MISSION

To provide a space for dancers to connect with a deep sense of their artistic potential and how it intersects with who they are as a human being.

We believe the creative experience is ever-evolving and multi-dimensional, particularly in the 21st century. We want to help you discover and hone adaptable skills that will functionally support you and your ongoing artistic practice.

Megan ALLEN

Co-founder, Director

Megan Guise is a multi-faceted artist currently residing in Long Beach, California. Her creative practices include photography, videography, performing, choreographing, improvising, movement research and educating. Her early dance training started in Santa Ana, California, at Orange County School of the Arts where she studied Commercial Dance and eventually led to her BFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach. She has had the privilege of appearing in works created by Alex Ketley, Becca Lemme, Andy Vaca, Lorin Johnson, Christian Burns, Keith Johnson, Sophia Monat, amongst others. She has also participated in workshops with BodyTraffic, OBOC Countertechnique, Szalt, Ate9 Dance Company, and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance.

Megan's choreography has been well-recognized at the Youth America Grand Prix, American College Dance Association and the Southern California dance community at large. In recent years she co-directed Westside Dance Project for seven years at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, where she was also on faculty. Megan is elated to have supported students that now attend education institutions such as Juilliard, SUNY Purchase, California Institute of the Arts, Chapman University, USC, Pace University, CSU Long Beach, UC Irvine, Stanford University, and with companies Nederland’s Dans Theater, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, SALT Contemporary Dance, The TL Collective and Gibney Dance Company.

Megan brings a dynamic and inspiring approach to dance education, sharing her love of movement through ballet, modern, composition, contemporary, and improvisation. Her classes invite students to explore technique, creativity, and self-expression in an inclusive and supportive environment. Drawing on music, visual art, anatomy, and personal experience, Megan offers a rich, multidisciplinary perspective that encourages dancers to connect deeply with their own artistry. Committed to fostering empathy, curiosity, and growth, she empowers students to discover their unique voices through movement. Megan is on faculty at N10 Dance Studios and directs the Hyphen Artist Program at Prynstev Ballet Academy in Laguna Hills.

As owner and director of Hyphen Art House, Megan is interested in providing a creative space for dancers to find a closer relationship to their artistic voice and technical potential through various dance forms, discussions, journaling, and collaboration.

HYPHEN Values

  • In order for our work to sustain, we believe that it requires an environment that centers deep care. This expands into the ways we show up as leaders, and how we nurture the communities we cultivate.

  • Fostering imagination and wonder is essential to nurturing future artist-humans. By encouraging an active practice of discovery, allows for a deeper understanding of self and the unknown.

  • A dedication to craft fosters an investment in process, leading to fulfillment and growth.

  • Centering connection is vital to thrive as a living + growing entity. As a community, we build from a collaborative mindset that invests in the relationship between diverse individuals.

“WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE HUMANS CAN CELEBRATE THEIR BEAUTIFUL COMPLEXITY, EMBRACING ALL FACETS OF THEIR unique IDENTITy.

WE BELIEVE THAT MOVEMENT AND MINDFUL REFLECTION IS A PORTAL INTO TRANSFORMATION.

COMMITTING TO thE journey of THIS DEEP & intentional WORK, CULTIVATES more VIBRANT & diverse COMMUNITIES…AND ULTIMATELY A BETTER WORLD.”

- Co-founders Krystal Matsuyama-Tsai & Megan Allen

What People Are Saying

“Since joining Hyphen, my daughter is back to loving dance. Megan and Krystal play a big role in this with their guidance and warmth, and they cultivate a positive and supportive environment for all the dancers. she admires the other dancers for their talent, and enjoys them for their collaborative spirits. The guest faculty are great and she loves having the opportunity to learn from professionals from across the US. She is honored to be a part of Hyphen.”

“Hyphen has been so tremendously positive in our child's dance journey! Each Sunday our child looks forward to starting the week off with our Hyphen Family and always leaves class feeling empowered and energized!”

“Hyphen is a place that I am excited to go to every Sunday. I love how we not only work on ourselves as dancers but also as people. I am constantly being inspired by the other people in the room and I learn so much by being here. Thank you for creating such a happy and healthy place!”

“Transformative, inspiring, healthy, fun, collaborative”

“Reflective, Growth, Motivating, Uplifting, Exploratory”

“Inspiring, professional, eye opening, supportive, constructive”

“Rejuvenating, educating, nurturing, loving, encouraging”

“Positive, Mindful, Present”