Ballet Instructor
Mariea began her dance training at the age of six with the Cobb-Marietta Ballet School, just outside of Atlanta, Ga. At the age of 19, she became a principal dancer with The Georgia Ballet, under the direction of Iris Hensley, and toured Germany as a part of the "Sister City" program. While at The Georgia Ballet, Mariea received training from Iris Hensley, Irene "Bunny" Pollock, Valerie Grieg, Terrell Paulk, Sergiu Stefanci, Vanessa Harwood, and Joanie Stewart.
From 1995-2003, Mariea was the director of Dance Stop Studios Ballet Ensemble instructing and choreographing for pre-professional students. She also danced for the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, from1994-1996, receiving additional training from Martha Goodman and Nicolas Pacana. While at RMDT, she had the opportunity to be in works choreographed by Sarah Yarborough and Jimmy Locust. Mariea participated in Young Audiences, an enrichment program for local schools, and has toured the southeast, performing classical and contemporary works.
Ms. Motter has coached former Miss Georgia and Broadway performer, Stephanie Michels, as well as several other award winning pageant competitors. She also won an honorable mention award in 2000 at the Panoply Arts Choreography Competition for her piece "Legs on the Move".
Mariea has 35 years of experience teaching ages 3-adult. Many of her students have been accepted into intensive programs including: Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, School of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Dance Theater of Harlem, Atlanta Ballet, Orlando Ballet, FSU, and Ballet Magnificat.
Mariea was the founder and Artistic Director of Envision Ballet Theatre (a youth ballet ensemble) from 2009-2018.
