Zumba Instructors

Jen is a California girl who thinks teaching dance is her dream job. She has been dancing since the age of 6 in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and musical theater. In college she was the choreographer for her travelling show choir and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Human Development. After becoming a mother to three children she stumbled into a Zumba class and was hooked. She is a certified Zumba and Zumba Kids Instructor. She has taught over 200 Zumba Kids classes and hopes to stay dancing for life! When she’s not dancing Jen does a lot of administrative work for NOVA Kids in Motion. So chances are, if you email us, she might be the one replying!

Toneshia is a Native Washingtonian, but now residing in Manassas, Va. She grew up dancing since the age of 7. As a cheerleader in high school and college, Toneshia also assisted in teaching hip hop, jazz and cheer dance. She studied elementary education at Towson University and is a licensed Zumba Instructor as well as a certified AAFA group fitness Instructor. Toneshia has had a passion for dance since a young girl and also shares this passion with her own 2 young children. Toneshia also coaches and is the commissioner for the Fairfax county SYA basketball leagues. She enjoys teaching Zumba and loves all forms of dance. Toneshia believes everyone should Laugh, Love and DANCE!!!!

My name is Susan Haldeman, I am a mother of 4. I love music and I have been dancing since preschool. I received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology in South America, Lima, Peru, where I was born and raised until I was 21. In order to pay my college, I was a background stage dancer on a Peruvian TV channel. I moved to America after college, about 20 years ago. I currently work independently as a personal trainer and dance fitness instructor. I came to Kids in Motion in 2017 and I instantly loved it!! I want to thank all of you parents for allowing me to incorporate my music, my dance moves, and myself to your beautiful treasure!! I can’t wait to get to meet you all. (Ms.Susy)

Kayla is an athlete who has been practicing yoga for the past five years and enjoys sharing her love of yoga with kids. She has her bachelors and masters degrees from West Virginia University in the college of Media. This university is where she actually developed her love for Yoga. She started taking dance lessons when she was ten years old, and she went on to pursue her love for dance by receiving a minor in dance. With being naturally flexible, she decided to not give up on her talents. She received her 200 hour RYT training in Vinyasa yoga at Thrive Yoga in Rockville, MD, and has high hopes to strengthen her Yoga practice by someday teaching at a resort overseas. She also was a sprinter and hurdler on her middle and high school track and field team, where she won multiple awards and medals for her fast running ability. She currently works full-time as a Communications Officer for the government. When she’s not doing yoga or dance she dedicates her spare time to increasing her flexibility, reading love novels, binge watching a great TV series, spending time with her Golden Retriever, taking videos/photos, traveling/hiking, and hanging out with her friends and family. Kayla teaches kids yoga, dance, and run club with a dynamic, energetic, compassionate, humorous, and fun approach.

Dawn grew up in a military family and has traveled all over the world. She played a few sports as a kid but was not a ‘natural athlete’ and preferred reading to physical activity. She graduated with a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University and moved to Washington, DC. In 2001, she decided to challenge herself to run the Baltimore Marathon and found that she actually did like exercising! She ran Marine Corps Marathon in 2002 and the Army 10-miler in 2005. In 2009 she attended her first Zumba class and fell in love! She became a Zumba instructor, focusing on Zumba Kids, to share her love of exercise with children, especially her own!

Heather was born in CA, raised in VA, and currently lives in DC. She’s been dancing since a child. She continued all through high school and college and after college. Heather went college at Virginia Commonwealth University were she majored in Fashion. She danced professionally afterwards and did lot of professional dancing jobs in New York and places like Chelsea Studios, MTV studios, 5^th Avenue, TRL, and Pier One. She has experience with all kinds of dance genres, including ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and tap. She worked with Power Tots teaching yoga, dance, and gymnastics for kids. Her hobbies include painting, woodworking, and reiki. She can’t wait to get started with Kids in Motion and start teaching young students again!

Skyy, a born and raised DMV local, has been immersed in the world of dance for more than a decade. Her passion for dance started with acrobatic contortion and since then, she has dedicated herself to studying various dance genres such as ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and modern. She teaches ballet, tap, and other forms of dance to 2 to 7 year olds, and will soon be teaching 5 to 10 year olds with Kids in Motion. In her spare time, Skyy indulges in her love for languages and adventure. She is semi-fluent in Spanish and actively pursuing the study of French, Mandarin, and Korean. She eagerly looks forward to embarking on her teaching journey with Kids in Motion!

Desare was born and raised in the DMV area. She is a relaxed, enjoyable, and creative dance teacher. Her journey with dance commenced during the pandemic when she enrolled in salsa and bachata classes. Initially hesitant, she quickly discovered her passion for dance, increasing her classes from one to five per week. This newfound passion motivated her to share the joy and excitement she experienced with others. She began teaching hip hop, latin dance, and cheer classes to middle and high schoolers. Through her dedication, she has created opportunities for others to find joy and passion through the art of dance and music. Currently she teaches dance, is a personal trainer, and has a business as a hair stylist.

