About Us
Dance N’ Motion provides three different areas of interest. The Studio, which provides dance education and eligibility for growth and advancement into the company; the Company, which strengthens performance skills and provides the opportunity for advancement towards a dance career; and the Seminar and Workshop Center, in which we provide dance instruction and recreational support to organizations within the community. The vision has been to support organizations within the community to develop a recreational and creative sense of expression, through positive messages of dance.
Alayna Davenport, Owner/Artistic Director
Contact Alayna: atd@dancenmotion.com
Alayna Davenport is the Founder, Artistic Director of Dance N’ Motion, located in Baltimore, MD. Alayna’s formal dance education began in 1984 at The Richie School of Dance, located in Hershey, PA. In 1992, the Davenport family relocated to Baltimore, MD. While in Baltimore, she joined the Living Word Christian Center Dance Ministry under the direction of Phyllis Murphy. During intense curriculum and training with Eva Anderson dancers, and Baltimore Dance Tech, Alayna mastered structure, movement, and rhythm. She began to share her knowledge of dance ministry with her family, friends and peers. It was her passion to help young girls like herself strengthen and cultivate their professional desires through dance. Over the years, Alayna has developed an extensive career in dance. In (date) she regularly performed with UnXpctd, a professional dance ensemble who provided dance support for local artist including Eric and Damon D’vaughn, Sons of Soul, Ruff Endz, and many other artists. In 1999, Alayna was featured in a commercial for Shoe City, Inc. Alayna has directed several Dance Ministries, choreographed for major plays and productions, and continues to collaborate within her community to bridge the gap between dance and education. Currently, Alayna mentors young girls on the basics of dance and motion. She also contracts with Baltimore City Public Schools to provide dance curriculum to students. She regularly conducts motivating seminars to young girls to fulfill their dreams as dancers and successful leaders.
Administrative Team
Tani Campbell, Director of Finance
Toni Woodlon, Marketing & Public Relations Advisor
Erika Grant, Special Events Coordinator
DNM Dance Preparatory Academy
Rachel Novak, Director of School Programs
Linnea Poole, Lower School Coordinator
Justdance Studio
Xandria Woolsey, Administrative Assistant/Studio Intern
DNM Company
Alex Bowden, Company Manager
Mykia Sharp, Company Production Coordinator
Our Instructors
Linnea Poole
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Mrs. Poole began her dancing career as a teenager in a Lyrical dance division under the direction of Kanika Thompson. She is a graduate of Coppin State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Urban Arts Production and Theater. She has studied under the direction of Tiffany Butler, Christian Richards, Ghiana Jirghan, and Staci Loftin Allen. Mrs. Poole also had the pleasure of performing with Coppin Players, CCBC Dance Company, and the Unity Dance Ensemble. She is also a member of Alpha Nu Omega Incorporated. Linnea’s hearts desire is to be an ambassador for the arts community.
Alex Bowden
Alexandra Bowden has been trained in many different styles of dance from classical ballet and modern to tap and hip hop. She graduated with her BFA in Dance and Special Needs Education from The Ohio State University where she worked with famous artists like Bebe Miller and William Forsythe. Her professional career entails work both within the U.S and abroad and she currently resides in her hometown of Baltimore, MD teaching dance and working with a professional Hip Hop Crew.
Catherine Long
Catherine began her ballet training in 1992 under the direction of Donna Muzio in West Chester Pa. She Dance with Brandywine Ballet Company from 1998- 2004. In 2008 she graduated Magna Cum Lade with a BFA in Dance Performance from Towson University. While at Towson she studied under Dennis Price, Catherine Horta-Hayden, and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell. She was a member of the Roxey Ballet from 2008-2010. In the Spring of 2010 she danced with the Chamber Ballet in Rockville MD, working with choreographers Runqaio Du, resident choreographer of Chamber Ballet, and Jared Nelson principal dancer with the Washington Ballet. Currently, Catherine is dancing with Ballet ADI in Rockville MD. She is excited to be joining the Dance N Motion team this year.