Our Story

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND MARKETING

Kathleen is a former dancer turned seasoned operations professional who has found her dream job at Music in Motion in 2018. She began as a front desk assistant and has grown into her role as the Director of Operations and Marketing at Music in Motion. Raised in the beautiful mountain town of Boone, NC, Kathleen grew up dancing and fully immersed in the arts as the child of a musician and artist. As an adult, Kathleen gained valuable experience in retail management before discovering her true calling at MIM.

As Director of Operations, Kathleen combines her love for dance with her expertise in management to create a welcoming and supportive environment for MIM dancers and their families. She is committed to fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration within the studio, and she works tirelessly to ensure that everyone feels valued and appreciated. Kathleen's passion for her work is evident in her dedication to providing exceptional experiences for all who enter MIM's doors.

Kathleen is excited for another season at Music in Motion!

DANCE TEACHER & Office Staff (Jazz, Dance Company)

Miss Skylar started dancing when she was three years old at a dance studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She mainly studied at Wilkins School of Dance where she trained in a variety of genres such a jazz, ballet, tap, pointe, hip-hop, and lyrical. Throughout her years of dancing, she eventually joined the company at her studio and started competing in competitions around Virginia.

At this studio, she also started assisting classes at the age of 16. Miss Skylar knew she was passionate about teaching kids through this experience as well as when she had a job helping tutor children at Sylvan Learning Center during her sophomore year of high school. Throughout her high school career, Miss Skylar was a member of the First Colonial High School Patriettes Dance Team and by senior year became captain and was even able to choreograph her own performance for their senior night.

After a quite unordinary pandemic graduation in June 2020, Miss Skylar started furthering her education at Tidewater Community College where she is currently studying to get her general studies degree. Once completing this, she plans on continuing to study in child development and the arts.

In her time away from the studio, Miss Skylar can usually be found doing homework, hanging out with her family and friends, going to concerts, antiquing, watching her favorite shows and movies, and going to the bay for sunset picnics. Miss Skylar’s biggest passion has always been dance which makes her so excited to help all her students grow as dancers this year and perform beautifully on recital day - which just happens to be her favorite day of the year!!!

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Headshot and Bio Coming Soon!

COMPANY ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & DANCE TEACHER (Contemporary, Jazz)

Madison Houck was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She embarked on her dance journey at the age of 3. She trained extensively at a local dance studio where she learned various styles, including jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, and tap. Madison was a competitive dancer for 10 years and earned numerous accolades and recognition for her performances.

In 2018, she commenced her formal dance training at James Madison University (JMU), studying under renowned instructors such as Matt Pardo, Rubén Graciani, Ryan Corriston, Suzanne Miller-Corso, Shane O'Hara, and Cynthia Thompson. During her time at JMU, Madison had the distinct honor of joining the Virginia Repertory Dance Company, providing her with invaluable experiences working alongside esteemed artists and companies such as Ballet Hispanico, DanceWorks Chicago, Xiang Xu, Ricky Ruiz, and many others.

In 2022, Madison graduated Cum Laude from JMU with a bachelor's degree in dance performance and a K-12 licensure in dance education. Her commitment to dance education extends to her role as the upper school dance instructor at Cape Henry Collegiate along with teaching at Music in Motion. This is where she shares her passion for dance with young aspiring artists. This is Madison’s second year at Music in Motion. She teaches Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, and Leaps and Turns. She also Choreographs and is Rehearsal director for the MIM dance company. She is deeply passionate about the education and safety of her students and strives to make her classroom a safe space. She is very passionate about MIM and loves the studio environment!

Madison is deeply grateful to embark on her first professional dance season with Norfolk Dance Collective, where she continues to pursue her passion for dance at the highest level.

