About Us Philosophy Statement     Faculty Biographies Stories in Motion was founded in January 2001 by Ann Biddle, offering an innovative approach to teaching dance to children that links creative movement and story telling. Our classes create a nurturing, non-competitive learning atmosphere where dance skills and the creative process are combined into a dynamic physical and imaginative experience for children. Stories come to life through dance! The program is based on the nationally acclaimed Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) model of creative dance for children that Ms. Biddle was instrumental in developing in New York City. A thematic and integrated arts curriculum is the foundation of our work with children. Age appropriate lessons engage the child at each level and appeal to a wide range of abilities. Our classes nurture creative expression and provide: dance education for the entire family an alternative to recital based dance programs a stimulating and fun atmosphere a place for multiple learning styles movement experiences for boys and girls alike Stories in Motion is truly dance education for the 21st Century! Return to top Philosophy Statement Stories in Motion believes that dance should be an integral part of every child’s education. We believe that early experiences in creative movement, dance making and storytelling contribute significantly to aesthetic and kinesthetic development in children. Children are natural movers and shakers--they love to experiment with different ways of dancing and enjoy activities that are physically challenging and also engage the imagination. Stories in Motion offers an innovative curriculum based on age appropriate movement themes and stories. Our goal is to give all children the wings to fly creatively; we encourage them to express their full range of feelings through movement and dance making. Return to top Faculty Biographies Ann Biddle (Founder, Director)has been a professional dancer, choreographer and dance educator for the past 20 years. Ms. Biddle has taught dance and dance education extensively in the New York, New Jersey region in both private and public schools and at the University level. Ms. Biddle was the Founding Artistic Director of Solstice Dance Company from 1991 - 1996. Her choreography has received numerous awards including grants from the Puffin Foundation and Arnhold Foundation. Trained as a Choreometrics movement analyst, Ms. Biddle worked with ethnomusicologist, Alan Lomax on the Global Jukebox Project as a world dance analyst from 1992-1994. Ms. Biddle was a Founder and Co-Director of the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) at the Harkness Dance Center at the 92nd Street Y. The DEL program offers a two-year dance teacher certification program and staff development workshops for dancers and NYC public school teachers. She co-developed a year long course, Foundations of Dance Education with Jody Arnhold as well as her proprietary course, Planet Dance: Multicultural Dance Education. Well known as a staff developer for K - 12 teachers, Ms. Biddle specializes in all aspects of dance education, particularly making connections between dance and language arts and social studies. Ms. Biddle has taught workshops under the auspices of the 92nd Street Y DEL program, Community School District 22, Region 9, 10 & 3 in NYC, New York University, Brooklyn Museum, Face to Face 2000, Skidmore College and Arts in Education Roundtable, Colorado College and New Jersey public schools. Ms. Biddle worked at Ballet Hispanico from 1998 to 2004 as the Dance Education Curriculum specialist for the Empire State Partnership project with P.S. 166 and P.S. 98 and has conducted numerous professional development workshops for classroom teachers, teaching artists and company members involved in Ballet Hispanico's school outreach program, Primeros Pasos. She was a contributor to Planning an Arts-Centered School published in 2002 by The Dana Foundation. Ms. Biddle is currently a curriculum consultant and staff developer for the D.O.E. in NYC and was a consultant for the NYC Department of Education Dance Blueprint document published in 2005. Ms. Biddle has also taught Staff Development workshops for NJPAC in Newark, NJ and is currently a curriculum and staff developer for Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana in NYC. A former Fulbright scholar, Ms. Biddle has an M.A. in Dance Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in English from Kenyon College. She is also the proud mother of two dancing children, Nellie and Yoshi. Tricia Benn (Creative Ballet) was in the Broadway tour of CATS. She has performed at numerous regional theatres, Radio City Music Hall, Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland. Ms. Benn choreographs the Columbia High School musical and loves her role as mother to Grace Jo. Christina Biddle (Video) is a New York City Teaching Fellow and has taught in the NYC public schools for the past six years. She currently teaches at University Neighborhood High School, where in addition to teaching humanities, she established the photography and video production program. Her students are currently developing their own documentary projects and original screenplays. Christina and her husband have just purchased a house in South Orange. Lauren Eras (Broadway Jazz) trained extensively in Philadephia at the Jazz Dance center and in NYC at Broadway Dance C enter and Steps. She has performed in many musicals, industrials and commercials. She is the proud mother of Corey and Zachary. Holly Evans (Toddler Dance, Birthday Parties and School Residencies) has been a Radio City Rockette for 10 years and holds a BA degree in dance from Butler University. Holly has taught dance in many universities and schools across the country as well as performing in both concert dance and musical theater. She has just moved to Maplewood from NYC with her husband and son and is happy to be working with Stories in Motion. Ralston Alphanso Morris (Family & Toddler Dance) is a stay-at-home father who has been a dancer all of his life. He has trained with the Chihamba African Dance Troupe in Charlottesville, VA. He has also been a substitute teacher in the Newark public school system. He is NY attorney with a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia. His enthusiasm and effervescent personality keep his daughter Grace Elizabeth entertained all of the time. He loves children and it shows. Rayna Pomper (Creative Ballet) is a NJ certified elementary school teacher. Studies ballet since the age of 5 and danced with the New Jersey Ballet company for 7 years. She has taught ballet and movement at the South Mountain YMCA and is the dance coach for the YMCA's gymnastic team. Kate Rizzo (Director, Stories in Motion™, Morris County, NJ) Ms. Rizzo has a B.A. in English from James Madison University with a minor in dance and a M.A. in English (Teaching of Writing and Literature) from George Mason University. She has been a dancer her entire life and is trained in Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance. Ms Rizzo also has extensive experience as a writer and editor having worked for the American Institute of Architects, Bureau of National Affairs and various government agencies. She is excited to be bringing Stories in Motion™ to Morris County and is the proud mother of Marin & Ben. Lisa Sturm (Pilates Plus) has been teaching mind-body work for the past several years. She is a certified Mat Pilates , NIA, and licensed Gyrotonic instructor. Lisa has facilitated movement/meditation/journaling workshops for adults and teens and has worked extensively with adolescent girls. She is currently attending the Masters of Social Work program at New York University and is the proud Mom of Sam, Jared and Hannah. Alistair Williams (Toddler Dance, Family Dance, Birthday parties) is currently pursuing a drama degree at Union County College in Cranford, NJ. He has performed at various theaters such as the NJPAC in Newark, NJ and the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.