companyia in Spain.
Since moving to Texas in 2010 Gio has been a choreographer and teacher for some of the Dallas area’s most prestigious dance companies and studios including Joffrey School of Ballet, Beyond Belief, Prodigy Dance & Performing Arts, and others. He is also a trusted choreographer for the Highland Park Belles and Tyler Apache Belles drill teams. In 2022, Gio choreographed for the band Kaleo at Soluna Arts Festival.
He has been the owner and artistic director of Groundworks Dance Company since 2018. He is committed to growing young people dancers and artists in a supportive environment.
Claude Alexander III
Originally from Washington, D.C., Claude attended Towson University in Baltimore, MD, where he studied Dance Performance under the mentorship of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell and Vincent Thomas. Additionally, he studied at The Ailey School, Parsons Dance, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s summer programs. Alexander previously performed with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre as a principal artist for 12 years. During his tenure with the company, he was promoted to Co-Rehearsal Director. Claude also performed as a guest artist with B. Moore Dance, Dance Iquail, Tuzer Ballet, Ballet Frontier, and most recently, Bruce Wood Dance. Notably, Claude has performed in Dallas Theater Center’s 2011 production of ‘The Wiz’ and the 2017 TITAS Command Performance and Gala. As a choreographic assistant to Bridget L. Moore, Alexander worked with Ailey II and Bruce Wood Dance in 2016. Claude’s choreography has been presented at several dance festivals, including Jacob’s Pillow, SummerStage in NYC, International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival, Battery Dance Festival, White Bird Dance Festival, and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Haley Whitman
Haley began her dance training at Murphy Dance Studio in Albany, Georgia, where she was also a member of Ballet Theatre South. While training, she was able to perform several leading roles such as “Alice” in Alice in Wonderland and “Clara” in the Nutcracker. Haley spent her summers training at the Joffrey Ballet School on full scholarship, the Governor’s Honors Program, and Atlanta Ballet. Upon High School Graduation, Haley moved to Texas where she was a ballet trainee at the Joffrey Ballet School. She completed four years with Joffrey and graduated from the program, where she was able to perform many classical and contemporary works. Haley started her professional ballet career as a company member with Ballet Papillon and the National Ballet of Texas; also working as a guest artist with Ballet Theatre South as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker.
Heather McNew
Heather McNew is a choreographer, teacher, and former studio owner with over 20 years of experience working with dancers of all ages and levels. As the owner and director of Evolution Arts & Athletics for more than a decade, she trained both recreational and competitive dancers while building programs focused on strong technique, versatility, artistry, and confidence.
Heather’s background includes training and teaching in acro, contemporary, musical theatre, conditioning, flexibility, turns, leaps, and performance technique. She is certified through Acrobatic Arts, Aerial Arts, Alixa Flexibility, and Progressive Ballet Technique. Throughout her career, her choreography and students have received numerous regional and national awards.
In addition to teaching and choreography, Heather has years of experience judging dance competitions and enjoys helping dancers grow in a positive and encouraging environment. She is passionate about building strong technical foundations while also helping students develop confidence, work ethic, and artistry.
Ashton Wyatt
Ashton Wyatt began her dance training at the Melva Smith School of Dance in Richardson, Texas, where she earned numerous High Gold awards and first-place honors in tap. She continued her education at the June Shelton School before earning both a bachelor's degree in Dance Studies and a master's degree with a concentration in dance lighting design from Texas Woman's University.
In addition to her work as a dancer, Ashton has designed lighting for productions across Texas and has served as a stage manager at the Majestic Theatre. She has also performed professionally with Repertory Company Theatre in Mary Poppins and White Christmas.
Inspired by legendary dancer Cyd Charisse, a close family friend, Ashton has always had a deep love for tap dance. She is excited to share her passion and experience with the students of Groundworks Dance Company while helping them grow as confident, well-rounded performers.
Resident Choreographer
Maleek Washington
Maleek Washington was born in the Bronx, New York, and at seven years old was introduced to dance at Broadway Dance Center and the Harlem School of the Arts. After attending LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts, Maleek continued his education at The Boston Conservatory while dancing for Common Wealth Ballet. After college Maleek joined CityDance Ensemble. A company that performed works by Paul Taylor, Kate Weare, and Alex Noreal in more than eight countries. During his time with CityDance, Maleek attended SpringBoard Danse in Montreal where he was joined Jose Novas's Company Flak for two seasons of European tours. Currently, Maleek is in his Third season collaborating with McArthur Genius awardee Kyle Abraham and his company Abraham in Motion. While dancing at the Mckittrick in the off-Broadway show "Sleep No More".
With multidisciplinary, experiential performance works that investigate the people, practices, and spaces shaping Washington's black identity, he was proud to present his art in 2017 at the Boston Dance Festival, Pepatian and BAAD!, Periapsis Dance and Music Noesis, and at the legendary Movement Research at Judson Church in Spring 2018. Washington is also a 2017-18 Dancing While Black top 10 choreographic finalists. Alongside his creative work, Washington has entered his second season with Camille A. Brown and Dancers in collaboration with her work Ink that premiered at the Kennedy Center in December 2017.