Joette Sawall

Ms. Joette, the artistic director of Mosaic Dance Center, LLC and the West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance, LLC has studied dance extensively since a very young age. Her dance studies began as a young child in tap, baton, ballet, gymnastics, and jazz, leading to competitive dance as a teenager, where she gained valuable stage experience. In addition to college courses in ballet & jazz, she also began her ethnic dance background with famous Egyptian and Turkish dancers and choreographers since the early 1990s, focusing her dance study and performance on Middle Eastern folkloric dance from all regions and also including Flamenco, African, Hula, Latin, and Bhangra. Joette has traveled the world performing, studying, and teaching dance.

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  She holds certifications in pre-school acrobatic arts, acrobatic arts, Dance Acclaim ballet training and much more. In addition to her dance background, Joette also holds a Master of Arts in communication that compliments her passion for contemporary dance. In addition to being a dancer, choreographer, teacher and writer with numerous published articles in dance publications, she was also a professor in the gender and women’s studies department at Western Michigan University for many years before opening Mosaic Dance Center. Joette is currently the coach for Gold Competitive Dance Team at Western Michigan University.

  Joette has performed as opening acts or on stage with international bands such as Rick Springfield, 38 Special, Theory of a Deadman, Skid Row, Spin Doctors, U2 Cover band, Gin Blossoms, Verbe Pipe, Hoobastank and the Arab American Orchestra. She has also performed for heads of state, and President Clinton and Secretary Hilary Clinton.

  Within all her educational knowledge are born new ideas for proliferation of performance art she obviously loves and to which she has devoted her life. While advocating for authentic vocabulary & rigorous performance technique — the true conventions for dance preservation and excellence — her visionary methods for dance education and performance are refreshing. Joette understands what it takes to progress a dancer to meet all their goals and dreams while maintaining technique, passion and creativity. She is very approachable and loves teaching preschool dance. She truly loves each student and can’t wait to see them each week in class!

Andrea Zerilli, Coach

Andrea has been involved in the performance world for over 20 years and attended Western Michigan University as a dance major for 4 years before co-directing the Kalamazoo School of Music and Dance until 2010. She has performed with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Young Michigan Dances, the Western Dance Project and the Kalamazoo Civic Theater. She has choreographed for numerous local schools and studios along with being the director of the Miss and Mr. I Am a STAR Pageant, an event in its 3rd year for special needs contestants who want a chance to be a star.

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  Andrea has won numerous pageant titles and is Miss Michigan US Beauties 2010, Mrs. Michigan Tourism 2011 and World’s Mrs. Tourism 2012. Her pageant students have won state and national awards in most major pageant systems including Sunburst, Miss American Coed, Fabulous Faces, Circle City and Miss Sparkle Success. She is a 5-time national champion baton twirler in the World Twirling Association and has coached students to state and national titles. In addition to her dance teaching, Andrea is currently a competitive baton coach. Andrea loves working with students and seeing them achieve their greatest potential.

Sierra Sawall, Creative Director

Sierra Sawall is the creative director of Mosaic Dance Center. Sierra holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in dance from Western Michigan University. In the summer of 2016, she was the recipient of Broadway Tours scholarship in Hip Hop. Sierra has performed in the 2010 Orange Bowl live with the Goo Goo Dolls and has worked with Emmy award winning artists from Complexions Dance Company. In addition, she has won numerous regional dance competitions in contemporary dance as a dancer and choreographer. Her works are being featured and in contention for the Industry Standards International Awards in October 2021. Sierra co-created Gold Competitive Dance at Western Michigan University in 2019. During this time she was president of the program. In 2021, Sierra became vice-president of E-Board for student athletics at Western Michigan University on the Sports Club Council, which oversees 900 student athletes. She currently is a judge for Headliners National Dance Competition and StageOne National Dance Competition.

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  In 2017, Sierra became certified in Acrobatic Arts and adds the training to her own studies and creating choreographic pieces for competition dancers. Sierra is also a vocal artist that trains off Broadway and with a number of master singers. As a competition coach and choreographer, she has won national titles for solos and groups in the summer of 2019. Also, Sierra became certified in Progressive Ballet Technique in 2019. In 2022, Sierra choreographed Mary Poppins at Mattawan High School and became certified in Aerial Hoop Arts out of Australia. In January of 2024, she was inducted into Dance Educators of America!! She is excited to bring ideas and concepts to the Mosaic Dance Company and is looking forward to working with each student!

Abbi Brown

Abbi began her dance journey at the age of three, demonstrating an early passion and talent for the dance performance. She trained extensively at Dance Trilogy, where her mother was part owner, and honed her skills across various dance styles under the guidance of esteemed coaches. After her time at Dance Trilogy, she continued to pursue her dance passion at the collegiate level, dancing for Davenport University’s national winning dance team. Abbi’s time with Davenport University allowed her to further refine technique and showcase abilities in a competitive collegiate environment.

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  Throughout her career, she has achieved being named a Top All-American NDA dancer 4 years in a row, and as an all-American freshman. All-American nominations are earned by dancers who exemplify all the qualities of the Merit Ribbons such as technical excellence, superior showmanship and spirit with the additional characteristics of a leader. The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an outstanding athlete from the United States who considered to be one of the best athletes in their sport. In addition to her collegiate experience, she was also a member of the Galaxy Dance Team. Abbi is super excited to be so warmly welcomed into the Mosaic Dance Family!!

Josie Hull

Meet Josie! She is a graduate of Toledo School for the Arts. She had been a competitive dancer for more than 12 years and also trained in aerial silks and hoops, which she loves teaching. More recently, she has developed a passion for inspiring others through teaching and choreography, and is a choreographer and technique instructor at MDC. Josie is a dance major at Western Michigan University, and was a member of the Kalamazoo Galaxy Girls. She was recently selected to perform in the senior BFA presentations and she truly loves her students at Mosaic Dance Center!