Terrie Batson
Terrie Batson began dance training at the age of 5 and began Instructing at the age of 15 for the Baldwin-Copeland Studio of Dance in Wilmington, NC. She taught students of all ages Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, Clogging and Acrobatics. In 1989 Terrie moved to Atlanta and then to Raleigh where she continued her training & taught dance classes at several studios. Upon her return to Wilmington, at age 26, she continued to instruct students privately for pageants and dance competitions. Under her instruction many dancers have won numerous awards, scholarships and recognition in the dance arena and some have opened their own dance schools. Her routines and dancers have been awarded regional & national honors for choreography, dance spirit, overall placements, grand championships, etc. Terrie is also a judge for local, regional & national dance competitions. In 1993 Terrie opened Techniques In Motion School of Dance in Wilmington, NC and we are celebrating dance education in this area for 30 years!!
Model, dancer and actress, Terrie Batson’s diverse artistic career includes being a Runway & Print Model as well as featured in several area & National TV Commercials & National Print Ads. She has acted in major feature films including Mary in “Cyborg” with Jean Claude VanDamme, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II, “29th Street” and in several Wilmington area Independent feature films & theatre productions.
Jennifer Spivey-Grooms
Miss Jennifer began her dance training at the age of six. She studied under Baldwin-Copeland Studio of Dance, Danceworks & Techniques In Motion. She has been on the competition level since the age of eight and began assisting classes at the age of fourteen. At sixteen she began to instruct classes of her own. At 18 she was chosen from hundreds of dancers to tour the United States with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan as a Caravan Kid. During the experience she studied all forms of dance from world famous instructors, choreographers & performers. She received a degree from Louisburg College in Dance Performance and relocated to Orlando, Florida to entertain & perform at Universal Studios. In 2001 she reunited with T.I.M. School of Dance and has since been awarded numerous choreography & specialty awards.
Whitney Lynch
TIM Alumni Whitney Lynch has once again joined the TIM Staff! 25 year old Whitney began dance classes at TIM at the age of 6. Her training & love for the art of dance includes Tap, Hip-Hop, Modern, Pointe but her strengths are Jazz & Ballet. She began instructing dance classes in various elements at 16 years old and as a Competitive Team Member for numerous years she won many 1st Places and Overalls as a Soloist & Team Dancer, received the 2005 Dance Youth Ambassador Award & toured as a prestigious “Caravan Kid” with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan studying extensively with Barry Youngblood, Jerry Rose & Lorrie Rousseu. Whitney’s dance styles & talent were also featured in several music videos filmed in local & regional areas. After graduating from Ashley High School in 2007 Whitney attended UNCG, studied for BFA in Dance and instructed Acrobatics, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical & Ballet @ On Stage School of Dance in Greensboro, NC.
Four years ago Whitney’s life took a change and she relocated to Ohio to become a dance educator for The Movement Center School of Dance where the dancers she trained won countless awards including 1st place overalls as well as 2 Choreography awards and competed (and won) against Abby Lee Miller & Candy Apple’s dancers both on and off air. Also while in Ohio Whitney extended her dance training with Sonya Tayeh, Travis Wall, Molly Grey, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Tokyo of SYTYCD, traveled with the New Visions Dance Company performing across Ohio & Pittsburg and worked helped to change lives as a CNA @ The James Cancer Center. Whitney is more than thrilled to be back in her hometown & at TIM in this capacity to share with the dancers her experience, love and passion for Dance! She also plans on continuing to pursue a career in Nursing. Miss Whitney will be teaching Ballet & Jazz recreational & company classes.
Ashley Batson
Miss Ashley’s dance journey began at the age of 2 right here at T.I.M., where her passion and talent quickly blossomed. With 13 years of competitive dance experience, she has trained extensively in a wide range of styles including Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop—though her true specialty lies in Tap.
A proud alumni of UNCW, Ashley was a member of the university’s hip hop dance crew, Physical Graffeeti, where she further explored her artistry and performance skills. Today, she brings that same energy and enthusiasm into the studio.
Outside of dance, Ashley also has a successful career in the Clinical Research industry. She is thrilled to be giving back to the studio where it all began and is passionate about helping the next generation of dancers grow and thrive.
Qaadir Hicks
Qaadir began his dance training at age 7 when he performed a tap routine. Since then, he has trained with The Dance Cooperative, Techniques in Motion, The International Ballet Academy, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, The North Carolina Dance Theater, and the Wilmington School of Ballet. His performance credits also include the titlular role of the Nutcracker on in the Wilmington Ballet Company, Forward Motion Dance Company, Dance-a-lorus, and Opera House Theater Company. His teaching credits include The Dance Cooperative and the Dance Element while his choreographic credits include Dance-alorus. He earned a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from East Carolina University.
