Welcome to
Philly's Got Dance Foundation
Dance School
Dance School
LaVonda Jenkins – Artistic Director & CEO
LaVonda Jenkins is the founder of Philly’s Got Dance and serves as its Artistic Director and CEO. A Philadelphia native, she established PGD in 2014 with a mission to broaden access to arts education and performance opportunities for underrepresented communities. With over 20 years of leadership in arts outreach, education, and performance, LaVonda’s work is rooted in empowerment and community.
Dominique Royal – Choreographer & Dance Artist
Dominique Royal holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and brings artistry, passion, and experience to every role she fills as choreographer, dance artist, and teacher. In both the studio and on stage, she weaves strong technical training with expressive performance, inspiring dancers to find their voice and confidence.
Neia Hawkins – Instructor (Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical)
Neia Hawkins discovered dance at age two and has trained with several Philadelphia-area studios, including Philadanco and Concord Dance Center. Alongside her studio work, she founded Dance Now Academy to give dancers space to grow, perform, and build portfolios. Neia is also pursuing a career in therapy and currently works in nursing, while balancing content creation and motherhood. Her teaching is warm, attentive, and versatile, and she loves sharing her passion for ballet, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical with students who want both artistry and discipline.
Alaysha Gladden – Hip Hop Instructor
Alaysha Gladden has been dancing since she was very young and grew up in Norristown, Pennsylvania. She earned a BFA in Acting from Arcadia University and has extensive experience in theater and dance production, including work in Little Dunk. Alaysha brings energy, creativity, and fun to her hip hop classes, believing that strong technique, personal expression, and a supportive classroom give students the freedom to shine. Outside the studio, she enjoys choreographing, theater work, and spending time with her friends.