Instructors
Brooke Whitfield
Owner
...the owner of Artistry in Motion, was a Teaching Fellow at East Carolina University and graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance Education.
Her dance career began at age 4 at Lane Dance Academy and developed as she trained with numerous professionals and choreographers such as Frank Hatchett, Michelle Dorrance, Dena Rizzo, Gene Medler and many more.
She has performed with various dance teams and continues to attend conventions to broaden her dance technique and dance experience. After college, Brooke received her DIVIDA Ballroom Certification at the North Carolina Ballroom Teachers' College. She then lived in New York and taught preschool creative dance at New York Kids Club while interning with Parsons Dance Company and dancing with bnw:dance Company.
Being a native of Smithfield, she is delighted to bring back her knowledge and experience to share with children of the area and keep her passion for dance alive. She looks forward to sharing her love for dance and the arts with all of her students.
Kara Marks
Instructor
Kara Marks began dancing at the age of 3 at Myrick‘s School of Dance in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. While there she developed her dance skills in clogging, tap, jazz, and ballet.
While at Myrick’s School of Dance, she was a member of a competitive clogging team starting at the age of 8. A 2006 graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences, she is employed by GlaxoSmithKline as a chemist. In 2010, Kara became a licensed Zumba instructor. She has been teaching Zumba at AIM since March 2011 and in charge of the Clogging Program since 2012.
Kara was born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, NC. She is a member of a large family with two sisters, one brother, 4 nieces, and 2 nephews. She currently lives in Zebulon, NC and is a proud boy mom to Bryson & Easton.
Miranda Magro
Instructor
Miranda Magro began dancing in the Philadelphia area at the age of 2, competitively since the age of 8. After graduating, Miranda went on to dance under Sea World Parks and Entertainment, specifically with Sesame Place, where she was given publicity and performance opportunities across Philadelphia and New York City. She then was hired by V-Star Entertainment, where she spent 2 tours dancing internationally with Sesame Street Live. Miranda has also spent years traveling with the Star Dance Alliance where she mastered all aspects of the competitive dance industry, including directing. Miranda has been teaching since the age of 15 and continues to receive choreography, entertainment, and technical excellence awards for her work in numerous styles of dance. Miranda is a committed teacher, mentor and coach to all of her students, taking immense pride in being a part of their journey and successes.
Bonnie O’Neil Mayo
Instructor
Bonnie is a native of Johnston County and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She studied dance for 19 years with concentrations in tap, jazz, ballet and acrobatics.
Bonnie worked as an acrobatic instructor at Lane Dance Academy in the 1990’s and began teaching again last year at Artistry in Motion. She sees acrobatics as an extension of dance and feels that the flexibility and strength that come from acrobatic skills enhance your dance abilities. Bonnie knows each child learns at his/her
Tracy McWilliams
Instructor
Tracy McWilliams began dancing at the age of 18 months at Wake Forest Academy of Fine Arts in Wake Forest, North Carolina. At age 4 years old, she was invited to their competition team and at age 10 she moved to their Elite Ensemble Team. During her time there, she trained in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, clogging, hip hop, ballet, and pointe.
Currently, Tracy is obtaining her BFA for Dance Performance and Choreography with a Minor in Composite Science on a Pre-Physical Therapy track at East Carolina University. She has dreams of one day creating a physical therapy practice specifically geared towards dancers and to eventually own her own dance studio and physical therapy practice. While at East Carolina University, Tracy has performed in many student choreography pieces as well as many faculty choreography pieces for "Main Stage" performances such as Fall Dance and Spring Dance.
Tracy was born in Raleigh, North Carolina but lived in Wake Forest, Wilmington, and Rolesville throughout her life. While she is living in Greenville, North Carolina for school, her family currently lives in Rolesville, North Carolina which is where she will always call home.
Prisca Arendash
Instructor
Prisca is a recent graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography. During her time at ECU, she showcased her artistry in productions such as Fall Dance 2024 and SWING!, while refining her craft both on and off campus.
Her professional experience includes performances at renowned venues like Carowinds, Tryon International, and Fenway Park, as well as collaborations with JM Entertainment on a range of dynamic dance and performance projects. In addition to performing, Prisca served as the emcee for the 2024 season of Expressions National Dance Competition, further expanding her presence in the dance community.
