Our Faculty

Sets us apart from other dance studios

Education, experience, intellect, humor and kindness...

Our phenomenal instructors separate us from other dance studios. All faculty members have completed Dance Masters and Bachelor Degrees, with training at top dance institutions including New York University, Columbia University, SUNY Purchase College, Martha Graham School, and Mason Gross Rutgers University.

Director and teacher Kathie Kececi

DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTOR (Pre-school — Adult classes)

Kathie Kececi

Kathie Kececi brings over three decades of elite training, experience, and enthusiasm to her role as Owner/Director of and Teacher at In Motion Dance, a Dorothy Del Guercio Legacy.

A native of Mendham, NJ, Kathie received her Master's Degree in Dance and Dance Education from Teacher's College, Columbia University in New York City and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. Among her many prominent industry-specific positions held, Kathie was a teaching artist for the prestigious New York City Ballet and served on the Board of Directors of Dance New Jersey, a service organization committed to advocating the excellence of dance and dance education in the state.

Throughout her career, Kathie has both choreographed for and performed at such renowned New York City venues as The Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Joyce SoHo Theater, Merce Cunningham Studio, Dance New Amsterdam, and Ceres Art Gallery as well as at other well-known cultural hubs throughout the mid-Atlantic region, including Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ), The Bickford Theatre (Morristown, NJ), Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA), Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ), Union County Performing Arts Center (Rahway, NJ), and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.). Kathie has danced in works by noted choreographers Claire Porter, Yas Hakoshima, Trish King, and Alison Oakes, was the featured choreographer in an article on emerging women choreographers in New Jersey, and has taught master classes at high schools and universities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. In 2016, Kathie received The Performing Arts Educators Award in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to teaching and student growth through the performing arts.

In addition to teaching weekly dance and fitness classes at In Motion Dance, a Dorothy Del Guercio Legacy in Chester, NJ, Kathie is also Founder and Director of the school’s two signature modern dance and performing companies — 'In Motion Dance Company' for high school-aged dancers and 'In Motion II Dance Company’ for dancers aged 9-14. Through their participation, company members enjoy access to an array of outstanding guest choreographers and the opportunity to perform original modern dance works in many of the aforementioned venues within Kathie's expansive network.

Today, Kathie loves teaching students of all ages and skill levels and is proud to continue her mother's legacy by running a studio in the very community where she grew up and was first introduced to the magic of dance under her mother’s loving influence. Says Kathie, a mother of two grown sons, "I couldn’t be more excited to bring my years of undergraduate and graduate education, technical training, and performance experience to a new generation of students and help them experience the joys of dance and creative expression!"

Ballet

Dance Instructor Tammy Klinck

BALLET/CREATIVE/MODERN

Tammy Klinck

Tammy Klinck was a seven year scholarship student at the school of the Garden State Ballet as well as an apprentice with the company. She continued her dance education through college graduating from Montclair State University with a BFA in dance. After graduating Tammy danced with Freespace Dance for 4 seasons. Tammy taught ballet and modern at County College of Morris for 15 years. She currently teaches ballet at the Performing Arts HS of Morris County. Tammy recently completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training with Yoga Alliance.

Ballet instructor Ruthann Lanni

BALLET/THEATER DANCE

Ruthann Lanni

Ruthann Lanni received her MA in Dance and Dance Education from New York University. She has had the pleasure to train the In Motion and Dorothy Del Guercio dancers in ballet for the past 18 years. She has helped young children through adults grow and become strong beautiful dancers. Ruthann approaches each class with an appreciation for all learners knowing that everyone has different strengths and can all learn to improve. She has enjoyed choreographing for the annual performance, the In Motion Dance Company, community theaters and many high school musical productions as well as producing her town’s annual summer show. She has helped to build the ballet program, demonstrating a proficiency and expertise of the art form while creating a noncompetitive atmosphere.

