Art in Motion Academy of Dance Staff
Melissa Cottreau
Owner/Director
Instructor/Choreographer
For the past 22 years of owning & directing AIM, Melissa has been shaping the lives of children and adults through dance. Melissa’s two favorite things are children and dance. She went on to study Elementary Education/Special Needs along with Communications/Dance at Bridgewater State College. There ,she was a dance team member and vice president of the Dance Company, performing in numerous pieces throughout her years. For several years she served on the Junior Miss Committee. In her Senior year of college, she worked full time at a dance studio and began choreographing and teaching which lead to founding AIM in 2001. Melissa is a proud member of Dance Masters New England where she successfully completed a Four year program and examinations at Buffalo University, which resulted in Dance Master certification in dance education in teaching Tap & Jazz. In 2016, Melissa became certified in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program & teacher training that uses rhythm and dance to aid in achieving student therapeutic goals. The focus is on teaching students who have learning differences & other special needs, Her choreography has been recognized at numerous regional and national level competitions. Melissa continues her own dance education by attending classes taught by some of the most notable names in the dance industry. Melissa has studied all styles of dance, but finds her passion to be Tap. Some of Melissa's fondest memories include having the pleasure to meet and dance with Ben Vereen, Bob Rizzo and Frank Hachett. As a Dance Teacher, Melissa feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times and that they are in an environment they feel comfortable in. Melissa wants to see her students succeed, be proud of their accomplishments and enjoy all of the hard work and dedication they put into dance.
Kaitlyn Schleicher
Assistant Director
Instructor/Choreographer
Kaitlyn Schleicher graduated Cum Laude from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelor of Arts in English & minors in Secondary Education Dance. Kaitlyn's love of dance began as a child where she studied Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Kaitlyn has participated in the "SMARTS Summer Institute" where she studied vocal, drama, musical theatre and dance. Kaitlyn's most memorable experience was dancing at "KIDS JAM" with Sam Wright, held at Great Woods. Kaitlyn has studied over seven years in Irish Step where she has competed in solo and team events at Regional and National levels. She has been an instructor at AIM since 2001. Kaitlyn is also certified through NYC's "Teach Healthy, Dance Smart" and certified through DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA in teaching Tap & Jazz.
Kim DeCost
Instructor/Choreographer
Competition Director
Kim grew up dancing for the late Carole Miller in Taunton, MA. She graduated from Bridgewater State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Theater and Dance. She also attended Dean College, where she auditioned for and was accepted into the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. She has performed in many shows, including The Pajama Game, A Chorus Line and Anything Goes. Since graduation, Kim has taught at several local studios at both the recreational and competitive levels, holding positions as choreographer, instructor, Company Manager and Assistant Artistic Director. She continues to teach master classes locally in Musical Theater, Jazz, Ballet and Turns, Jumps, Leaps. Kim's choreography has been recognized at both the regional and national levels, winning numerous high score, choreography, judge’s choice, and costume awards. Kim’s Musical Theater Productions have earned top honors Nationally . Several of her pieces have also been invited to be a part of the United States Dance Team and be a part of the World ChampionshipKim is a professional, passionate instructor and choreographer who believes anything can be achieved with a little hard work and passion!
Kayla Regonliski
Instructor/Choreographer
Director, Studio Events and Summer Programs
Kayla Scott is a graduate of Bridgewater State University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education. She has also attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she was a member of the Dynamic Motion Dance Team. Kayla began dancing at Art in Motion™ at a young age and has taken classes across all genres. She was a member of the Art in Motion Competition Dance Team™ for several years, which allowed her to take master classes with dance professionals and attend both regional and national competitions. Kayla continues to further her education by taking dance classes & seminars. Kayla has been an instructor at AIM since 2013.
Amanda R
Instructor/Choreographer
Amanda graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology with a double minor in childhood studies and communication disorders. She has been dancing for 17 years, 14 of which were at Art in Motion, where she took classes of all genres and was on the Art in Motion competition team for 6 years. At BSU, Amanda served as an executive board member for Dance Company. Some of her fondest memories are attending the regional and national competitions, along with working as a class assistant for multiple classes each year.
Amanda C
Instructor/Choreographer
Amanda has been training in dance since she was two years old, studying styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and acro. Amanda is currently a Junior attending Bridgewater State University where she is studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Psychology and Dance Education. While in university, Amanda is also a member on the Bridgewater State Dance Team where she is currently training to become captain for her senior year. When not in class, Amanda spends her free time going to the beach, babysitting and working as a licensed nail technician. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for dance with others here at AIM.