This past summer, Prisca traveled to Kenya, where she taught at Dance Centre Kenya and worked to bring the arts to underprivileged children, a deeply meaningful experience that fueled her commitment to using dance as a tool for connection and empowerment. She recently completed the Gus Giordano Summer Intensive in Chicago, further refining her technique and versatility as a performer.
Prisca is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and looks forward to continuing her journey as both a performer and educator, sharing her love for dance wherever the stage takes her.
Emma Kenney
Instructor
Emma Kenney is originally from Lancaster, CA, but spent most of her growing up years in Colorado Springs, CO. She has been dancing for nearly 20 years and has trained extensively in a variety of styles including Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Acrobatics and Modern. Though she loves all of the styles, Emma’s favorite has always been Tap. She has had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the country, such as Ryan Lohoff, Angela Carter, Gregg Russell and Donovan Helma.
Emma began teaching and creating choreography when she was 14, and became a full time dance instructor straight out of high school. Emma also danced competitively for 7 years, and performed for Davis Contemporary Dance Company: the Next Generation for 2 seasons. After her senior year of high school, she was promoted to Apprentice with Davis Contemporary Dance Company.
Emma moved to Clayton, NC in June of 2021. She is excited to share her passion with a new dance community, and is so grateful for the opportunity to inspire young dancers the same way her mentors have inspired her
Vanden Sharpe
Instructor
Vanden Sharpe graduated from UNCW in 2011 with a B.S. in Finance and Economics. Vanden started taking tumble at the age of 4 until she graduated from High School. She was a member of the Triad Tumblers at Dance and Tumble Creations where she won top awards in Dance/Tumble Competitions. She started assisting with tumble classes throughout high school. From 2007 to 2011, Vanden coached the Artistic Gymnastics Team at Carolina Gymnastics Academy in Wilmington, NC (levels 3-6). She also attended several USAG Spotting Clinics. Vanden has been teaching Tumble Classes and Tumble Teams at Hunter’s Dance since 2011. Vanden is married to Cliff Sharpe and has 2 daughters and one son, Scarlett, Reese and Banks. Vanden loves working with children and enjoys watching the students’ progress from year to year!
Meredith Sinclair
Instructor
Meredith Sinclair is a North Carolina native and began dancing at the early age of 3. She has studied in various styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, improvisation, modern, and hip hop. One of her favorite memories as a dancer was having the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Meredith graduated from Meredith College in 2020 with a B.A. in Dance Studies with a concentration in Private Studio Teaching and a B.S. in Business Administration. While attending Meredith College she was a member of the Meredith Dance Theatre and Meredith Jazz and Tap Company. During the 2019-2020 academic year she served as the Co-Manager of MJTCo. She has choreographed many pieces which were selected for Gala performances at Meredith College. Meredith has also interned for the American Dance Festival during the 2019 summer festival as the Dean’s Assistant in the School Office. Since graduating in 2020 she has been teaching and is excited to be a part of AIM! Her choreography has received several overalls and speciality awards, including being selected to perform at the standing ovation competition at Encore DCS Nationals 2022. She is excited to share her knowledge and love for dance with all of the students and families at AIM!
Raegen Sutton
Instructor
Raegen Sutton, a Johnston County Native has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She is an Artistry In Motion 2023 Alumni and is now apart of the NC State Dance Team. At NC State University she is majoring in Business Entrepreneurship and plans to minor in Marketing! Raegen has been teaching for the past 3 years and hopes to continue inspiring the next generation! She has a passion of teaching and learning from her students and loves watching their love of dance grow.
Lili Cook
Instructor
Lili Cook is a passionate choreographer and former captain of the NC State Dance Team, where she led the program for two years and helped shape its powerful, dynamic style. She’s been dancing since age 2, competing since age 8, and choreographing since 2022.
Lili is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, pom, musical theatre, and Pilates. Her choreography reflects her athleticism, creativity, and deep love for movement — crafted to elevate dancers while connecting with audiences.
During her collegiate career, Lili was honored with Strength of the Pack for three consecutive years for motivating herself and others and received Leader of the Pack in her senior season — a testament to her consistency, leadership, and drive.
Today, she creates fresh, intentional choreography for teams, studios, and individual dancers. Whether for game day, competition, or content, her work is known for its energy, attention to detail, and crowd appeal.
Artistry in Motion is the Premier Performing Arts Center for Johnston County
© 2025 AIM Performing Arts.
INFORMATION
USEFUL LINKS
CONTACT
(919) 938-6210
603 Brightleaf Blvd.
Smithfield
North Carolina 27577