CONTEMPORARY/LYRICAL/MODERN

Dance instructor Emma Gentile

Contemporary/Lyrical/Modern/Hip-Hop

Emma Gentile

Emma Gentile is a Montclair/NYC dancer who graduated from Temple University in 2022 with a BFA in dance. She has been immersed in the dance world since birth but officially started her training at age 12 at DanceWorks Studios in Montclair, NJ. Gentile is trained in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop, African Diasporic techniques, and improvisation. In addition to her technical training, she is passionate about choreographing and film dance. Throughout her dance career Emma has had many amazing opportunities to perform locally and even globally in dance festivals throughout New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Europe. Emma has been company member and teaching artist for Freespace Dance since June of 2022.

Modern dance instructor Kimberly Pinto

MODERN

Kimberly Pinto

Kimberly Pinto graduated from Caldwell College with a BA in psychology and from County College of Morris and is a Registered Nurse with an Associates in Applied Science. She started her professional dance training at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in NYC. Professionally she has performed with BEYONDANCE Inc., Freespance Dance, Moe-tion Dance and In Motion Dance. Kimberly is the Artistic Director and CoFounder of the Garden State Dance Project whose mission is to bring the human element of dance back to the community. Kimberly is also a registered yoga and pilates instructor and an avid soap maker. She is currently working as a nurse, dance teacher, and choreographer.

HIP-HOP

Hip Hop instructor Caitlyn Kirby

HIP-HOP

Caitlyn Kirby

Caitlyn Kirby is a New York City based Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer. At age 5, she began training at Kim’s Danceland in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here she studied multiple disciplines such as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Afro, and Hip Hop under the direction of Kim Norrington and the influence of Frank Hatchett. During her adult years, she moved to New York City and trained at some of the city's top studios, Broadway Dance Center and Brickhouse NYC. Caitlyn has been in many music videos and is currently dancing back-up on tour with the 80’s icon Lisa Lisa.

JAZZ

Dance instructor Ariana Cacioppo

JAZZ/BALLET/TAP/HIP-HOP

Arianna Cacioppo

Arianna Cacioppo is an NJ/ NYC based artist who is driven by a passion for performing, educating and creating works of her own as well as in collaboration with others. She graduated summa cum laude from Muhlenberg College and holds her Bachelors of the Arts in Dance (with a focus in education) and Theater (with a focus on acting and performance). She is educated in both Cecchetti and Balanchine styles of Ballet; Classic, Street, Afro, Fosse, and Musical Theater styles of Jazz; Hip Hop; and Modern Dance styles including Horton, Graham, Countertechnique, and Taylor. She has closely studied the repertoire and style of Paul Taylor during intensives at the Taylor School in New York City. Arianna has been teaching for 6+ years, ranging from her work teaching dance at several studios throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania; teaching Acting at Smiling Rhino Theater and Porchlight Productions; and Freelance Teaching Private voice lessons. She has choreographed works presented at Muhlenberg College, created award winning works for Dance Fusion Performing Arts Studio and is the resident Choreographer at Harmony Dance Theater for all of their full length musical productions. Her past performance credits range from Muhlenberg College, to Paper Mill Playhouse, to Radio City Music Hall, and she was most recently seen dancing in When the Soul Speaks created by Monique Haley for the American Dance Festival, as well as with Monica Bill Barnes’ & Company in a production of The Running Show staged at Lafayette College.

PRESCHOOL

Studio administrator Kristin Anderson

PRESCHOOL/CREATIVE CLASS

Kristin Anderson

Kristin graduated Rider University with a Bachelors of Science in Commerce and worked in Banking and Insurance. After taking on the roll of Studio Receptionist with In Motion, Kristin adapted to duties of assistant teaching in the classroom and meeting and greeting families. In turn, she completed the 25 hour course, Dance For Early Childhood, with Dance Education Laboratory at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Kristin has been an Assistant Nursery School Teacher at Hilltop Nursery School in Mendham. She has also coached Track for the Mendham-Chester Youth Track Program and has obtained her Barre Above certification. When not at the studio, Kristin enjoys her family, working out, and skiing.

