Our Amazing Instructors

Simon

"....Life functions as a dance, even in ways we can’t perceive. I love sharing dances, creating new dances with friends, and exploring the dances that thrive around us every day.”

Simon

Simon Phillips is inspired by the nature or sensation and physiological responses of the human body. Originally from Macon, Georgia, Phillips began dance training primarily for recreation. He attended Kennesaw State University, where he graduated with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and dance. His career brought him to Pittsburgh in 2017, where he has since worked as a dancer and teaching artist for organizations within the community. “There are infinite possibilities and purposes in dance. I am empowered by the sense of personal control over these factors. Dance allows me to experience ideas holistically with body and mind. It connects me to the natural elements of this world and physical properties of my own present body. Dancing can be as grounding as it is transcendental. Life functions as a dance, even in ways we can’t perceive. I love sharing dances, creating new dances with friends, and exploring the dances that thrive around us every day.”

Jen

As an experienced, personable, and respected performer and instructor, “Jen infuses classical styles with individual grace and charm, expressing the essential feminine in dance,”- A.E.

Jen

Jen is a professional performer, instructor, and Director of the Pittsburgh Bellydance Academy.

Jen has dedicated herself to the study of Middle Eastern Dance, its traditions, nuances and deeper meaning and expression through performance, instruction, and continuing education in order to give her students the best possible experience in class. Her love of the dance can be seen in her dynamic performances and within her thoughtful instruction of her students in both workshops and classes where she presents the fundamentals of bellydance as well as the nuances of zilling and veil work. Join her to discover the love of the dance!

As an experienced, personable, and respected performer and instructor, “Jen infuses classical styles with individual grace and charm, expressing the essential feminine in dance,”- Angele Ellis, Pittsburgh PA. Her understanding of dance movement and technique and her training in Egyptian, Lebanese, and Turkish Oriental styles as well as American Cabaret lends spirit, spontaneity, and heart to her dancing, captivating audiences where ever she performs. To round out her dance education and to infuse a special twist, she currently studies ballet, tap, and modern.

Jen is the director and founder of Troupe Faraatha which can be found performing around the city! When not performing, organizing, or instructing, Jen is a landscape architect and partner at Studio for Spatial Practice.

Tricia

Tricia Grace is a passionate and driven dancer with hopes of one day beginning her own outreach dance company in the Pittsburgh area.

Tricia

ricia Grace is a dance artist who specializes in performance and choreography. Tricia Grace earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts from her combined studies at Slippery Rock University and the University of Hawaii, Manoa. While her studies heavily focused on modern dance, Tricia spent time abroad focusing on Afro Colombian dance technique; she co-directed Slippery Rock University’s Afro Colombian Dance Ensemble during her last year of undergraduate schooling, and continued to work professionally with the company hired on as an assistant director for a year post her graduation. Tricia interned with Now Next Dance in Washington, DC and DanceWarehouse in Brooklyn, NY during her academic studies. Creative movement is a passion for Tricia; she works on outreach Arts Education programs as a teaching artist for ATTACK Theatre, Pittsburgh.

Tricia continues to perform in her second season as contracted company member of COURdance, a Pittsburgh based contemporary dance company, under the direction of Kaitlin Flynn Goodwin and is new company member of the Pittsburgh Samba Group. Tricia has performed professional works at the August Wilson Center, Carnegie Museum of Art and History, Union Project Pittsburgh, the National Aviary Pittsburgh and Chicago Emergence Dance Theater. Tricia has opened herself up to other artist and performance opportunities. Tricia trains as a bikini competitor for the NPC body building circuit; she has competed twice at the Carnegie Music Hall and placed 4th both times. Tricia Grace is a passionate and driven dancer with hopes of one day beginning her own outreach dance company in the Pittsburgh area.

Jacqueline

Jacqueline has trained with BalletMet (Columbus,OH), St.Louis Ballet (St.Louis, MO), and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Pittsburgh, PA).

Jacqueline

Jacqueline has trained with BalletMet (Columbus,OH), St.Louis Ballet (St.Louis, MO), and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Pittsburgh, PA). In high school, she was a member of the Springfield Ballet Company (Springfield, IL), a pre-professional dance company. She has performed in numerous productions in both the ballet and theatre world including Footloose, White Christmas, The Nutcracker, and Faerie Tale. Obtaining a minor in dance from the University of Pittsburgh, Jacqueline was the choreographer for many musicals including Into the Woods, Mamma Mia!, Merrily We Roll Along, and The Last Five Years. She also performed and choreographed for 3 different dance clubs throughout her college career. Jacqueline is so excited to be sharing her love of dance with the folks at Art in Motion Pittsburgh!

