Our team
The people who will know your child's name
Our faculty are college-educated dance teachers who provide safe, knowledgeable training in a compassionate environment. The office team is the voice on the phone and the face at the desk when you arrive.
Meet the owner
Lauren Kelly
Lauren took classes here at Music in Motion from the age of 3 all the way to 18, progressing through the Junior and Senior companies. She graduated with honors from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Performance and Choreography, then danced professionally in Philadelphia for ten years while becoming a Comprehensively Certified Pilates Instructor with Power Pilates.
She took over as owner in 2016. The studio opened in 1967 as Kings Grant Dance Academy and has operated as Music in Motion since 1985.
In the room with your dancer
Our faculty and front desk work as one team, so the person who greets you at the door knows what happens in the studio each week.
Directors
Leading our programs
Kathleen Baker
Director of Operations & Marketing
Kathleen joined Music in Motion in 2018 and combines her love for dance with a background in retail management to keep the studio welcoming and running smoothly.
Madison Houck
Company Assistant Artistic Director & Dance Instructor, Contemporary and Jazz
Madison trained at James Madison University and has performed with Virginia Repertory Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico and DanceWorks Chicago. She teaches Jazz, Contemporary and Musical Theater and choreographs for the Dance Company.
Becca Hopkins
Academy Director & Dance Instructor
Becca holds a BFA in Dance and a Master's in Arts Management from Shenandoah Conservatory, and has danced with ArteInMovimento and Norfolk Dance Collective. As Academy Director, she leads Academy growth and marketing while teaching in an encouraging, compassionate environment.
Skylar Sutton
Costume Director & Dance Instructor, Jazz and Dance Company
Skylar started dancing at age 3 right here in Virginia Beach, later captained her high school dance team, and now leads the costume team, teaches Jazz and choreographs for the Dance Company, while helping run the front desk.
Administration & Operations
The voices at the front desk
Cris Leary
Office Manager
Cris brings a background in interior design, merchandising and restaurant management to the front desk, along with the creativity and problem-solving that come with it. She's also mom to instructor Skylar Sutton.
Jalyn Lasala
Office Administrator & Dance Instructor, Hip-Hop
Jalyn has taught hip-hop for almost ten years across the 757 dance community, performing and competing in shows like Coalescence and Prelude, and works every day to be a better teacher and leader for her students.
Dance Instructors
In the studio with your dancer
Jessica Wolf
Junior Team Dance Company Director & Dance Instructor, Kinderdance
A Music in Motion alum herself, Jessica holds degrees in Dance Education and Special Education from Old Dominion University. She choreographs for the Dance Company and teaches Kinderdance with a kind, technical touch.
Veronica Hansel
Dance Instructor, Ballet and Modern
Veronica has trained in ballet, jazz and contemporary for over 20 years, performing everywhere from local parades to Disney World, and finds her greatest joy in passing that passion on to students of every ability.
Joanne Robey
Dance Instructor, Intro to Dance
Music in Motion has been Joanne's second home since 2001, when she danced with and choreographed for the Dance Company for 14 years. Jazz and contemporary are her favorites.
Kelsey Riner
Dance Instructor, Ballet, Contemporary and Musical Theater
Kelsey started training at Music in Motion at age 3, later managed Artist Programs for the American Dance Festival, and has won multiple choreography awards. She's dedicated to helping students find their voice through movement.
Rowan Reyna
Dance Instructor, Hip Hop, Acro and Boys Only Classes
Rowan is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Old Dominion University who's danced in music videos choreographed by Kyle Hanagami and trained under Brian Puspos and Matt Steffanina, and is committed to inspiring the next generation of performers.
Tianna Roscoe
Dance Instructor, Lyrical and Acro
Tianna started dancing as a liturgical dancer before pursuing dance at Old Dominion University on a 3-year scholarship, and now runs her own production company alongside teaching at Music in Motion.
HJ Kidwell
Dance Instructor, Ballet and Pointe
HJ trained in the Vaganova technique and danced soloist roles with Palmetto City Ballet and City Ballet of Boston, and is a founding member of Norfolk Dance Collective.
Lindi Denning
Dance Instructor, Ballet and Pointe
A certified instructor with 25 years of teaching experience in the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti methods, Lindi believes nothing motivates her more than helping students understand the science behind their technique.
Ma'Kyia Frazier
Dance Instructor
Ma'Kyia grew up surrounded by hip-hop and earned her degree in Dance from Old Dominion University, and strives to inspire students to be open-minded, innovative and artistic.
Jackie Kopp
Dance Instructor
Jackie is passionate about helping every dancer build confidence, creativity and a love for movement, and believes class should be a place to try new things and celebrate every win.
Jessica Newcomb
Dance Instructor
After training at Old Dominion University and performing with Second Wind Dance Company, Jessica taught at Music in Motion for over a decade before stepping away for family. She's back and glad to be home.
Cassidy Giammaria
Dance Instructor
A former elementary school teacher with a master's in education, Cassidy helps young dancers feel safe, supported and encouraged to be themselves, while building confidence, friendships and a love of dance.
Jaidah Lewis-Kobb
Dance Instructor
Bio and headshot coming soon.
Guest teachers
Visiting artists and guest teachers
We welcome guest teachers through the season for workshops and masterclasses. Guest teacher names and biographies for the 26-27 season will be added here as they are confirmed.
“What a hidden gem! You feel welcomed and appreciated from the second you walk in. Music in Motion is extremely family friendly, from the children's classes to the adult classes and all of the fun events, camps, and extras in between.”
Jacqueline
Try your first dance class for free
Come and meet the team at a free trial class.
Book your free trial hereQuestions? Call 855-913-2623 or write office@musicinmotionva.com.