Dance Instructor Roz Flanagan

PRESCHOOL/CREATIVE CLASS

Roslyn Flanagan

Roz Flanagan is a teacher at In Motion Dance Studio with degrees in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip-Hop from Dance Educators of America New York City. She enjoys teaching all age groups in all subjects. Her goal always is to make everyone feel like a dancer no matter their ability and to leave her class feeling good about themselves and their accomplishments. One of her greatest joys is watching her students, especially the preschoolers, perform on stage. Their confidence and smiles, especially those who started out so shy, is really what makes teaching so important to her.

TAP

Tap and theater dance instructor Emily Elsasser

TAP/THEATER DANCE

Emily Elsasser

Emily Elsasser brings 20 years dance experience from Dorothy DelGuercio School of Dance, studying Tap under the instruction of Dorothy DelGuercio, Kathie Kececi, Roz Flanagan and Jeff Foote.

Emily has performed in recitals, dance showcases and musicals with several local theater groups.

Currently Emily choreographs for Drama Geek Studios. She is very excited to circle back and be a part of In Motion to share her love of tap and musical theater.

Tap instructor Jeffry Foote

TAP

Jeffry Foote

Jeffry is an actor, singer and tap dancer, and has been performing for over 30 years. Jeffry has trained in the art of tap with Deborah Mitchell, Karen Calloway Williams, Omar Edwards, and many others. Some of his past credits include "Riffin & Tappin", "Dance Bojangles Dance", "42nd Street", "Shades Of Harlem", and recently New York City Center Encores “Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" directed and choreographed by Savion Glover. He also occasionally performs as Sammy Davis Jr in The Rat Pack Together Again which performs all over the east coast. Jeffry also teaches tap in the tri state area and is a member and a principle dancer of the New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble under the direction of Deborah Mitchell.

STUDENT TEACHERS

In Motion student teacher Mira Forlenza

STUDENT TEACHER

Mira Forlenza

Mira Forlenza has been dancing at In Motion for 10 years, and has been a part of the In Motion Company for 6 years. She is a senior in high school this year. Mira is looking forward to teaching and another year of dancing at In Motion.

Student teacher Ella Tufariello

STUDENT TEACHER

Ella Tufariello

Ella Tufariello has been dancing at In Motion for 12 years. She has taught and choreographed for In Motion in two classes and is a junior in high school. She has worked as a camp counselor at Mendham Boro Day Camp and currently is working at a local retail store. Ella is excited to continue teaching dance at In Motion this fall!

Student teacher Megan Turner

STUDENT TEACHER

Megan Turner

Megan Turner has been dancing at In Motion for 11 years, has been a part of the In Motion Company for 5 years, and is a teacher and mentor at the studio. She has danced and sang in multiple musicals and is excited for another year at In Motion.

STAFF

In Motion Social Media Director Lauren Costanza

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Lauren Costanza

Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude from Centenary University with her degree in Marketing. After working for a prestigious PR Firm in New York, Lauren returned to Centenary where she completed her MBA. While in graduate school, Lauren worked full time for HSBC where she met her husband. Once finished with graduate school Lauren stayed on with HSBC and worked her way up to a senior role. Upon the birth of their children, Lauren decided to work freelance marketing positions to have more time with her family. Lauren has been with In Motion Dance for the past 2 years.

Studio administrator Dominique Tufariello

STUDIO RECEPTIONIST

Dominique Tufariello

Dominique has been a member of the In Motion family for over 15 years.  Her initial connections with the dance company came through her two talented daughters, Angelina and Ella.  She has worked behind stage at many of the In Motion performances. She has worked as a receptionist at In Motion for many years. Dominique currently works full time as a Montessori Trained Preschool Teacher.  She has been employed by this local school for over 12 years. She brings to our dance community a wealth of knowledge and guidance while supporting our children's artistic expression.  Dominique lives in Mendham with her husband and family.

Print designer Megan Doremus

PRINT DESIGNER

Megan Doremus

Megan Doremus, a native of Mendham, NJ, received her BA in English from Centenary University. She has more than 20 years of experience in web content management, and is currently the Senior Web Content Manager for Elseiver. Megan spent many years dancing at The Dorothy Del Guercio School of Dance studying ballet, jazz, and modern dance, and was one of the founding members of the In Motion Dance Company. She currently resides in South Carolina.