Kyle W
Instructor/Choreographer
Hip Hop
Kyle is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in Music. He has been teaching hip hop professionally throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 2004. Kyle has coached many groups and hundreds of students that have gone to regional and national competitions. He and his routines have won many top awards, including the Young Choreography award in 2005 at ADA, as well as very numerous 1st and 2nd place highest overall score awards throughout the years, regionally and nationally. Kyle had also lead groups that were specially selected to participate in the Dance-Off/Entertainment challenges at IDC regional competition in 2010, again in 2013 at EDC Nationals, and a third time in 2016 at EDC Nationals. Both times at EDC his groups placed 3rd out of 10 in those challenges. Kyle currently teaches hip hop at several studios and shares his passion, unique perspective, and intricate style with many aspiring dancers, teachers, and choreographers.
Michal M
Instructor/Choreographer
Michal is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she began dancing at age 2. Throughout her childhood, she danced multiple styles of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary and even flamenco, training and completing yearly exams in the Cecchetti ballet technique through Ceccehtti Council of America. Continuing her training with New Mexico Ballet Company’s pre-professional program, performing children’s roles in the company’s ballet productions. Michal also moved on to competitive dance and had the honor of receiving various awards and scholarships from multiple competitions and organizations. At age 15 Michal moved across the country to attend Boston Ballet School, then completed a traineeship with the professional company, Boston Ballet. Performing in productions like The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, and Mikko Nissinen’s Raymonda. Working with renowned choreographers and learning the works of George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe and more. At 19, she began teaching where her love for dance has been shared with students of all ages and abilities. Michal currently runs a ballet program for a studio in Abington, and teaches contemporary at Stonehill College’s Dance Club.
Veronica M
Instructor/Choreographer
Veronica has been dancing for 28 years starting with the Kerry Smith Studio in Norwood followed by K&M Studio. Veronica has danced in many competitions and was part of the Suffolk University Dance Company where she was also a production manager for all the shows! She continues to dance in Boston for various groups. Veronica works full time as a UX Designer for Commonwealth Financial and has a passion for photography! She is also teaching at the Norwood Recreation Department School of Dance! After 7 years of teaching dance, she loves seeing her students grow and develop new skills, as well as instilling confidence and discipline. Dance brings people together no matter the circumstances. She has met so many friends in all her years of dancing. Her favorite line to say is “Dance friends are always your life friends”. Her goals for this year would be to introduce dancers to new techniques and introduce contemporary to those who are new to the style. Favorite part of dance: Being able to tell a story with the movement and music. Favorite Quote: “Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.” – Maya Angelou
Sarah R
Instructor/Choreographer
Sarah started her training at the age of three years old, studying multiple styles of dance. She has trained in acrobatics, aerial, ballet, contemporary, tap, lyrical, pointe, and hip-hop. Alongside her studio training, Sarah has trained with Boston Ballet and Newport’s Rhode Island Moving Company. She graduated from The University of California, Riverside with a degree in business and dance. Sarah has performed with Ballet Carreras and Avacado Dance Theater in California as well as several Boston-based dance companies and currently holds a position as a featured lyra and hand balancer performer for Dancingloon. Her love for the arts led her to teaching and she hopes to inspire her students and create a safe space for learning.
Siobhan M
Instructor/Choreographer
Siobhan Mahoney is a graduate from Stonehill College and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education Studies and Performing arts with a concentration in Dance. She has recently earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Siobhan has been with Art In Motion since the age of 3 and danced competitively at Art In Motion since the age of 10, perfecting the styles of jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical and more. She was a member of Stonehill College’s Dance Company, where she assisted in directing the company and choreographed multiple pieces during her time there. She is beyond excited to be back home at Art In Motion and is so grateful to further her dance career where it all started!
Noah B
Instructor/Choreographer
With every step, movement, and breath, Noah brings stories to life through the art of dance. A passionate educator and choreographer, Noah believes dance is not just movement-it's a powerful form of expression that transcends words, allowing dancers to tell stories that resonate deeply with the soul. Drawing from a diverse background in Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop, Noah is known for creating emotionally compelling choreography that challenges dancers to connect more deeply with their artistry. Each class is rooted in the belief that technique serves the story-and that dancers grow not only through physical discipline, but through emotional honesty and creative exploration. As a teacher, Noah is committed to nurturing dancers of all levels, encouraging them to find their unique voice and use it fearlessly. Whether in the studio or on stage, Noah cultivates an environment where vulnerability becomes strength, and where storytelling through movement is both the journey and the reward.
Deanna D
Instructor/Choreographer
Deanna began dancing at the age of 3 and since has been dancing for over 25 years! Her dancing has won her numerous accolades at both the regional and national level. She studied Dance and Business Management while attending Dean College. She also is continuing her education while taking different master classes now! Deanna has extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theater and contemporary. She is now lending her knowledge as a teacher and choreographer to both the non-competitive and competitive dancers at studios in the Massachusetts area! Deanna loves to inspire students to take chances and be creative in their own individual way!