Cindy

Cynthia is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Baton, International Latin Ballroom Dance and Brazilian Samba, but has a particular passion for Tap dance!

Cindy

Cynthia is a second generation dancer and performer, growing up the daughter of Betty Love Gibbs. Dance was a natural part of life as her mother was a professional dancer.

Cynthia started formal training with her mother at the YWCA Downtown when she created the dance department in 1971. Cynthia is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Baton, International Latin Ballroom Dance and Brazilian Samba, but has a particular passion for Tap dance. Cynthia twirled baton for the Blue Flames Baton & Drum Corps of Monroeville and the Golden Triangle Baton & Drum Corps of Swissvale in the summers through high school. She also twirled baton for Gateway High School Marching Band and was a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Golden Girls in the Varsity Marching Band. Cynthia remained a student and teacher at the YWCA until 1985 when the family owned Love’s Academy of Dance opened. Love’s Academy of Dance trained dancers from the age of four and up in ballet, tap, jazz and pointe. Cynthia was the competition team director, winning many awards for dance and choreography.

Cynthia is one of the original members of WAMO’s Hot Tracks Dance Team and was a featured “jitterbugger” in the movie An American Dream: The Making of the Jackson 5. Performing credits also include Xpressions Dance Company, Art & Style Dance Studio, Kuntu Repertory Theater (Sophisticated Ladies, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar and Jelly’s Last Jam), Greer Reed (Cotton Club), Joy School of Dance, and the Father Ryan Arts Center. Cynthia is currently a performing member of the Pittsburgh Samba Group under the direction of Luciana Brussi Constantino.

bailz

bailz (bailey zembower, they//them) is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and organizer. born & raised in Erie, PA they nurtured an early love for music & movement. they are additionally skilled in choreography, upcycling, & creative writing. bailz has worked as an inclusive movement educator since 2014, leading classes in dance, flow arts, and yoga. they currently freelance as a performer, producer, and designer with a focus on equitable access to the arts & visibility for disabled and survivor bodyminds. they are part of the inaugural cohort of the Creative Direction Credential Program, offered in collaboration between Point Park University and HXOUSE.

Bethany

Dancer, yoga instructor, and art educator Bethany Narajka invites you to join her for gentle movement, writing, and art-making. Every session is designed to give you practical tools for integrating your grief and finding new ways to live your life in fullness.

Bethany

Bethany Narajka is a dancer, yoga instructor (RYT 200), and PA certified visual art teacher. She believes that movement is for EVERY body, and remains committed to finding new ways to support each student who walks into her class.

Her educational background includes a BFA in Studio Art from Slippery Rock University, an Art Teaching Certification from Carlow University, and a study abroad semester at the VSVU Academy of Fine Art and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia. Before moving to Pittsburgh, she taught Visual Arts at Castro Elementary and Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy in Denver. She also spent a year teaching English in South Korea, where she led a children's yoga class and worked as an actor, director, and graphic designer with a local theater group.

Outside the studio, you’ll find Bethany practicing ashtanga yoga and contact improvisation, learning Spanish, and adventuring with her husband and tiny kid. She is currently enrolled in a Death Doula training program, and looks forward to providing support for individuals and families experiencing grief and loss.

Maegan

Maegan is a diverse performer having extensive training in Irish Dance, Ballet, and

Contemporary.

Maegan

Maegan is a diverse performer having extensive training in Irish Dance, Ballet, and

Contemporary. She is studying at Point Park University having been awarded an Artistic Merit

Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a ballet concentration with the Conservatory

of Performing Arts. She is beginning her second semester of her junior year.

Maegan is originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and trained in competitive elite Irish Dancing from the age of 4. She went on to achieve the level of Open Championship at the age of 8 as one of the youngest in her region, which allowed her to represent her country nationally for the next

decade in the North American Irish Dance Championships. She also competed to qualify for

several years to represent Canada at the World Championships. Maegan was ranked 4th in

Western Canada and competed in the World Championships several times, traveling to

international arenas such as London, England, and Glasgow, Scotland, to perform for

thousands, and represent Canada.

Alongside her Irish Dance training, Maegan attended the Alberta Ballet School professional division for 10 years, studying classical ballet and contemporary dance at one of the most premier ballet schools in Canada. She is a Cecchetti trained dancer and has completed training through summer intensives and workshops with companies such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and Prague Ballet Intensive. Maegan has a passion for teaching and teaches classes both in Calgary, Alberta and in Pittsburgh. She has experience teaching ballet and pointe, Irish dance, and contemporary dance to boys and girls, young learners, and more advanced learners. Maegan has also been provided the opportunity to choreograph for the Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh this year, premiering her first choreographic work, “Equinox.” Maegan is thrilled to be working with Art in Motion and is excited to meet her new students!