Owner/Artistic Director
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Jamie is a proud Florida native and a Florida Dance Master’s Certified Teacher whose passion for the arts has taken her across the country. She has studied and performed in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Los Angeles, California. In 2001, Jamie was awarded a full arts scholarship to Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida, where she pursued her degree in dance. While there, she trained with world-renowned artists including Alberto Alonso, Antolino Alvarez, and Maximum Dance Company of Miami. She also served as President of the college’s performing group, choreographing and directing the student production Angels of Dance.
In 2003, Jamie moved to Los Angeles to perform commercially, quickly making her mark by being selected to dance with some of the city’s top performing groups. Upon returning to Florida in 2007, she became the resident teacher at Donna Lee Dance Studio in Miami, where she taught tap, jazz, ballet, and acrobatics to students of all ages. She also choreographed for their company, Expressions. Beyond her work in local studios, Jamie has had the honor of teaching at national conventions, including the Florida Dance Master’s Convention, where dancers from across the state gather to train with leaders in the industry. From 2012 to 2016, Jamie was on faculty at The Dance Company of Ocala, where she taught ballet and acrobatics and choreographed for their award-winning competition team. In 2016, she followed her lifelong dream and founded Momentum Dance Arts, a studio dedicated to providing high-quality training in a supportive and inspiring environment. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Jamie combines a well-rounded education with a deep love for the arts to inspire dancers of all ages. Her commitment to excellence has given her the opportunity to share her passion with children and artists from around the world. Today, she is proud to continue building strong, confident dancers throughout Gainesville, Alachua, High Springs, and surrounding communities. |
MR. KEnProgram Director of Dance, Stage Performance Private Coach
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Ken brings over 30 years of experience in the performing arts as an artist, vocalist, dancer, actor, director, choreographer, and instructor. A proud alum of the Broadway Theatre Project, Ken credits much of his success and artistic philosophy to the foundational training he received under legendary mentors, including Ann Reinking, Gregory Hines, Luigi Faccuito, Ben Vereen, Stanley Donen and Gwen Verdon before becoming a member of the guest faculty himself. Ken’s career highlights include Broadway productions of A Chorus Line and Fosse, national tours of Grease!, Fosse, and Chicago, multiple companies of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas as well as regional stage productions such as West Side Story, Me and My Girl and Forever Plaid. Additionally, he’s been contracted for both Walt Disney World in Orlando and Tokyo Disneyland.
Featured in A&E’s Dance in America: From Broadway: Fosse, Ken has performed on Good Morning America, The Ellen Show, The View, The Tony Awards, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. His choreographic credits span regional productions of Chicago, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Spamalot, and Hair (Broadway World Best-choreography nomination) at Broadway Theatre Project as well as contributing choreography to ballet company productions and to award-winning competition pieces in collaboration with his partner, Dir/Choreographer/Instructor Bo Broadwell (Mr. Bo). Throughout his career, Ken has performed for countless benefits like Broadway Backwards, Broadway on Broadway, BCEFA Broadway Cares:Equity Fights AIDS, and Boys and Girls Club of Lower Manhattan. Ken is a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, a Ruth Eckerd Hall Scholarship recipient, a former FL Dance Masters Association’s Mr Dance of Florida, and a member of a Tony Award-nominated cast. Beyond the stage, he has shared his passion for musical theatre and dance with students at the Broadway Theatre Project, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and various dance studios and arts programs. Guided by the principle “Never stop learning,” Ken is honored to inspire the next generation of performers while preserving the legacy and integrity of the dance and musical theatre artforms like his mentors before him. |
Ms. BrittanyMomentum Team Cheer Director
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Brittany Ward is an emerging professional in the sport of competitive cheerleading. Having spent three years as a cheerleader and a year in dance, as well as coaching three seasons for other organizations, she has the foundational background of both performing and organizing performances. This experience has provided her with a solid foundation in teamwork and performance technique.
