Alyssa began her training in the midwest, then eagerly moved to New York and studied at Long Island High School for the Arts. (LIHSA)  Striving for an intense background in movement, Alyssa pursued a dance major at Eugene Lang College of The New School University in New York City.  While studying in the city training under many of the greats, she began working as a professional dancer, and became a frequent Guest Teacher at NYC’s Broadway Dance Center. Classically trained, Alyssa is skilled in multiple genres of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tumbling, Hip-Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre, Ballroom and Pointe.  She continues to work professionally as a performer, teacher and choreographer at studios, universities and for performance companies all across the country as well as internationally.  Such credits include MTV, Wendy Williams and the BET Hip Hop Awards, with artists Nadia Ali, J. Balvin, Donnie Klang, Ciara, Mario and Ne-yo.  Her eye-pleasing styles and unique feel good expressions make her a pleasure to work with, and an inspiration to all!  Alyssa prides herself on creating a positive environment that motivates movers of all ages to let go of their insecurities and find comfort outside of their comfort zone!  Powered by passion and creativity, Ms. Lyss welcomes you to YOUR creative space, where anything is possible when you BeLieVe!  

Andrea began dancing competitively at age 5 studying every style of dance she could.  Throughout her youth she moved multiple times, basking in the opportunity of dance training from coast to coast.  She has the experience of working with multitudes of choreographers from all over the country.  Andrea was Dance Captain at Saguaro High School where she was recognized by the National Honor Society of the Arts and received the the Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Merit Awards by the Arizona Dance Education Organization.  She continued studying Modern, Ballet, Jazz, African and Improvisation and performed on the Black N’ Blue Hip-Hop Crew at the University of Arizona. Andrea finished her dance studies and graduated from Scottsdale Community College with her Associates in Fine Arts Degree and was part of Instinct Dance Corps.  Andrea has experience teaching in Tennessee and New York, as well as many studios and High Schools across the valley.  She has experience as a Director for both Performance  and Competitive level companies alike.  She is an established choreographer and has found her passion in helping other young artists find their own unique connection to their movement.  She educates her students through love and positivity.  “It’s a beautiful gift to be able to express yourself through movement.  I love helping to plant and nurture a passion for the art of dance with my students. I aim to cultivate, motivate and inspire.” SO EXCITED TO JOIN THE MO MOVES FAM!

Ms. Becca is an Arizona native who has a way with the littles!  She loves all genres of dance, but her absolute favorite styles include  Contemporary, Jazz, and Musical Theatre!  Ms. Becca has been teaching dance since 2017, and is excited to continue moving with the students at Mo Moves!  She loves teaching kids to not only move with their feet, but also their hearts!! 

Betsy is a former collegiate gymnast from the University of Missouri.  She started gymnastic programs for the Walnut Creek, and South Suburban YMCA’s in Des Moines, Iowa.  While living in New York, she was the owner - operator of Oyster Bay Tumble Club on the North shore of Long Island.  Ms. Betsy is our physical fitness extraordinaire, specializing in Physical Education, Gymnastics, Tumbling as well as being a private swimming instructor.  She has developed Tumbling programs at dance studios all across the country and is known for her calm nature, and loving teaching heart.  Ms. Betsy’s expertise starts with our preschool program where she builds trust and confidence from day one in a fun and exciting environment, and continues all the way up to training the most skilled tumblers to achieve advanced tumbling progressions.  We are so thankful to have Ms. Betsy and her “Just Do it Now, Mentality!” 

Bree Watson was born in Savannah, Georgia and began dancing ballet and tap at the ages of two.  She strengthened her background at the North Carolina School of the Performing Arts and was introduced into the Ballroom Dancing world with the Theater Arts division.  She quickly decided she preferred ballroom and went in search of a partner in the American Rhythm style.  In 2003, she moved to Phoenix, where she met Decho Kraev. In under three years she went on to win multiple championships as one of the few American female competitors in the Rhythm category.  She is the 3X United States Rhythm Champion (2011-2013), and the Theater Arts Champion in 2007. The ability to embrace the nuances in a short time fuels her passion to teach students how to quickly embrace the necessary technique and styling students need to become successful!