Katie Ripley
Miss Katie began dancing at the age of three and teaching at the age of sixteen. She has extensive training in Ballet and Pointe, as well as Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Lyrical/Contemporary. She studied dance at Maryland Hall for the Performing Arts and Jeanette’s School of Dance, both in her home state of Maryland. She danced with the Joffrey Ballet School when she was in high school and attended intensives at the North Carolina School of the Arts. She danced in college both at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY and at Goucher College outside of Baltimore, MD.
She has performance experience as Dulcinea in “Don Quixote,” Odette in “Swan Lake,” Cinderella, Giselle, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” on more than one occasion. Once she moved to Wilmington, she performed in the Wilmington School of the Art’s Nutcracker with several roles, including a solo as the Spanish Dancer.
She has experience teaching Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, and beginner Hip-Hop and studied teaching and dance as part of her college journey. She has experience teaching all ages (from 2-adult) and loves teaching all of the Discovery in Motion classes at TIM.
Emily Horrell
Miss Emily began her dance training at the age of four at Techniques in Motion School of Dance. She joined the TIM competitive team when she was seven and began assisting classes at the age of thirteen. Her experience has included training in various elements of dance such as Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Ballet, and Pointe. Emily has received numerous awards and scholarships from competitions and conventions such as JUMP and 24 SEVEN. Fostering her love of tap, Emily has continuously engaged in opportunities to learn from tap masters including Savion Glover, Anthony Morigerato, Mike Minery, and many more.
In 2023, she graduated from Cape Fear Community College with an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. While pursuing her career as a registered dental hygienist, Emily still finds time to share her love and passion for tap with the students at Techniques in Motion.
Emily’s students continue to excel at regional and national competitions where they receive recognition for their precision and unique choreography under her guidance and leadership.
Hayley Fowler
Techniques in Motion has been my second home since the age of two. Growing up in the studio gave me not only a strong technical foundation but also a deep love for the dance community that shaped who I am today. Dance runs in my family—my mom was the former acro teacher at T.I.M. and a special education teacher at Codington Elementary, where I spent much of my childhood learning alongside her students and building meaningful friendships. I began “volunteering” in her classroom as early as third grade, which taught me patience, compassion, and the value of inclusion—qualities I bring into every class I teach.
My sister also danced at T.I.M. from the age of two and later joined the staff before pursuing a career in the medical field. Dance has truly been a family affair for us, and it’s been a joy to grow up surrounded by such inspiring role models. I am also a proud mom of two T.I.M. dancers, one of whom is on the competition team.
I danced competitively for 11 years and have been teaching at T.I.M. since 2014, working with dancers of all ages and abilities. Acrobatics is my specialty, but I’m trained in all styles and enjoy helping my students grow both as dancers and as people.
In 2008, at the age of 12, I underwent scoliosis surgery and had a complete spinal fusion through Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC. I spent a full year on the sidelines watching my dance team from the audience, unable to join them on stage. That experience gave me a powerful understanding of what it’s like to feel “different”—to face obstacles, to wait, and to come back stronger. It deepened my empathy and fuels my commitment to creating a space where every dancer feels supported and capable.
Outside of dance, I’ve worked closely with children of all abilities, including babysitting a neighbor with autism from age 13 to 19. Those years, along with my early classroom experiences, helped shape my belief that every child deserves patience, encouragement, and a teacher who believes in them.
My goal as an instructor is to help each dancer discover their own strength, confidence, and joy through movement—just as T.I.M. has helped me do throughout my life.
Jailyn Tingo
Jailyn is a TIM alumna and so thrilled to be back as an instructor. She started dancing at Techniques In Motion at the age of 2 and joined the competitive team at age 6. During her competitive years at TIM, she won many top scoring awards and scholarships. At age 16, Jailyn was selected to tour with Celebrity Dance Competitions. She performed at Celebrity Nationals aboard ships from Carnival Cruise Line and assisted at conventions as a Celebrity Crew member. Jailyn continued her competitive training with Fox Troupe Dancers, where she learned from choreographers such as Jason Williams, Nick Dinicolangelo, Joy Denver Spears, Ashley Lindsey, and many others. Jailyn studied biology and chemistry at Hofstra University and continued dance training at Broadway Dance Center. She completed her education at East Carolina University and later relocated back to Wilmington, NC. Jailyn is honored to be teaching dance again and can’t wait to build lasting memories with all of her students.
