Home Getting Started Frequently Asked Questions Calendar and Events Map and Directions Teena's Boutique (Updated) Rates About Us Contact Us Instructors Student Corner

Instructors

Teena Marie

Teena Marie was born into a family which owned Arthur Murray Dance Studios. She took her first dance lesson at age 5, started competing and performing at age 11, and was a champion by the age of 15. She began her teaching career 2 weeks before her 18th birthday and has consistently won top teacher awards for excellence.

In 1989 she sold her studio in New Haven, CT. when she married her husband Rick and moved to Augusta. In 1990 she brought her expertise in dancing and teaching to the Garden City and has been teaching there ever since, training students and instructors alike.

In March of 2002 Ms. Marie opened Ballroom in Motion to pursue a personal goal that centered on the students. "Teaching dance has always been about the students. It must be fun, easy and quick. Everyone is different, with individual wants and needs. At Ballroom In Motion, we put our students first. That's why we are the FUN PLACE TO BE!"

Haley Rollins

Haley Rollins has lived in Augusta, Georgia, all of her life but loves to travel. She is enrolled at Augusta State University where she is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology (Exercise & Sport Science). In her free time she enjoys playing racquetball, a sport she competed in successfully for most of her high school years. Now, her love of dancing keeps her off the racquetball court and on the dance floor. Haley has always loved fine arts and often sang and preformed as a member of drama club in high school.

"I started dancing for a high school project and I just got hooked". "Now there's nothing I'd rather be doing than dancing or teaching dancing", says Haley. "Dancing allows me to perform in front of an audience without having to memorize lines". "I think my love of music also has something to do with my love of dance". "I'm a really creative person and dance lets me be creative and athletic at the same time". "I feel very lucky to have a job doing something that I love so much".

In the Fall of 08, Haley began competing with her professional dance partner Matt Watson at the Carolina Classic Competition in Greensboro, NC.

Matt Watson

Matt Watson was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. He is a graduate of Evans High School and is attending Georgia Military College where he is working toward a degree in business management.

Even as a child, Matt loved to get involved with community service. He has worked regularly with the Columbia County Humane Society and sponsors a yearly dance to boost their fundraising efforts. Matt also volunteers at local schools by teaching ballroom dancing to children who might not otherwise have that opportunity.

His love of dance and his natural talent may be in part due to the fact that he is a fourth generation dance teacher and has literally grown up in the dance world. His smile is infectious and his students say that he makes learning to dance so much fun that they can't wait to return for their next lesson. In fall of '08, Matt began competing professionally at the Carolina Classic Competition in Greensboro, NC. Matt took the top teacher award in his first competition as a teacher, which is almost unheard of.

Rising Stars

Haley Rollins & Matt Watson are two of the brightest stars among the professional staff at Ballroom in Motion. In the Fall of 08, they began their competitive journey by entering the "Rising Star" division at the Carolina Classic Competition in Greensboro NC. They placed 2nd in the Show dance category and 4th in the Smooth dance category. We are certainly looking forward to great things from this talented couple.

Guest Teachers

Jorge Morales

Jorge began his professional dance career over 15 years ago, first dancing and teaching at Fred Astaire and several independent dance studios in the metro Atlanta area.

Most recently, Jorge and his partners opened Academy Ballroom International, the next generation of ballroom dance schools providing access to an entire network of World Class Dancers coaches and schools.

As an instructor and competitor, Jorge has transformed students into high level Ballroom and Latin dance competitors by teaching them the skill, technique, artistry and precision to achieve national recognition in the various ballroom circuits.

Among his latests accomplishments are the following: Global Cup Rising Star Rhythm Champion - Hotlanta Dance Challenge 1st place Rising Star Rhythm Scholarship - Hotlanta Dance Challenge 1st place Open Smooth Scholarship - Atlanta Open DanceSport Championship Jorge continues to be very active dancing Pro/Am with his students, as well as coaching amateur competitive couples. He also enjoys teaching social dance students and couples who are excited about learning ballroom dance.

One way is by continually enhancing his own training. In order to stay up to date with the latest techniques and styles in the dance world, Jorge has and continues to train with such ballroom and Latin dance greats as Corky Ballas, Eddie Ares, Kathryn Schaeffer and most recently Toni Redpath and Liene Apale.

For over 15 years, he has been and continues to be very active in the dancesport competition circuits. Most recently winning the 2007 East/West Rising Star Rhythm Championships held at the prestigious Hotlanta Dance Challenge. In addition to winning or becoming finalist in Smooth and Latin competitions including Emerald Ball, Atlanta Open, Wisconsin Dancesport Competition among many others.

My commitment is for those whose goal is to achieve the highest levels of competition and/or performance oriented dance.