Since joining the Momentum Dance Arts family in 2018, she has begun transitioning her skills into the professional setting, with an interest in choreography and cheer. Additionally, Brittany has taken on the role of Co-Director and Choreographer for The Miss North Florida Strawberry Pageant, a local nonprofit scholarship pageant, a position she has held since 2018. This role underscores her commitment to developing young talent and contributing to her community. As a mother of three (Avery, 12, Liam, 10, and Ember, 5), Brittany balances her responsibilities both in the home and in her professional endeavors. Her recent involvement as a team mom for MTC during the past two competition seasons demonstrates her ability to support and guide young performers in a competitive environment. When Brittany isn’t with her daughters at the studio or her son at baseball and soccer, she enjoys cooking and traveling. In addition to her background in cheer and choreography, she also has been a licensed cosmetologist since 2007 and enjoys hair and make-up. |
MR. BOTeaches Tap, Musical Theater, Technique, Ballet
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Bo is a performance artist, director, choreographer with over 20 years production experience spanning the genres of the industry from cruise line and theme park to Off-broadway. Bo’s wide range of performance credits include the National Tours of CATS, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Thoroughly Modern Mille and Crazy For You. Bo has performed with Dollywood, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney cruise lines and has danced alongside Dolly Parton and his favorite, MinnieMouse! He has worked for Walt Disney World and has been featured in Beauty and the Beast:Live On Stage, The Hoop
Dee Doo Revue, Dream Along with Mickey, ABC’s Annual Christmas Day Parade, and the live christening of the DCL Disney Dream cruise liner with Jennifer Hudson. Bo made his Off Broadway debut in the musical Trip Of Love starring Nia Souix and Darlene Love ultimately becoming the production’s dance captain. Bo has taught and adjudicated with studios across the southeast and worked with masters such as Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen. Bo’s directorial and choreographic work has been nominated for Broadway World and MTA awards and includes show creation for CarowindsTheme Park and Celebrity Cruise Line. |
Ms. LoganTeaches Strength and Stretch, Contemporary, Company
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Logan’s mom always knew she would be a dancer. Logan’s love of dancing began very early at the age of 2 where she would put on performances for her family. It wasn’t until 7 years later, with the help of an amazing teacher that she would begin her formal training. During her 12 years, she performed in over 50 competitive dance and recital pieces in various styles including hip hop, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, modern and ballet. Logan was selected to attend Joffrey Ballet School’s Contemporary Intensive in Athens, GA and Joffrey Ballet School’s very first Hip Hop Intensive in New York City. Along with her intensives, she has attended countless dance conventions.
Once she finished competitive dancing, she set her sights on bringing her passion to dance to the next generation of upcoming dancers through teaching. Logan enjoys teaching tap, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. Logan graduated Santa Fe college this past spring and had the opportunity to be selected for two residency pieces of work “There is a time” choreographed by Jose Limon directed by Dante Puleio and “Near Future” choreographed by Xan Burley and Alex Springer. Logan also performed in three showcases as a student. Logan is now at the University of Florida to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Logan brings her unique style to every class and strives to create a fun environment for learning. She loves seeing her students grow as dancers and develop their skills. |
Ms. JenTeaches Ballet and Pointe
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As a Gainesville, Florida native, Jennifer has dedicated her life to the performing arts. She earned her BFA in Dance Performance from Dominican University of California through the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program in San Francisco, where she trained with world-renowned coaches and choreographers, including Alonzo King, Sidra Bell, and Amy Seiwert. Jennifer performed professionally with Dance Alive National Ballet and Oakland Ballet before retiring from her performing career in late 2015. She then joined the administrative staff at the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California, later relocating to Houston to work with the artistic staff at Houston Ballet under Stanton Welch. While at Houston Ballet, she led and organized the company’s first women’s choreographic workshop, elle émerge, which served as a launchpad for emerging female choreographers. Shifting her focus to arts leadership and development, Jennifer became Special Events Manager at the Houston Symphony while simultaneously earning her Master of Arts in Arts Leadership at the University of Houston, where she researched crisis leadership in the arts. Upon returning to Gainesville, she served as lead fundraiser and marketer at Aces in Motion, a youth development afterschool program supporting under-resourced students. Building on her experience in performance, administration, and community engagement, Jennifer founded Gainesville Movement Studio, a space where adults can explore dance styles ranging from ballet to K-Pop. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to strengthening and sustaining the performing arts sector, guided by her values of authenticity, equity, humility, and transparency.
