Suncoast Academy of Dance

April has established a solid foundation of quality dance instruction and an outstanding dance curriculum for Suncoast Academy of Dance. She is the Artistic Director and choreographer for the award winning Art In Motion. April is well respected in the dance industry and has formed relationships with Suzi Miller (LA), Rhonda Miller (NYC/LA), Chebar Williams (LA), Finis Jhung (NYC), and many others through annual dance conventions.

April began her classical ballet training locally. She spent her early professional career with Princess Cruise Lines as a dancer and line captain. She continues her dance training with such greats as Finis Jhung and Chebar Williams.

April's commitment to the community, the arts, and our dancers is unparalleled. Each year April participates in "The Great American Teach In", "Relay for Life", and the Pinellas County Schools "Adopt a Class" program as well as other community projects.

Jenny's exciting tap, jazz, and lyrical classes and personality are loved by all. Jenny's innovate AIM choreography has won numerous awards.

Jenny began her dance education at Suncoast Academy of Dance when she was 3. She continued her dance education by attending The Edge, Millennium Dance Complex and American Performing Arts in California. Jenny's performing experience includes: Super Bowl XXXV Pre-game Show, The Art & Spirituality Festival, The Oft Told Story Stage Production, and Katurah & Co. (a modern Dance company).

Upon her return to the Tampa Bay area, Jenny enrolled at USF and continued her studies in Ballet, Modern, and Improvisation while earning a BS in Industrial Engineering. When Jenny is not teaching dance, she teaches math at Largo High School.

Lauren King-Solly is a powerhouse of love, light, and positive energy! Her motto for her students is “Go, Be, Do, Fly.” She is a Suncoast Academy of Dance Alumni and an Art In Motion Alumni. She trained on scholarships in Los Angeles and NYC, at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The Millennium Dance Complex, and The Broadway Dance Center. She is also an actor, and writer, and has a passion for casting. She has assisted with many castings in Florida, from the East coast to West coast, and internationally. Among the young Florida locals, her original choreography and monologues have been featured, and won multiple awards. Many of her students have become professional performers. She assisted many students in relocating to start their professional careers in LA and NYC, including one of the original and longest performing Matilda’s on Broadway recently. Her credits include: 2017 Dancing with the Stars Tampa Bay, Disney, Radio Disney, DreamWorks, Warner Bros, Gatorade, Sony, HSN, ABC, FOX, The OC, Vanessa Williams South Beach TV Series, Gatorade, Nexxus, Macy’s, Kids Dance LA National tour, Surrey Festival of Dance Guest Adjudicator of honor, Global Records New Artist National tour, Just Chillin’ Comedy Stomp Girl on HBO, and many more! Her belief in foundation/roots, strong character development, connecting story with dance, and the “mind behind the movement” makes her a compelling and respected force in the world of dance.

Jenni has been inspiring, motivating and guiding young dancers as a beloved and influential teacher at Suncoast Academy of Dance for over 10 years. Her passion for dance and for teaching is evident in her fun, high energy classes. After studying dance at (the amazing) Suncoast Academy of Dance, where she participated in AIM and was an assistant for many years, Jenni continued her dance education under Pam Bolling of Hardrive Productions in Orlando, Florida. She then pursued her passion for dance in Los Angeles where she attended classes at Edge, Moro Landis and other premiere master class venues. After moving back to Florida to attend University of South Florida, she continued taking many master classes and began teaching at her favorite place, Suncoast Academy, where she has been molding young dancers ever since. Jenni has a MA in School Counseling/Education and truly cares about all of her students.

Nicole Dalia, originally from Clearwater, Florida, attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School. She then continued her studies by attending The Boston Conservatory as a scholarship student. In 2004, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts both Ballet and Modern and went on to apprentice for the summer with Verbs Ballet in Cleveland, Ohio. Nicole then joined the modern dance company, Elisa Monte Dance in New York City, where she performed nationally and internationally. Her tours brought her to dance on the stages of Germany, France, Italy, and England. While residing in New York she also danced for Randy James Dance Works, Metropolitan Repertory Ballet Company, and Ballet for Young Audiences.

