Meet the Team
Owner & Creative Director
LNXdance Podcast Co-Host
MA, New York University
BBA, Baruch College, CUNY
ABT® Certified Teacher
Latinx Dance Educators Alliance
CORPS de Ballet Inter, Member
Dance USA, NYC Member
NDEO, NYU Member
Mari Vasconez
Mari began her training at the Academia de Artes Franceschi in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Her family relocated to Texas. Under the instruction of Janet Schenk and Marina Almayeva, she continued her training in competitive dance and Classical Ballet at Act One Dance Studio. Her teaching experience began at this same studio at 16 years of age.
Mari went to college at Texas A&M University, where she studied Dance Sciences at the TAMU Dance Department. There she developed her teaching style and understanding of the human anatomy as a dancer. She received a Masters Degree in Dance Education from New York University and is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Mari has served in the Faculty at Ballet Hispanico, The Spence School, Shooting Stars NYC, and has been a Guest Artist/Teacher at the Princeton Dance and Theater Studio and TAME Dance Academy.
Mari also has performed and taught at prestigious events which include the BAAND Together for the Arts Festival at Lincoln Center, The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance Convention, the American College Dance Festival Association, Los Angeles Salsa Congress, Houston Salsa Congress, B.I.G. Salsa Congress, Dallas Bachata Festival, Dallas Salsa Congress, Unity Dance Festival, Atlanta Bachata Festival, New York City Bachata Weekender, Aventura Dance Cruise, among many more.
Currently, Mari is the proud owner of MotionScoop Dance Academy where she hopes to build a haven for students who wish to explore dance with no limits.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Mari Vasconez is a dance educator in New York City who hopes to bridge the gap between concert and social Latin dances, as well as its availability to the Latine communities. Her unconventional background has allowed her to merge both classical and social styles into her repertoire. Her classrooms are filled with the next generation of Latine dancers, and she hopes to provide quality dance education and inspire the next generation to the artform's possibilities. She believes in the equity of professional dance training for all dancers, no matter their economical or social stance, and hopes MotionScoop Dance Academy becomes a beacon of hope for those who do not have access to the elite programs of the world.
Teaching Artist & Admin
Joffrey Ballet School, NYC
Peridance Center, NYC
Lyndsey Sanchez
Lyndsey Sanchez is a professional dancer from Bermuda. She has trained in many styles and is known to be a well-rounded dancer. At the age of 14, she decided to showcase herself to prestigious schools in the states. She was accepted into Joffrey Ballet School, in the Jazz and Contemporary 4-year program in New York City. Lyndsey then also studied at the Peridance Center under the direction of Igal Perry.
Lyndsey has been privileged to have worked with many choreographers and have roles that showcase her talent, both on film and stage. She has been featured in an award-winning film Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance, IMPERFECT at Lincoln Center, and performed in the Choreographers Carnival. She has also had the opportunity to work with companies such as Humans Collective (Lauren Cox) and XY Dance Project (Nijawwon Matthews) to name a few.
Lyndsey is a gifted choreographer and teacher and has also had a chance to teach in New York and her hometown Bermuda. Her teaching credits include The Joffrey Ballet School, MotionScoop Dance Corp., and InMotion School of Dance. Some of her choreography credits include choreographing for the Young Choreographers Festival performed at Symphony Space, Uptown Rising Performance Series at Bridge For Dance, and Industry Night at The Sultan Room. Lyndsey has also recently been featured in publishing sources such as NY Glamour Magazine and Voyage ATL.
Brook Lyn began their dance training at the age of 3 at a small dance studio in Ridgewood, Queens. They have over 15 years of studio and performance training in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, and hip-hop. At the age of 12, they entered the world of competitive dance, where they were able to expand their performance and technique experience.
They earned an Associate in Dance at Queensborough Community College, continuing to grow their technique in Ballet and Modern under the diverse talented faculty on campus. During that time, they performed in workshop concerts with modern choreographers Maria Bauman, Aviva Geismar, Joya Powell, and Nicole McClam.
They are currently continuing their education at Hunter College as a double major in Education and Dance.
Teaching Artist
Dance Associate, QCC
Currently at Hunter College:
Double Major in Education & Dance
Brook Lyn Gonzalez
Having always had a love for media and how it shapes culture, Kelly has learned about music production, film, photography, and social media content.
