Our Faculty
Who We Are
Christina Soto
Creative Director & Owner
Miss Christina graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.
At Marymount, under the direction of Katie Langan, she had the pleasure to work and perform with many artists including Robert Battle, David Parsons, Kate Weare, Merce Cunningham among others. She trained extensively with the pre-professional company New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble from the ages of 9 to 18.
NJDTE offered her wonderful opportunities such as to dance at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center with the Kirov Ballet in their revival of Sleeping Beauty. She was a participant in the debut of Movement Invention Project under the direction of Alexandra Wells, Springboard Montreal and The Arts Umbrella in Vancouver. She is also a former member of Roschman Dance Company and of Bryn Cohn and Artists, former apprentice with Parsons Dance Company.
Christina has been a teacher at several studios around the Metropolitan area, is the former Assistant Director of Bodies in Motion Dance Centre, has earned multiple awards for her choreography, and is a former adjudicator for Starbound National Talent Competition. She is thrilled to be fulfilling her dreams of being the Owner and Artistic Director of Artistry Through Movement Dance Academy and to be sharing her love and passion for the art of dance through her teachings.
Maureen Dicker
Dance Instructor
Maureen Dicker is a graduate of Rutgers University, with a BA in dance. She was the owner and director of Maureen's Danceworks, with locations in Old Bridge and Sayreville NJ for 20 years.
During this period, Maureen created the Par Excellence Dance Competition Team, who performed at the Orange and Citrus Bowls, Magic Music Days in Disney World, and won numerous competitions titles in solo and group categories in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, and contemporary styles. Her students also performed at Swing 46 tap club in NYC. In addition to Rutgers, Maureen has studied at the University of Florida dance enrichment program, at Woodpeckers in NYC with Brenda Bufalino, Gregory Hines and Barbara Duffy. She Participated in the Royal Academy of Dance teachers training program in Ballet, studied with Savion Glover at the NJPAC summer intensive, and with Jacques D'Ambrois in the National Dance Institute Teacher Training program. Maureen holds Level 1 and 2 Tap Teacher Certifications in rhythm tap from the American Tap Dance Foundation in NYC. Maureen is currently a choreographer for competitive dancers in New Jersey, and has won numerous technique, entertainment, and artistry awards for her work.
Alex Susanto
Dance Instructor
From what started out as a dare with his younger sister, Alex Susanto began dancing at the age of 17 during his senior year of high school, and what originally began as a spontaneous decision quickly grew into a lifelong passion for dance. Alex graduated from Rutgers University and Gnomon School of VFX, holding degrees in Communication and Visual Effects Animation. It was during this time in college that he also trained extensively in various street dance styles, including hip-hop, popping, breaking, commercial dance, and locking.
During his time performing, Alex has had the opportunity to work on projects with artists such as Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, American Idol’s Jax, and Canadian pop star Vita Chambers. He also appeared alongside Darren Criss and Chord Overstreet in Season 5 of Glee. In addition to his performance career, Alex has received numerous awards for his choreography, with his work being recognized at a variety of competitions and showcases.
As an instructor, Alex is passionate about giving students a strong and well-rounded foundation - one that supports their growth no matter what direction they want to take their dancing. His classes focus on building skills, confidence, and personal expression, all within a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to push their limits and enjoy the process.
Kailani Urena
Dance Instructor
Kailani Urena is a second-year BFA Dance Major at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross of the Arts under the direction of Gerald Casel and John Evan’s.
She has been dancing since she was 13, training in contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Improvisation. She has trained in multiple dance styles and techniques including Kathrine Dunham, Yorcha, Pilates, African Diasporic movement, and many more. She has had the honor to learn under Pam Tanowitz, DeAngelo Blanchard, Melanie George, Alessandra Williams and Barbara Angeline. She is also currently serving in the USAF as a guardsman.
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Kim Jones
Dance Instructor
With over 20 years of teaching and choreographic experience, Kim Jones is a seasoned dance educator, performer, and creative professional dedicated to excellence in movement and mentorship. Classically trained in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) ballet technique, she also received formal training at the prestigious Princeton Ballet School, laying a strong foundation in classical ballet. Her diverse training spans jazz, tap, lyrical, modern (including Horton technique), and Latin jazz, which she has studied and taught for the past 15 years. She is a certified member of Dance Educators of America (DEA) and has spent many years refining her craft at the world-renowned Broadway Dance Center in New York City, where she studied ballet and various contemporary works . As a professional dancer, she performed with the Dawn Lau Dance Company in New York, gaining valuable stage and touring experience. Her original choreography has been presented at numerous dance festivals across the globe, earning recognition for its passion, precision, and artistic depth. Currently, she is the proud owner of a successful electrical business with her husband.