Studio Directors: Kim Denis & Donna Dickey
Artistic Director: Stephani Szoke
Ballet Director: Jessica Meinhart
Dance Instructors: Anthony Aquino, George Jones, Cheryl Ayers, Alex Denis, Breanna Tomko, Sienna Carrillo, Chantel Catalfo, Heather Ferguson, Tracey Morrison, Paul Pedersen, Darrin Contessa, Michelle Iglewski, Abby Stewart
Karate: Jim Transue
Hula: Christi Moore
Tumbling Coach: Jordan Knourek
Stephani Szoke - Artistic Director, Instructor of Modern, Pre-Modern, Jazz, Tap, Clogging, Dance Exercise, Pom & Cheer, Poetry in Motion Dance Company & POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY..
Stephani has been dancing for over 30 years. She has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona with an emphasis in choreography and pedagogy. She was a Cardinal Cheerleader, a Cobra Charmer, a U of A Dance Ensemble member, and a company member of WZN Showtime now located in Miami, Florida. Stephani owns a Corporate Entertainment business along with her husband called POWERNOW ENTERTAINMENT. She and her husband provide quality entertainment to hundreds of companies throughout the year. Many of the dancers from Rhythm and Motion go on to be in the POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY. Stephani is also the Artistic Director of "The Sunsationals" a senior tap company that performs all over the valley. She has choreographed for the local band CJA, the world premeire of "The Wager", Pioneer Pepper of the Sunset Pioneers, High School dance clubs, church performances and more. She has judged dance competitions and has been a Master Teacher for conventions. Stephani has won several choreography awards and has turned out several well rounded dancers that have gone onto dance in companies in California, Nevada and New York.
Jessica Meinhart - Ballet Director, Instructor of Ballet and Fusion Dance Company
Jessica has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. She has a strong athletic background including volleyball, track and field, figure skating and swimming. Several years ago though she found that her passion was in dance. Jessica has studied the dance disciplines of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop, She has received several outstanding dancer awards for her fluidity of movement and beautiful technique. Recently Jessica played "The Spirit of Death" in the world premeire of "The Wager". She is Assistant Director and Lead Line Instructor of POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY. An assistant instructor for dance conventions. Her artistic ability, integrity and enthusiasm make her a fantastic Ballet Director.
Anthony Aquino - Instructor of Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theatre & Adv. Jazz Routine
Anthony Aquino's training started with Vladmir and Patricia Doukadovsky at New York Conservatory. He also trained at Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center and Steps Studio. Mr. Aquino performed on Broadway in Alcazar de Paris with Lillian Montevecchi and in the Nutcracker on Broadway as Uncle Drosselmeyer. His stage credits also include Paul in a Chorus Line, Phaedra in La Cage Aux Folles, Tony in West SIde Story and The Pajama Game. He has also danced in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Peter and the Wolf and Nutcracker. Mr. Aquino has taught at Steps Studio, Broadway Dance Center, New Jersey School of Ballet, Montclair State University, as well as abroad. He is delighted to be teaching at Rhythm & Motion Dance Center.
George Jones - Advanced Hip Hop
George Jones is a member of the hip hop team, "Fresh 2 Def Dance Crew". Fresh 2 Def are the recipients of several accolades. He is also a member of "Street Jams" a dance company who dances to drums, trash cans, pots, pans, and various other street items. "Street Jams", has performed all over Arizona and it's neighboring states. George teaches Street Hip Hop and has taught for several different studios and high schools all over the valley. 
Paul Pedersen - Advanced Musical Theatre & Adult Hip Hop
Paul Pedersen is a member of the POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY and was also a member of WNZ SHOWTIME. Paul is an extraordinary choreographer, his talents light the the stage with excitement. Paul has been in the theater for two decades and has been inseveral plays and musicals. Paul was also the Theater Director of Voltage Children's theater in Mesa, Arizona for two years.
Darrin Contessa - Intermediate and Advanced Tap
Darrin spent 15 years in New York city where he taught at Steps Dance Studio. Darrin now lives in Arizona with his wife and 5 children and works for Visual Electronics at the Hyatt Gainey in Scottsdale. Darrin has taught for every major convention and competition in the United States. Some of the many musicals that Darrin had the opportunity to dance in are 42nd Street, Music Man, Anything Goes, and Hello Dolly. Darrin is a wonderfully experienced tap dancer and teacher. We welcome Darrin into our wonderful staff for his first exciting year here at RMDC.