JUNIOR TEAM DANCE COMPANY DIRECTOR AND DANCE TEACHER (Kinderdance)
Jessica Wolf is a Music In Motion alum, having trained here as
a student and a company member. Jessica currently
choreographs for the Music In Motion Dance Company and
teaches Tumble/Ballet/Tap. She is proficient in all styles of
dance including Jazz, ballet, tap, modern and musical theater.
With her favorites being Jazz and Musical Theater.
Jessica graduated from Old Dominion University in 2015 with
her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education. After
graduating from ODU, Jessica taught dance at various studios
throughout the Hampton Roads area all while earning her
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education Adaptive Curriculum. She
recently graduated from ODU again in May 2024 with her
Master of Science in Special Education General Curriculum.
Jessica is currently a full-time employee of the Virginia Beach
City Public School system as a special education teacher.

She is beloved by her students as a kind, technical and compassionate, yet firm educator. She takes pride in providing a safe space for her students to learn and grow; as well as meeting the students at their level to encompass their needs. Jessica sees Music In Motion as her second home and loves watching all of the dancers come alive on stage!

DANCE TEACHER (HIP HOP)
Jalyn is the current Hip Hop Instructor at Moonlight Dance Studio, Music In Motion Dance Studio and Denise Wall Dance Energy. She has been dancing since her Freshman year of High School and has been teaching in and out of studios for almost 10 years. Her biggest dance inspirations are Brian Puspos and Chris Martin. Through her experience in the 757 dance community, she has competed and performed in shows and competitions along the DMV area such as Coalescence and Prelude. She strives everyday to be a better teacher and leader for her students!

DANCE TEACHER (BALLET, MODERN)

Veronica's journey in dance began in the early 2000s when she moved to the Hampton Roads area and joined Nice School of Dance at the age of 10. Passionate about ballet, jazz, and modern/contemporary styles, she dedicated herself to training under esteemed teachers, marking 20 years of continuous study and growth in dance.

Her commitment and drive stood out early on, progressing from student to assistant, and eventually to teacher, mentored by local teachers like Kimberly Lavyer and Joppa Whitehead. Veronica's dance career has been rich with experiences, from performing in local parades in the Tidewater area to performing in Disney World. She has also earned lead and supporting roles in numerous local productions, including a recent standout performance in Mariah Lopez’s "You Think You Know Me?" at Washington D.C.'s Crossroads Event.

Beyond performing, Veronica excels in choreography, crafting competition pieces that have secured first-place wins and special awards. Her greatest joy lies in imparting her passion for dance to students of all abilities, ensuring each one leaves the studio with dance and life skills and a love for dance.

DANCE TEACHER (Intro to Dance)

Joanne has called Music in Motion her second home since 2001. Joanne danced with and choreographed for Music in Motion Dance Company for 14 years, from 2001-2015. Prior to joining the Music in Motion family, Joanne danced with Virginia Tech’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble from 1996-2000. Growing up in Lynchburg, VA, Joanne studied dance at Forest Dance Academy. Her favorite genres are jazz and contemporary.

DANCE TEACHER (Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theater)

Kelsey Riner is a distinguished dance artist, educator, and advocate for the performing arts. Hailing from Virginia Beach, VA, Kelsey began her dance training at the Music in Motion Dance Academy at just three years old. She pursued her passion academically, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies from Meredith College in 2012.

From 2012 to 2023, Kelsey performed with the Carol Finley & Courtney White Dance Group (formerly Carol Finley Dance Group), where she honed her craft and made significant contributions. Over the past 12 years, Kelsey has been dedicated to teaching dance, including an eight-year tenure at Prestige Dance Institute in Garner, NC. In January 2024, she returned to Virginia Beach and rejoined the MIM faculty.

Kelsey’s choreographic work has garnered numerous accolades at both regional and national dance competitions. Notable awards include the Top Choreography Award at the Encore DCS Nationals (2021) for her piece "Alps" in the elite 12 & over division, the Top Choreography Award at the Encore DCS Regionals (2021) for "Keep Climbing," the Most Entertaining Award from StarQuest Dance Competition, and nominations for the Industry Dance Awards from Applause Talent for "Amen" (2022) and "Heal Our Land" (2023).

