Hannah Pasquinzo - Owner/Director        

Hannah Pasquinzo, a Rogers, Arkansas native, has been dancing and performing in the Northwest Arkansas area for eighteen years.  Hannah has also studied in New York City, where she worked with Michelle Assaf, Sheila Barker, Michelle Barber, and Alex Hasbany.  On both the regional and national competition circuit, her jazz and lyrical choreography have earned first, second, and third place awards at Dance America, Dance Showcase USA, Hall of Fame, LA Danceforce, Starlight, Starstruck, Talent on Parade and Tremaine. 

Hannah is also a certified Stott Pilates instructor.  She believes very strongly in cross training, and sees Pilates as a great way to keep a strong, healthy body.  Click here for information on what services she will be offering at The Art of Motion.    

In January of 2009, Mrs. Pasquinzo started a nonprofit organization: Fayetteville Youth Dance Company.  She hopes that through the generosity of our local community, we can help more students receive a dance education and all of the benefits that go along with experience in the performance arts: increased confidence, creativity, self-awareness, discipline and physical fitness, to name a few.  For more information or to make a donation, contact us. 

Even after seven years, Hannah still can’t believe that the dream of owning her own dance studio has come true, and she knows that with the help of her amazing staff, The Art of Motion has what it takes to offer the best dance education available in Northwest Arkansas!

Ashley Oeffinger - Instructor of Jazz, Lyrical, Twinkle Tots, Twinkle Stars

 Ashley's passion for dance started at the age of three in her home state of Texas.  Her training includes ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and musical theatre.  She has also been on a competition company since the age of eight, including the award-winning c ompany of Dallas Powerhouse of Dance in Dallas, Texas.  Ashley has won numerous awards in both team dances and solos, including first place overall soloist at Crowd Pleasers, MA Dance, Dance Showcase, and Champion Dance national finals in Orlando, Florida.  She was also the captain of her high school drill team, the Coppell Lariettes.  After graduating high school, Ashley moved to New York City for two years where she studied at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway under the direction of acclaimed instructors such as Jason Parsons, Doug Caldwell, Dee Caspary, Michelle Assaf, and Jeff Amsden.  In the past year, Ashley has had the opportunity to choreograph award-winning solos and officer dances for the Coppell Lariettes.  Ashley is currently pursuing a psychology degree at the U of A.  She is excited to be a member of the team at The Art of Motion and hopes to instill her love and passion for dance in her students.

Kendy Bowman - Instructor of Modern

Kendy Bowman is originally from Wichita , KS and has spent most of her life dancing.  She took her first class at the age of 5 and fell in love.  Throughout high school, she trained in modern, ballet, tap, jazz, music theatre, lyrical, and served as captain on her high school dance team.  She then went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Modern Dance from Wichita State University, where her choreography was nominated for performance in The American College Dance Festival.  She has performed with Mid-America Dance Theatre (KS), Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre (KS), Wichita State University (KS), WSU Dance Team (KS), Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre (KS), Legends in Concert (SC), Circle of Praise (AR), and performed choreography of Alithea Mime Theatre (OH).   She was also a cheerleader for The Wichita Warlords (semi-pro football) and the Wichita Wings (semi-pro soccer).  Currently, she leads the Children’s Praise Ministry at First Baptist Church in Springdale, helps with choreography for local elementary students, and sells real estate for Keller Williams Realty.  Kendy has a great passion for dance and is excited to be teaching at The Art of Motion.

Amy Pruett - Insturctor of Ballet, Mommy & Me, Kindercombo

Amy Pruett began her dance training at the age of three in Houston, TX, where she studied at the Houston Ballet Academy.  She moved to Arkansas in 1984 and studied at Ballet Westside Dance Studio and on scholarship with the Springfield Ballet Company.  After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1996 with a BA in Journalism, she opened her own dance studio in Fayetteville, Allegro Dance Academy.  In 2000, she moved with her husband to Las Vegas to pursue her dance career.  While in Las Vegas, she was a singer and DJ at The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.  She also taught dance at the number one-rated dance studio in Las Vegas, The Dance Zone, alongside Sabra Johnson, Season Three winner of "So You Think You Can Dance."  Amy has choreographed and performed in many musicals, including Cabaret and The Rocky Horror Show for Ozark Stageworks, Grease for Rogers Little Theatre, How To Succeed... and Annie Get Your Gun for The Nevada Conservatory Theatre and 42nd Street for Musical Actor's Theatre in Las Vegas.  A dance teacher for almost 20 years, Amy is very excited to be bringing her Las Vegas performing and teaching experience to The Art of Motion.  Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful year!

