About us
About us
In October 2016, Jen and Luciana started Art in Motion Pittsburgh as a way to create a community exploring international and traditional dance forms, rhythms and cultures in a culturally sensitive, safe and fun environment. Jen and Luciana introduced children and adult classes and began the dance studio journey in Sharpsburg. New teachers (Simon, Cindy and Tricia) joined the line-up to expand our offerings within the studio.
In 2021, Luciana left the studio to begin her own adventure. Jen (along with her daughter Isabella) joined forces with Zahiya Online of NYC and refined Art in Motion Pittsburgh’s mission of providing Wellness, Joy and Inclusivity through dance for children and adults. Jen and Isabella believe deeply that dance is for EVERYONE and EVERY BODY and understand the transformative power of dance!
We hope to continue to grow our welcoming and safe studio, providing recreational dance classes to all!
Our Instructors
Meet Jen, Art in Motion Pittsburgh Owner & Instructor:
JANIM, Jen Gallagher, (the Steel City Bellydancer) is a professional performer, instructor, and Director of the Pittsburgh Bellydance Academy.
Jen has dedicated herself to the study of Middle Eastern Dance, its traditions, nuances and deeper meaning and expression through performance, instruction, and continuing education in order to give her students the best possible experience in class. Her love of the dance can be seen in her dynamic performances and within her thoughtful instruction of her students in both workshops and classes where she presents the fundamentals of bellydance as well as the nuances of zilling and veil work. Join her to discover the love of the dance!
As an experienced, personable, and respected performer and instructor, “Jen infuses classical styles with individual grace and charm, expressing the essential feminine in dance,”- Angele Ellis, Pittsburgh PA. Her understanding of dance movement and technique and her training in Egyptian, Lebanese, and Turkish Oriental styles as well as American Cabaret lends spirit, spontaneity, and heart to her dancing, captivating audiences where ever she performs. To round out her dance education and to infuse a special twist, she currently studies ballet, tap, and modern.
Jen is the director and founder of Troupe Faraatha which can be found performing around the city! When not performing, organizing, or instructing, Jen is a landscape architect and partner at Studio for Spatial Practice.
Meet Cynthia:
Cynthia is a second generation dancer and performer, growing up the daughter of Betty Love Gibbs. Dance was a natural part of life as her mother was a professional dancer. Cynthia started formal training with her mother at the YWCA Downtown when she created the dance department in 1971. Cynthia is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Baton, International Latin Ballroom Dance and Brazilian Samba, but has a particular passion for Tap dance. Cynthia twirled baton for the Blue Flames Baton & Drum Corps of Monroeville and the Golden Triangle Baton & Drum Corps of Swissvale in the summers through high school. She also twirled baton for Gateway High School Marching Band and was a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Golden Girls in the Varsity Marching Band. Cynthia remained a student and teacher at the YWCA until 1985 when the family owned Love’s Academy of Dance opened. Love’s Academy of Dance trained dancers from the age of four and up in ballet, tap, jazz and pointe. Cynthia was the competition team director, winning many awards for dance and choreography. Cynthia is one of the original members of WAMO’s Hot Tracks Dance Team and was a featured “jitterbugger” in the movie An American Dream: The Making of the Jackson 5. Performing credits also include Xpressions Dance Company, Art & Style Dance Studio, Kuntu Repertory Theater (Sophisticated Ladies, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar and Jelly’s Last Jam), Greer Reed (Cotton Club), Joy School of Dance, and the Father Ryan Arts Center. Cynthia is currently a performing member of the Pittsburgh Samba Group under the direction of Luciana Brussi Constantino.
Meet Simon:
Simon Phillips is inspired by the nature or sensation and physiological responses of the human body, Originally from Macon, Georgia, Phillips began dance training primarily for recreation. He attended Kennesaw State University, where he graduated with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and dance. His career brought him to Pittsburgh in 2017, where he has since worked as a dancer and teaching artist for organizations within the community. “There are infinite possibilities and purposes in dance. I am empowered by the sense of personal control over these factors. Dance allows me to experience ideas holistically with body and mind. It connects me to the natural elements of this world and physical properties of my own present body. Dancing can be as grounding as it is transcendental. Life functions as a dance, even in ways we can’t perceive. I love sharing dances, creating new dances with friends, and exploring the dances that thrive around us every day.”
Meet Tricia:
Tricia Grace is a dance artist who specializes in performance and choreography. Tricia Grace earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts from her combined studies at Slippery Rock University and the University of Hawaii, Manoa. While her studies heavily focused on modern dance, Tricia spent time abroad focusing on Afro Colombian dance technique; she co-directed Slippery Rock University’s Afro Colombian Dance Ensemble during her last year of undergraduate schooling, and continued to work professionally with the company hired on as an assistant director for a year post her graduation. Tricia interned with Now Next Dance in Washington, DC and DanceWarehouse in Brooklyn, NY during her academic studies. Creative movement is a passion for Tricia; she works on outreach Arts Education programs as a teaching artist for ATTACK Theatre, Pittsburgh.
