Our Faculty
Miss alicia | studio owner & executive Director
Alicia became studio owner in 2006 and has over 20 years of experience teaching children. Her journey in nurturing young children in the arts is a combination of passion and purpose.
While she no longer leads weekly dance classes herself, Alicia's heart remains firmly entrenched in the world of teaching. Her true fulfillment is in mentoring the instructors and staff members at AiM and nurturing them into dynamic leadership figures.
Alicia's expertise is deeply rooted in AiM's groundbreaking Magnificent Movement™ early childhood curriculum and teaching method, a legacy she shares with program founder Susan Bennett. Alicia provides continuous guidance and mentorship to every dance instructor under her wing. Alicia's work with Magnificent Movement™ earned a prestigious spot in Dance Studio Life magazine's 2016 publication.
She holds a BFA in Dance and a BA in Management from Webster University. She has also graced the stage as a professional modern dancer. As a company member of St. Louis-based dance company MADCO and a freelance artist, she had the privilege of performing in NYC and Toronto while collaborating with renowned local, national, and international choreographers, which enriched her dance journey with a wealth of experiences to share with her students.
Family lies at the core of Alicia's life, and she and her husband Mike are the proud parents of three sons. Alicia credits her children for imparting invaluable lessons of patience, playfulness, and a heightened sensitivity to the unique personalities and learning styles of every child.
Alicia eagerly anticipates the opportunity to share her lifelong passion for the arts and her unwavering commitment to education at Arts in Motion for many more years to come.
Miss EMILY | Assistant Director
Emily is a proud graduate of Millikin University where she obtained her BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Dance in 2020. She joined Arts in Motion in 2022 after serving as the Education Director and Marketing Manager at Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon, MO for a year. Emily has been dancing since she could walk, and has been teaching dance for many years! She loves all styles of dance and is always working to learn more to share new knowledge with her students. Outside of the studio, you can find Emily taking long walks with her dog, reading a good book, or traveling and seeing new places and foods!
Miss Katy | Director of Dance Ensembles
Katy is a mom of four and has been teaching dance for over two decades. She toured with Illinois Ballet under the artistic direction of Mary Price Boday right out of college and then danced, choreographed for and directed Coalescence Modern Company for 11 seasons. Katy was a professor of dance at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois for 8 years where she helped design the dance minor and curriculum. Katy is thrilled to be at Arts in Motion since 2022 and to have the opportunity to work with such talented, passionate young artists.
Miss Amanda | dance instructor
Amanda was born and raised in St. Louis, MO where she grew up dancing at several local studios. She graduated with her BFA in Dance from Southeast Missouri State University, and later earned her Masters Degree in Exercise Science from Concordia University - Chicago. She also spent a year and a half in the Big Muddy Dance Company’s Trainee program. Amanda is a wife and mom to two kiddos and is excited to continue sharing her passion for dance with students at Arts in Motion.
Miss mya | dance instructor
Mya, originally from St. Charles, Missouri, has been dancing since age 6, training at Arts In Motion School of Dance and Movement until she was 18. A former member of the AIM Performing Ensemble, she performed throughout the St. Louis community. Currently pursuing dual majors in Dance and Exercise Science at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Mya aims to specialize in performing arts physical therapy while also aspiring to dance professionally. She is a member of SIUE’s University Dance Company, where she continues her training and performance work with unique guest choreographers.
In her free time, Mya enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and deepening her knowledge of kinesiology. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for dance with her students.
Miss madison | dance Instructor
Madison is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She now attends Webster University where she has had the privilege of working with artists including Eve Mason, Dawn Karlovsky, Zhao Xi, Cleo Parker-Robinson, Betsy Brandt, Michael Uthoff, Monica Newsam, Donna Patzius-Hill, Beckah Reed, Ashely McQueen, Nicole Whitesell through both classes and performances with Webster University Dance Ensemble.
Outside Webster, Madison has worked with choreographers Chris Page, Kriven Douthit-Boyd, and Ghermi Clay, as well as actress Lakeetha Blakney in her one-woman show “Sweet Jenn.” Madison has performed in the Creations Concert, BFA Concerts, Webster University Dance Ensemble, Atlanta Black Film Festival, and Spring to Dance. Madison has had the pleasure of studying abroad in Thailand where she assisted in a residency at Patravadi High School and also performed and taught at Halio International School. This summer Madison attended the American Dance Festival where she was selected to perform in the International Choreography Residency.
Upon graduation, she will receive her BFA in Dance with an emphasis in modern.
Mr will | dance Instructor
Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, Will graduated summa cum laude from Western Michigan University in 2020 with a B.F.A. in Dance and a B.A. in English. While at WMU, Will had the privilege of performing in concerts alongside Taylor 2 and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, as well as performing in works by renowned choreographers such as Yin Yue, Christian Denice, BAIRA, George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Antony Tudor, and many others.
After graduating, Will moved to Saint Louis, MO to join Saint Louis Dance Theatre (formerly The Big Muddy Dance Company), where he has been performing as a company artist for over 4 years. He has also performed with Saint Louis Ballet as a guest artist in their 2021 production of Alice in Wonderland by Brian Enos.
In 2020, Will was selected as the winner of Young Dancers Initiative’s Emerging Choreographer Project, and in 2021 was selected as an Emerging Choreographer for Eisenhower Dance Detroit’s NewDANCEfest. Will’s choreography has also been commissioned by Space Station Dance Residency, The Big Muddy’s Elevate Student Project, Arts in Motion, and Resilience Dance Company.
Miss Kennedy | Dance Instructor
Kennedy is a performing & teaching artist from Chicago, IL. Her experience stretches across mediums: dance, film, music, and theatre. Kennedy has trained under Darryl Clark, Jon Sloven, Elise Cowin, Susan Barnes, Emjay Mendez & Ellaine Manuel, Laurie Goux, Solarium Dance Company, and The Puzzle League. As an instructor, she’s had the privilege to work with students in recreational & competitive programs in the Chicagoland area, fostering confidence, somatic awareness, and technique comprehension!