Mekena is thrilled to join the Eden Dance Collective family as a Jazz Instructor! With a degree in Dance Performance and years of experience as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and creative leader, Mekena is passionate about helping students grow in confidence, technique, and artistry.

Her journey in the arts has taken her through performing, choreographing, and coordinating productions, including her time with Dream City Church’s Creative Arts Ministry where she worked on The Celebration of Christmas. She now teaches private dance lessons, choreographs in various settings, and continues to build the arts community alongside her husband Elijah through Patriot Productions.

MEET THE TEAM

Mekena is thrilled to join the Eden Dance Collective family as a Jazz Instructor! With a degree in Dance Performance and years of experience as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and creative leader, Mekena is passionate about helping students grow in confidence, technique, and artistry.

Her journey in the arts has taken her through performing, choreographing, and coordinating productions, including her time with Dream City Church’s Creative Arts Ministry where she worked on The Celebration of Christmas. She now teaches private dance lessons, choreographs in various settings, and continues to build the arts community alongside her husband Elijah through Patriot Productions.

Mekena believes dance is a powerful gift from the Lord and loves using creativity and movement to encourage others, tell stories, and point people back to Him. She is passionate about creating an environment where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to pursue excellence.

She is grateful for the opportunities God has placed in her path, the support of her family, mentors who have invested in her journey, and the privilege of sharing her love for dance with the next generation of artists.

Mekena Mizysak

Taylor Simpson is a dance educator, choreographer, and performer with a passion for integrating faith, artistry, and exercise science. A Southern California native, she trained at Dunamix Dance Project through age 19, where she received faith-based instruction from American Ballet Theatre Certified Instructors. During this time, she performed in classical ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty. At age 16, she began teaching young ballet students and choreographing for recitals, discovering a passion for mentoring and developing young dancers.
In 2020, Taylor graduated from Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science and a Certificate in Ballet and Modern Dance Technique and Performance. While at Belhaven, she trained under a variety of dance faculty, served on DOXA, the university’s Dance Leadership Team, and performed with the Dance Ministry Ensemble. She also completed an internship in dance athletic training, gaining valuable experience in injury prevention, treatment, and recovery for dancers. Through her leadership and performance experiences, Taylor developed a love for choreography, creative collaboration, and the artistic process.
In 2021, Taylor moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she began teaching performing arts in local schools. Since 2024, she has served as choreographer for productions including Beauty and the Beast, White Christmas, Singin’ in the Rain, and Newsies with Patriot Productions.
Taylor is passionate about using dance as a tool for worship, artistic expression, and community. Her foundation and background in exercise science has given her the tools she needs to help prevent burnout, injuries, and overtraining in dancers. She has a passion for working with students as they develop their own artistry and hopes to instill a deep love for the Lord and for this artform!

Mekena believes dance is a powerful gift from the Lord and loves using creativity and movement to encourage others, tell stories, and point people back to Him. She is passionate about creating an environment where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to pursue excellence.

She is grateful for the opportunities God has placed in her path, the support of her family, mentors who have invested in her journey, and the privilege of sharing her love for dance with the next generation of artists.