Jenn Stanton
Jenn has been a group fitness instructor since 2012 when she began teaching Zumba. Since then she has certified and teaches (in addition to Zumba), SPIN, TRX and Silver Sneakers. Born and raised in Ohio she enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard after high school and retired in 2016 after 20 years of service. During her service she was a part of search and rescue, law enforcement, humanitarian and environmental missions all over the world and country. After retirement Jenn continued her fitness journey and became a Personal Trainer and works with people from all walks of life to help better themselves, feel good and live a healthy lifestyle. She has 2 daughters who love to dance at Techniques In Motion. Jenn also grew up a dancer and credits her success throughout her life to her dance upbringing and teachers. She always looks forward to her weekly Tap or Hip Hop classes. When not dancing, leading fitness classes, helping others on their journey and being a mom, Jenn’s favorite thing to do is attend live concerts.
Daphne Layfield
Daphne Layfield began dancing at age 3. She studied tap, ballet, and acro at the Centre of Performing Arts in Graham until age 12. She started rhythm tap with Gene Medler at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill when she was 11. Daphne was accepted into the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) in 2018 and just completed her 7th year in the company. While in NCYTE, Daphne performed in educational shows at schools all around North and South Carolina, helped produce an annual performance at the Carolina Theatre of Durham her senior year, participated in the company’s North Carolina Rhythm Tap Festival, traveled to perform and take classes at other festivals, and rehearsed almost every Saturday. She has gained experience teaching tap as an assistant to Medler before his retirement and as a member of NCYTE, which maintains its large repertoire through peer-to-peer teaching. NCYTE has exposed Daphne to a variety of rhythmic styles, such as sand dancing, Taiko drumming, gumboot dancing, body percussion, and Irish dance. She has also had multiple opportunities to perform with live jazz combos, improvise on stage and in jams, and create choreography for herself and others.
Through attending weekly tap classes and many festivals, Daphne has had the opportunity to learn from and work with countless professional tap dancers. Nicholas Van Young was one of her teachers at the Ballet School. She has taken part in several residencies with the well-known and beloved Dianne Walker. Two of Daphne’s favorite mentors and inspirations are Luke Hickey and Elizabeth Burke, who are both NCYTE alumni. She had the privilege to work with them a great deal this past year as they were guest artists for NCYTE’s Carolina Theatre show.
Daphne is enrolled at UNCW in the Honors College, currently planning to major in Social Work and minor in Assistance Dog Training. She is excited to dance and share her love of tap in Wilmington!
Peyton Myers
Peyton Myers has been dancing since the age of two and began competing at just five years old. Originally from Red Bank, New Jersey, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina six years ago and currently trains at Dance Productions The Remix. Peyton is well-versed in all styles of dance and brings energy, experience, and a deep passion to every class she teaches.
For the past four years, Peyton has loved working with dancers of all ages, helping them grow in both skill and confidence. She served as captain of the Cox Mill High School Dance Team for two years and most recently competed at UDA Nationals with the team. Peyton is now headed to UNC Wilmington to study marine biology but remains dedicated to sharing her love of dance
Julia Cennamo
My name is Julia Cennamo, and I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina. I am currently a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, pursuing a degree in Recreational Therapy with a double minor in Dance and Psychology.
I have been dancing since the age of three and began competing at the age of eight. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of choreographing both solo and group routines for various competitions. I am experienced in teaching a wide range of dance styles to students as young as 18 months, including individuals of all abilities.
One of the most rewarding experiences has been teaching all-inclusive, sensory-friendly dance classes at Bella Ballerina Studios in Huntersville, North Carolina. In addition to my dance background, I work as a Team Leader at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Charlotte, a business that is dedicated to employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This role has allowed me to support and empower our team members, ensuring smooth operations and fostering a welcoming environment.
Growing up with my brother Ryan, who has autism and Tourette’s syndrome, has also deeply shaped my perspective and passion for inclusion. It’s been a true joy to be his sister.
I am incredibly excited to continue sharing my love of dance and to help students grow, gain confidence, and thrive both in and out of the studi
Ashley Rider
Passionate, creative, and dedicated, Ashley brings years of experience and a fresh perspective to the dance studio. After seven years of competitive dance in upstate New York, she earned a BFA in Dance Studies, diving deep into modern techniques like Graham, Cunningham, and Laban. From performing on the field with her college’s football dance team, to having her choreography showcased in major concerts and showcases, Ashley thrives on bringing movement to life. Specializing in hip-hop, contemporary, and lyrical, she is committed to creating a space where students feel safe to express themselves, grow as artists, and know that they truly matter.
Kari Sea
Kari Sea is an accomplished dancer, performer, educator, and dance professional with extensive experience in teaching, choreography, and performance. She is currently serving as the Guest Experience Lead at lululemon in Wilmington, NC, sending her daughter off to UNCW next year, and finding time to perform on the stage. Kari combines her expertise in dance with a commitment to fostering educational excellence with her diverse background that spans many years of various roles inside and outside the theatre.
