Zumba Instructors

Hey, I’m Angela! I’m a proud Peruvian and a DMV native currently studying Business Marketing at NOVA in Annandale, with plans to transfer to James Madison University in January of 2025. I am a part time nanny and student where I tutor as well for elementary kids. I’ve been working in schools for the past three years, teaching musical theater, cheer, and gymnastics/sports. I absolutely love working with kids and finding fun, in new creative ways to keep them engaged. I am an extrovert and I love learning new things and traveling to different events such as cultural museums and social events. When I’m not teaching, I’m busy running my own bakery shop, where I get to combine my love for baking and creativity every day. I’m also passionate about learning new cultures and finding inspiration in the world around me. I’m excited to keep growing, learning, and sharing my passions with others!

Megalya is a DMV native who loves to move. She started her journey in dance at the age of 5, with ballet, jazz, and tap. In elementary school, she was a part of an african drum and dance group. She fell in love with the rhythmic and energetic movements of this particular dance form, while also finding joy in performing. During her middle school and high school years, she transitioned to exploring herself through Hip hop dance, which soon became one of her main forms of expression. However, once she started her college career at Spelman College in Atlanta, Megalya reignited her love for the African Dance forms and became a part of another African drum and dance performance group during all of her 4 years at college. Megalya loves being active and participates in various activities including but not limited to roller skating, nature walks, and longboarding in her spare time.

Nora is a DMV native and is enthusiastic about expressing yourself through dance. She has been dancing since she was 5 years old and has trained in a variety of styles, such as ballet, hip hop, and jazz funk! Over the years, her love of movement expanded to include fitness, which is when she discovered and fell in love with Zumba. Now her desire is to share her two passions in hopes that it will inspire others. In addition to her Zumba Instructor license, Nora has a Master’s degree from Georgetown University in Cybersecurity Risk Management and works full-time as a Cybersecurity Engineer. In her free time, she enjoys going to flea markets, hiking and spending time with her two dogs.

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!

Hi, I’m Jordan Thornton, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of Kids in Motion dance program! Dance has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I can’t wait to share that passion with the next generation of young dancers. I have experience in various dance styles, from ballet to hip-hop, I’ve had the joy of performing and teaching, and every moment has reinforced my love for dance. I truly believe that dance is more than just movement—it’s a way to build confidence, express creativity, and make lasting memories. What excites me the most about teaching is helping kids discover their own joy in dance. Whether it’s celebrating a student’s first successful pirouette or encouraging them to express themselves, I find immense satisfaction in guiding them through their dance journey. I’m looking forward to dancing alongside our students and supporting them as they explore their own unique talent. Here’s to a fun and inspiring time together!

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.

Isabelle was born and raised in the DMV. She loves expressing her happiness through dance and sharing it with others. Her passion for dance started at the age of 10 through hip-hop, gymnastics and Zumba classes. She is very active and enthusiastic. She wishes to share this energy and channel it through dance with other kiddos! Dancing is a great form of self-expression and perfect for building confidence. She is excited to start teaching kids the beauty of dance through Kids in Motion. Let’s have fun together!

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!

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!

Jazmin is currently an undergrad student at George Mason University. She is studying accounting and environmental science. Jazmin was born in Guatemala where she took ballet classes, she enjoys dancing latin music and has taken modern dance classes in college. She loves listening to music and is always eager to learn new styles/genres of music. In her free time she enjoys hiking and traveling. She has a passion for teaching and is excited to start this new school year 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!

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.

Hi there! My name is Priscilla Wilson-Gay and I am 22 years old and I am from Bethesda, MD. I have been dancing for 19 years in the styles of modern, ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and hip hop. I am currently a student at George Mason University studying Kinesiology. I participate in dance classes at Virginia Ballet Company in Fairfax, VA. I love working with kids and look forward to having a blast with your children!

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!

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!

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!