
WHO WE ARE
Miracles in Motion is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation designed to provide the full dance experience to people with special needs. We provide a complete dance education, along with structured choreography in a dance company setting. The classes cover many styles of dance including jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, musical theater, and creative movement. Every session is re-structured to meet the specific needs of each dancer participating.
Kim Moncrief founded Miracles in Motion in 2007 after the birth of her son Logan. Logan was born with Down Syndrome and several heart defects. Kim has over two decades of experience as a dance instructor, a BFA in Dance and Choreography, as well as a BS in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. As a professional dancer, Kim realized that there wouldn’t be a place for Logan in the dance world so she created Miracles in Motion.
Miracles in Motion is making leaps and bounds in the community with its innovative style and powerful reputation. No matter where they perform, it’s hard to find a dry eye in the audience. They have been known to raise the audience to their feet with standing ovations and tears running down their faces. Miracles in Motion is a force of awe and inspiration for people of all ages.
They are:
BEYOND YOUR TYPICAL DANCER
BIOS

Kim Moncrief
Founder, CEO & Artistic Director
Kim Moncrief has a BFA in Dance and Choreography along with a BS in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She began her dancer career at The Richmond Ballet when she was 8 years old where she received intensive training until graduating from High School. She has been formally trained in a variety of dance styles including: Classical Ballet and Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Theater, Cheerleading, African-Caribbean, Improvisation, and Yoga.
Kim has traveled the U.S. teaching and choreographing on dancers of all levels and abilities, primarily focused on the competitive circuit. Her strength for directing was apparent early in her career where she quickly received positions such as, Assistant Artistic Director and Ballet Director within the studios she was employed. Since 1994 Kim has trained and choreographed on a variety of competitive dance groups, Varsity and Junior Varsity Pom Squads, show choirs, and pageant contestants. Her choreography has won many notable awards including, “Grand Champion,” “Best Choreography,” Best in Show” and “Best Marching Unit.” Kim’s notable performance experience is with Richmond Ballet, Optasia Production Company, Heartbeat Production Company and as a 6-year member of Kingdom Dance Company.
She married her husband, John Moncrief in 2004 and in 2006 they had their precious son Logan, born with Down Syndrome. They now also have beautiful boy/girl twins. All of which are her constant inspiration! The Moncrief family proudly owns Moncrief Management LLC, which includes their family business, “The Ice Cream King”.
In 2007, Kim created Miracles in Motion. Her vision was to create a dance family for dancers with special needs…a place to receive quality dance instruction and to shine! Her vision has been successful and has grown quickly in size and popularity. Kim holds Miracles in Motion close to her heart and feels like she has found the biggest reward in her dance career.
Along with directing Miracles in Motion, Kim is also the director of “Rise Up!” Dance Company. She also teaches & choreographs part time at School of Dance Arts.

Denise McGowen
Assistant Office Administrator
Denise grew up in north Louisiana and went to college in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she received her BS in general science and her Associate degree in Medical Technology For 10 years, Denise was a lab assistant and medical decoder. In December 2006, Denise and her family (Jonathan, Leah, and Elijah) moved to Richmond. Her daughter, Leah, loves music. Denise felt that Leah would enjoy dance classes. After trying several mainstream dance studios that didn’t work for her daughter, she found Miracles in Motion. A dance studio that would meet Leah’s needs. Leah loved it! Denise immediately started volunteering and helping out where she was needed.Denise grew up in north Louisiana and went to college in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she received her BS in general science and her Associate degree in Medical Technology For 10 years, Denise was a lab assistant and medical decoder. In December 2006, Denise and her family (Jonathan, Leah, and Elijah) moved to Richmond. Her daughter, Leah, loves music. Denise felt that Leah would enjoy dance classes. After trying several mainstream dance studios that didn’t work for her daughter, she found Miracles in Motion. A dance studio that would meet Leah’s needs. Leah loved it! Denise immediately started volunteering and helping out where she was needed.
In 2015, Kim offered Denise an official position as the studio Secretary and Receptionist. Denise also serves as a board member. These are her ‘official’ titles, but she is so much more than that to Miracles in Motion. Denise can be found doing a multitude of jobs throughout the year. She’s the webmaster, props technician, front and back of house manager at the recital and the list goes on. Denise meets every challenge head-on. She understands the studio’s mission and Kim Moncrief’s vision for the dancers. She will do whatever it takes to ensure dreams come true at MIM. Kim and Denise make quite a team…..Kim runs the ship and Denise makes sure it stays on course!
Denise wants to make a difference in the special needs community through her work at Miracles in Motion. She hopes her work makes a positive impact on the studio she and her daughter love so much.