My name is Suzanne and I am originally from Houston, Texas. I went to school at Auburn University and graduated with my bachelor’s degree in special education. I continued my education at the University of Houston and am currently working towards my master’s degree in speech pathology at George Washington University. I was a cheerleader in middle and high school, and my favorite part about cheering was dancing and tumbling! In high school, I worked as a cheer coach and tennis instructor. I believe that movement is a powerful tool to take care of, not only our bodies, but also our minds. My favorite forms of movement are dance, yoga, and long walks. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and teaching my dog new tricks!

Ahriana was born and raised in Washington D.C. as an artist and creative. She attended The Joffrey Ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts and graduated homeschooling 3 years early. Ahriana is known as a dancer, singer, actress, writer, teacher, and poet. She taught dance and movement classes through her own non-profit organization from 2012-2017. She is also a USAG certified recreational coach as well as a mentor to African American girls throughout the Metropolitan area. Ahriana enjoys music, movies, and experiencing different cultures and places in her spare time. Her favorite color is royal blue and her favorite style of dance is jazz. She is also a nail technician and enjoys taking care of dogs during the daytime.

Meet Jasmine, a dedicated children’s coach, Zumba, and fitness instructor. She has danced since she was five years old, practicing ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance styles. She also cheered throughout high school. In addition to her love for dance, she has also coached kids in basketball, flag football, soccer, and track. She has over a decade of experience working with children as a Behavior Analyst and coach, she understands the vital role of play and movement in learning. Jasmine’s philosophy revolves around her belief that ‘Play is the shortest route between children and their creative calling.’ As a Kids in Motion instructor, she aims to ignite imagination and promote creativity through the joy of movement, fitness, and play.

Heather is a home-schooling mother of two, world traveler, and has a Psychology degree from George Mason. Heather loves all things fitness, especially yoga and dance fitness.  She is a registered yoga instructor, taekwondo black belt, and a licensed Zumba instructor. She currently teaches barre fitness, but has experience teaching a variety of fitness formats including aerobics and weights. Her experience working with youth include working as a play teacher at Gymboree, summer camp counselor, and volunteering as a preschool assistant. She can’t wait to share her passion for fitness with Kids In Motion students!

Muloma Moseray is delighted to be one of your children’s dance instructors. Her journey with dance began in her early years, specifically with hip-hop. Music has always been her passion, and being a teacher allows her to share that love while being surrounded by children, which she finds to be an incredibly fulfilling role. Teaching dance isn’t just a job for her, it’s a joyous opportunity to wholeheartedly engage with what she loves. She is thrilled to impart new moves and inspire children in the world of dance.

Rithika is a student studying computer science at George Mason University. She grew up in Northern Virginia and has loved dancing from a young age. In high school, she was on the Field Hockey team. Her introduction to dance was Bharatanatyam, a form of Indian classical dance, which slowly led to her passion for other Indian dance forms including, Bhangra, Raas/Garba, and Bollywood. She choreographed dances with her friends for summer performances, danced in high school, and finally was part of her fusion college dance team, Mason Ke Raang! Her hobbies include watching anime, dramas, art, henna tattoos, and fashion. She believes dance brings people together and spreads joy, and is so happy she gets to do that through Kids in Motion!

Brooke is a 21-year-old Junior at George Mason University School of Dance. She is passionate about ballet, modern, and contemporary dance and has a well-rounded training in various dance styles. She has taught ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop classes for students ages 3 to 18 years old. Recognized for her outstanding contributions to the arts, she was honored with the New Jersey Governors Award in Arts Education Student Awards for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance. Additionally, she received the prestigious NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement Award in 2021. Since 2020, Brooke has been dedicated to giving her knowledge and love for dance to children. Her commitment to fostering artistic expression in young minds is reflected in her role as a dance instructor for kids. She is also close to completing her 200 HR yoga certification. Brooke is eager to inspire and share her artistry, and is thrilled to be a part of Kids in Motion, where she looks forward to creating meaningful experiences for the young dancers and yogis she works with.

Marwa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and is now in the fitness field. She really started to love fitness after having her twins. She wanted to get back in shape and help others improve their lifestyles as well. She loves to help people achieve their fitness goals as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. She can’t wait to teach children with Kids in Motion!

Katie is from Northern Virginia and spent her childhood as a competitive gymnast. She started her dance journey at the renowned Culture Shock Dance Center in San Diego, where she received a scholarship to study hip hop. She quickly established herself as a dynamic performer and began dancing professionally and studying other genres. She also became an enthusiastic, patient instructor, aiming to improve her student’s technique, style, and confidence. Now back in the DMV, Katie works as a dance & fitness instructor for both adults and youth. Her goal is to share the passion she have for dance and the gifts it has given her with others. She wants to help her students see dancing as a healthy outlet for self-expression and a source of self-confidence.

