Meet The Team

Renee Watterson

Renee is the Owner and Artistic Director of Inspire by Movement, bringing over 20 years of experience as a premier dance instructor in the Pittsburgh area. She is also the co-owner of All Out Dance Competition, an active and highly successful competition and convention company serving the northeastern United States. Certified by Dance Masters of America in both tap and jazz, Renee has trained students who have performed with the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and for Radio Disney. A proud Ellwood City native, she is excited to open her own local studio and share her passion for dance with her community.

Kayla Johnston

Kayla serves as the Office Manager at Inspire by Movement, dedicated to helping both students and instructors thrive. With over nine years of experience in the dance world and nearly three years with All Out Dance Competition, she brings passion and organization to every detail. Kayla values family, teamwork, and creating a positive impact in all that she does.

Melanie Kij

Melanie Kij is originally from Orchard Park, New York and has been teaching and choreographing classical ballet for over 40 years. She was trained in the Russian Vaganova method, under the tutelage of teacher, choreographer and director Bernadine DeMike of the Royale Dance Theater. Melanie is a graduate of Pointe Park College holding a degree in both Dance and psychology. She has performed in many original and classic productions with the Royale Dance Theater as well as guest artist with other various companies throughout the years. Melanie has worked with numerous Pittsburgh area schools, including Pointe Park University community class division, Pittsburgh, ballet house, Barb Pope Neely, and many other others in addition to coaching privately. She looks forward to teaching another enthusiastic generation of aspiring ballerinas here at Inspire by Movement with Director Renee Watterson.

Kallista Kij

Kallista is a classical ballet dancer who has performed as a guest artist with the Royale Dance Theater in New York, the Buffalo Opera Unlimited under the direction of Tim Kennedy, and several Pittsburgh-area schools. Trained in the Russian Vaganova syllabus under her mother, Melanie Kij, and director Bernadine DeMike, she has also studied ethnic character dance extensively. In addition to ballet, Kallista brings experience in competitive gymnastics, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop, and she is excited to share her knowledge and passion with Inspire by Movement’s young dancers.

Faith Guy

Faith brings over six years of coaching experience and a lifelong background in gymnastics to Inspire by Movement. A former competitive Level 10 gymnast, she is passionate about helping students build strong foundations, confidence, and creativity in their movement. Faith is also a certified educator with a Master’s focus in Digital Teaching & Learning, combining her expertise in child development with her love of coaching.

Amy Martino

Amy has been passionate about dance for as long as she can remember, training both competitively and recreationally for 16 years. She also spent four years teaching while completing nursing school and now works full-time as a registered nurse. Excited to return to her roots, Amy loves sharing her joy for dance with students and especially enjoys tap and acro, while celebrating the unique value each style brings.

Hannah Vanater

Hannah is a dedicated dance teacher with a strong background in modern, ballet, and jazz. A graduate of Slippery Rock University, she performed in numerous works led by both professors and peers, including a restaging of Martha Graham’s Steps in the Street. Specializing in contemporary floorwork and creative movement, Hannah blends technical training with artistic expression to create dynamic classes. She studied under renowned professors such as Jennifer Keller, Lindsay Viatori, Jesse Factor, and Nora Ambrosio, who helped shape her understanding of dance as both an art form and a discipline. Passionate about empowering her students, Hannah fosters confidence, discipline, and creativity while making dance both challenging and joyful.