https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2025-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/833dda61-b5a5-4aeb-834a-703bd460f3f9/8L4A2593.jpg Contact Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/ad66729f-90fb-42ba-8d86-ff2e1c0f442d/397A3257.jpg Contact Us - 973-327-2528 Owner and Artistic Director: Alexa Astarita Located in Maplewood Village, across from the post office. 202 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood NJ 07040 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1532972241476-QXSOZY56PSS8ZDQ1IC4T/AlexaAstarita_MotionArtsDanceStudio_Logo_V3+%282%29.png Contact Us ballet dance children maplewood nj https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/schedule daily 0.75 2026-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/db2ebb8d-7bd7-4a48-9c62-0fef6b1b2413/8L4A2665.jpg Class Schedule https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/c54f2e39-6f53-4ff5-93c0-00838de596a4/image0+%2837%29.jpg Class Schedule https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/dress-code daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1672362460390-W8DE0ZQ7TG3AJT96C6KI/9U0A7478.jpg Dress Code https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/ourmission daily 0.75 2025-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/4cfc9eb8-25bd-4270-b660-4e5843195ffd/8L4A2465.jpg Our Mission https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/012a5fc9-c180-4f45-8ddb-c207fbc65ea6/9U0A7507.jpg Our Mission https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/our-faculty daily 0.75 2025-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/ef0ffab6-7906-40ab-a0a2-155aba30bb91/8L4A2695.jpg Our Faculty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/631d80dc-bac5-4f79-a95b-267dd9796d8a/8L4A1703.jpg Our Faculty Alexa was born and raised in Essex County, NJ. She has trained extensively in jazz, ballet, modern, and partnering and has been teaching students of all ages for over 15 years. Alexa earned her BA in dance and media/communications from Muhlenberg College, where she focused on choreographic and pedagogical studies. She completed a specialized teaching practicum with a focus on children’s jazz and creative movement, and a fieldwork study teaching dance to children in the Allentown school district. Her performance credits include Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Disney World, The London 2012 Olympics, the Bethlehem SteelStacks, Convergence: Community Harmony Through Dance, and works by prestigious artists including Olasebikan Freeman, Corrie Franz Cowart, David Parker, and Jeffrey Peterson. She trained and performed with Amalgamate Dance Company and Damage Dance in Piobicco, Italy, and has also completed the Teacher Workshops at the Martha Graham School and the José Limón Dance Foundation, both in NYC. Alexa's passion for the art of dance drives her work every day, and she loves to create and grow along with her students. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718044177137-ONG8VGJ8J8QWBSZYSK0R/image0%2B%252838%2529.jpg Our Faculty - Jordyn Cherry Jordyn (Somerset, NJ) is an alum of Montclair State University, where she attained a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Communication Studies. She has performed work by Brice Mousset, Winston Dynamite Brown, Urban Bush Women, Stefanie Batten Bland, Paul Taylor, Larry Keigwin, Kathleen Kelley, and Jessie DiMauro Marks. Jordyn also is an aspiring choreographer debuting work at Montclair State, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD), and Modern Moves. Jordyn is developing as a director through her production Modern Moves, a performance series giving emerging choreographers a platform to present and perform.Through the production process she applies her skills in communications, event planning, and media management. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1787761415593-7J9ZJMHNQ5JIUGY6CZ4S/Alexis%2BDiggs%2Bheadshot%2Bby%2BAlexis%2BDiggs.png Our Faculty - Alexis Diggs Alexis Diggs is a freelance dance educator and choreographer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is a 2026 IABD Emerging Choreographer in Residence, Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum in Motion Fellow, and Jacob’s Pillow Ann & Weston Hicks Choreographic Fellow. A 2025 Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company Movers & Makers Fellow and a 2024 ChoreoComp choreographer at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Alexis' additional honors include being an Eisenhower Dance Detroit NewDANCEfest Emerging Choreographer, Black Midwest Initiative Fellow, and Culture Works Artist Opportunity Grantee (2023). Alexis’ commissions