Teachers
Our mission at AIM is to provide quality education. We focus on each student's needs as we understand that everyone learns differently and at their own pace. Our teachers are committed to helping students achieve their personal best.
Amber Jenkins
Owner/Artistic Director/lead Instructor
Amber's journey in dance began at a young age when she developed a passion for the art. Throughout her development, she studied various dance forms, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics. As a teen, Amber became an assistant teacher at Dance Discoveries in Stanley, NC.
Later on, Amber pursued a formal education in dance at Central Piedmont Community College, where she studied various dance forms and choreography. After completing her studies, she purchased Dance Discoveries, where she taught gymnastics and dance to children of all ages. She formed elite classes focusing on perfecting technique and developed award-winning competitive teams. She also served as coach of the East Gaston Dancing Warriors for five consecutive years.
Furthermore, Amber is a certified gymnastics instructor who values the safety of her students above all else. She doesn't give in to popular demands that push students to perform skills they are not technically and mentally prepared for. Amber also taught gymnastics at Lake Norman Gymnastics of Cornelius for two years.
Amber's life took a new direction when she decided to start a family. She bid farewell to her beloved studio and embraced the role of a proud wife and mother. However, her love for dance and gymnastics remained strong. In 2018, she embarked on a new chapter in her career as the owner/director of Art In Motion (AIM). Here, she continues to share her unique blend of talent and experience with a new generation of dancers. Her choreography and training have consistently placed her competitive students in top overall awards, a testament to her enduring influence in the field.
Heather Rankin
Senior Instructor
Heather began taking dance lessons at age two and continued studying various dance styles, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop, throughout her developmental years. She participated in competitive dance during her teenage years and won awards for group and solo performances. Heather began teaching as an assistant while she was still a teenager; during this period, she choreographed and instructed her first competitive team. She became the captain of the dance team in high school. Additionally, Heather worked as an assistant gymnastics teacher for five years at Dance Discoveries in Stanley, NC.
Heather pursued her higher studies in dance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During her time there, she took various dance classes, including ballet, pointe, classical jazz, and modern dance. She also learned about choreography, dancers' anatomy, stage production, musicality in dance, and Pilates. Heather even attended master classes conducted by the renowned Alvin Ailey Company and Burn the Floor Ballroom Dance Company. She graduated magna cum laude from the university, earning a double major for a Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Later, Heather completed her Master of Science in Nursing from Queens University of Charlotte. Currently, she works as a Nurse Program Director. Alongside her job, Heather teaches dance and inspires students at Art In Motion.
Heather's love for ballet is evident in her enthusiasm and respect for the art form. She knows the joy that dance brings and takes pleasure in helping others discover their voice through dance.
Brittany Howard
Instructor
Brittany began dancing in the 5th grade and trained in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop styles. Growing-up she danced competitively throughout middle and high school and was a member of the East Gaston Dancing Warriors throughout the entirety of her high school years.
In her adulthood, Brittany went on to open her own dance studio for children of all ages and later became head-coach of the East Gaston Dancing Warriors team. She was also a substitute teacher for the East Gaston dance department at one time and choreographed their spring program. Brittany holds 3 choreography awards for jazz and contemporary routines from elite competitions, and has taken master classes at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles.
Brittany’s enthusiasm for dance is unmatched. Her uplifting, positive personality shines through her teaching, as she helps students find and share their passion for expression through dance.
Ashlyn Oakes
Instructor
Ashlyn has trained in dance since the age of 2. Ashlyn’s dance education has included ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary training from multiple studios including the latter years at AIM. Ashlyn has danced competitively for a number of years with group performances and stand-out solo performances in jazz and tap. She has attended several dance conventions and acknologizes her favorite styles of dance are jazz and tap.
Ashlyn graduated from Forestview High School in 2020. Currently, Ashlyn is a nursing student at Carolina’s College of Health Sciences and working as a nursing assistant in an Emergency Department.
Ashlyn is an innovative and engaging young dancer. Her devotion to technical precision will assist students in advancing further in the art form.
Sydni Humphery
Instructor
Sydni trained in dance for 8 years with the latter part of her training taking place at AIM from 2015 - 2020. Her training included ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip-hop, with jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary ranking as her beloved favorite styles. Additionally, Sydni danced competitively for many years as one of the AIM Elites and attended multiple dance conventions, all while working as a student, assistant teacher for AIM during her high school years. Sydni was a member of the East Gaston Dancing Warriors and choreographer for the warriors’ team her senior year. Her choreography was featured in pep-rallies and half-time performances. Sydni graduated from East Gaston High School in 2020.
Following graduation, Sydni went on to continue her education at UNC Asheville where she is currently pursuing a double major in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship & Health and Wellness. Sydni is a professional performer with her most recent performances at Carowinds in the summer of 2022 & 2023.
Sydni is an ambitious and prolific young dancer, willing to extend her passion and love for the art form to the next generation.