Ms. Brianna grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and started dancing and competing at a very young age. She trained in all styles of dance, but her specialization focuses on jazz, lyrical, technique, and strength/conditioning. Many incredible educators have guided her in the industry including, but not limited to, Mandy Moore, Sonya Tayeh, Dee Caspary, Adrian Lee, Missy Ridgway, Elijah Gibson, Brian Rabenda, Lizzie Mackenzie, and Bart Doerfler. 

After growing up in a convention and competition setting, she continued pursuing her passion on a collegiate-level dance team (University of Illinois). Her professional career then moved westward to California, where she spent her time performing daily shows at Universal Studios Hollywood, dancing for artists like Julia Michaels, and working for Hall 

of Fame Dance Challenge as a judge and backstage manager. MSA and Go 2 Talent Agency represented her during these endeavors. These experiences in California have afforded her opportunities to grow and foster relationships within the LA dance community, and to this day, she continues to maintain these valuable connections. 

For the past two years, she has been back in her home state of Illinois teaching and choreographing for competitive dance companies and high school/collegiate dance teams. Seeing an opportunity to connect local dancers with one another, she and her sister founded the bi-annual workshop, Dexl Dance Mania (DDM). Over the past seven years, DDM has brought hundreds of dancers together in an intimate, convention-like setting, to inspire personal growth and artistry. 

As her career continues to develop, she is eager to share her talent and knowledge of dance to a larger, more national audience. Due to her recent move from Chicago to Scottsdale, she is currently traveling weekly as a judge for In10sity. She is excited to launch her teaching/choreography career out here and to help train and motivate the incredible talent here in Arizona. As a dedicated, compassionate, and confident educator, she hopes to gain the opportunity to further inspire and educate your company’s dancers.

Bruce Goolsby grew up dancing at the Frank Hatchett School of Performing Arts in Springfield, Ma., where he studied everything from ballet, jazz and tap to voice and acting. His performance credits include, 'DreamGirls', 'The Evening is Yours', and 'Philly’s Beat’ in addition to numerous radio and television appearances. Bruce also spent five years as a lead singer for the R&B group ‘Secrets’ and has choreographed musicals such as: 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Bring It On, Annie, Pippen, A Chorus Line and Newsies for which he was awarded an AriZoni. He currently teaches tap and African dance at various studios, colleges, and workshops throughout the greater Phoenix area. He lives in Mesa, AZ with his wife, Michele, and their dog Biggie.

Emily started dancing at an early age in her hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. She was awarded top soloist in many competitions, and was crowned Miss Dance of America Dance Masters Chapter #34. She began her career assisting instructors at the age of fourteen and never looked back. While attending Dowling High School she became the Dance Team Captain and her choreography ranked in State, Regional and National Competitions. Emily would spend her summers teaching Camps for NDA (National Dance Alliance) Her passions of dance lead her to a Bachelors of Arts Degree with a Dance Concentration from Hofstra University on Long Island New York. She was a Fire Dancer for the New York Dragons Arena Football Team and often studied with Frank Hatchett at The Broadway Dance Center and many of the great artists in NYC. While in New York Emily was an Instructor for JAM Dance and Fitness, performed for Company JAM, and toured with the boy band INT. Emily’s experience and Degree landed her a Dance Director Position at North Crest Kids Activity Center in Sauk Rapid, Minnesota. While in Minnesota Emily also Coached the Cathedral High School Dance Team and was Manager/Choreographer of the Granite City Renegades professional Dance Team. Emily currently instructs dancers in the East Valley and she knows she always has a place at Mo Moves Creative Space.

Ms. Felicia began her training at the age of ten in Traverse City, Michigan and has 17 years of teaching experience. Felicia’s training consisted of extensive ballet and pointe work, contemporary, lyrical and jazz. After graduating, she went on to pursue a full-time dance scholarship at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, California. During her time at the Edge, Felicia was trained by some of the most successful choreographers in the dance industry with a focus on commercial/company dance, film, voice, acting and much more. Her choreography has earned national titles and multiple achievements of excellence. She’s thrilled to share her knowledge and love of dance with the students of Motivating Movement.