Kari’s contributions to the teaching dance community were noteworthy while she lived in Colorado. She was the Competitive Dance Director at Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts and Ballet Director at Studio 8100, where she choreographed and coached numerous award-winning performances. Her choreography skills have been recognized at events like the Youth American Grand Prix, where her original contemporary piece scored an impressive 97/100, but also served as Assistant Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Vail Youth Ballet Company, where she restaged classic productions such as The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.
She is currently pursuing her Master of Secondary Education with an emphasis in Humanities from Grand Canyon University to continue to enrich her educational background in dance which also involved training with the Universal Ballet Academy, Walnut Hill Conservatory, Orlando Ballet Theatre, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the University of Florida. Kari Sea has loved dedicating herself to enriching students’ lives through dance and education including her certifications in the Vaganova Method, Central Pennsylvania’s Youth Ballet by Marcia Dale Weary, and Zumba. Kari’s multifaceted skills in curriculum development, classroom management, and personalized coaching which make her an invaluable asset to dance educational communities.
Katie Kirkman
My name is Katie Kirkman and I am originally from Greensboro, NC. I am a Sophomore at University of North Carolina Wilmington, studying Psychology with the end goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist. I have never been a dancer myself, but I grew up in the dance world with my sister being a competitive dancer her whole life. I was a competitive swimmer for thirteen years, and now serve as a Swim Coach at my swim team back at home. I have loved every second of being a receptionist at Techniques in Motion, and I love being greeted every day with the smiling faces that this studio is made up of.
Madeline Poulis
Hello! My name is Madeline Poulis, and I’m originally from Long Island, NY. I’m currently a senior at UNCW, studying International Business and French, and my dream is to return to France after graduation!
Although I was never a competitive dancer, I have taken Hip Hop and Zumba classes and have always loved the energy and joy that dance brings. I find it so inspiring to see the devotion and commitment of dancers, and it’s such a wonderful feeling to watch them come into the studio excited to do what they love.
I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and being part of the Techniques In Motion family!
Jenna Fantini
I started dancing with TIM at the age of 2, then joined the competition team at age 6. Throughout my years with TIM I trained in tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary. Techniques in Motion is more than just a dance studio to me, it became my home. I graduated high school in 2024 and now I study Political Science at UNC Charlotte. I am also a proud member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.
Colleen Hanson
With a lifelong passion for dance, Colleen began her journey at three years old, training under Karen Jenkins at KGSD in Laurinburg, NC. Her dedication and love for the art led her to the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts, where she spent the summer of 2000 immersed in their modern dance program.
During college, she continued to share her passion by teaching at KGSD, helping young dancers grow in skill and confidence. After graduation, she relocated to the Raleigh area and joined Christy’s DancExplosion (CDE) in 2008 as a clogging, jazz, and tap instructor. By 2010, she became one of the competitive clogging directors at CDE, leading the award-winning Feet on Fire clogging team to multiple titles at sanctioned clogging competitions.
In 2020, she stepped away from teaching to focus on her family and spend quality time with her two children and husband. She returned to the studio in 2023, bringing her energy and experience back to the classroom through jazz, tap, and ballet instruction.
Her heart has always been in the studio, and she is thrilled to join the TIM teaching staff. When she’s not dancing, she enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing at the beach or pool.
Kasi Floyd
Mrs. Kasi Floyd grew up dancing in New Jersey, where she began teaching at her home studio at just 18 years old. After moving to North Carolina to attend UNCW, she became part of the Techniques in Motion family in March of 2003.
From 2004–2014, Mrs. Kasi served as the instructor for KMOTION, TIM’s hip-hop competitive company. She has continued to share her passion for hip-hop by choreographing competitive routines for many of TIM’s company dancers, setting award-winning pieces for studios across North Carolina, and teaching intensives throughout the state. Under her instruction, her students have received prestigious honors including high score awards, specialty awards, scholarships, and more.
Mrs. Kasi has continued her own dance education by training at conventions and workshops such as Monsters of Hip-Hop, The Pulse, and NuVo, learning from world-renowned choreographers like Nappy Tabs, the Jabbawockeez, Luther Brown, Parris Goebel, and many more. She also served as an assistant for Angel Roberts of Peace, Love, Hip-Hop, and hip-hop legend Dena Rizzo at Showstoppers Dance Convention.
Her passion for performance even led her to television, where she appeared as a featured choreographer and dancer on the hit series “One Tree Hill.”
We are so proud to have Mrs. Kasi as a beloved part of our TIM Faculty, sharing her knowledge, artistry, and love of dance with every student she teaches!
