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. In 1992 she opened The Ballroom Dance Center where she trained many area ballroom teachers and students, alike.
In March of 2002, Ms. Marie opened Ballroom in Motion to pursue a personal goal of having a dance studio that put students first. "Teaching dance has always been about the students. It must be fun, easy and quick. Everyone is different, with individual wants and needs. Our students are the most important asset we have and that's why we do everything possible to make their dance experience unforgettable." As the slogan says, "BALLROOM IN MOTION WITH TEENA MARIE IT’S THE FUN PLACE TO BE!" In 2009 Ballroom In Motion with Teena Marie became the first studio in our region to host a professional ballroom Dancesport competition , The Garden City Dance Challenge, drawing dancers to our area from all over the country. Ballroom in Motion has taken community service, through fundraising, to a new level. The philosophy of the management is that when you have incredible community support for your business it is your responsibility to give back to that community in whatever way you can. Ms. Marie has brought her fundraising expertise to many area projects, including the yearly Miracle Ball benefiting the Children's Miracle Network, The Wounded Warriors Project, Fischer House, The Pink Party benefiting University Hospitals Breast Health Center , Relay for Life and her yearly support of Toys for Tots. Beginning in 2013, she will give her time and talent to help raise money for the Alzheimer's Association with Dancing Stars of Augusta.
Matt Watson
Matthew Watson has been born and raised in a dance studio. He is a fourth generation ballroom instructor, son of Teena Marie, Co-Owner and Dance Director of Ballroom In Motion, whom many consider to be Augusta's Dance Academy. Matthew has been directly trained under the most highly regarded dancers in the world. He is currently training under 3 time World Champion and multiple United States Champion,Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine. He has also trained under nationally known dancers on the hit t.v. show "Dancing With The Stars" such as Louis Van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, & Karina Smirnoff. He has performed in and directed the Atlanta Ballroom Dance Theatre, successfully created a teen performance group called "Ballroom Blitz" in Augusta, as well as traveled the country doing professional shows.