Nancy Nietman
Director of Development & Community Engagement
Nancy Nietman earned a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Natural
Science, Biology & Secondary Education. After graduation she worked professionally for the Girl
Scouts for 10 years as a Resident Camp Director and Outdoor Program Director in 5 states
before moving to Virginia to direct Camp Kittamaqund. Desiring to stay home during the
summer and enjoy her new home she worked for 7 years as the Director of Operations for Big
Brothers Big Sisters here in Richmond. During her tenure there she gained valuable knowledge
on how to plan large scale community events, obtain corporate sponsors and work with the
media while making their annual Duck Race a very profitable and treasured family event. Upon
leaving Big Brothers Big Sisters she created Successful Events, LLC and put her event planning
skills to work for several Richmond area non-profits helping them take their fundraising events
to the next level in terms of revenue, participation and community awareness. Some of the area
events she worked on include the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation’s Cap-to-Cap Bike Ride,
Community Brain Injury’s Lifting the Silence Gala, Powhatan Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Golf
Tournament and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond’s Step UP for Down
Syndrome 5K & Family Festival. For the past 2 years she worked with River City Inclusive Gym
and helped them raise funds to move into their brand-new gym to help them serve more
children and adults in the special needs community.
When not working Nancy enjoys spending time with her fur baby Chihuahua, Senor Hormiga,
and traveling. Some of her favorite travel memories to date include swimming thru caves in
Playa del Carmen, seeing Denali on a clear day, attending the Tournament of Roses Parade in
Pasadena and swimming with black tip sharks in Bora Bora.
Nancy is super excited to be a part of the Miracles in Motion team and is looking forward to
helping to take MIM to the next level!

Michelle Roberts
Instructor
Michelle Roberts has a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. She knew at an early age she wanted to dance and teach. At age 5, she began her training at Barbara Sheppard's Academy of Dance where she fell in love with tap and jazz under the instruction of former Rockette. Michelle became a member of Barbara's dance company and an instructor by the age of 16. She spent 3 years in Fairfax County Summer School of the Arts Enrichment Program where she was an audition assistant and judge. She continued her dance education training under notable artists such as Doug Varone, Ron Brown, and Bella Lewisky Company.
Michelle’s professional career took her to several dance studios where she trained dancers in all levels and styles of dance. At age 28, Michelle opened her own studio, All Star Dance Academy. For fifteen years she led her competition teams to win many awards and shared her love of Dance with the community. When Michelle isn’t teaching dance, she is gardening, reading, and doing anything possible to be outside. She also loves taking Zumba and chasing around her son, Mason. Michelle has continued her passion for dance throughout the years because of the joy and inspiration she gains from enriching the lives of the dancers. Miracles in Motion is so glad to have Michelle on our teaching staff!

Jaimie Lee Quackenbush
Instructor
Jaimie Lee Quackenbush attended Virginia Commonwealth University in pursuit of her BFA. Her love of movement, working with children and her naturally strong managerial skills brought her to The Little Gym of Glen Allen where she was the director for 8 years. Her strengths for teaching and helping others were obvious to everyone At The Little Gym where she also enjoyed teaching gymnastics, sport skills, dance and karate. It was at The Little Gym that she met Kim Moncrief and Logan. She taught Logan gymnastics for 5 years and her twins, Gibson and Isabella, for 4 years. Jaimie has been a dance and gymnastics teacher, cheer coach, lifeguard and swim instructor. She has participated and excelled in a variety of sports and activities such as cheerleading, show choir, baton twirling, softball, and diving. Cheerleading was her main focus. She cheered for over 10 years on competitive, middle school and high school teams.
Jaimie started volunteering her time with Miracles in Motion in 2014 as the Stage Manager for the 2014 recital and assisted classes in the 2014-2015 season. She has been a Substitute Instructor since 2014 and became a Lead Instructor in 2018. When Jaimie is not in Miracles in Motion classes she is either working at iLoveKickboxing where she is an instructor and Studio Manager, pursuing her photography passion, spending time with her niece, Daisy or doing obstacle course races. Jaimie is excited to be a part of the Miracles in Motion team!!!
See our excitement, watch our moves, learn about our studio!



