Ms. Aaliyah

Ms. Aaliyah

MindBodyArt Faculty since 2017 | Dance Instructor & NASM-Certified Personal Trainer

Ms. Aaliyah began her dance journey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, training in Hip Hop, Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, and African dance. From a young age, she developed a deep passion for Hip Hop, forming her own dance troupe, Too Hot to Handle, managed by her mother. The troupe competed in numerous showcases and competitions across the Northeast, earning the honor of performing at the legendary Apollo Theatre in 1993.

She pursued formal training in dance and business at Franklin Learning Center High School in Philadelphia, refining her skills in Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, and Ballet. While attending Penn State University, she majored in Management Science and Information Systems and continued to perform with Nomo, an African Dance Ensemble, and The Untouchables, a Hip Hop dance troupe.

After relocating back to Philadelphia in 1999, Ms. Aaliyah taught Inspirational/Lyrical dance part-time at Philly Movements Dance Company (PMDC) while working full-time as a caseworker. Her oldest daughter, Takiyah, also performed on the competition team at PMDC, reflecting Ms. Aaliyah’s commitment to keeping her children involved in her dance journey.

In 2009, she moved to State College, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Joe, and their growing family. Supporting her daughter’s desire to continue performing, she founded her own dance team, Aaliyah’s Cutting Edge, teaching Hip Hop and Lyrical dance. The team performed at local events, competitions, and conventions, establishing a reputation for excellence and creativity.

Ms. Aaliyah joined MindBodyArt School of Dance in 2017, where she currently teaches Hip Hop, Strength, and Flexibility classes, emphasizing both technique and the rich history of Hip Hop. She is Acrobatic Arts certified and a NASM-certified personal trainer, integrating flexibility, strength, balance, tumbling skills, functional movement, injury prevention, and performance conditioning into her classes to support optimal dancer development.

With over 30 years of dance experience, Ms. Aaliyah has successfully coached dancers ages 3 through adult, from recreational students to competitive performers, in group classes, private coaching, and team choreography sessions. Known for her high-energy, empowering instruction, she focuses on building confidence, technique, and discipline while fostering a positive, inclusive environment where dancers feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow.

Ms. Aaliyah believes that dance is life-changing. It has provided her with structure, success, and a sense of community, and she strives to pass that gift to the next generation. Through dance, her students learn teamwork, leadership, discipline, and a sense of family—all while discovering the joy of movement.