Breanna Tomko - Hip Hop/Jazz Fusion & Pre-Modern
Breanna began dancing at the age of 4. Breanna's dedication and enthusiasm for dance has enabled her to complete our Teacher Training Program where she worked as a Senior Teacher Trainee for three years prior to beginning to teach her own classes. Breanna is a member of Red Mountain High School elite dance team, FORCE. Breanna has received numerous awards for her beautiful dancing technique and has a wonderful way of passing her skills through to her students. Breanna danced in a pre Broadway version of "The Wager" in February 2007. Breanna was also in the musical "Victorious" in 2008. She has acted in several plays and was the Director of Voltage Children's Theatre for two years in Mesa, AZ. Breanna brings enthusiasm and a genuine love for dance with her to class everyday to share with her students. Breanna was recently awarded the following awards for her superiority in dance: Best Technique Award, Hardest Worker In Dance Award, Best All Around Dancer and Most Likely to Succeed in Dance Award. Breanna is a first year apprentice in the POWERNOW Dance Company.
Alex Denis - Clogging, Jazz, Tiny Tappers, Ballerina Belles, Musical Theatre
Vibe Dance Company and Intermediate Progressions
Alex has been studying dance for 10 years. Not only has Alex completed her teacher training she has also been educated on lesson plans and how to progress students so they are dancing to their fullest potential. Alex is a member of "Ascension Dance Company". Alex is not only an honor student but is also a gifted ,young choreographer. Alex has performed at such venues as the Mesa Performing Arts Center &Tempe Music Festival. She has danced in several musicals including "The Wager" and "Victorious". Alex is a first year apprentice in the POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY.
Heather Ferguson - RMDC TUMBLING TEAM
Heather has taught children for the past seven years. She has taught gymnastics, dance and swimming, and P.E. She worked for Kidtopia as the Program Director for five years. She also worked at The Little Gym of Mesa as the Gym Director for a little over a year. She is CPR and First Aide certified. She loves teaching all the children at Rhythm and Motion Dance Center.
Sienna Carrillo - Contemporary Lyrical, Int. Hip Hop, & Int. Tap
Sienna has been dancing since the age of six. In 2006 Sienna was awarded "Miss Limelight" at the Limelight Dance Convention. In 2007 she did it again and was recognized as "Miss Limelight" Runner-Up. Sienna was an ensemble dancer in the Off Broadway Production of "The Wager." Sienna has also performed in such musicals as "Ebeneezer" and "Victorious". Sienna strives to make the classroom an enjoyable experience, while keeping students on track and striving for excellence.
Chantel Catalfo - Mini Movers, Tiny Tappers, Jazz Pizzazz, Ballerina Belles, Tuck -N-Roll, Jazz, Petite Performers & Be Bop Hip Hop
Chantel has been dancing for nine years. She has had the opportunity to work with children on many different levels and has learned to communicate with children in a way they understand. Chantel is a gifted dancer earning several accolades throughout her dancing career. Chantel played an angel in the pre Broadway production of "The Wager" and has also been in several other plays and productions. Chantel is a member of the POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY.
Tracey Morrison - Kiddie Kloggers & Tn/Ad Clogging
As a child Tracey loved tap and ballet. In High School Tracey was a 4 year member of Marching Band. In 1999 Tracey began clogging. Tracey began teaching clogging at Dance Network, LLC. 2003. Loving both the performance and choreography aspects of the clogging discipline Tracey now teaches Kiddie Kloggers and Tn/Adult Clogging here at RMDC. Tracey also works with her young clogging demonstrators to prepare them for the Teacher Training Program at RMDC.
Jordan Knourek - Tumbling Coach
Jordan has trained in the Fine Arts field for several years. He has been a tumbling spotter for 4 years and is also an assisstant choreographer.
Jim Transue - Jeet Kune Do, Karate, and Family Karate -
JIm is a 4th Degree Black Belt,
Christi Moore - Director of Hula Hui O Le'ale'a - Teacher of Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian Dance
Christi began hula at the age of 4 when she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. She began the ukulele at the age of 7. After High school Christi continued her studies of ukulele, slack key guitar, hula and tahitian dance with two formal Polynesian dance schools. Christi's study of hula is extensive. Members of the Hula Department here at RMDC learn hula not only for fun and exercise but also as a life-enriching experience, learning proper form and protocals of hula and hula halau as well as Hawaiian language, history, crafts, songs, and island traditions.
"TEACH FROM THE HEART & IMPACT THEIR SOULS."
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