​STRENGTH . FOCUS . FLEXIBILITY

​Kids in Motion Colorado Springs (Kids in Motion CS) began as an after-school program in 1977,  and now includes two Saturday morning classes and a summer program. It is an introductory program with various genres, including modern dance, jazz, and ballet technique. The Saturday dance classes, held at Cottonwood Center for the Arts, August-May, have limited availability. The students perform in three shows at different locations in the Colorado Springs community, including The Citadel.  Many students have benefited from this program through the intellectual stimulation that dance movement and music offer.

Joanna shares her Kids in Motion experience.

History has shown that this type of training benefits children in many areas of their lives.

MEET KIDS IN MOTION CS INSTRUCTORS

Kiara Butts

Hello, my name is Kiara Butts! I am a student at Colorado College and I will be a hip hop instructor for Kids in Motion this year. I am originally from Kentucky and I had been trained in Jazz, Contemporary, Tap, Ballet, and Hip-Hop at my hometown dance studio, Blackbird Dance Theatre. I had started Tap and Ballet when I was 3 years old and the rest came a bit later. I have been able to choreograph on children ages 8-17 for the past three years and continue to choreograph for my colleges student run organization Dance Workshop. Last year, I started out co-teaching the KIM hip hop class with Mr. Ron Jules, as well as, substituting here and there. I’m excited to continue learning & growing with my kids

Madison Dillon

Hi! My name is Madison Dillon and I'm a sophomore at Colorado College studying dance, performance design, and physics. Most of my sixteen years of dancing has been with the Delaware Valley Ballet Theatre where I studied and performed ballet and contemporary. I also love to do tap, jazz, and modern when I get the chance. This summer has left me with lots of bottled up dancing energy (and sure I'm not the only one) so I can't wait to meet everyone and get moving again!

Ron Jules

Hip Hop Teacher Ron “Future” Jules was born in West Palm Beach Florida. In 2008 he graduated from Penn State University. While at Penn State he was on the Track Team and as well studied dance. Ron is an all style dancer, freestyler and choreographer. He specializes in hip-hop, popping, locking, break dance, krump, and house. He was the co-founder/Vice president of R.A.M SQUAD, Penn State Hip-Hop Club. Ron worked as a Hip Hop instructor for Penn State, Woodward Camp and Local Colleges/ Dance studios in Colorado Springs.He was part of Rennie Harris Grassroots Hip-Hop Theatre company in Colorado. His influences are Mr. Wiggles, Electric Boogaloos, The Lockers, Tight Eyez, Elite Force, Monsters of Hip-Hop, World of Dance, R.A.M Squad and many more. Ron is excited to be sharing his knowledge and talents with all the dancers in Colorado
His mission for dance is to teach people the foundation and history of the hip hop culture. He has danced with the best of the best and has taught and taken master workshops all across the United States. His goal is to motivate his students and help them become more innovative in all aspects of their life.

Caroline Kelleher

I'm Caroline and I have been dancing ever since I was a few years old, and it continues to be one of my passions. I love ballet, modern, and jazz. I spent fifteen years studying ballet at various schools across the United States. I dance at Colorado College and perform in the biannual Dance Workshop Performance as well as the annual Dance Six performance. This will be my second year instructing dance for Kids in Motion. Last year, I choreographed a piece for students at Wilson Elementary. I am studying neuroscience and dance at CC and hope to continue exploring and teaching the dance art form! 

Sophia Pray

My name is Sophia Pray. You may have seen me around as a substitute teacher or helper at  performances over the past few years, and as a full-time instructor last year for the Saturday classes. I graduated from Colorado College in 2019 and have been working at the CCE office on campus ever since. At CC, I took classes in ballet, modern and ballroom dance, hip-hop, improvisation, Pilates, and yoga. I have also participated in Dance Workshop campus-wide performances every semester as both a dancer and choreographer, as well as several faculty-choreographed dances. I will be focusing on creativity and confidence building, ballet technique, and jazzy theatrical expression.

Beth Carlson
Founder & Supervisor

Beth Carlson is the force behind Kids in Motion CS. She is an educator, dancer, passionate advocate of the arts. She has enjoyed dance since her mother introduced her to it in Kansas City at age four. Following her dad’s career moves meant a few studios, culminating in an Afro-Caribbeandance company in Colorado Springs as a young adult. After completing degrees in education, the challenge of giving underserved children a performing arts experience became a goal. She began the Kids in Motion dance program as an after-school activity in Colorado Springs in 1977.