Cheryl - Ballet / Tap / Hip Hop / Cheer Dance / Zumbatomic - Cheryl, 22, has recently graduated from Rowan University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and Child Drama, as well as a Certification in Reading and a Dance Minor. Since the age of 2, Cheryl has had a passion to dance, experiencing all different styles such as ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and musical theater. She was invited to become part of her studio’s first competition team at the age of 10, continuing through high school. Through dance conventions, competitions, and performances, Cheryl has been given the opportunity to travel to areas such as Los Angelos, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Florida. During college, Cheryl performed with the Rowan Dance Team as well as Rowan’s dance company known as Dance Extensions. In addition to being the vice-president of the team for 3 years, she was also captain of the dance team for 2 years, choreographing and performing for the football games and many other events. She was also chosen to receive the Theatre and Dance Medallion Award, which allowed her to perform a dance solo in front of the entire department’s graduation ceremony. Most recently Cheryl was invited to join the R-Phils Dance Team for the 2010 season! Cheryl’s fun-loving energy creates a warm learning environment for children of all ages.
Jenna - Drama Instructor - Minoring in the Theatre Arts at Centenary College, Jenna has been involved in numerous Equity production and student stage shows. Her passion for Theater has lead her back to school to become a Drama teacher to help young adults appreciate dramatics arts and to explore it in any way possible. She has had roles in various shows such as Pippin, Annie and Woychek. She also has extensive training in the fields of voice, movement, children's theatre and acting. In addition to her training at Centenary College she also attended DeSales University for the Summer Theatre Institute where she worked with talented veterans of the Theatre.
Devon - Yoga Instructor- Devon currently resides in Marlton, NJ and teaches elementary physical education in Collingswood, NJ. She graduated from Rowan University in May of 2009 with a BA in Health and Exercise Sciences and teaching certifications in Health, Physical Education, and Driver's Education. Devon's passion for working with children began at a very young age. As a youth herself she played all the sports but fell in love with the game of soccer. She stayed committed to soccer starting at the young age of 5 and through her years at Rowan where she played on the Women's Soccer Team. She now turns her passion of health and exercise toward children of all ages. Devon's first encounter with working with children was while she was still in high school, she starting training kids ranging in age from 3-15 in soccer. Devon wanted to expand her knowledge on different types of exercise so completed a workshop certifying her in Pilates. Now after graduating from Rowan her focus is in completing a 250-hour Yoga Teacher Training course. Devon's classes are always fun and energetic. Students will enjoy participating in new and exciting ways to exercise, create, and learn with their bodies!
Wendy - Kickboxing Instructor - Wendy, 27, is currently an elementary school teacher in Cherry Hill. Her creativity and love of children brought her to a profession in education. Like many, Wendy struggled with her weight for much of her life. It wasn’t until she tried a kickboxing class that she found a path to leading a fit and healthy lifestyle. Wendy considers kickboxing to be a passion second only to teaching. Now an AAAI certified instructor, Wendy hopes to inspire others by showing what dedication and hard work can help you achieve.
Courtney - Ballet / Tap / Jazz Instructor - Courtney has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained at Triplett Dance Academy, in Medford until she graduated high school. She then attended The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and graduated in May 2010 with a BA in dance performance. Courtney has been competing in dance for many years at all levels. She has studied many styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and modern. She was an active member of the Stockton Dance Company for 4 years performing in 2 shows a year. In 2010 Courtney traveled to Erie, Pa for the American College Dance Festival where she performed in a piece that was selected by the judges to perform in the festival's "Gala". Along with the dance company, she was a member of Stockton's Dance Team (Stockton Allstarz) for 3 years. Two of those years she was an officer of the team which allowed her to help choreograph dances. The Dance Team was invited to dance at half time at the 76ers game two years in a row. Courtney loves dancing, teaching and choreographing and is excited to continue to share her love of dance!
Danielle - Bootcamp / Cross Training / Kickboxing / Instructor - Danielle, 31, is a retired Division I college athlete, playing lacrosse and field hockey at Monmouth University. Danielle received awards such as first team All-Conference and was asked to try out for the Junior Olympic Lacrosse team. Danielle is now married and the mother two fabulous children, Sophia 7 and Peter 4. Danielle’s passion for fitness has her running! She’s participated in the Philadelphia Broad Street Run three years in a row and completed the Philly Half Marathon in 2008. She has recently taken her competitive edge to group fitness, offering high intensity boot camp style workouts. Danielle and fellow “groupies” find the workouts intense, yet fun and energizing!
Gillian - Ballet / Jazz / Modern Dance Instructor - is currently following her passion for dance at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia as a full-time dance/dance education major. She began her journey at the age of 4 and has dedicated herself to studying every aspect of the art including ballet, jazz, modern, tap and hip hop. She also has a background in gymnastics. Gillian performed in many local, regional and national competitions as part of the award-winning Jazz Unlimited Dance Ensemble. Highlights of her ensemble years include special invitations to perform in the 2008 Orange Bowl Halftime Show in Miami under the direction of Shane Sparks, the July 4th Welcome America Parade in Philadelphia, and the Carnivale Choreographers Ball in New York City. Gillian has studied under many talented choreographers including Mia Michaels, Shane Sparks, Meghan Braun, Christine Cox, Kim Bears-Bailey, Darrin Henson, Zane Booker and Billy Angell. As Gillian pursues a Bachelor of Fine Arts at UARTS, she looks forward to a career in dance as a choreographer and performer. She has a special interest in dance therapy and teaching children with special needs. She is motivated by the words of Aubrey Lynch (Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble), “To touch, to move, to inspire…this is the true gift of dance” and Gillian hopes to share that gift in every way she can.
