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.
Meghan Hamilton
Instructor/Choreographer
Meghan is a graduate of Dean College, with her A.A. in Dance with High Honors. While at Dean, Meghan was the Captain of the College Dance Team. Meghan has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching and choreographing for over 13 years. She has extensive training in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop and Modern dance. She competed in many regional and national competitions and has had the opportunity to perform at Mohegan Sun, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. She has also participated in the Boston Conservatory Intensive. Meghan continues to take conventions, master classes and summer intensives to further her knowledge and style. She has a strong passion for dancing as well as teaching students of all ages and abilities. Meghan has been an instructor at AIM since 2007.
Kayla Regonliski
Instructor/Choreographer
Director, Birthday and Summer Camp
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.
Kathy Rocha
Instructor/Choreographer
Kathy is a graduate from American International College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy with a concentration in Health/Science & Kinesiology/Human Development. Her love of dance began as a child which later developed her love for teaching. Kathy’s favorite accomplishment was organizing a nonprofit Ballet Company where students performed throughout local communities. Kathy has studied all styles of dance, but finds her passion to be Ballet & Lyrical. She has been an instructor at AIM since 2001. Kathy is also certified through DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA in teaching Ballet &J azz.
Amanda Romaine
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.
Katie Mullins
Instructor/Choreographer
Katie Mullins is a graduate of University at Albany, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Computer Science and Criminal Justice with a minor in Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Preparedness. She started dancing when she was 2 years old and continued that passion throughout her college years. During her college experience Katie served as the President of UAlbany Dance Council where she had the opportunity to choreograph and perform. Katie began dancing at Art in Motion at a young age and was a member of the Art in Motion Competition Dance Team. Katie continues to further her dance education by attending classes and conventions. This Fall you can find her teaching Lyrical & Contemporary.
Pamela Mateus
Instructor/Choreographer
Ms. Mateus began dancing at the age of four at New Bedford Ballet. In addition to her own training, Ms. Mateus spent many years assisting in the classroom. Since then, Ms. Mateus has become an esteemed educator and choreographer, traveling to many studios, festivals and conventions. Her students and choreography are repeatedly recognized with Highest Overall Scores, Choreography Awards, Convention & College Scholarships, Regional and National Titles. Her work has been featured in a TED talk in addition to being chosen to be performed by the USA dance team at the World Dance Sport competition in Germany. Ms. Mateus strives to continuously push the boundaries that surround her movement, concepts and accolades, while always incorporating a great level of interpretation, inspiration, honesty and diversity.
Kyle Weaver
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.
Kim DeCost
Instructor/Choreographer
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 Championships. Kim is a professional, passionate instructor and choreographer who believes anything can be achieved with a little hard work and passion!
Veronica Monterosso
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
