The team behind the dream

A dream that combined two of our founder's passions: dance and children. She couldn't be more proud for AOM to be building a legacy that thrives on values like creativity, teamwork, family, and fun! 

The Art of Motion (affectionately known as AOM) began as a dream.

Hannah Pasquinzo
Founder

Hannah was just naive and adventurous enough to think that she could start her own dance studio at the ripe 'ole age of 21. And thank goodness - AOM has been serving Northwest Arkansas for almost 25 years now! When she's not at the studio, you can find Hannah hanging out with her husband and two children or riding her horses.

Rachel Shock
Studio Manager & Instructor

Rachel is a Forney, Texas native and grew up dancing throughout the DFW area. In high school, she served as captain of her drill team and then went on to perform with the McLennan Community College dance team in Waco. She later relocating to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas to obtain her degree in Journalism. With experience teaching a wide range of ages and styles, Rachel brings energy and passion to every class, though jazz holds a special place in her heart. Her favorite part of teaching at AOM is watching her students grow, both as dancers and as individuals.

Laine Butterfield
Instructor

Laine grew up in Austin, Texas, where she first discovered her love for dance as a young girl. Over the years, she has trained in a variety of styles, but her favorites have always been jazz and contemporary. Throughout high school, she found a passion for choreography, helping create and teach many of her drill team’s routines. Laine has always loved working with kids and has spent many years nannying and mentoring young dancers. Laine now attends the University of Arkansas, where she is pursuing a degree in Marketing and continues to stay involved in the dance community. She is so excited to be returning for her second year of teaching at The Art of Motion and can’t wait for another amazing season with the best staff and kiddos! 

Gabby Garcia
Instructor

Gabby Garcia is a Junior at the University of Arkansas studying Broadcast Journalism with dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Gabby has been dancing since she was seven, from competitive dance and high school drill team to dancing professionally for the Dallas Cowboys for three years. Her passion for dance has taken her to movies, music videos, and backup performances. Gabby loves all things pink, can’t resist a Dr. Pepper with coconut, and has a huge love for football, family, friends and living out her strong faith.

Dani Heidman
Assistant Instructor

Dani grew up in Plano, Texas and is now a sophomore at the University of Arkansas studying Advertising and Public Relations! She danced in at a studio and then her high school drill team competitively. When she’s not at the studio she is most likely hanging out with her friends or doing arts and crafts!

Stacey Keck
Curriculum Director & Instructor

Stacey grew up dancing in Austin, TX and then went on to receive a bachelors degree in dance management from Oklahoma City University. While in college Stacey performed with the American Spirit Dance Company and the OKC Arena Football cheerleaders. After college Stacey went on to perform worldwide with Royal Carribean International, locally for The Dance Project in Austin, TX and also danced for various tv and commercial gigs.

Now Stacey is passionate about instilling what she has learned as a professional and an artist in her students. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, this is her third year in Arkansas with The Art of Motion. When Stacey's not dancing, you can find her coaching CrossFit and lifting heavy weights. She loves incorporating fitness and muscle awareness into dance education.

Emma McCrory
Instructor

Emma is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, where she is pursuing a degree in Animal Science. Originally from Cypress, Texas, she spent much of her childhood as a competitive dancer at her local studio along with being a member of her high school dance team. She trained in a wide range of styles and developed a love for tap, which still remains her favorite. 

When she’s not at the studio, you’ll most likely find her spending time with any animals she can find, serving her community through philanthropic work or enjoying the company of her friends and family. Emma is incredibly excited to join The Art of Motion staff this year and is dedicated to inspiring the same passion and joy in her kiddos that her own teachers once sparked in her.

Haper Pasley
Assistant Instructor

Harper has grown up in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is currently a sophomore at Farmington High School. From her tiny tot days to now, she has loved to dance. Despite occasionally trying other hobbies, Harper was constantly drawn back to the studio. For the fifth season in a row, she will dance with AOMDC, where she competes, performs, and builds bonds with her dance mates.  Harper loves assisting young dancers at the studio and dreams of one day working in the field of dance. When she's not catching up on homework or leaping around Evelyn Hills, you can find Harper with close friends, reading cozy fantasy novels, or watching a good sitcom!

Ashley Mowrey
Instructor, Staff Training

After growing up as a competitive dancer in Dallas, Ashley attended the University of Arkansas and received her B.A. in Psychology. During and after college, Ashley taught at The Art of Motion for ten years from 2008-2018. After seeing a need for dancers to gain skills for confidence, mental strength, and a healthy mindset, Ashley transitioned into Life and Mindset Coaching for dancers. As a Certified Whole Person Coach and Certified Positive Psychology Coach, Ashley works with dancers through 1-1 coaching and group workshops and travels with the dance competition/convention, Embody Dance Conference, where she teaches mindset skills to dancers of all ages. Ashley is ecstatic to be back teaching dance at AOM and training the AOM teachers on teaching methods, mindset, and personal development.

Rachel Riley
Instructor, Office Assistant

Rachel grew up with a true love for dance. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, she danced both competitively and recreationally from the age of two through her high school years. She trained in many different styles with her favorites being jazz and hip hop. Rachel is a junior at The University of Arkansas where she studies both Advertising and Psychology. This is Rachel’s second year at The Art of Motion, and she hopes to use her own passion for dance to inspire her students to believe in themselves. She believes that, with an encouraging environment built through instilling both confidence and technique, dancers can flourish into their best selves. She is so excited for another amazing year at the studio!

Kelsey Robertson
Instructor

Kelsey has been dancing since the age of three and has always had a love for dance and performing. Now a mom of three, she loves getting to share that same joy with the next generation of dancers. Outside the studio, Kelsey works full-time in marketing and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and being involved in her community.