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Ms. KADIEAssistant Cheer Coach
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Coach Kadie just graduated from Union County High School and is now going to Florida Gateway College. She has done cheer for the last 10 years and is so excited to be able to coach at MDA! |
Ms. AleanaTeaches Ballet and Pointe
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Aleana Perez started dancing ballet at the age of five in Port St. Lucie Florida. She continued her classical ballet training up until 2022 with St. Lucie Ballet under Rogelio Corrales and Lydia Oquendo, who both teach Cuban Classical Ballet. Along with Ballet she also intensively trained in contemporary, jazz, neo-classical, and much more. It was around the age of 13 in 2018 that she began competing at competitions and attending various different workshops across the country. Some of these experiences include competing and receiving awards at Universal Ballet Competition Grand Prix, Youth American Grand Prix National Ballet Competition, The American Dance Competition, Shake the Ground Dance Competition, New York City Dance Alliance, and attending Grand Premier Invitational Intensive Workshop as an ambassador in Arizona. She has also danced as a soloist and been a part of multiple different ballet productions such as The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Coppelia, Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty, Diana and Acteon, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Esmeralda, and many others she will never forget. Throughout the years she has been able to work with many amazing choreographers and teachers in the dance world. They have been her inspiration to pursue her passion for dance. Along with dancing she loves being able to teach, inspire, and challenge students in classical ballet. She believes that there is such beauty in ballet and it is her motivation to pass this onto her students and spark inspiration within them.
Aleana is currently a student at the University of Florida as a nutritional science major, and is on a pre-med track. She hopes to one day use her nutritional science knowledge to help spread more awareness in the ballet and sports industry, along with hopes to make it into medical school in 2026. |
Ms. MaryTeaches Creative Movement, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Acro
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Mary Kenney found her love for dance when she was 2 years old at Donna Lee studio of Dance in Miami, Florida. Mary continued to pursue her passion for dance by taking a variety of classes at Donna Lee including ballet, pointe, acrobatics, tap, jazz, and lyrical and eventually joined Expressions Dance Company where she continued to work with many talented choreographers and teachers. She began assisting with several dance classes at age 13 and discovered that she loved teaching dance just as much as she did dancing herself. In high school, she joined Westminster Christian School’s varsity dance team where she partook in competitions, workshops, conventions and more. For 16 years she has continued taking classes at Donna Lee Studio of Dance 4 days a week, rehearsing on weekends with Expressions Dance Company, participating in dance team practices after school, and of course teaching her love of dance to students. Mary is excited to now attend the University of Florida, majoring in Nutritional Sciences, as well as join Momentum Dance Arts to continue her love of dance.
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Ms. ClaudiaTeaches Tap, Contemporary and Jazz
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Claudia De Armas trained at Elsa Pardo Dance Center in Tampa, Florida for 8 years. She trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and tap. While training at Elsa Pardo Dance Center, she competed with their competition team for 6 years. Their team attended several different competitions and conventions across Florida, which allowed Claudia to expand her dance experience. While competing with her studio, she was also a part of her high school’s dance team for all four years.
Claudia fell in love with dance during these years and wanted to continue to pursue it after high school. She is currently at the University of Florida studying Applied Physiology and Kinesiology and pursuing a Dance in Medicine Certificate. She also continues her passion of dance by choreographing dances in Danza Dance Company at the University of Florida. Claudia hopes to spread her passion of dance to all the dancers at Momentum Dance Arts. |
Ms. BellaTeaches Ballroom
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Bella Spagnolo is a senior at the University of Florida pursuing a degree in Psychology with a minor in Professional Selling. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old with 11 years of classical ballet training. She also has over 4 years of ballroom training, is Dvida certified to teach, and has competed and won titles in American Rhythm, American Smooth, Cabaret, and Showdance. Though she has also received technical training in International Standard and Latin styles, her favorite genre to teach is American Rhythm!
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Ms. CataCompetitive Dance Company Manager and Co-Director
Teaches Acro, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, PBT 
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CCatalina (Cata) Cunha is a dance educator, choreographer, and performer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Master of Science in Management from the University of Florida. She began her training at the age of two in Uruguay before moving to Miami, FL, where she continued her studies under Jillian Torgas-Leyva at Roxy Performing Arts Center and as part of the South Miami Center of the Arts Magnet Dance Program directed by Jessica Vega.
