Arts in Motion Celebrates Opening of New Matawan Location

The Arts in Motion Academy recently celebrated the grand opening of its new location on Main Street in Matawan. Patch asked the owners about the history of their business and what it has to offer the community. 

How did your studio, which is a collaboration between friends, come together?

Kimberly Tam (myself) and my business partner Amy Boyle have studied dance our whole lives. Amy decided young she loved to instruct and work with children and has for over 25 years. I have been instructing/performing/choreographing professionally since the age of 16. We met when Amy came to take a class I instructed for the American Repertory Ballet's, Princeton Ballet School, became friends and realized between the two of us and the artist we know in the dance community, we possess all the facets to create a pretty unique and professional arts environment. Five years ago, we took a leap of faith and opened Arts In Motion Academy and it has grown there.

What benefits does the location on Main Street in Matawan provide? 

This location has been an eye sore for so many years. We were looking for an open space where we could really stretch our wings. The old Dollar Store had no walls up, no beams, nothing, just open space. It's an ideal location in the center of town. After hundreds of hours of back breaking work our studio has become quite a beautiful site when you stop at the Ravine Drive and Main Street light.  We were looking to create an space where people in the town would be proud of and we hope we succeeded in the aid to clean up Matawan's Main Street. 

In addition to dance instruction, Arts in Motion offers music lessons—how do the two compliment each other?

Music and dance are both a discipline that requires technique, timing, feel, rhythm, musicality and so much more. Like anything, dedication to both art forms are necessary to be successful however the passion for each is what drives us. Musicians and dancers are cut from the same mold. Free thinking and creative while pursuing the perfect technique. 

What are the benefits of becoming involved in the performing arts? Can all ages enjoy lessons at your studio? 

We provide preschool (3 years old) through professional training for adults. 

Through proper guidance and  technique the performing arts not only supports physical health but has mental, emotional, and psychological benefits as well. The discipline and poise they learn in class and performing guides them beyond the studio to becoming confident young adults.  

What are you most proud of?  

We have had the honor of creating a space that our students and their parents are proud of. We have created an AIM world, where hard work, dedication, technique and true creativity is honored, respected, and enjoyed. Our guidance and dedication to our students have led them beyond our studio and into the professional performing arts world, where they feel comfortable, driven, and proud to follow their dreams. (BIlly Elliot on Broadway, Mid-Summer Night Dream- Off Broadway, The Bolshoi Ballet at the NYC Julliard Academy, etc.). 

Store: Arts in Motion Academy
Location: 147 Main St., Matawan
Phone: 732-970-3967
Website: aimdancenj.com