Janelle Paris began her dance career in a very unconventional way.  In her freshman year of collage as a piano performance major, Janelle got a job as an accompanist for the ballet technique classes.  Despite having played piano her whole life, she became instantly fascinated with the beauty and expression of the dance arts.  Putting aside traditional schooling Janelle pursued her ambitions and began studying dance anywhere and everywhere she could.  Two years later, she was invited to join Ballet Montmartre, a pre-professional ballet company in Newport Beach, CA.  She traveled and performed across the country and on a cruise ship.  After relocating to AZ, Janelle continued her education, this time as a dance and choreography major at ASU where she received her BFA in Dance. she went on to earn a Master’s in Kinesiology and Biomechanics from Sam Houston State University.  Her choreography is well sought after for a variety of projects including musicals, high school dance companies, and numerous valley showcases. Janelle also performs in musicals and has won several awards for her vocal performances. She believes dance is about expression, artistry, taking chances, and learning to accept imperfection.

Madelyn Kay Lee is a dancer, teacher and performer known to span multiple styles of dance. She grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists’ dance track in 2014. Madelyn was a member of Kaleena Miller Dance, a local Twin Cities tap performance group, for eight consecutive years, where she also got opportunities to perform with Dessa, Jeremy Mesersmith, and John C. Reily in The New Standards Holiday Shows. She has a love for dancing and teaching and has won numerous awards from dance competitions for her outstanding choreography. Madelyn recently relocated from Minnesota with her husband in July 2022 to chase the sunlight and share her knowledge and passion for dance with the wonderful people of the valley! She loves dark chocolate, her middle-school sweetheart, her two kitties and building a connection with the local dance community. 

Ms. Makena began her dance training here in Arizona at the age of 2 in Tap and Jazz. She became a competitive dancer at the age of 8 and has been training in ALL styles of dance, to name a few, Ballroom, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Tap. She began teaching and assisting various styles of dance at the age of 16. In addition to being an enthusiastic dancer, she recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences and is now pursuing a Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics. Aside from her education she is currently a competitive Amateur Latin International Ballroom Dancer. Ultimately, she strives to support society in contributing to scientific research along with creating a positive, successful environment for young dancers to thrive in.

Ms Nikki took her first jazz class at the age of 5. That's when her love of dance began. She wanted to spend every minute at the studio!  She added as many classes as she could to her weekly schedule.  Ms Nikki began teaching and working the desk as a teenager at her studio in exchange for classes.  Ms Nikki has been classically trained by several teachers in the valley and  Professional Choreographers alike.  Her favorite experience was dancing with Radio City Music Hall!  This allowed her to perform at Super Bowl XXX in the Halftime show starring Diana Ross. Ms Nikki then went on to make her dreams come true by opening Dance Element in 2004! Ms Nikki has loved working alongside her mom, Ms Roxie, for the past 16 years. Ms Nikki has appreciated all the support and hard work that her family and staff put into Dance Element.  Her memories have been shared by so many talented dancers and teachers! Ms Nikki finds peace in exploring her love of dance with those around her. Her favorite styles of dance to teach are Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Clogging and Baby Combo Classes! Ms Nikki is excited to join Motivating Movement Creative Space and share her love of dance with our students!

Coach Ray has been teaching Hip Hop across the country since 2010.  He was a valued member of the Arizona State University's Hip-Hop Coalition.  He also was the president of the Arizona based performing and battling crew; Leggo Monsters.  Coach Ray has danced and choreographed for numerous performances including the Phoenix Suns halftime shows, Monsters of Hip-Hop, Carnival Choreographer’s ball, Celebration of Dance, and Boogiedabeat.  As founder of a local Hip-Hop Crew, Ray has connected with many young artists and is excited to continue building with all the students at MMCS.  Ray loves freestyle and choreography and is adept in all styles of hip-hop.  He is excited to share the culture with the next generation.  Thanks Coach! 

Ms. Savana began her dancing in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  She grew up as a competitive dancer and won 2017 WACPC All-State Dancer of the Year.  She moved to Arizona in 2017 to attended Scottsdale Community College where she later graduated with her Associates Degree in Dance in 2019.  Ms. Savana is our MoMoves Extraordinaire, and is so thrilled to continue to share her dance knowledge and passion with the Arizona dance community.