include works set on Brooklyn Ballet, Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dancing Wheels Company, and Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company. Her independent work has been presented at the IABD 2026 Conference and Festival, Culture Lab LIC’s ARISE Spring Dance Festival, Dance Bloc NYC at Dixon Place, and the Black Is… Choreographer’s Showcase, and featured in Culture Lab LIC’s “Bodies in Motion” exhibit. Diggs has served on the teaching faculty for Gibney’s Center for Dance Education, Brooklyn Ballet School, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II, Ohio Dance Festival, Miami Valley Ballet Theatre, Jeraldyne’s School of Dance, and many others. She is currently an MFA in Dance student at Montclair State University as part of their Class of 2028 cohort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1688156687685-WB4DQJSOJKNUZFFQFAP6/LindsayGroupPhotos-25.jpg Our Faculty - Emma Gentile Emma is a Montclair-based dancer who recently graduated from Temple University, where she received her BFA in dance. She has been immersed in the dance world since birth but officially started her training at age 12 at DanceWorks Studios in Montclair, NJ. Gentile is trained in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop, African Diasporic techniques, and improvisation. In addition to her technical training, she is passionate about choreographing and film dance. Throughout her dance career Emma has had many amazing opportunities to perform locally and even globally in dance festivals throughout New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1624639556102-GR29DVMBFL64R07VUMS5/image0%2B%25289%2529.jpg Our Faculty - Shannon Grant Shannon has performed professionally in soloist and principal roles in Europe, Canada and throughout the United States. She is a graduate of Columbia University and is an American Ballet Theater (ABT) National Training Curriculum certified teacher in all 7 levels. A review in The LA Downtown News said Shannon, "impressively performs!” Shannon has danced professionally with City Ballet (San Diego), David Taylor Dance Theatre (Denver), Media City Ballet (Los Angeles), Ballet de Printemps (Canada), International Vaganova Festival (Philadelphia), Scottish American Ballet (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland), Ballet New England (New Hampshire), USA Ballet, Jersey City Ballet (New Jersey) and other companies. Shannon originated a lead role in the Ovation Award winning musical ‘Shag With a Twist’, and has danced in music videos, commercials, fashion shows, and charity events. She has trained with the Joffrey Ballet (Chicago), Marat Daukayev Ballet (Los Angeles), Salzburg Ballet (Austria) and more. Shannon began training at age 4 by master teachers of the Russian Kirov Ballet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1624640323547-QT3YPUWSNB6CP0L5T37G/IMG_5061.jpg Our Faculty - Audra Hofacker Audra graduated Magna Cum Laude from Montclair State University with a BFA in Dance. While at Montclair, she performed in works by Tyler Gilstrap, Martha Graham, Pat Graney, Larry Keigwin, José Limón, and Frederick Earl Mosley. Professionally, Audra has danced with moe-tion dance theater and FrediDANCE Project as well as with choreographers including Sidra Bell, Amy Marshall, and Alana Marie Urda. She has additionally been an entertainment cast member at both Walt Disney World and Six Flags Great Adventure. In addition to performing, Audra has a passion for teaching and choreographing. She was selected as the NJ Emerging Choreographer for Somerset County Vocational High School in 2017. Her choreography has been presented throughout NYC and NJ, including the Teen Arts Festival, New Jersey High School Dance Festival, Amalgamate Artist Series 10, and Equilibrium Showcase, among others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1787761235017-HPUMDGO33APJC1INXQD4/2A0EBD5E-A5B3-4CF9-ADE6-A98E26A71AFA_1_105_c.jpg Our Faculty - Kendra Ing Kendra (she/they) is a dance educator and choreographer based in Taiwan and NYC, following graduation from Eugene Lang College in NYC with a major in Interdisciplinary Science and a minor in Contemporary Dance (2020). She performed repertoire by Kade Pyle (Ballez), Tracy Spence (Trisha Brown Dance Company), Nia Love, and studied under Andrew Champlin, Ana "Rokafella" Garcia, and Keely Garfield. Outside of her undergraduate studies, she trained in Hip Hop and Street Styles across the city. Kendra has six years of experience teaching contemporary dance at Taipei American School. She taught the IB Dance Curriculum, emphasizing on composition, analysis, and performance. She also worked as a creative and choreographic