Art in Motion Academy of Dance Staff
Melissa Cottreau
Owner/Director
Instructor/Choreographer
For the past 22 years of owning & directing AIM, Melissa has been shaping the lives of children and adults through dance. Melissa’s two favorite things are children and dance. She went on to study Elementary Education/Special Needs along with Communications/Dance at Bridgewater State College. There ,she was a dance team member and vice president of the Dance Company, performing in numerous pieces throughout her years. For several years she served on the Junior Miss Committee. In her Senior year of college, she worked full time at a dance studio and began choreographing and teaching which lead to founding AIM in 2001. Melissa is a proud member of Dance Masters New England where she successfully completed a Four year program and examinations at Buffalo University, which resulted in Dance Master certification in dance education in teaching Tap & Jazz. In 2016, Melissa became certified in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program & teacher training that uses rhythm and dance to aid in achieving student therapeutic goals. The focus is on teaching students who have learning differences & other special needs, Her choreography has been recognized at numerous regional and national level competitions. Melissa continues her own dance education by attending classes taught by some of the most notable names in the dance industry. Melissa has studied all styles of dance, but finds her passion to be Tap. Some of Melissa's fondest memories include having the pleasure to meet and dance with Ben Vereen, Bob Rizzo and Frank Hachett. As a Dance Teacher, Melissa feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times and that they are in an environment they feel comfortable in. Melissa wants to see her students succeed, be proud of their accomplishments and enjoy all of the hard work and dedication they put into dance.
Kaitlyn Schleicher
Assistant Director
Instructor/Choreographer
Kaitlyn Schleicher graduated Cum Laude from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelor of Arts in English & minors in Secondary Education Dance. Kaitlyn's love of dance began as a child where she studied Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Kaitlyn has participated in the "SMARTS Summer Institute" where she studied vocal, drama, musical theatre and dance. Kaitlyn's most memorable experience was dancing at "KIDS JAM" with Sam Wright, held at Great Woods. Kaitlyn has studied over seven years in Irish Step where she has competed in solo and team events at Regional and National levels. She has been an instructor at AIM since 2001. Kaitlyn is also certified through NYC's "Teach Healthy, Dance Smart" and certified through DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA in teaching Tap & Jazz.
Kim DeCost
Instructor/Choreographer
Competition Director
Kim grew up dancing for the late Carole Miller in Taunton, MA. She graduated from Bridgewater State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Theater and Dance. She also attended Dean College, where she auditioned for and was accepted into the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. She has performed in many shows, including The Pajama Game, A Chorus Line and Anything Goes. Since graduation, Kim has taught at several local studios at both the recreational and competitive levels, holding positions as choreographer, instructor, Company Manager and Assistant Artistic Director. She continues to teach master classes locally in Musical Theater, Jazz, Ballet and Turns, Jumps, Leaps. Kim's choreography has been recognized at both the regional and national levels, winning numerous high score, choreography, judge’s choice, and costume awards. Kim’s Musical Theater Productions have earned top honors Nationally . Several of her pieces have also been invited to be a part of the United States Dance Team and be a part of the World ChampionshipKim is a professional, passionate instructor and choreographer who believes anything can be achieved with a little hard work and passion!
Kayla Regonliski
Instructor/Choreographer
Director, Studio Events and Summer Camp
Kayla Scott is a graduate of Bridgewater State University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education. She has also attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she was a member of the Dynamic Motion Dance Team. Kayla began dancing at Art in Motion™ at a young age and has taken classes across all genres. She was a member of the Art in Motion Competition Dance Team™ for several years, which allowed her to take master classes with dance professionals and attend both regional and national competitions. Kayla continues to further her education by taking dance classes & seminars. Kayla has been an instructor at AIM since 2013.