GUEST ARTISTS

Choreographer and dance instructor Justin Boccitto

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

Justin Boccitto

Justin is an international theatre dance and tap instructor, currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Marymount Manhattan College. His students have included Lady Gaga, Adam Chanler-Berat (Next to Normal, Peter and the Starcatcher), Sophia Anne Caruso (Beetlejuice, NBC’s Sound of Music), and Sean Fosse (grandson of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon). He was also asked to teach Stephen Colbert how to tap dance and appeared as a coach on MTV's MADE. Justin served on guest faculty at The Juilliard School, The Pulse, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Artists Alliance. He currently tours the country conducting master classes through his project, Common Ground, co-created by Germaine Salsberg. Learn more at https://www.justinboccitto.com

Choreographer and dance instructor James Du Chateau

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

James Du Chateau

James Du Chateau is a professional dancer, choreographer, singer, and actor! He attended the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem, PA and the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase in Purchase, NY. He has performed all over the country and taught in the tri-state area for over seven years. He began his career performing in How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Original Broadway Cast). He then performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville TN! He also was a dancer in the movie, Enchanted (Walt Disney Pictures). James has performed at many regional theaters across the countries in Mamma Mia, 42nd Street, Mike in A Chorus Line (Palace Theatre) Catch Me If You Can, An American In Paris (Arizona Broadway Theatre) La Cage Aux Folles (Axelrod Performing Arts Center) Saturday Night Fever (National Tour, Assistant Dance Captain), Cinematastic and A Flat Rock Christmas (Flat Rock Playhouse). James has also been the Associate Choreographer for Grand Carnivale and Winterfest and the Choreographer for “Illumightmares” for Halloween Haunt at Cedar Fair amusement parks. Insta: @jamesduchateau

Choreographer and dance instructor Amanda Jordan

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

Amanda Jordan

Amanda Jean (AJ) Jordan is a dancer and choreographer based out of the Philadelphia Area. She is best known for being a part of various professional dance teams in Philadelphia, such as the Philadelphia KiXx, All Pro Dancers and the Philadelphia Soulmates. AJ was the captain of the Soulmates in 2011-2012 and was selected to represent the Soul at Arena Bowl XXV in New Orleans. She was the director and choreographer for the first dance team in the MLU, the Philadelphia Fly Girls. She has guest choreographed and coached many Junior dance teams for the AFL, NBA, and MLB in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

She has performed for recording artists, such as Karl Jackson in the Michael Jackson tribute tour, Fat Joe and Jazz Brown. AJ is currently a member of the FloMotion Dance Company, where she has had the opportunity to open for world renowned recording artist and actor Ludacris. As a choreographer, she has won numerous national awards. In 2014 she was the winner of the Young Choreographers Showcase with her piece "Circle of Life". AJ is the choreographer and assistant director of the competition team at the Miss Patty's All Star Dance Center in Drexel Hill, PA. There she also teaches all age groups from pre-k through advanced dancers.

Choreographer and dance instructor Eric Ortega

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

Eric Ortega

Eric has instructed dance and choreographed throughout the New Jersey/New York metro area since graduating from Mason Gross School of the Arts with a BFA in Dance. His choreography has been performed at Virginia Commonwealth University, The College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Crossroads Theater, the George Street Playhouse, the Ailey Citigroup Theater, Barishnikov Arts Center, Merce Cunningham Dance Theater, Lincoln Center and The Paul Taylor School. Eric has performed with GroundZero Dance, Moe-tion Dance Theater, & The Latin Ballet of Virginia, while also performing the works of Robert Battle, David Dorfman, and Stephen Petronio. Since graduating Rutgers, Eric has worked on arts legislation on Capitol Hill and currently serves as a news producer for NBC. He continues to choreograph, acting as guest choreographer for In Motion Dance Company and The Dance Gallery.