Megan Kutmas - Instructor of Tap 

Megan J. Kutmas, from Joplin, Missouri has studied dance extensively throughout the United States and has received numerous overall honors and dance scholarships at many regional and national dance competitions. She has been dancing for the past 16 years and received her first overall award at a national competition in Orlando, Florida at the age of 8. Since then, Megan has attended Dance Masters of Oklahoma and achieved recognition as Petite Miss Dance of Oklahoma, Junior Miss Dance of Oklahoma and Teen Miss Dance of Oklahoma. At Dance Masters of America Nationals, Megan achieved top ten as Petite Miss Dance, received the tap audition award and placed 4th runner-up as Junior Miss Dance, and received the interview award as well as 4th runner-up as Teen Miss Dance.  Megan also achieved national ranking at American Dance Awards, Starpower, Dance Olympus, LADF, Company Dance, and various others.

Megan had the opportunity to train with different professional dance artists and choreographers throughout the United States. Her dance was enhanced by attending numerous dance conventions where she received dance instruction from some of the world's leading dance professionals including Henry LeTang, Diane "Lady Di" Walker, Savion Glover, Brenda Buffalino, plus many more. Megan had the privilege of traveling to New York at the age of 12 after being observed at a Tap Festival in Minneapolis, MN by Brenda Buffalino. Buffalino, a well renowned tap artist offered Megan a 10 day one-on-one tap mentorship.

With all of Megan's vast dance studies, she looks forward to joining The Art of Motion and is eager to share her love for dance with others. Megan is currently a senior at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

  Adriana Liechti - Instructor of Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Kindercombo, Twinkle Tots, Twinkle Stars

Adriana Liechti just moved here from Los Angeles, California . She grew up in the life of dancing since the age of 3 till now, competing every weekend from the early mornings to the late late nights.  This her lifestyle and she enjoyed every minute of it.  From the age of 5 to 16, Adriana was on a national all-star competing team going around to different states.  In addition to winning many of these competitions, Adriana's team ranked in high scoring placements from Star bound, Hall of Fame, OCC nationals, the Pulse to Nationals in Las Vegas, and many more.  While Adriana was traveling to many different states, she had the honor of meeting and getting to know all sorts of different choreographers and judges.  Adriana had the opportunity to learn from them and other amazing people. Since Adriana grew up with the day to day basis of an LA lifestyle, she got to attend many famous dance studios, including Millennium and The Edge.  She also got to take class from many famous choreographers, such as Bobby Newberry, Shane Sparks, Mia Michaels, Black MaGrath, and Allison Nowels.  Adriana loved learning all different styles of dance.  She also loved being able to teach and build up her experience as a dancer/teacher.  Adriana has taught for the past 3 years at a studio in California called Just Dance it Dance Company, while also taking classes at MSJC for movement of dance and modern ballet.  She has been teaching dance for the past 3 years including Ballet, Tap, Hip-hop, Contemporary lyrical, Jazz, Modern, as well as teaching elite competing teams.  Adriana loves and enjoys every minute she spends doing what she loves - dance - and is so excited to show and share her talent with the students at The Art of Motion.

Miranda Tims - Instructor of Pom Prep

  The Art of Motion is preparing for its 8th season!  It started out as a vision--a vision that combined two of Hannah's biggest passions: dance and children.  That vision became a reality in August of 2003.  After 7 years of teaching Northwest Arkansas' youth, Hannah and her staff couldn't be more excited about the talent they have to work with!

Not only do we care about your children, but as role models and artists, our diverse group of highly qualified teachers is one of the best in Northwest Arkansas. Our dedication to age appropriate music, costuming and performances guarantee a family friendly environment for all.

Come check out what The Art of Motion has to offer.  Become a member of the family!

Testimonials

"We love your studio, and we love you and your staff! My daughter is always so excited to go to dance class. When she comes back, she always shows us what she learned.  Thanks a million for your passion for dance!"

-Lucirene

"My daughters started dancing at The Art of Motion four years ago.  They both had taken lessons elsewhere.  They liked dance okay, but they were not crazy about it.  At their first recital, I was blown away with the level of dance of not only my daughters but of the older dancers as well.  My daughters had actually learned some real dance skills, and, moreover, I could see the types of dancers that they could become.  Now, four years later, both of my daughters are on the Company, and both have grown significantly not only as dancers but as young women.  They have won several dance competitions and scholarships and have been cast in roles with professional dance companies.  My oldest now dreams of going to Julliard, and she just might make it!"

-Marti