Katie Mullins
Instructor/Choreographer
Company Assistant
Katie Mullins is a graduate of University at Albany, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Computer Science and Criminal Justice with a minor in Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Preparedness. She started dancing when she was 2 years old and continued that passion throughout her college years. During her college experience Katie served as the President of UAlbany Dance Council where she had the opportunity to choreograph and perform. Katie began dancing at Art in Motion at a young age and was a member of the Art in Motion Competition Dance Team. Katie continues to further her dance education by attending classes and conventions. This Fall you can find her teaching Lyrical & Contemporary.
Amanda Romaine
Instructor/Choreographer
Amanda graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology with a double minor in childhood studies and communication disorders. She has been dancing for 17 years, 14 of which were at Art in Motion, where she took classes of all genres and was on the Art in Motion competition team for 6 years. At BSU, Amanda served as an executive board member for Dance Company. Some of her fondest memories are attending the regional and national competitions, along with working as a class assistant for multiple classes each year.
Kathy Rocha
Instructor/Choreographer
Kathy is a graduate from American International College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy with a concentration in Health/Science & Kinesiology/Human Development. Her love of dance began as a child which later developed her love for teaching. Kathy’s favorite accomplishment was organizing a nonprofit Ballet Company where students performed throughout local communities. Kathy has studied all styles of dance, but finds her passion to be Ballet & Lyrical. She has been an instructor at AIM since 2001. Kathy is also certified through DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA in teaching Ballet & Jazz.
Pamela Mateus
Instructor/Choreographer
Ms. Mateus began dancing at the age of four at New Bedford Ballet. In addition to her own training, Ms. Mateus spent many years assisting in the classroom. Since then, Ms. Mateus has become an esteemed educator and choreographer, traveling to many studios, festivals and conventions. Her students and choreography are repeatedly recognized with Highest Overall Scores, Choreography Awards, Convention & College Scholarships, Regional and National Titles. Her work has been featured in a TED talk in addition to being chosen to be performed by the USA dance team at the World Dance Sport competition in Germany. Ms. Mateus strives to continuously push the boundaries that surround her movement, concepts and accolades, while always incorporating a great level of interpretation, inspiration, honesty and diversity.
Kyle Weaver
Instructor/Choreographer
Hip Hop
Kyle is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in Music. He has been teaching hip hop professionally throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island since 2004. Kyle has coached many groups and hundreds of students that have gone to regional and national competitions. He and his routines have won many top awards, including the Young Choreography award in 2005 at ADA, as well as very numerous 1st and 2nd place highest overall score awards throughout the years, regionally and nationally. Kyle had also lead groups that were specially selected to participate in the Dance-Off/Entertainment challenges at IDC regional competition in 2010, again in 2013 at EDC Nationals, and a third time in 2016 at EDC Nationals. Both times at EDC his groups placed 3rd out of 10 in those challenges. Kyle currently teaches hip hop at several studios and shares his passion, unique perspective, and intricate style with many aspiring dancers, teachers, and choreographers.
Michal Mangan
Instructor/Choreographer
Michal is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she began dancing at age 2. Throughout her childhood, she danced multiple styles of dance including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary and even flamenco, training and completing yearly exams in the Cecchetti ballet technique through Ceccehtti Council of America. Continuing her training with New Mexico Ballet Company’s pre-professional program, performing children’s roles in the company’s ballet productions. Michal also moved on to competitive dance and had the honor of receiving various awards and scholarships from multiple competitions and organizations. At age 15 Michal moved across the country to attend Boston Ballet School, then completed a traineeship with the professional company, Boston Ballet. Performing in productions like The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, and Mikko Nissinen’s Raymonda. Working with renowned choreographers and learning the works of George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe and more. At 19, she began teaching where her love for dance has been shared with students of all ages and abilities. Michal currently runs a ballet program for a studio in Abington, and teaches contemporary at Stonehill College’s Dance Club.