Kelly is currently channeling her creativity through being a Media Studies major at Queens College, acquiring tools like analytic research, mass communication, and production skills through this interdisciplinary track in order to develop digital content effectively.
Kelly is currently the Marketing & Social Media Intern with MotionScoop Dance Academy for the Spring and Summer of 2024.
Marketing & Admin
Currently at Queens College:
Major in Media Studies
Kelly Reddy
Community Partnerships Coordinator
BA, Dance Education, Hunter College
(Summa Cum Laude)
Kiefer Rondina
Kiefer Rondina is a New York based dancer, teacher and arts administrator. Originally from Cebu City, Philippines, he obtained his BA in Dance Education from Hunter College (Summa Cum Laude). He holds a New York State Initial Certification in Teaching Dance Grades K-12.
As a Flamenco aficionado, Kiefer has studied with various flamenco artists in New York City and Albuquerque notably Soledad Barrio, Sol Koeraus “La Argentinita” and Giselle Assi and has performed at Centro Español de Queens. In 2017, he was a recipient of the Hunter Mellon Arts Fellowship and has taught and worked for arts organizations including Ballet Hispánico and RIOULT Dance Center. Mr. Rondina enjoys teaching young dancers the art of flamenco while continuously training in his flamenco studies.
Kiefer has extensive experience with community-based partnership programing through esteemed dance organizations such as the Limon Dance Company and Ballet Hispanico.
To learn more about our Partnerships Programs, contact Kiefer at: community@motionscoop.com
Guest Teaching Artist
Bachelors, St. Francis College
Co-Direcor @somos_candela
World Latin Dance Champion
Featured Dancer in Shine
Featured Dancer In The Heights
Brianna Rios
Based out of NYC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Francis College, and dancing since the age of 4, Brianna has continued to follow her passion through performing, teaching, and competing internationally.
At 18 years old, she became the youngest professional World Champion in the Salsa On2 division. Since then, Brianna has gained 9 additional World Titles, traveled to 18 countries, judged international competitions, and has had the honor to represent the USA in the 2017 World Games in Poland. Aside from stages in the salsa community,
Brianna has found a love for theatre as she played multiple roles in New York’s immersive show Carmen, To Havana & Back, and can be found on the big screen as a featured dancer in movies such as Shine and Warner Bros.’ In The Heights.
She is currently the Co-Director of Somos Candela NYC with her dance partner Charlie Garcia and travels all over the globe sharing her love and passion for Latin Dance.
Latin & Events Instructor
LNXdance Podcast Co-Host
Latinx Dance Educators Alliance
Mambo On2 Technique
Professional Performer
International Experience
Marcus Valentin
Marcus Valentin began dancing in Texas with Mambo Dallas Dance Company in 2012 under the direction of Katie Mambo. He was inspired to continue his development and training as a dancer. This led him to move to New York City in 2013 to pursue his dancing career. When he arrived in New York City, his main focus was Salsa On 2. He studied and danced with Yamulee Dance Company under the direction of Osmar Perrones and Karel Flores. He later transitioned his focus and style and began training with Balmir Latin Dance Studios owned and operated by Eric Balmir and with its artistic director, Anya Katsevman. During his time at Balmir, he has grown on an individual level by learning, training, and performing several different Latin dance styles. Marcus has performed at nationally acclaimed events such as Hawaii Salsa Congress, DR Salsa Congress, Dallas Salsa Congress, Atlanta Bachata Festival, Dallas Salsa Congress, Houston Salsa Congress, International Hustle-Salsa Congress, BIG Salsa Festival, Paris Salsa Congress, Amsterdam Salsa Congress, Toronto Salsa Congress and many dance socials and events in the NYC and tri-state area. He started his teaching experience in Texas at Mambo Dallas Dance Studio and Alpha Midway Dance Studio and has continued to teach in New York City through private instruction. Currently, Marcus also trained under the direction of Melanie Castillo and Jose Luis Gomez as part of their performance-based team called Corillo Dance Company.
Marcus teaches various Latin styles of dance to adults in the NYC area and you will catch him at any MotionScoop events and adult lessons.
