Early Career

Teena Marie was born into a family that owned Arthur Murray Dance Studios. She took her first dance lesson at age 5, began competing and performing at 11, and became a champion by 15. Just two weeks before her 18th birthday, she launched her teaching career and has consistently earned top teacher awards ever since.

Moving to Augusta

In 1989 she sold her studio in New Haven, CT., when she married her husband Rick and moved to Augusta. In 1990 she brought her expertise in dancing and teaching to the Garden City. In 1992 she opened The Ballroom Dance Center where she trained many area ballroom teachers and students, alike.

Founding Ballrom In Motion

In March of 2002, Ms. Marie opened Ballroom in Motion to pursue a personal goal: creating a dance studio that puts students first. As the slogan says, “BALLROOM IN MOTION WITH TEENA MARIE — IT’S THE FUN PLACE TO BE!”. In 2009, Ballroom in Motion became the first studio in our region to host a professional ballroom Dancesport competition: The Garden City Dance Challenge, which drew dancers from across the country.

Community Service & Fundraising

Ballroom in Motion takes community service to heart, especially through fundraising. Ms. Marie believes that when a business receives strong community support, it’s their responsibility to give back in every way possible. Over the years, she has supported numerous causes, including:

• The Miracle Ball benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network
• The Wounded Warriors Project
• Fischer House
• The Pink Party for University Hospital’s Breast Health Center
• Relay for Life
• Toys for Tots (annually)

Since 2013, she has supported the Alzheimer’s Association by performing in Dancing Stars of Augusta. She also serves on the “Fake It to Make It” committee, benefiting SafeHomes of Augusta, helping raise over $1 million since its founding in 2016. Teena has always believed that a small business should give back to the community that supports it