director for full-length productions, choreographing for students at varying levels and mentoring them through their own work. Between 2019 and 2021, she choreographed and led workshops for Serendipity Dance Troupe, House of Movement, Dartmouth College's Wild Things Dance, and University of Chicago's Lucky Plush Productions. Since 2024, she has taught every year at the NYU Summer High School Dance Program. In her teaching, process- and improvement-based learning are paramount, inviting dancers to grow their confidence and articulate their curiosities through movement and discussion. To further her training, Kendra has studied at Trinity Laban's Summer Dance School and Choreological Practice Program several times between 2017-2025, and has attended workshops such as Dance and Movement (2021), the Limón Teachers Workshop (2022). She regularly takes class at studios in NYC to stay moving and inspired. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1709312390882-4TLDW28V2RROQIHB6REK/397A3575.jpg Our Faculty - Zoila Mafla-Mills Zoila’s dance journey began at Motion Arts shortly after she moved to New Jersey. During her five years at the studio, she studied ballet, pointe, modern, and contemporary. With her usual classes, she was also a member of the Motion Arts Performance Company for two years. After graduating, Zoila continues to immerse herself in the dance world, including choreographing pieces for student groups at university and exploring other dance styles. She is thrilled to return to Motion Arts and continue supporting her community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1753200172009-IBGVLZVIQCX0N0M6CTV8/image.png Our Faculty - Jazmin Tyson Jazmin Tyson is a choreographer and dance educator from Teaneck, New Jersey, with a focus in Jazz, Contemporary, and Tap. She began her training in her hometown before earning a Minor in Dance from The Pennsylvania State University. Her performance career includes appearances at renowned venues such as Harlem Stage and Bergen PAC, as well as collaborations with companies like MOJAH Dance Theatre, UDC Performance Company, TAOE, and After 7. As a choreographer, Jazmin’s work has been recognized throughout the East Coast for its dynamic use of musicality and storytelling. Her choreography emphasizes how movement dynamics and rhythm can shift the entire focus of a dance, bringing both nuance and intention to the stage. At the heart of Jazmin’s teaching is the belief that “I teach my students to enjoy the process so they can always enjoy the art form.” This philosophy shapes every class she teaches, fostering growth, creativity, and confidence in her students, whether they’re exploring sharp jazz lines, contemporary fluidity, or intricate tap rhythms. Jazmin is thrilled to continue working with the Motion Arts dancers, helping each student discover their individual voice and experience the joy and transformation that dance brings. https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/home daily 1.0 2026-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718311841769-THV00IYKZQAD5G7HFD3Q/397A3435.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752078946743-P1MBDKEPNEJNXFDK6Y2X/8L4A2933.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752079094591-5FX927QEAGXPCIAGIYFQ/8L4A2757.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1672359290676-FNMRW763LLVU0DDR2B3D/9U0A7057.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752079132596-LA1A6ESE9DHO96ZV1PMP/397A3312.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718312239391-WFPCUYEJUT2TK9SIV6YE/9U0A4443.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1661386240962-RPTQERYBV5Y0BGCUE32W/8E3AD2D3-E827-477B-877C-C7F16AE46290.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1672359194424-R5WJ6JCDRDH9SJ93667A/9U0A7492.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752079003007-FGMHI1QDUHK45X1AEV47/8L4A2130.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1532972055003-I2X0I6LUDZFF21NOAQ49/AlexaAstarita_MotionArtsDanceStudio_Logo_V3+%282%29.png Home children's dance classes ballet tap jazz modern after school Maplewood NJ https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/private-lessons daily 0.75 2026-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/4b69caec-156f-4cd9-9eb3-fbede6d736f5/8L4A2039.jpg Private Lessons https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/mapc daily 0.75 2026-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1672363321164-2GMD0ZFFNO9PNDJSMQ4C/9U0A6672.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1744906279293-CJ7G6VWTRA0LEIGA30S2/8L4A2752.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Our 2025 graduating seniors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752511982245-W8E926I9W3Q95TU68D4H/8L4A2262.