Since 2017, Cata has been teaching Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Technique, Stretch, Conditioning, Acro, and Ballet, blending technical precision with creative artistry in the studio. Her choreography has earned recognition and awards at regional and national competitions, reflecting her ability to craft routines that are both innovative and impactful. Cata is an Acrobatic Arts–certified instructor as well as a Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT)–certified instructor. She has worked with Fusion National Dance Competition as part of their staff and performed as a member of Danza Dance Company, UF’s premier dance ensemble. She also performed with Tampa’s Break The Mould Contemporary Dance Company in a work choreographed by Lexie Sealy and traveled to Uruguay to teach masterclasses abroad, sharing her expertise with international students. With a strong background in both the artistic and business sides of dance, Cata is passionate about inspiring and developing the next generation of dancers, helping them build versatility, confidence, and creativity both on and off the stage. |
Ms. BrinkleyTeaches Ballet, Contemporary, and Acro
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Brinkley Johnson is a double major at the University of Florida, pursuing a BFA in Dance and Business Administration. She trained for 15 years at The Dance Company in St. Augustine, FL
under the direction of Stephanie Burkhardt, honing skills in tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, acrobatics, and contemporary. In high school, Brinkley was captain of her varsity dance team, leading them to a national ranking, while also serving as President of the St. Johns County Center for the Arts Dance program. From 2021-2023, Brinkley taught at The Dance Company, with her choreography featured in numerous performances and competitions. Her experience as an instructor has helped her develop a deeper understanding of choreography and mentorship. Additionally, Brinkley works as a Professional Apprentice with Platinum National Dance Competition. She travels nationwide, learning from world-renowned performers and choreographers while assisting with both the competition and convention operations. Brinkley hopes to combine her academic and dance backgrounds to help others learn and foster their love for the art form of dance. |
Ms. IsabelAssists Acro, Ballet, Mommy and Me, Combo Classes,
Musical Theater, Jazz 
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Isabel Aluart started dancing at the age of two in South Florida. She has been trained in ballet, pointe, contemporary, hiphop, jazz, and musical theatre. She trained most recently at Ballet Elite Dance Studio where she performed in multiple productions including the nutcracker and has competed with them in the style hiphop. She has assisted pre-ballet and younger ages of dance. Isabel graduated high school with a seal for the fine arts endorsement where she also trained and performed in many productions. Along with this she has studied kinesiology, production management, nutrition, and costume design through the program. In her past few years she has had the opportunity to choreograph for the dance team at Calvary which performed pep rallies and outreach events as well as a senior showcase. In the cheer aspect she has trained for five years and competed for one year at Calvary Christian Academy. Isabel loves working with kids and teaching. She is so excited to help dancers pursue their passion and creativity!
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Ms. JadeTeaches Ballet, Hip Hop, Acro, Tap/Jazz, Combos
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Jade started dancing at the age of three in Gainesville, FL. She studied at many local dance studios before she started her journey at Momentum Dance Arts. While at MDA, she studied all styles of dance and quickly became a very accomplished, well rounded dancer and acrobat. She was a member of MDA's Competitive Company and won countless awards and titles throughout her competitive career. She was awarded "Best of Streetz" at Streetz Dance Convention and Competition, "Prodigy" at the Artistic Dance Exchange, and was a top scoring soloist at many regional competitions throughout Florida. She later was selected as an apprentice with Dancelook, a performing art production company specializing in media production, live show entertainment, education, and training, that emphasizes the art, sport, and culture of dance. Jade is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Florida and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to give back to the youth at a studio she grew up in.
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Ms. AlainaTeaches Hip Hop, Acro, Combos
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Alaina Thomas has over 15 years experience dancing and four years experience teaching dance. Her passion for dance began with her first jazz class. After falling in love with the style, she joined a competitive dance team and began training in various styles including acro, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, ballet, and hip hop. She had the opportunity to attend many regional and national competitions and conventions winning various awards. The next step in her training was to attend Santa Fe College and earn her associate’s degree in Dance. She trained under many wonderful professors like Alora Haynes and Melissa Brenner, and performed in multiple showcases. After many years of developing her knowledge and passion, she decided to share what she learned with the next generation of dancers and began teaching. Through dance teacher courses from Rhee Gold and LA Dance Magic, she gained tools for classroom management and learned the importance of structure. To fine tune her acrobatics technique and spotting skills, she became Acrobatic Arts certified. Alaina’s goal is to instill confidence, work ethic and camaraderie in her students, and she is excited to grow alongside them this season!
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Student Instructor
Ms. Katherine
Teaches Tap/Ballet and Creative Movement
Ms. Makaylin
Teaches Hip Hop
Ms. Emily
Teaches Tap/Ballet Combos