In North Carolina, Kelsey served as the Manager of Artist Programs for the American Dance Festival for four years, a role that deepened her commitment to the arts before she was drawn back to her coastal roots.

Passionate about guiding youth through their dance journeys, Kelsey is dedicated to helping students discover their voice through movement and connect them with educational opportunities beyond the studio. This includes facilitating access to professional dance performances, exploring college and non-college paths, and connecting students with prestigious summer dance programs.

Her former students have attended esteemed institutions and programs such as the American Dance Festival summer intensives (PDI & SDI), BODYTRAFFIC summer intensives, Joffrey Ballet Contemporary and Jazz summer intensives, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago summer intensive, Broadway Artists Alliance summer program, CLI Studios, UNCSA, Marymount Manhattan College, Commercial Dance Intensive, and many others.

DANCE TEACHER (Hip Hop, Acro, Boys Only Classes)

Rowan Reyna’s journey in dance began at the age of 10 when he first set foot in a local dance
studio. With a passion that knows no bounds, he has trained extensively in various styles,
including Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Contemporary, while also exploring the
vibrant world of heels classes.
In 2015, Rowan's talent earned him a role in Virginia Musical Theatre's production of Gypsy. As
a competitive dancer, he spent seven years honing his craft, achieving numerous Regional and
National titles that testify to his skill and versatility.
At just 14, Rowan became the youngest member of CREWcial, a local hip-hop dance crew. His
passion and commitment eventually led him to his current role as the Artistic Director of
CREWcial.
Rowan's talents have also been showcased in the music industry. He has appeared in several
music videos, including Now United's "Crazy Silly Stupid Love"; choreographed by Kyle
Hanagami, Zack Sawyer's "Mona Lisa Fine", and Louissa's "Mistress". Additionally, he
choreographed and performed for local music artist Suirad Marquel.
Rowan's dedication to his craft extends beyond the stage. He is a proud honor graduate of the
Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High School, Class of 2020. He has also taken
master classes with some of the dance industry's leading figures, such as Chuck Maldonado,
Brian Puspos, and Matt Steffanina. His diverse experiences even include performing alongside a
Britney Spears impersonator, Allegra DuVal, adding a unique flair to his repertoire.
Recently, Rowan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor
of Arts in Dance Performance. His academic excellence was further recognized when he
received an award for having the highest GPA in his major, underscoring his commitment to both
his education and his art.
Rowan's journey is a testament to his passion, hard work, and dedication to dance. As he
continues to grow and evolve as a dancer, artist, and teacher, he remains committed to sharing his
love for dance with others, hoping to inspire the next generation of performers. He is honored
and excited to be a part of the Music in Motion dance family.

DANCE TEACHER (Lyrical, Acro)

Tianna started dancing at the age of 12 as a liturgical dancer at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, Virginia. As she grew into the dance ministry she wanted to pursue dance on a more professional level and expand her knowledge and technique. In 2019, Tianna furthered her dance journey at Old Dominion University as a dance major where she trained in various styles of dance. During her time at ODU, Tianna had the pleasure of performing in the University Spring Dance Concert for both Fall & Spring semesters working with numerous artists and choreographers. Her senior year as a dance major Tianna had the opportunity to choreograph a piece for the Spring University Dance Concert. Tianna finished school as a 3 year scholarship recipient for dance.

After finishing school, Tianna started her own organization called ‘TSRProductions’ where she presents her choreographic works in her very own productions. Within this organization Tianna holds her own auditions, rents out a theatre, choreographs 7-8 pieces, and produces a show for the engagement of the community.

Tianna is now entering her 2nd year of teaching at Music and Motion as well as choreographing for the MIM Dance Company. She is excited to work with her students and give them the love, teachings, and support they need to pursue dance.

DANCE TEACHER (Ballet, Pointe)

Mrs. Kidwell began her dance training at the Abigail Francisco School of Classical Ballet in
Maryland under Artistic Director Abigail Francisco. She went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude
from Radford University in 2016 with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Design.

