Dancer Ava Wagner is transitioning from competitive dance to professional commercial work in Los Angeles. Rooted in a multi-generational family legacy at Larkin Dance Studio, Wagner secured commercial bookings like a Gap ad and joined Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance: Encore tour following collegiate success at the University of Minnesota.
The Bottom Line
- Deep Roots: Wagner trained at Larkin Dance Studio in Minnesota, a family institution founded by her great-grandmother Shirley Larkin and co-owned by her grandmother Michele Larkin-Wagner.
- Collegiate Dominance: After turning down an immediate move to Los Angeles out of high school, she won two Division 1A Pom national championships and two Division 1A Jazz silver medals with the University of Minnesota dance team.
- Commercial Breakout: By the end of the 2025 school year, she relocated to L.A., subsequently booking a Gap ad, teaching at Press Play conventions, and securing a spot on Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance: Encore tour.
From Minnesota Studios to the L.A. Commercial Scene
Ava Wagner’s journey to the professional stages of Los Angeles wasn’t a sudden impulse; it was a masterclass in patience. As she notes about her origins, her family’s connection to movement runs deep. “My grandma was stretching my feet the minute I was born,” she shares.
That early foundation paved the way for a stellar youth competitive career. Wagner excelled at Hall of Fame and The Dance Awards—bagging the 2018 Orlando Junior Best Dancer title—and secured a third-place finish on Season 3 of World of Dance alongside her sister, Ellie. But when high school ended, the traditional rush to Hollywood felt premature. She opted for the collegiate route instead, joining the University of Minnesota dance team.
That decision yielded serious hardware. By the conclusion of the 2025 school year, Wagner had checked every collegiate box and was finally primed to tackle the commercial audition scene in Southern California.
Industry Evolution and the Changing Face of Commercial Dance
Today’s commercial dancers must seamlessly transition from arena tours like Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance to fashion campaigns for brands like Gap.
| Career Phase | Key Milestones & Achievements | Location / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Youth & Youth Comp | Trained at Larkin Dance Studio; 2018 Orlando Junior Best Dancer; 3rd place on World of Dance Season 3 (with sister Ellie). | Minnesota / National Circuits |
| Collegiate Excellence | Two Division 1A Pom national championships; two Division 1A Jazz silver medals; co-choreographed the 2026 jazz routine (3rd at UDA Nationals). | University of Minnesota |
| Professional Transition | Booked a Gap ad; taught at Press Play conventions; featured performer on Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance: Encore tour. | Los Angeles & National Tours |
Redefining Success Beyond the Scoreboard
Transitioning into the professional sphere has given Wagner a distinct perspective on the youth circuit that raised her. Having spent years chasing titles at major conventions, she now uses her platform as an educator—alongside her sister Ellie at Press Play conventions—to reframe how young dancers view competition.
“After being on the other side of the competition-and-convention circuit, I think it’s important for dancers to focus on learning and improving, instead of who wins,” Wagner reflects. “That’s a difficult mindset to have at a young age, but the scores and winners don’t really matter. The best thing about conventions is meeting people, because those are the people you’ll be surrounded by as a professional.”
That community-first mindset also brought her full circle back to her alma mater. When University of Minnesota dance team assistant coach Lauren Busyn tapped her to co-choreograph the 2026 jazz routine, Wagner didn’t hesitate. The resulting routine helped guide the team to a third-place finish at the 2026 UDA Nationals, proving that her choreographic voice is just as potent as her performance execution.
Staying Grounded in a High-Speed Industry
Yet Wagner’s approach remains stubbornly serene. In an industry obsessed with the next big drop or casting announcement, her mantra is refreshingly simple: “Being grateful, in the moment, and present is the most important thing to me.”
Whether she is welcoming nervous young dancers at a convention face-to-face or stepping onto the stage for an arena tour, Ava Wagner is playing the long game—proving that longevity in entertainment belongs to those who keep their feet firmly planted on the ground.