Choreographer and dance instructor Daniel Padierna

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

Daniel Padierna

Daniel L. Padierna, artistic director of Padierna Dance Project, is a queer Latino dance creator born and raised in Wallington, New Jersey. Padierna recently earned a Master of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University in May 2020. Prior to that, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education at Montclair State University (MSU). This will be Padierna’s fourth year as an assistant professor of modern dance at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.

Padierna is currently Programs Director for Diversity of Dance, Inc. directed by Fredrick Earl Mosley and has directed yearly programs including Dancing Beyond Winter Repertory Series, Hearts of Men Workshop Series, and Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts Summer Dance Intensive in New York City.

Padierna has performed works from a diverse group of choreographers including Antony Tudor, José Limón, Rennie Harris, Camille A. Brown, Ronald K. Brown and Larry Keigwin to name a few. His choreography has recently been produced at Bryant Park, 14th Street Y, Dance Against Cancer at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, Brooklyn High School of the Arts, Kean University, Passaic County Technical Institute and numerous New Jersey and New York.

Choreographer and dance instructor Lisa Peluso

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

Lisa Peluso

Lisa graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University with a BFA in Dance and received several scholarships throughout her studies. She was in residence with Donna Scro/Freespace Dance and performed extensively with the company for 7 years. Lisa was a scholarship apprentice/understudy for Jennifer Muller/The Works for several years and has performed with Flexicurve, project: Smith, BEINGs dance, and KDNY. She joined Elisa Monte Dance in 2011 and enjoyed 3 years of performing Ms. Monte's signature works as a soloist. Lisa's original choreography has been commissioned by several dance companies throughout New Jersey. Choreographic highlights include: International Dance Festival in Hawaii, the 2010 American College Dance Festival Gala, VA, Bryant Park, Merce Cunningham theater, the Fringe Festival Edinburgh, UK. Her work has received acclaim nationally and internationally. Lisa has enjoyed adjunct dance faculty positions at Montclair State University, Rutgers University, College of St. Elizabeth, Union County College, and County College of Morris (8 years). Lisa is currently the director of the dance program at Morris County Votech school.

Choreographer and dance instructor Julia Ramirez Choreographer and dance instructor Julia Ramirez

COMPANY CHOREOGRAPHER

Julia Ramirez

Julia Ramirez is an emerging artist currently based in Jersey City, NJ. She is a 2023 graduate from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University with her Master’s degree (Ed.M.) in Dance Education and a 2022 graduate of Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts and was awarded the Margery J. Turner Choreography Award for a work of exceptional undergraduate student group choreography. Throughout 2023, she completed a residency at Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY and presented her newest work, Kinematic Indeterminacy. She was also a guest artist at Riverside Elementary School In Motion’s After School Program in Princeton, New Jersey. She is currently the Media and Artistic Assistant of David Dorfman Dance and since 2020 has worked diligently as a member of their administrative team, a rehearsal assistant, a guest teacher, and a production assistant. In the summer of 2022, she co-created and taught at LEAP in New Haven, Connecticut alongside Nik Owens. For the 2023-2024 season she is a dance educator at Lehigh Valley Charter High School of the Arts in Bethlehem, PA, Washington Rock Dance in Warren, New Jersey, and Accent School of Dance, Allentown, PA. Since graduating from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Julia’s work has been featured in the 2023 92 NY Future Dance Festival, International Washington Dance Festival, Kun-Yang Lin’s Performance Series, the Koresh Artist Showcase, 92Y Emerging Choreographers Festival, Women's Day Dance Festival, Uptown Rising Performance Series, and Rutgers University. In addition to collaborating with fellow interdisciplinary artists, she has performed on stage and in films for various artists in the NYC, NJ, and PA area. She has performed at venues such as Dixon Place, Ten Tiny Dances, Muhlenberg College and Point Park University. Julia completed her student teaching internship at Middlesex Vocational High School under the supervision of Cleo Mack. Together, they co-directed and choreographed Flux States in December of 2022 performed at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. She has had the opportunity to work with Babs Case as a guest artist in implementing The Dancing Alphabet in K-5 public schools in Jackson, Wyoming in 2021.