While in college, she continued to study the Vaganova technique with Associate Professor,
Inessa Plekhanova, performing soloist and demi-soloist roles in classical ballets including The
Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Esmeralda, and La Bayadere. While pursuing her dance degree, she
was an Apprentice with the Roanoke Ballet Theater in Virginia under Artistic Director, Saundra
Meythaler, and Ballet Master, Rolando Sarabia. After graduating from college, she continued
her professional career with Palmetto City Ballet in Charleston, South Carolina, where she
performed soloist roles in PCB's original works. Haley-Jean then joined City Ballet of Boston as
a founding company member, performing soloist roles in Gerald Arpino’s Birthday Variations,
Tony Williams’ The Urban Nutcracker, and many other original works.

She went on to dance with Todd Rosenlieb Dance and Virginia Ballet Theater, performing soloist roles in many of their original works. She then joined Norfolk Dance Collective as a founding member, and is now building a family of her own.

DANCE TEACHER (Ballet, Pointe)

Lindi is a certified Dance Instructor with 25 years of teaching and adjudication experience. Miss Lindi has studied many styles of dance focusing mainly on Ballet, Musical Theater, Stylized Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary & Tap. As well as extensive training in Kinesiology. She has taught thousands of students across the United States and Europe with her main focus on classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus and Cecchetti method) as well as Musical Theater. Lindi has danced and performed in various plays/productions over the years and prior to Covid had been involved with Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, and the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance. Lindi was the owner and creative director for Midwest Dance Synergy of North Central Missouri for 17 years, until closing it in 2020 and moving permanently to the Hampton Roads area. In 2018 she added Progressing Ballet Technique to her list of qualifications and continues to teach it to this day. She is currently employed by several studios around the area, as well as travels with Fly Dance Competition, Dance Team Union and Inferno Dance competition in the springtime. “Nothing hype's me more as an instructor, than to help students learn to understand, and appreciate the science behind their technique. I love getting students excited about Ballet in particular”

DANCE TEACHER

Ma’Kyia is a stunning dancer and excellent hip-hop choreographer from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has a strong understanding of styles such as Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Improvisation, and draws inspiration from freestyle battles, commercial dance, and the origins of hip-hop. Ever since childhood, Ma’Kyia was surrounded by hip-hop music, dance, and movies.

Ma’Kyia’s dance training didn’t start until she was 10, when she attended Old Donation School, now known as Edward E. Brickell Academy for Advanced Academics and Arts, where she trained in Ballet, Modern, Theatrics, Contemporary, and learned dance history. While attending ODS, she was also at a dance studio, Golden Slippers Dance Academy, taking hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary classes. Once Ma’Kyia graduated from ODS, she then attended Salem High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy for Dance. At Salem, Ma’Kyia continued her training, learned more about dance history, and was captain of the hip-hop squad, but she also gained a new love for choreography and teaching. Her education at Salem inspired her to major in Dance at Old Dominion University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree and choreographed several outstanding pieces for their concerts. After finishing school, Ma’Kyia started working at a public school in VBCPS as a substitute teacher, while teaching at Governor School For The Arts as a hip hop instructor, and is now an instructor at Music In Motion.

Ma’Kyia strives to inspire her students to be open-minded to all things innovative, unique, and artistic. She expects her students to always believe in themselves and to be overcome by their amazing journey where they have grown as individuals, as artists, and as an inspiration to others.

DANCE TEACHER

Jackie Kopp is thrilled to share her love of dance with her students! With experience teaching ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap. Jackie is passionate about helping every dancer build confidence, creativity, and a love for movement. She believes dance class should be a place where children feel encouraged to try new things, celebrate their accomplishments, and have fun along the way.

Outside of the studio, Jackie is an early childhood educator who loves reading, crafting, running, and spending time with her family and four cats. She can't wait for another amazing season of dancing, learning, and making wonderful memories with her students!

Headshot & bio coming soon!

Headshot & bio coming soon!

Headshot & bio coming soon!