Veronica Monterosso
Instructor/Choreographer
Veronica has been dancing for 28 years starting with the Kerry Smith Studio in Norwood followed by K&M Studio. Veronica has danced in many competitions and was part of the Suffolk University Dance Company where she was also a production manager for all the shows! She continues to dance in Boston for various groups. Veronica works full time as a UX Designer for Commonwealth Financial and has a passion for photography! She is also teaching at the Norwood Recreation Department School of Dance! After 7 years of teaching dance, she loves seeing her students grow and develop new skills, as well as instilling confidence and discipline. Dance brings people together no matter the circumstances. She has met so many friends in all her years of dancing. Her favorite line to say is “Dance friends are always your life friends”. Her goals for this year would be to introduce dancers to new techniques and introduce contemporary to those who are new to the style. Favorite part of dance: Being able to tell a story with the movement and music. Favorite Quote: “Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances.” – Maya Angelou
Todd Shanks
Instructor/Choreographer
Todd Shanks is a highly accomplished performer, educator, and choreographer with an extensive portfolio. He has garnered recognition in renowned publications such as Dance, Dance Spirit, Dance Studio Life, Dance Teacher, and Dancer Magazines. As a performer, Todd has exhibited his talents in various mediums, including music videos, commercials, industrials, and television programs. Notable appearances include "The Electric Company," Kimberly Clark, "The View," Volvo, Ford Motors, Race for the Cure, Wrigley's, Paramount Pictures, "Good Day NY," Lance Armstrong Foundation, Pilsen Beer, the United Way, UFO Jeans, 1010 WINS, Hope and Heroes, and the Lyme Disease Foundation. Todd has also graced the stage alongside esteemed groups like Synthesis Dance Project, Jette Performance Company, The Westchester Philharmonic, and for events such as SDCF Dance Break, the 2006 Miss Florida Pageant and at Gillette Stadium for the 2015 and 2017 NFL Kickoff shows featuring T-Pain and Flo Rida, respectively. Todd's choreography has received widespread acclaim in a BIC "Soleil" Razors commercial and the opening number of "Stars, Stripes and Skates," starring three-time National ice skating champion Johnny Weir. His choreographic work has been featured on esteemed platforms such as "The View," ABC Nightly News, The MSG Network, NY1, CW 11, as well as events like NYC's Carnival, Steps on Broadway's Faculty in Performance, Making Strides Boston, Dean College: 50 Years of Gold, Yankee FanFest, and "The Game is in Us" (a Nike spec commercial). Before his move to Massachusetts, Todd served as a valued faculty member at Steps on Broadway in NYC for over a decade. He has also shared his expertise as a guest teacher at esteemed institutions such as the University of Florida, SUNY Brockport, Boston University, Skidmore College, ACDA, UMass Lowell, HSDF, the Ailey Extension, Ballet Hispanico, Jeannette Neill Dance Studio, Dance Masters of America, Dance New Amsterdam, Florida Dance Masters, and numerous private dance studios across the United States. Currently, Todd is teaching on tour with Manhattan Dance Project and Dance Educators of America. Todd is the Education Director for Dance Educators of America. Additionally, he holds the positions of Program Coordinator for the Palladino School of Dance and Assistant Professor of Dance at Dean College in Franklin, MA.
Siobhan Mahoney
Instructor/Choreographer
Siobhan Mahoney is a graduate from Stonehill College and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education Studies and Performing arts with a concentration in Dance. She has recently earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Siobhan has been with Art In Motion since the age of 3 and danced competitively at Art In Motion since the age of 10, perfecting the styles of jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical and more. She was a member of Stonehill College’s Dance Company, where she assisted in directing the company and choreographed multiple pieces during her time there. She is beyond excited to be back home at Art In Motion and is so grateful to further her dance career where it all started!
Lori Matta
Instructor/Choreographer
Meghan Correia
Instructor/Choreographer
Meaghan is a Dean College graduate with a Major in Exercise Science and a Minor in Dance. She is also currently pursuing her degree in Nursing. She has been involved with dance for 22 years, and is a former student of Miss Meg, Miss Pam, and Mr. Kyle. In 2016, she won a scholarship to Dean College for dance at Headliner’s Nationals, and in 2017 she was chosen to dance at the Rockette’s Summer Intensive. She is so grateful to be able to pass on her love for dance and be a part of the Art in Motion family.