Leeann is a DMV native and has a passion for expressing creativity through dance. She
has been dancing since she was five and has learned a variety of styles over the years such as ballet, tap, jazz, modern, Zumba, and even Irish dance! In high school, she helped teach kids ballet at The Brilliant Ballet Camp and taught classes at her local dance studio. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at William & Mary and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at George Washington University. Her hobbies include listening to music, hiking, and exploring new places in DC. She can’t wait to teach with Kids in Motion!

David is a DMV native, born and raised in P.G. County Maryland. He has been dancing since the age of 3, where he learned hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and modern. He has taught several hip hop master classes to students all over the DMV. He has competed in different competitions such as Red Bull Dance Your Style. He enjoys dancing and teaching people of all ages. He cannot wait to meet the students and start teaching with Kids in Motion.

Vicky Omekam, a remarkable individual with a passion for movement and inspiring
young minds through her dance and cheerleading abilities. Born and raised in Arlington,
Virginia, Vicky began cheerleading during her high school years at Wakefield High
School, where led the varsity cheerleading team for all four years. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University, Vicky decided to share her expertise and enthusiasm for cheer and dance with others. In 2017, she embarked on a coaching journey, becoming a mentor for an after-school cheerleading program. Beyond the world of cheerleading, Vicky’s love for movement extends to various dance styles. With an impressive repertoire that includes West African, amapiano, hip hop, and jazz, she is a true expert when it comes to bringing rhythm and expression to life. Vicky boundless creativity and knowledge in these dance styles make her an exceptional teacher inspiring her students to explore their own unique dance journeys, with her warm and friendly demeanor, Vicky Omekam radiates positivity and strives to create a nurturing environment where children can flourish.

Theresa recently moved here from Arizona to Washington DC. She has been doing dance and theater all her life. She started working in 2000 at a rec center with children doing movement and theater, She also taught adults Latin dance, Zumba, and cardo fitness. She moved from Ohio to Arizona and started teaching kids dance classes for ten years. She really loves kids and dancing! She became assistant director for Art and Sole musical theater in Arizona where she helped choreograph and give kids the energy to shine on stage and her love has not stopped to this day for teaching kids. She also is a fitness enthusiast and coaches our run club classes as well!

My name is Kristel, I am a certified nursing assistant. I discovered an interest in
childcare and became a nanny as well. My passion has always been dancing and I became a dance teacher and an educational tutor for the children. I danced with a competitive dance group for five years, where I had the time of my life! My favorite styles are hip hop, contemporary and latin dance. I was a (Cachiporrista/Porrista) in my school in El Salvador, which translates somewhat into cheerleader. During that time I was also attending ballet classes, and that’s where I discovered my love for back bend/bridges. I now attend Zumba classes, play soccer for fun. I have a small dog and I enjoy taking hikes with him him and making videos about our times together. I also enjoy arranging flowers and decorating my home. My plans now are to start learning to
bake cakes, join a dance team, and have a great time teaching fun classes with Kids In
Motion!

Tseyon (Tee) is originally from Ethiopia and has lived in Virginia for almost 16 years with her brothers and sisters. Tee has a Master’s degree in Information System and Business Administration. She has worked as a Sunday school teacher at an Ethiopian Orthodox Church with kids ranging between 4 and 13 years of ages. She offers an excellent and fun-filled Bible educational experience to her students. She has a 6 years old daughter who loves to dance and read books. She teaches our kids hip hop, dance fitness, and run club classes! 

My name is Jen, and I’ve been teaching children since I got my B.A. in Education, from the University of Northern Iowa (Go Panthers!). I grew up loving everything active and all sports, especially dancing and playing basketball and volleyball. So, after graduating, it was natural to meld the joy of being an educator, with my passion for health and fitness. I began by teaching teens the basics of health, math, and reading. Over time, I  broadened my scope to include fitness classes for all ages of children and coaching school sports. Along the way, I’ve picked up a personal training certification through the US Military Academy at West Point, taught soldiers and their kids, and designed workout programs for everyone from elementary school students to US Army generals. I’m eager to bring my creative, compassionate approach to teaching your children self confidence through movement, self discovery, and an understanding of their own mind body  connection. Be brave, be bold, be you!

Anna (“Anya”) Avilov is originally from Russia and has lived in Virginia for more than 20 years with her family. Anya has a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and currently works as an Independent Consultant in the Information Technology and Project Management fields.

Anya’s love of dance began at age 6, and Zumba is the best dancing outlet she has found in years! She pursued her teaching certifications in 2010 after taking her very first Zumba class and is currently certified to teach Zumba, Zumba Kids, Zumba Gold and Zumba Toning. Teaching Zumba motivates Anya to constantly practice and stay in shape while encouraging others to do the same! She has a passion for working with children. While her two daughters were little, she taught at their Montessori school and once they started public schools in Reston, she continued to volunteer there. Teaching kids and adults Zumba is a fun and rewarding experience for Anya where she can share her love of dance with others!