Leslie - Adult Ballet Instructor - Leslie began her dance training at the age of 4 and danced at various studios throughout her childhood. She attended Princeton Ballet School for five years, including the Summer Intensive programs and worked with various members of the American Repertory Ballet Company. She then trained with the South Jersey Ballet School and the South Jersey Ballet Theatre under Andrea Duffin, where she performed various roles in The Nutcracker, Coppélia, and Cinderella. Most recently, she has been dancing at Artists in Motion where she has begun her teaching career.
Lily - Zumba Instructor - Lily has been a fitness instructor since 2006 and fitness enthusiast her whole life. She brings her love of fitness and passion for dance. She currently holds the AFAA group excercise certification and is also zumba certified. She teaches a variety of classes including cycling, step, TRX and sculpting classes. Her favorite class is zumba not because it is so much fun, but because that is how she met her fiance. Coming all the way from Florida, she strives to bring the best music, the best workout and the best variety.
Rodney - Martial Arts / Boys Only Hip Hop - Born and raised in the “sunshine” state of Florida, Rodney brings to Artists in Motion Dance Studio high energy and fancy foot work. Holding a Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing and working full time in the Kennedy Health System emergency department, Rodney’s schedule is full, but he will never give up his groove. Hip Hop music and dance heavily influences Rodney’s style. He began teaching in Jacksonville, Florida at various health clubs in the beginning of 2009 and hasn’t stopped his groove since. Hip Hop to Rodney is more than the music and dance, it is an avenue for expression and creativity with no boundaries.
Denise - Artist / Official Studio Photographer- Denise is a working artist, mother of 2, creativity coach, creative workshop leader, photographer, published writer, technology specialist and someone who believes everyone is an artist. She has never believed in coloring within the lines. She brings fun, joy, and an enthusiastic attitude to everything she does!
Trish - Drama Instructor - Trish has had a passion for theatre and performing since she was a young child. She began dance lessons not long after learning to walk (probably because as a toddler, she was never sitting still and always trying to perform something she created for anyone who resembled an audience) and continued dancing into her mid 20’s. Shortly after beginning dance, Trish was bit by the acting bug, and since her early teen years she has been studying theatre and film and auditioning professionally in NY and Philadelphia. Although she loves to be on stage and in front of the camera, within the last 10 years Trish has also been working locally behind the scenes teaching, producing, directing and choreographing in various venues. Among the many community theatre productions she has been a part of, most recently Trish has worked with the theatre department at Lindenwold High School as choreographer and assistant director, and with Learning Stages Theatre Organization as a head teaching artist for their NJ Class Act programs. She has also produced and/or directed several of their theatrical productions. She has also privately coached actors who are looking to break into the business or students preparing auditions for college theatre and dance programs. Trish loves working with children and teens and is thrilled to be able to share her love and knowledge of performing arts and an appreciation for theatrics with the students of Artists in Motion.
Renee -Ballet / Jazz Instructor - Bio Coming soon!!
Kat - Salsa / Hip Hop Instructor - Kat was born and raised in New Jersey and has been dancing since she was 9 years old. She has trained under Barbara Capaldi and Marcus Tucker of the Atrium Dance Studio. In addition to her extensive hip hop and salsa training, Kat has been studying belly dancing with Yareli Urbine. She is a member of "In Da Clutch Ent.", "The Engines", and "Evolution Dance Co." She has also danced for "Ill Style and Peace Productions", "Mark Rose Entertainment", "Silver Sounds" and "All Around Entertainment". Kat is very passionate about dancing as well as performing and enjoys attending workshops whenever possible. She is a very versatile dancer and a very determined young lady. Her heart is and forever will be on stage!
Alex - Hip Hop / Zumba Instructor - Alex , 23 , is currently a special education teacher at the Kindergarten level , working with children who need focus on students with behavioral , social , emotional , and therapeutic needs. She received her undergraduate degree at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania , and is currently attending Wilmington University of Delaware to receive her Master’s degree in Elementary Special Education. She is expecting completion of her M.A. degree in October! Along with her academic career , Alex has spent most of her life studying various types of dance , including her favorite , hip-hop. However , her passion for dance exceeds far beyond one style of dance. Alex has also been dancing competitively since the age of three. She was given the opportunity to travel around with numerous dance companies to places like NYC , California , Bahamas , and Las Vegas , where she worked with prestigious choreographers such as Paula Abdul , Chris Judd , and Fred Vassalo. After graduating from high school and moving onto the University level , she joined the Shippensburg University In-Motion Dance Troupe. During her time with the dance team , she held the position as head of Social Committee her freshman through junior year , as well as Director her senior year. As a team , the In-Motion Dance Troupe won nationals at the Reach the Beach competition in Ocean City , MD , her senior year! Through her love for dance and inspiration to work with children , Alex has anticipated a great year with the studio. Having taught a variety of dance classes at a local studio in Shippensburg , PA with a wide-range of ages and levels , she feels she can make her love for dance contagious! Her creative style of dance , philosophy of discipline , and heart to teach will bring a warm , fun , and upbeat atmosphere to the studio!