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752511939202-N42CGAK09R4U4OF7ZPDQ/8L4A2540.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752511665164-WZKJNCBJ8EBA9AHUNT83/IMG_0218.png The Motion Arts Performance Company - “Two Birds”, Choreographed by Alexa Astarita (Spring 2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1752511718314-3O82L497YPOYHQFBI86U/IMG_0133.png The Motion Arts Performance Company - “Ne Me Quitte Pas”, choreographed by Audra Hofacker (Spring 2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718303759602-HKGT0RDCMXC72Q16RP0P/8L4A3219%2B%25281%2529.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Senior Company with Artistic Director Alexa Astarita (April 2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718304244206-IYPDDQDUCEBW7R0AQO2Y/IMG_0157.JPG The Motion Arts Performance Company - MAPC members display their own original work, "Constructed Evolution", at their Annual Spring Concert (June 2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718304504256-XQQGNHQFYRKTHB5EOE01/IMG_2892.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Dancers present their own choreography at the studio each spring at our Annual Student Choreography Showcase (March 2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718304503179-0S95LOJNSUHPUDGMKVIJ/IMG_5637.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Senior Company at their Valentine's Day Party, a sisterhood event they host for younger children in our community (Feb 2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718303792322-8JGIJ0OQ57L8359M50NU/image0%2B%252839%2529.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Performing at Maplewood's Annual Art Walk (Oct 2023) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718304503360-GAD3KFW7BG8BC9B891SD/image0+%2840%29.jpeg The Motion Arts Performance Company - MAPC Auditions (Sep 2023) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1687470233504-7BLW87N27IWC5NTBH479/397A3624.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - The Company with Artistic Director Alexa Astarita (June 2023) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1625346793097-04LCD4AV0UQVWE4Y1RF7/ushouse.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - The Senior Company 2020-2021 with Artistic Director Alexa Astarita https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1649174895999-EPUEUV51OIUD2E7WHV9I/IMG_6935.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Senior Company performing “& Other Emotions”, choreographed by Artistic Director Alexa Astarita, in our annual Open Rehearsal (Oct 2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1625346756965-E4REJS21M24KBB5NXW7L/village4.JPG The Motion Arts Performance Company - Senior Company performing "Dreams from a Distance" choreographed by Alexa Astarita, as part of the Maplewood Village Sunset Music Series (Oct 2020) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1649174897070-GRBOJBXKM8DWDK9MGX20/IMG_9875.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - MAPC's Annual Winter Showcase (Dec 2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1625347816032-A7PS5D0GV2OJUO2UUMPC/IMG_5362.jpg The Motion Arts Performance Company - Senior Company performing "Downpour", choreographed by Alexa Astarita, in our annual Open Rehearsal (Oct 2020) https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/26pr daily 0.75 2026-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718039427292-7R1HLBLTIEBCRJKQ9OMN/8L4A2941%2B%25281%2529.jpg Fall 2026: Registration Details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718040908645-5O9T9IUKUR9R2MO62XHA/8L4A2851.jpg Fall 2026: Registration Details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1718040956240-WS9HCBD9EWJFSS9YXSML/8L4A2740+%281%29.jpg Fall 2026: Registration Details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1750096652260-U8QABDEFCOW2TOQCD59G/8L4A2326.jpg Fall 2026: Registration Details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/1750096679622-8G9SZEJT5Y5RWE70V4D3/8L4A2262.jpg Fall 2026: Registration Details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5afc452096e76f02176c79a8/2347a2fe-a5db-4a44-a70f-79112cc276f5/8L4A2736.jpg Fall 2026: Registration Details - Registration FAQ’s Registration FAQ’s https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/read-me daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5310cef7e4b08602cbfa36bf/1412689652885-P9TPK298WCTZU748L0SG/Lifestyle03.jpg Read Me https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/store daily 0.75 2026-06-01 https://www.motionartsdancestudios.com/store/mapc-senior-company monthly 0.5 2026-06-01