MOVEMENT ARTS STUDIO
407-491-4520
2594 N Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando FL 32803
TEACHERS:
Troy was born in Naples, Florida. His early training was with Karen Mishler of the Carol Burnett Show. At the age of 14 he was awarded the "Best New Artist" award for Young American Theatre and began a domestic tour of his first equity show: Cabaret. After high school Troy earned a theatre scholarship to Florida State University and continued from there to earn his bachelors degree from University of Florida. Realizing dance was his passion Troy returned to Florida State University to earn his Masters of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from the prestigious third nationally ranked dance program in the country. There he trained with greats in the concert dance world including program founder Dr. Nancy Smith-Fichter. After College Troy accepted a contract from Walt Disney World Entertainment to perform in Disney's Beauty and the Beast where he enjoyed a fifteen year run as acting dance captain and lead. Troy has enjoyed the opportunity to perform in dance and television. He has worked with Britney Spears, Betty White, Glenn Close, Donna Summer, Kelly Clarkson and Harry Connick Jr. to name a few. Troy has had the honor of performing with many concert dance companies including; Dance Repertory Theatre, Southern Ballet Theater, Tallahasse Ballet, Savannah Danse Theatre and Atlanta Ballet. Recently Troy has choreographed the last three seasons of the Orlando Opera. But by far his greatest challenge and accomplishment has been creating Movement Arts Studio and sharing his ongoing professional career and education with his students.
Gina was born in Provo, Utah. She began training at age 4 with Colleen Collins Smith School of Performing Arts. She became a member of The Company at age 15, dancing the lead in Swan Lake, Carmen, Nutcracker, and Jekyll and Hyde. Gina was the recipient of the Willam F. Christensen scholarship to the University of Utah. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in addition to teaching at the University for two years. She performed with Utah Ballet and Ballet West, working with Jaque Debois, Atilla Fizzaire and Willam F. Christensen. Soon after graduation, Gina became a member of Hubbard Street Dance Company working with Twyla Tharp, Alonzo King and Lou Conte. Gina directed the dance department at Payson High School for two years then moved to Florida to perform with Walt Disney World Entertainment. Gina performed in The Magical World of Barbie, Jolly Holidays, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderellabration and Story Walkers, as well as numerous conventions. She became a Radio City Rockette for the 1996 Christmas Spectacular and returned to complete four full seasons. Gina performed for Universal Studios in the Grinchmas show in 2009. She is also a dance clinician for Disney Performing Arts, and Universal Starz Dancing Seminars. She performs and teaches at Central Florida Ballet and Movement Arts Studio. Gina performed the principal role in Allure at SeaWorld Orlando. Most recently, Gina has been chosen to choreograph Universal Studios’ largest and most ambitions live show to date, “Universal Studios SUPERSTAR Parade.” She has also choreographed Despicable Me, Bikini Bottom, Hop, Dora, Macy’s Parade, High Kick Girls, Beetlejuice live on stage, and many convention shows as well. Gina is currently performing in Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Gina is mother to Ellexis Skye, Ledger Gregory, London Maurice, and Leyton Cole. She is married to Greg Hatch. Gina loves participating in the performing arts. Gina is very excited to be teaching with her dear friend Troy Davis at Movement Arts Studios. Gina is working with composers on new works; this will be a very exciting year! She especially appreciates her mother’s, Colleen Collins Smith, patience and gift to learn and to excel. Gina hopes to pass on her knowledge and love of dance to all.
Suzanne grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where she started dancing at the age of 5. Directly out of high school she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer and studied at Tremaine Dance Center on a year long scholarship program. Since then she has traveled and performed as a professional dancer in various shows throughout the world for over 20 years. She found her other love of the aerial arts throughout her travels as a dancer, where she started training at Every Day Circus in St. Louis. She performed solos and duets of aerial performances, which include silks, lyra, and hammock with a 40 foot ceiling every weekend in St. Louis, while traveling back to Orlando, FL during the week to perform at Disney's Beauty and the Beast show. She has incorporated her love of ballet in the air to students sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm making dancers well rounded in class. She is excited and proud to be at Movement Arts since 2009 leading the aerial program. She graduated with her Masters of Science in Nursing degree in 2015 from USF. You can also find her working as a Nurse Practitioner treating pediatric and adult patients at an office in Clermont, FL.
Troy Davis
Owner & Artistic Director
Gina Smith Hatch
Assc. Artistic Director
Suzanne Anderson
Aerial Director
Performances
Movement Arts Studio is a performance based studio. We will offer four major shows each season. This is a fast paced program that teaches a child to learn quickly and efficiently.
