Movement Dance Academy

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Movement alumna Phoenicia Butler, owner of Chasse Center of Dance.

Phoenicia came to me in middle school with little to no dance experience, but she had the drive, determination, and passion to grow. One of her biggest goals at the time was gaining acceptance into the Red Bank Regional Dance Program and that was just the beginning of her journey.

Over the years, she trained hard, continued to learn, and gained the knowledge and experience that ultimately led her down a path very similar to my own. Watching her evolve from a young student searching for confidence and opportunity into a studio owner and mentor for the next generation has been incredibly rewarding and something I am truly honored to witness.

Phoenicia went on to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned her B.A. in K-12 Dance Education while performing with the Charlotte 49ers Gold Dusters. She later taught dance within the CMS school district and was recognized as the 2016–2017 Principal’s Award Recipient as well as a 2018 MeckEd Teachers of Excellence Recipient.

She also performed professionally as a member of the Charlotte Hornets Honey Bees from 2020–2022 and has proudly owned and operated Chassé Center of Dance since 2018.

This is what dance is about growth, perseverance, passion, and building something bigger than yourself.

Recital season is here, and we’re proud to celebrate 35 years as a studio, 19 of those under my direction. You can find all your recital information here, and performance packets are going home now. Ticket sales will begin April 24th.

Confidence really is a product of experience, practice, and overcoming challenges. It’s a process that builds character. Each step strengthens us and moves us closer to our goals. Although times it feels like we are not moving closer to our physical goal it’s shaping your character. That is more important than the trick, leap or turn. Your mindset is the true power to progress. You need to be coachable not emotional!

I remind my own kids this all the time — the best coaching isn’t always easy to hear.

I don’t bring in teachers to keep you comfortable.
I bring in people who are going to push you, challenge you, and make you better — as a dancer, an athlete, and most importantly, as a person.

I expect honesty.
I expect consistency.
And yeah… I expect you to be uncomfortable sometimes.

Because if it’s always easy, you’re probably not working to your full potential.

There are going to be moments that hit you.
Moments where you feel frustrated, maybe even want to shut down.

That’s the moment.

You either back off… or you rise up and meet your potential.

Growth doesn’t come from comfort.
Never has.

Trust the process.

I remind my own kids regularly. The best coaching isn’t always the easiest to hear.
I don’t bring in teachers to make you comfortable.
I bring in people who will push you, challenge you, and make you a better dancer, athlete,
and most importantly. A better individual.

I expect honesty.
I expect consistency.
I expect you to be pushed out of your comfort zone.

Because if it’s easy,
you’re not working to your full potential.

There will be moments it breaks you. But that’s the moment you decideto rise up and meet your potential.

Because growth doesn’t come from comfort. Trust the process.

I remind my own kids regularly. The best coaching isn’t always the easiest to hear.
I don’t bring in teachers to make you comfortable.
I bring in people who will push you, challenge you, and make you a better dancer, athlete,
and most importantly. A better individual.

I expect honesty.
I expect consistency.
I expect you to be pushed out of your comfort zone.

Because if it’s easy,
you’re not working to your full potential.

There will be moments it breaks you. But that’s the moment you decideto rise up and meet your potential.

Because growth doesn’t come from comfort. Trust the process.

I remind my own kids regularly. The best coaching isn’t always the easiest to hear. I don’t bring in teachers to make you comfortable. I bring in people who will push you, challenge you, and make you a better dancer, athlete, and most importantly. A better individual.

I expect honesty.
I expect consistency.
I expect you to be pushed out of your comfort zone.

Because if it’s easy,
you’re not working to your full potential.

There will be moments it breaks you. But that’s the moment you decide to rise up and meet your potential.

Because growth doesn’t come from comfort. Trust the process.

Alumni Spotlight .grace.d We are beyond proud to celebrate Movement Dance Academy alum Caroline Donohoe and everything she’s accomplishing at the University of Richmond.

This season has been HUGE:
✨ Named to the All-Academic Team (Indoor Season)
🥇 1st Place – DMR (Conference)
🥈 2nd Place – 800m (Conference)
🥉 3rd Place – 4x800 (Conference)
🏆 School Record Holder – 600m

And it doesn’t stop there…
Last Outdoor Season:
🥇 ECAC Champion – 800m & 4x800
🥇 A-10 Champion – 4x800
🥈 A-10 Runner-Up – 800m
🏆 School Record Holder – Indoor DMR

From the studio to the track Caroline continues to represent what dedication, discipline, and passion look like at the highest level. The discipline that began in the studio has carried over into everything she does, proving that the foundation built at Movement goes far beyond dance.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT – .grace.d

We are beyond proud to celebrate Movement Dance Academy alum Caroline Donohoe and everything she’s accomplishing at the University of Richmond 💙❤️

This season has been HUGE:
✨ Named to the All-Academic Team (Indoor Season)
🥇 1st Place – DMR (Conference)
🥈 2nd Place – 800m (Conference)
🥉 3rd Place – 4x800 (Conference)
🏆 School Record Holder – 600m

And it doesn’t stop there…
Last Outdoor Season:
🥇 ECAC Champion – 800m & 4x800
🥇 A-10 Champion – 4x800
🥈 A-10 Runner-Up – 800m
🏆 School Record Holder – Indoor DMR

From the studio to the track — Caroline continues to represent what dedication, discipline, and passion look like at the highest level. The discipline that began in the studio has carried over into everything she does — proving that the foundation built at Movement goes far beyond dance.