Nicole taught ballet for children of all ages at the prestigious Ballet Academy East in Manhattan. Continuing her teaching path, she became a teaching artist for Rioult Dance Company, where she auditioned and set choreography for children to perform on the big stage with the company. Nicole is a certified Balanced Body Pilates instructor and currently teaches at Suncoast Pilates. Nicole has been teaching at Suncoast Academy of Dance since 2013.

Colleen is very excited to be back in Palm Harbor teaching dance at her home dance studio. In addition to pre-school classes, Colleen teaches tap and jazz to all ages.

Colleen began dancing at a young age, taking many forms of dance. Colleen auditioned and was accepted into Suncoast's Art In Motion performing company for numerous years. Colleen became an assistant instructor and then promoted to an instructor based on her technique and dedication. Colleen has studied under tapping experts Gregg Russell, Ryan Lohoff, and Angela Carter. 

Colleen is a graduate of Florida State University with a degree in Family and Child Sciences.

Corrine's bio coming soon.

Dani’s love for dance began when she was just 4 years old living in Elmira, NY. Shortly after her 6th birthday, Dani and her family moved to Palm Harbor and she became a student at Suncoast Academy of Dance. She auditioned and was accepted into the Art in Motion performing company, which she danced in throughout her high school years. She was also a dance assistant and later became a teacher during her senior year. Dani recently graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree and interning within Pinellas County Schools. Dani is thrilled to be back teaching at Suncoast and is eager to share her love of dance with her students!

Gwen started dancing at the age of 3, began training at Suncoast at 4 years old, and became a member of Art In Motion at age 13. In addition to her training, she has worked as an assistant at Suncoast for the past 3 years. Gwen absolutely loves working with children and helping them to discover their passion for dance. She is currently attending the University of South Florida in Tampa, working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. Gwen hopes to continue to work with children as she goes forward and is excited to continue dancing and working at Suncoast.

Corinne Hidar was born and raised in Red Bank, New Jersey where she started her dance career at the age of 4. Corinne was trained in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, musical theater, hip hop, contemporary, modern, and heels. She competed regionally and nationally for 7 years. Throughout her competition years, Corinne also attended many different master classes from institutions such as Millennium Dance Complex and Desmond Richardson’s’ Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company. During her junior year of high school, she won Groove Dance Competition’s first ever national title for her contemporary solo choreographed by Jolene Barnaby. After winning this title she joined their company, G-Rock, and studied with their faculty.

Corinne studied at The University of Tampa as a dance major to expand her knowledge in dance education and spread her love of dance. During her time at UT, she performed in Fall Dance Happening, Evening of Experimental Dance, Spring Concert and Spring Dance Happening, while also interning at The Patel Conservatory. She has also had the opportunity to train with many different choreographers and dance educators including Bill Evans, Terry Goetz, and Jon Lehrer.

Corinne is committed to making her classes a safe and fun place for dancers to explore their love and passion for dance, and to grow in knowledge together.

Chrys's bio coming soon.

Ciara Byrne is a Suncoast Academy of Dance Alumni and was a member of Art in Motion for 10 years. She is currently training at Florida State University School of Dance and studies dance performance and choreography, to eventually receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has taken part in many performances at Florida State University School of Dance as both a dancer and a sound/light operator. Ciara regularly trains with renowned dance scholars, such as Ilana Goldman, Gabriel Williams, Rick McCullough, Anna Patsfall, Kehinde Ishangi, Tom Welsh, Gwen Welliver, Rachel Hunter, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. She has also had the opportunity to work with incredible guest artists, such as Twyla Tharp Dance and Michelle Elsworth. While spending her days in Tallahassee training to become a professional dancer, Ciara loves returning home to Palm Harbor to teach and inspire the young dancers at Suncoast Academy of Dance.

Lianna's bio coming soon.

Cleo, formerly on the Suncoast faculty and a member of Art In Motion, returns to teach and choreograph when her schedule allows. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Commercial Dance from Pace University in NYC with concentrations in both Choreography and Pedagogy. She has trained extensively in New York with renowned teachers such as Rhonda Miller, Lauren Gaul, Jess Hendricks and Scott Jovovich, and at Pace Commercial Dance’s inaugural Los Angeles intensive with Mandy Moore and Jerry Evans. She now works as a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer in New York City while also holding an administrative internship at Peridance Capezio Center.