Meet Our Alumni
Cavod’s influence as a hub for expressive creativity and redemptive storytelling spans far beyond the borders of Lancaster County. These profiles celebrate the diverse paths and achievements of our alumni, showcasing how Cavod’s nurturing environment helps budding talents to flourish and leave their mark in the performing arts.
Anissa Mohler
Belhaven University
Anissa graduated summa cum laude from Belhaven University in Jackson, MS, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. During her time there, she trained in modern and ballet, had many performance opportunities, worked with multiple guest artists, including Kevin Jenkins and Steve Rooks, and served on student leadership. She is now moving overseas for two years, and will continue dancing in addition to taking language classes and volunteering with a program that serves refugees.
“My time at Cavod prepared me well for the transition to a collegiate dance program. I loved my time at Cavod, and am grateful to have received all of my early dance training in such a positive environment.”
Annika Blake
Southern New Hampshire University
Annika attended Cavod during her junior and senior year of high school and was a senior dancer with Citylight Dance Theatre. Since graduating high school, she has continued her training at Pennsylvania Regional Ballet and is a substitute dance instructor at various studios, including Cavod. Outside of the dance world, she’s working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology online at Southern New Hampshire University and plans to obtain a master’s degree in Archaeology.
“I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to train and perform with Cavod.”
Audrey Pavlica
Carnegie Mellon University
Audrey is a student at Carnegie Mellon University with a dual major in Vocal Performance and Psychology. She is also pursuing certifications in both music education and piano pedagogy. In addition to her studies, Audrey is a student leader for CRU and leads the worship team. She is also president of a music volunteering club, as well as on the board of the school’s ballet club, where she gets to perform, teach, and choreograph. She also performs in musicals with the theatre club at her school.
“Cavod has helped prepare me for college by providing me with a foundation of technique as a performer, along with leading me to have a strong anchor in the Lord which allows me to glorify God and show His love to others through the arts.”
Ella Wanner
Steps on Broadway Conservatory
Ella Wanner began her dance training at age 12 with Cavod. She started in ballet then explored all genres of dance including jazz, ballroom, modern, and acrobatics. In 2022 she attended the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory High School program followed by Orlando Ballet School’s program in 2025. She’s now pursing musical theatre with Steps on Broadway’s conservatory program in New York City.
“Cavod will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first dance studio, and as a dancer who began her ballet training at the age of 12, finding the motivation to pursue such a meticulously challenging art form while having a late start was very difficult, but the support of such wonderful teachers at Cavod inspired me to do so. Though choosing to leave home at 16 to chase this dream was incredibly hard, knowing that I can always return to the support and wisdom of my former teachers at Cavod is a blessing.”
Gavin Haas
Richmond Ballet, Zion Dance Project, Ornate Dance Theatre
Gavin began his dance training at Cavod when he was 10 before transitioning to the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory at age 16. He then danced with Richmond Ballet as a trainee until God redirected his plans after suffering a major knee injury. In 2023, Gavin joined Zion Dance Project in Dallas, where he danced until spring of 2025 while also teaching and working as Company Coordinator at Centre for Dance. He has now made the move back to Lancaster to Dance with Ornate Dance Theatre, teach at Cavod Performing Arts, and choreograph at Cavod Theatre.
“When I left, Cavod was one of my favorite places to come home to, and the people here helped me through so many struggles, like homesickness, anxiety, and injury. Cavod is like a family to me, and I am so grateful to finally put my roots back down here again!”
Zoe Halvorsen
Zoe danced at Cavod during her junior and senior year of high school and she considers it her forever dance home. She joined Ornate Dance Theatre for a half season during the fall of 2022 before moving to Kona, Hawaii to join a performing arts discipleship training school called Heartbridge. With Heartbridge, she traveled to both England and South Korea while sharing the gospel and performing in all kinds of different places. Currently she is training in New York City at the Steps on Broadway Conservatory where she studies a variety of different dance styles as well as receives vocal and acting training. She’s had the opportunity to do summer studies at the London Contemporary Dance School and Springs Dance Company over the past few years.
“My time at Cavod has instilled so much confidence in my identity as a daughter of the King, which has translated so beautifully into how I see myself as a performer. My Cavod family continues to support me daily, and I will never take my years at Cavod for granted.”
Jada Correll
Zion Dance Project
After graduating, Jada moved to Dallas, Texas where she is a part of Zion Dance Project’s Residency program. She is dancing 5 days a week in styles such as ballet, modern/Horton, jazz, African fusion, and more. She is also enjoying learning deeper ways to use dance to worship the Lord and further His kingdom.
“Cavod has been a crucial part of my dance training and childhood. I started at Cavod in 2013 with musical theatre shows and fell in love with performing. I then transferred all my dance training to Cavod in the next couple years. I grew so much in my technique and artistry, as well as learning how to incorporate my faith with my dance. I would highly recommend Cavod for any student that wants to get serious with dance, but also you get to find lifelong friends and amazing teachers.”
Sierra Anastasi
The Fulton, Silver Dollar City
Sierra spent over 13 years at Cavod where she advanced through the classes, joined their performing company, became a teacher’s assistant, and then instructor for various styles. Along with 20+ hours of dance every week, she was heavily involved with Cavod Theatre, where she caught the theatre bug early and never looked back. Sierra moved to the Central Coast of California to pursue musical theatre at Pacific Conservatory Theatre. Since graduating, she has been working professionally on the east coast, west coast, and in-between; some of her favoriterolesinclude Liesl in The Sound of Music, Lucinda/Dance Captain/LittleRedUS inInto the Woods, Alanna/Ariel Body Double in The Little Mermaid(PCPA), White Christmas(The Fulton), and Saloon Girl/Dance Captain (Silver Dollar City Saloon Show).
“Without Cavod, I would not be the performer or person I am today. Cavod gave me the opportunity to focus on both dance and theatre while also teaching me how to be a strong believer in the industry.”
Mariana Lapp
Sarasota Ballet
Mariana is currently part of the trainee program with The Sarasota Ballet, a ballet focused program designed to help dancers prepare for a professional company career. She danced with Cavod from the age of six and enjoyed taking classes with the different styles and teachers offered throughout the years.
“I am thankful for all that I have learned during my time at Cavod, and for the positive environment found in the studio.”
Richard Weaver
The Fulton Theatre, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Servant Stage
Richard began his journey with Cavod 12 years ago, immersing himself in community theatre shows and attending Acting Classes whenever possible. In recent years, he has directed junior shows such as Elf Jr and Seussical Jr for Cavod’s summer camps and joined Cavod’s faculty in 2023. Since 2018, Richard has been working professionally as a performer. Growing up in Lancaster County, he has showcased his talents in various local theaters, including The Fulton Theatre, The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, and Servant Stage, among others. Some of his favorite roles include Ensemble in Treasure Island at the Fulton Theatre and Laurie in Little Women at Cavod Theatre. Currently, Richard is involved in multiple projects including The Home Game at the Bird-in-Hand Stage, a Swing for Mystery at the Magic and Wonder Dinner Theatre, and Piercing Word’s Advents of Christmas!