The opportunity to perform and be seen is critical to the development of a confident and healthy thinker. Every child will experience dancing, acting, singing and delivering lines on stage. Students study all forms of dance to be competitive in the market place.
We prepare our students to be successful in every aspect of the entertainment industry. In doing so we build confidence, nurture respect and self worth. Essential qualities needed for success regardless of what career path the student may follow in the future.
Our Philosophy
Welcome
Movement Arts Studio provides the very best education for our students by employing the best working professionals in the business. Our students study all dance forms with a strong foundation in ballet. Our dance principles are based on the Cecchetti ballet method. Students study ballet, pointe, character, tap, modern, aerial arts, jazz, hip hop, gymnastics, voice and acting .
We encourage students to pursue multiple interests. Our program teaches critical life skills in planning, management and execution.
Our season require a nine month commitment requiring discipline, passion and management skills of both the dancer and parents.
We believe that the art of dance in all its forms should be enjoyed by all. The process of training in dance is priceless to the development of a child. Whether the intent is to seek a professional dance career or to study dance for its physical and preparatory benefits, the education and drive is the same. The personal rewards garnered from this process will serve the student throughout their lives.
Dance is an art form not a sport and should only be taught by competent and passionate teachers. Teachers who bring the benefits of a truly professional dance career to each student. We treat dance with respect and ambition as we are a non competition studio.
Movement Arts Studio expect our students to be well rounded citizens, to maintain good grades, have excellent manners and to understand the importance of committing to preparing for their careers. And finally to respect what an important role they play in our studio and to their own futures.
Ellexis Hatch
Teacher
Ellexis Hatch started studying multiple genres of dance at the age of three and has been grooving ever since. She received her primary training from Movement Arts Studio, Central Florida Ballet, and the Dr. Phillips High School Dance Magnet. Ellexis is currently working towards her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at The Juilliard School, under the direction of Alicia Graf-Mack. At Juilliard, she has had the opportunity to perform repertory by Paul Taylor and Trisha Brown, in addition to new works by Marcus Jarrell Willis, Jamar Roberts, Michelle Dorrance, and fellow students. She also had the opportunity to study with Ohad Naharin during his residency at Juilliard in 2020. She has been awarded as an All American Scholar 2015, All County Dancer 2014- 2017, and Senior Miss Dance 2017 of Florida Dance Masters. In more recent years, Ellexis has developed a strong desire to choreograph her own works. In 2017, her choreography was accepted to the Regional Dance Festival Gala and she has recently been selected as a choreographer for ChoreoComp 2020 at The Juilliard School. When Ellexis is not attending school New York, she loves to share her knowledge with students at Movement Arts Studio in Orlando, Florida.
Ellexis would like to give a special thank you to Gina Hatch and Troy Davis for giving her such an inspiring dance training experience. She also wants to thank all of the wonderful teachers who have influenced her and helped her grow as an artist. She wishes to continue sharing her burning passion for the art of dance with the community as a choreographer, teacher, and dancer.
Born and raised in Deltona, Fl, Daniel Ryan Hunalp began taking dance classes at the age of 6 at Mariam and Valerie's School of Dance Arts in Sanford, FL. Studying all types of dance throughout his schooling, he went off to many specialty schools through his training as a young dancer. On full scholarships to both Sarasota Ballet (he attended for three years) and Ann Reinkings Broadway Theatre project (attended twice) where he furthered his skills. As a performer Daniel has worked with the Tap Dogs and numerous dance companies in FL and NYC. He has been the dance captain for shows in front of Cinderella's Castle in Walt Disney World in Orlando. Performing beside pop stars such as Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Hilary Duff and Debbie Ryan on ABC. Performing in Regional Theatre across the country in musicals, West Side Story, Oklahoma, and Guys and Dolls. Most recently Daniel was part of the original cast for Norwegian Cruise Line on The Pride of America in Hawaii to originate the role of Fred Astaire.
As a teacher, Daniel started teaching tap and jazz at his childhood studio to the younger boys at age 15. After moving to New York, he was asked to teach at Broadway Dance Center. Now back in Orlando, FL, Daniel teaches tap, jazz and musical theatre at dance studios in the central Florida area. Having taught and judged on the faculty for Access Broadway with Ron DeVito and also on the faculty for MA Dance competition he always wants to pass on what was so well taught to him from his teachers and the people he looks up to. Dance is not what makes the person. Who that person is, is what makes the dance.
Daniel Hunalp
Tap Teacher
