MEET THE team
Tarua hall
Director, Founder , Teacher & Choreographer
I hail from sunny Southern California born into a military family. I was fortunate to travel and live out of the states where Cuba was my absolute favorite. My mother put me in dance classes when I was 2 1/2 as I was highly uncoordinated. I would fall down frequently but could not stop moving. She nor I knew what journey I'd be on and how much of an impact dance would eventually have on my life. She searched tirelessly for the dance studio that felt just like home. With my grandmother's help, they found an extraordinary woman who would forever change my life, Jocelyn K. Wilson. She was magical and knew more about you than you knew about yourself. Her passion literally jumped out of her skin and into my soul. She was my second mother and taught me everything about what it meant to be a dancer and trained me like a warrior. I was her most prized pupil.
Jocelyn K. Wilson offered me a scholarship and inspired me to train beyond my home. She sent me to conventions where I was grateful to have been influenced and taught by dance icons such as Sam Watson, Joe Tremaine, Pattie Obey, and the late Doug Caldwell and Gus Giordano. In my generation of dancing you danced your butt off until you dropped, you trained in every style and technique, no tears, no excuses. Faking training and discipline was simply not an option. These mentors reminded me to do the work (even when others didn't) and to get up each time I fell. I did just that.
As an early adult I realized I was unique and had the ability to pull artistic creativity out of young humans, pushing them beyond limits imagined. My choices in music and athletic yet whimsical choreography made it evident that I was born to be a creator. I have instructed students for over 20 years and can still say that I love what I do. My talents ranging from teaching technique, choreographing award winning delights, coaching dance teams, and successfully directing concerts, have aged like fine wine.
The most influential time in my dance career was meeting my best friend, Tessandra Chavez, who invited me to direct Unity Dance Ensemble's apprentice company for over 10 years and Unity San Diego for 5 years. My calling had emerged and I fell completely in love with my new found exploration as a choreographer. It became a welcomed duty to bring harmony and encourage individual artistic freedom, while facilitating a home for so many talented dancers. Represented by MSA, I later got my big break as a professional choreographer on China’s famous show "Strictly Come Dancing” (Season 3) and with my debut on Lifetime Network choreographing for "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" (Season 2) in LA.
I believe that in order to elevate young dancers, we have to fuel their minds with the belief that they are destined for greatness. Taking my class is to experience the horizon and emerge as a phoenix. It's a pleasure to offer guidance and have a profound influence on our aspiring artists at Visionary!
Wendy Haddock
Children’s Program Director, Flux & Flow Founder, Choreographer & instructor
With over 32 years teaching experience, Wendy Haddock is a seasoned and passionate dance educator dedicated to sharing the artistry and joy of dance with students of all ages and skill levels. A lifelong student of dance, Wendy is constantly exploring new ways to move and innovate, striving to be the best dance educator as possible. Her commitment to continuous learning and growth is reflected in her dynamic and engaging classes for where students of all ages are inspired to push their boundaries and achieve excellence.
Wendy was the Artistic Director and co-owner of Expressions Dance & Arts in the Bay Area in Pleasanton, California from 2012-2021 and has taught at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities and at many dance schools throughout California, the Netherlands, Aruba and Italy. She taught convention classes for Dance Masters of America and has received numerous awards for her choreographies at the regional and national dance competition levels. Wendy began assistant teaching and choreographing at age fourteen and had her own classes by age sixteen. She ran the Rancho Penasquitos YMCA Dance Program at age twenty and began developing her teaching style of strong technique, humor and encouragement. Over the years, Wendy has choreographed well over 900 pieces for groups large and small including solos, trios and duets in variety of styles and levels. Her thousands of students worldwide have found many successes as dancers, choreographers, dance teachers and in life with the lessons learned from Wendy’s classes and encouragement.
In early 2024, Wendy founded Flux & Flow Dance and Movement classes for adults and currently holds classes at Visionary Dancer and at Dance North County in Encinitas. She recognized the dire need for quality adult dance classes and designed them to be fun, challenging and engaging for adults of every experience level. Flux & Flow Classes provide an encouraging space where adults can enjoy the process of moving their bodies to great music while reaping the physical and mental health benefits of regular dance practice. Adults are able to embark on a transformative dance journey with Flux & Flow that celebrates the love and artistry of dance.
Starting her dance journey at the age of eight, Wendy has always been eager to learn every style of dance possible. By age ten she was already competing with her studio’s non-profit youth company and continued to excel in her dance journey. She studied jazz, ballet, hip-hop, modern, tap, lyrical, acrobatics, Afro-Haitian, House, Salsa and Dancehall extensively throughout California in her dance career. Her dedication to the artistry of dance earned her numerous scholarships and awards for performing and choreography and pursued a dance and art double major at California State University Long Beach. Her performance years includes the Mount Carmel Dance Troupe, Wise Dance Youth Company, John Stronk’s Company, Diamontez Dance Company, Unity Dance Ensemble and a backup dancer and choreographer for Don Carlos. Wendy also founded Avatar Flux Dance Company in the Bay Area as the artistic director and choreographer. She additionally served as a dancer and choreographer for City Heights Band as well as appearing in a music video with George Clinton and Unity.
Wendy joins the Visionary Dancer Team this 2024/25 season with the experience and knowledge to make Visionary Dancer one of the top dance schools in Southern California. She is excited to share her passion for dance and knowledge with students to give them the best training and experience as possible so they succeed not only in dance but in life as well.
Sheldon Chaney
Instructor & Dancer
Sheldon began her dance journey at the tender age of two and joined her first competitive group, “Hot Stuff” at four, under the choreography of Tarua Hall. She has received extensive training various dance styles, including jazz, ballet, lyrical and contemporary. Throughout her illustrious dance career, Sheldon has participated in regional and national competitions, earning several overall and high-score awards and was a member of her high school dance team. Beyond her home studio, she was an ensemble dancer for Unity Dance Ensemble under the direction of Tessandra Chavez. In 2012, she played the lead role in Unity Dance Ensemble’s “Red Riding Hood” and in 2013 portrayed the sin Envy in the Ensembles performance of “The Deadly VI”.
After graduating from high school, Sheldon successfully auditioned and danced for professional sports teams, securing a spot as an inaugural dancer for the LA Kiss indoor arena football team. She also danced for the San Diego Gulls and San Diego Enforcers as well as additionally performing with the Garnish Girls internationally. For the past six seasons, Sheldon has been dancing with the San Diego Seals for six seasons and is looking forward to her seventh season. Serving as the San Diego Seals Dance Captain for the last three seasons, leading dancers and collaborating with the coach and other captains on community events and game day operations. Sheldon also brilliantly took on the lead role in Visionary Company’s Summer Showcase of “Medusa”.
Currently, Sheldon is working towards her Bachelor of Science in anthropology from California State University San Marcos. Her long-term goal is to obtain a teaching credential and pursue a career focused on educating and inspiring young children. Sheldon is committed to creating a fun and supportive environment for dancers, encouraging their artistic exploration while ensuring they feel safe and nurtured. She is excited to be part of the Visionary Dancer family, where she can share her passion and expertise in dance. She is eager to work with children, helping them enhance their technique, boost their self confidence and foster their artistic expression.