As a child dancer, she was fortunate to have had extensive training and performance opportunities. Johnson along with Denise Celestin, Cheyla Clawson, and Sabrina Vasquez. At WSU Haylie was awarded the Perry Endowment Scholarship, and her dance studies were under the direction of Nicholas C. In college Haylie performed with WSU's Wichita Contemporary Dance Theater, which included performances throughout Northeastern Italy.

Haylie started teaching at the age of 14 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Wichita State University. She took the role of Dance Director in 2017 and is eager to serve in the Executive Director position in addition to leading the Dance Department. Haylie has served in many roles at BCAPA, starting as a Dance Instructor in 2011. Mercedes received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from the University of Utah and was the Media Relations Specialist for the Salt Lake Sheriff’s Office from 2011-2015. She has been a member of the Waterford Dance Academy faculty since 2019 and will now additionally be a member of the Lower School Faculty teaching dance to PreK – Class I.Haylie Berning- Executive Director and Director of Dance In addition to being a part of her family owned dance studio’s faculty, Mercedes has also taught and choreographed for studios and programs throughout the state including: Dance Concepts, Linda Fenton School of Dance, Singers Unlimited, The Winner School, Kaleidoscope Dance Studio and the University of Utah. Mercedes has performed in and choreographed performances for the 2002 Winter Olympics, NBA Jazz halftime shows, Norwegian and Carnival cruise lines, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. From 1997-2002, she was selected to represent Utah in the international touring company: “The Sweethearts and Heartthrobs” sponsored by I Love Dance, Inc. Over the years, Mercedes has attended many national and international competitions and conventions where she was awarded with numerous titles, scholarships and high point accolades–first as a dancer and later on as an instructor/choreographer. Mercedes is also a proud Broadway Theatre Project alumni. Louis, Missouri, where she attended as a Musical Theatre major. Upon graduating, Mercedes was accepted into The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Mercedes attended The Waterford School for grades 7-10, and then at age 16, was accepted into the Musical Theatre program at Idyllwild Arts Academy- a prestigious and highly acclaimed performing arts boarding school in Southern California- where she completed her junior and senior years in high school.

She spent numerous summers in Los Angeles attending classes at renowned studios such as the Edge Performing Arts Center, The Millennium Dance Complex, The Howard Fine Acting Studio and private voice lessons with vocal coach Seth Riggs. Mercedes has had the opportunity to train under and work with many of the dance greats: Joe Tremaine, Gregory Hines, Ann Reinking, Savion Glover, Doug Caldwell, Jackie Sleight, Marguerite Derricks, Wade Robson, Joe Lanterri, and Mia Michaels to name a few. There she was trained in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, modern and musical theatre, becoming a faculty member at 15 years old and eventually the director/choreographer for the Mini, Junior and Senior companies and competition teams. She began dancing at her mother’s locally owned studio, Tracy’s Dance Academy, at age 2. Mercedes Hale is a fourth generation dancer, dance instructor and choreographer.

Kaleidoscope dance competition 2019