Emily
Stretch & Mobility, Artistic Director
With over 20 years of management experience in the dance and fitness industry, Emily has built a career dedicated to creating impactful, inclusive, and high-quality wellness programs. She has overseen a broad range of dance and fitness offerings—including Dance, Yoga, Pilates, Aquatics, Senior Fitness, and specialized small-group classes—ensuring exceptional instruction, member engagement, and operational excellence.
Trained in areas of Dance, Kinesiology and Exercise Science concepts, Pilates, Yoga, functional fitness, and flexibility and mobility methods, Emily brings a deep understanding of movement and technique to her leadership approach and classes. Her expertise allows her to collaborate effectively with instructors, develop innovative class formats, and cultivate fitness environments that support people of all ages and abilities.
Known for her professionalism, enthusiasm, and commitment to holistic well-being, Emily continues to inspire others through both her hands-on training knowledge and her strong background in dance and fitness.
“I believe movement has the power to uplift every body at any age. Through creativity, support, and adaptability I want to empower you to unlock your strength, confidence, and reach your goals.”
Audrey
Ballet
Audrey Poehlman has been devoted to the performing arts ever since ballet brought her into a world of music, storytelling, and imagination. Immersing herself in various productions including The Nutcracker, Snow White, The Seasons, Cinderella, Christmas with the Symphony, and many more.
Her professional experience extends beyond her early years, with performances in Omaha, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Montreal, Canada, where she trained with renowned instructors and artists, performing for vibrant, diverse audiences. Each stage became a place to explore the breath of movement, alignment, emotion, and artistry.
Audrey holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a foundation that shapes her integrative, whole-body approach to dance. In the studio, she encourages students to tune into the subtleties of their own bodies and how grounding transforms balance, how awareness opens expression, and how mindful technique allows movement to feel both powerful and easeful.
With a blend of understanding and artistic intuition, Audrey guides dancers in developing not only strong technical skills, but also a grounded sense of wellness, curiosity, and joy.
“My goal is to help each student experience dance as a lifelong practice of connection: to themselves, to their artistry, and to the world around them.”
Bri
Dance, Yoga, & Barre
Bri is a California native, lifelong mover, and passionate teacher dedicated to helping others experience strength, confidence, and joy through movement.
Her journey began in acrobatics and tumbling, but after a career-ending injury, dance became her path to healing. That path led her around the world with a performing arts company that empowered people through music and dance workshops.
Throughout her travels in Europe, Japan, and the United States, she worked with thousands of individuals, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of movement.
While in Japan, she discovered a deep personal practice in yoga. Upon returning to California, she immersed herself in study at one of the world’s leading yoga institutions, refining her understanding of alignment, mindfulness, and the body’s natural intelligence. This foundation now shapes both her dance teaching and her approach to fitness.
“My teaching is a blend of technique, alignment, and heart. My mission is to help students move with intention, express themselves fully, and feel truly connected to their bodies.”
Emma
Dance
Emma was born in Lincoln and danced throughout her childhood. She continued her training at a small studio in Seattle, Washington before moving to London, England to study full time at the University of Roehampton.
While she’s always been passionate and involved in ballet and tap, contemporary became her focus and area of expertise. In London, she earned her undergraduate degree in Dance Studies with an emphasis on dance education and dance science and somatics. She studied Release, Cunningham, Limon, Horton, and Graham technique extensively. Her research on cultivating a positive environment in the dance class earned her a first in her class.
Emma is now a school librarian, providing further practice in teaching strategies. She strives to make everyone feel welcome and cultivate a fun, uplifting environment where everyone can learn and grow.
“I love helping people try new things and unlock their creativity. For me, dance classes are the only place that all the stress and preoccupations of the outside world fade away and allow me to be fully present. I love being able to share that sense of focus, peace, and camaraderie with anyone who comes through our doors at Evolve.”
Lexi
Ballet
Lexi is a lifelong learner, educator and movement enthusiast. Born and raised in Southern California, Lexi trained and competed against the best in the industry from San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Now, Lexi is dedicated to sharing the experience of dance with her students while also celebrating all the amazing and hard things our bodies can do. With a degree in secondary education from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lexi uses her background in education, and her experience with dance, to create a safe and powerful environment for movement and exploration.
“Our bodies do incredible things everyday. It’s important that we celebrate that through movement, self empowerment, and pushing through the uncomfortable.”
Sarah
Yoga
Sarah Rasby is an educator, researcher, and facilitator dedicated to advancing caregiver well-being and inclusive, whole-person education. With a PhD and a background in family sciences and research methods, her work bridges academic insight with lived experience, particularly in the areas of family caregiving, health care, identity, and emotional resilience.
In addition to her academic work, Sarah has been teaching yoga for several years, guiding students through a blend of functional strength, hot sculpt, and mindful flow practices. Her teaching emphasizes accessibility, body awareness, and the integration of strength and restoration. She creates spaces where all bodies feel welcome and supported.
At the heart of her teaching—both in the classroom and on the mat—is a simple message: you are not behind, you are not broken, and your experience matters. She wants her students to leave with a deeper sense of self-trust, practical tools for regulation and strength, and the understanding that growth can be both challenging and compassionate at the same time.
“My hope as a yoga instructor is to provide a space where everyone feels welcome and valued. I encourage each person to find their own path on the yoga mat and in their bodies, so that they may feel connected and aware.”
Thireena
Dance Fitness, Pilates, Functional Fitness & Senior Fitness
Thireena began dancing as a toddler in Japan, where movement quickly became both a passion and a lifelong pursuit. As she grew, she explored a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap, while also training in gymnastics. Her love of culture and curiosity for new forms led her to study Irish dance, hula, reggae, and traditional Japanese dance, shaping her into a versatile, expressive, and knowledgeable dancer.
A lifelong learner, Thireena’s path expanded into fitness, where she taught dance-based programs such as MixxedFit® and Zumba®. She later advanced into Pilates Reformer, blending her artistic roots with a science-based understanding of the body.
She is a certified personal trainer and a Balanced Body–trained Pilates Reformer instructor. Her professional credentials include a CPT from NCCPT and multiple certifications through the International Sports Sciences Association, including Corrective Exercise, Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Therapy, Transformation Specialist, Senior Fitness, and Group Fitness. She is also certified in Acrobatic Arts and is an Instructor certified through USA Gymnastics, which helps aid her as the Acro director at Nebraska Acro Arts.
“Movement is a lifelong gift, one that supports your whole body, your health, and your well-being at any age. My mission is to help every student build strength, balance, and confidence from the inside out.”