Emerson Williams
Instructor

Emerson grew up in Denison Texas, where she started dancing at the age of 2. Over the years, she has trained in all styles of dance but her favorite is lyrical and jazz. Throughout high school, she was apart of her school's drill team, where she served as Captain and learned about her love for choreography and teaching. She has taught dance for the past 3 years around Fayetteville, and currently attends the University of Arkansas and is in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. She is so excited for her first year of teaching here at Art of Motion. 

Olivia Barnes
Instructor

Olivia grew up dancing recreationally and competitively in Franklin, Tennessee, and continued her training when she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in high school. Tap has always been her favorite style, and she loves getting to share that joy with her dancers! Olivia is currently finishing up her nursing degree at the University of Arkansas, with a special interest in pediatrics. Her love for dance and her heart for working with kids are what brought her to The Art of Motion, where she especially loves teaching the littles, watching their confidence and love for dance grow. She is so excited to be back for her second year of teaching and feels so lucky to pour into her dancers each week! Outside of dance and school, Olivia loves spending time with her husband and their dog. She can’t wait for another fun and special year at AOM!

Amanda Colborn
Office Manager & Instructor

Amanda graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2024 with a degree in Dance and Arts Management. Originally from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, she took her first dance class at 2 years old and never looked back. She danced competitively with her team in all styles. She moved to Oklahoma to continue her education with Dance as she explored Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Voice and more. She began her teaching career at a studio in Oklahoma, where she discovered her passion for working with kids. She also served as the Office Manager, working closely with parents and families throughout the year. She is ecstatic to share her love of dance and cultivate an environment for students to develop their passions!

Lola Martin
Instructor

Lola is a student at the University of Arkansas and is also a member of the Razorback Dance Team. She grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, where she began dancing at age 2 and trained in both recreational and competitive dance. During high school, Lola discovered a passion for game-day style dance while being a member of her school’s dance team. She was also a member of a pre professional contemporary company. She continues to pursue her love for dance through teaching, choreographing, and assisting whenever she can, with hopes of continuing to dance after college. Lola is so excited to share her love and passion for dance with everyone at AOM!

Eden Irsik
Assistant Instructor

Eden is a Senior at the University of Arkansas studying Advertising and Public Relations. Originally from Kearney, Missouri, she has been dancing since the age of three and competing since elementary school. She was also a member of her high school dance team all four years and served as captain her senior year. Eden has experience competing in many styles of dance as well as choreographing routines, teaching kids camps, and assisting with Acro and Jazz classes. She is excited to share her passion for dance and create a fun environment where students can grow their skills. When Eden is not dancing, she likes to try new coffee places and go shopping with friends, watch movies and reality TV, and root for the Chiefs! 

Kendal Johnson
Instructor

Kendal Johnson is a sophomore business student at the University of Arkansas. Originally from Missouri, she has loved dancing at local studios since the age of eight, but she ultimately fell in love with teaching and choreographing in high school. Kendal has trained in a wide range of styles with her favorites being hip hop and lyrical. She is so excited to continue teaching at The Art of Motion and sharing her love for dance with these kiddos! 

Emma Massengale
Instructor

Emma is Originally from Dallas, Texas and grew up classically trained in ballet where her true passion for dance first began and she also danced on her high school drill team. She later moved to Fayetteville to study Vocal Performance and Kinesiology at the University of Arkansas. When she is not at the studio, you can find her hanging out with her sweet baby dog, Remi, or spending time with friends!


Growing up in the studio gave Emma the gift of self-belief, and her main goal is to pass that same opportunity on to her students. Emma is dedicated to creating an encouraging environment built on confidence and strength, helping every dancer grow both on and off the stage.


What We Believe

We believe that dance education should allow children to discover a love for the art of dance in an environment that cultivates technique, creativity, and spirit!  

So we aim to inspire confidence with every step we teach.

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.  

We can't wait for you to join our dance family!

View our schedule and pricing, schedule a free trial class, or get registered now.

YES, PLEASE!

Happy Dancers and Parents

  • Angela Clark

    “We’ve been with Art of Motion for 6 years. My two little girls absolutely adore their dance teachers and look forward to every Wednesday because they get to laugh, dance and be challenged by learning new moves with their dance buddies. As a parent, it is the most rewarding thing to see your kiddos feel so proud and confident because of the encouragement and positive experiences they have through dance.”

  • Chelsey Churchill

    “I am forever grateful for the Art of Motion, and for all the ways the teachers and staff instruct and pour into my daughters. I love to see the happiness they feel walking in the studio door on class day, the confidence they gain after learning something new, and the fun they have showing off their dances at home and at recitals!”

  • Miranda Tims, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader

    “My time at The Art of Motion helped me make the Fayetteville High School Dance Team, the University of Arkansas Pom Squad, the Texas Legends Dance Team, and finally, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I would have never accomplished these goals of mine if it wasn’t for Hannah and AOM.”

  • Sarah Fortune Gill

    “We absolutely adore The Art of Motion! The welcoming atmosphere and supportive instructors have not only nurtured our daughter's passion for dance but also provided her with a fantastic learning experience that she looks forward to every week. Thanks to the AOM, we've seen remarkable growth in both her skills, confidence, and love of dance.”

  • Savvy Shields, Miss America

    “As a dancer and most importantly as a person, all the instructors there encouraged and challenged me to be the best version of myself possible. It was one of my greatest joys to take all that I learned and take it to the Miss America stage. Thank you AOM for all you have done for me!”