Tricia continues to perform in her second season as contracted company member of COURdance, a Pittsburgh based contemporary dance company, under the direction of Kaitlin Flynn Goodwin and is new company member of the Pittsburgh Samba Group. Tricia has performed professional works at the August Wilson Center, Carnegie Museum of Art and History, Union Project Pittsburgh, the National Aviary Pittsburgh and Chicago Emergence Dance Theater. Tricia has opened herself up to other artist and performance opportunities. Tricia trains as a bikini competitor for the NPC body building circuit; she has competed twice at the Carnegie Music Hall and placed 4th both times. Tricia Grace is a passionate and driven dancer with hopes of one day beginning her own outreach dance company in the Pittsburgh area.
Meet Jacqueline:
Jacqueline has trained with BalletMet (Columbus,OH), St.Louis Ballet (St.Louis, MO), and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Pittsburgh, PA). In high school, she was a member of the Springfield Ballet Company (Springfield, IL), a pre-professional dance company. She has performed in numerous productions in both the ballet and theatre world including Footloose, White Christmas, The Nutcracker, and Faerie Tale. Obtaining a minor in dance from the University of Pittsburgh, Jacqueline was the choreographer for many musicals including Into the Woods, Mamma Mia!, Merrily We Roll Along, and The Last Five Years. She also performed and choreographed for 3 different dance clubs throughout her college career. Jacqueline is so excited to be sharing her love of dance with the folks at Art in Motion Pittsburgh!
Meet Bailey:
Bailey (they/them) has been teaching movement in the Pittsburgh area since 2014, specializing in trauma informed dance and yoga education. Bailey is a dual-licensed trauma therapist and certified integrative mental health professional and holds credentials as an E-RYT and HoopYogini™ Certified Instructor. They have consistently combined these complimentary expertise over the course of their career by connecting clients and students to the wisdom and healing within. Bailey’s mission is to create safe spaces for individuals to express themselves through creative, intuitive practices while having fun and feeling supported. Bailey is passionate about movement and its benefits on our minds, and has published several research projects connecting the two. Bailey currently offers weekly classes for all ages as well as private movement and consultation sessions. Additionally, they perform regularly as a flow artist and fully insured fire performer.
Meet India:
India Adams is a Pittsburgher through and through. Born, raised and educated here in dance. India has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She studied all the classics: ballet, jazz and tap. Her love of dance really blossomed performing in her high school musicals where she began studying at CLO (Civic Light Opera) after school.
India was part of a break dancing crew in college and won talent competions in highschool and college. From there she continued performing and training with various organization and dance companies such as: Black Dance Workshop at University of Pittsburgh, Shona Sharif African Drum and Dance Ensemble and Xpressions Dance Company. India is excited to start teaching at Art in Motion Dance Studios!
Meet Emily:
Emily expresses her passion for dance by performing, teaching and continuing her dance education. She has studied intensively with Janim and has also had training from other instructors in the Pittsburgh area. She currently studies and performs Tahitian, American Cabaret belly dance, and other styles of Middle Eastern dance.
Emily is also a member of Troupe Faraatha, who perform classic cabaret belly dance at festivals, fundraisers, and various other events. In addition to these performances, Emily has also performed at restaurants, galas, and other private events. Whether she is learning, teaching, or performing, Emily loves being able to connect with the music and share dance with others.
Meet Bethany:
Meet Maegan:
Meet Holly:
Holly is a Certified Skate Instructor with Skate IA, with a mission to share the pure joy and freedom of expression that can be found on roller skates! Roller skating opens up possibilities for movement and dance that feel incredibly freeing- like flying or gliding above the ground. There are endless possibilities to express yourself through skating, and something so satisfying about unlocking a new skill or movement on skates.
Holly has been skating for almost 9 years, having skated in over 20 states, overseas, and the entire 100 miles through the Florida Keys. She has a unique style of skating, blending inspiration from skate styles across the country and the globe. Her skate passions and styles include jam (dance) skating, artistic skating, skatepark skating, hula hoop skating, silly skating, and meditative skating. When she’s not skating or thinking about skating, you can find Holly working as a carpenter and handywoman, playing outside, or at gymnastics class.
Holly offers one-on-one or small group private skate lessons, from skating fundamentals to simple choreography, more advanced footwork, and finding your own skate style and flow. She wants to help others feel relaxed and confident on skates, and connect with the playfulness and joy of their inner child on roller skates.