Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisia Kazoleas.
Hi Alisia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music and movement have always held a very special place in my heart. As a child, my life wasn’t always easy, and music seemed to provide a safe space where I could express myself freely. I especially loved playing the piano and dancing. I would put on little productions for my mom and her friends, and those moments were often the highlight of my day. I took both dance and music classes, performed in high school musicals, and sang in chorus.
My mom was my biggest fan, and in many ways, my passion for music began with her. She was a professional singer in Russia before immigrating to the United States. She was part of the third wave of Russian immigration and eventually found opportunities to perform in New York, where I was born. She became a popular restaurant performer among her peers, and I grew up surrounded by music and performance.
My love for the arts never dwindled. I initially majored in Performing Arts and later studied Communication Arts. At one point, however, pursuing a career in the arts began to feel unrealistic, so I took a different path and earned my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, specializing in working with children with disabilities.
I eventually worked in an underprivileged school with very limited resources. There, I had the opportunity to direct a Broadway Jr. program for the children, teaching them acting, dancing, and singing. It truly became one of the highlights of my work. Seeing the children find confidence and joy through the arts reminded me of just how powerful creative expression can be.
After starting a family, I stayed home to raise my children. Later, I became certified to teach Zumba and spent some time teaching fitness classes. When both of my children were in school, I returned to working with children with disabilities as an Early Intervention Specialist.
In early intervention, I incorporated a great deal of music, song, and movement into my work. I began to see firsthand just how powerful music could be. I witnessed children who were not yet speaking begin to use their first words through music and song. Music became a bridge—a way to connect, communicate, engage, and express something that sometimes couldn’t be expressed through words alone.
After dedicating eight years to early intervention, I realized I wanted to create something of my own: a music and movement program where the beauty, joy, and therapeutic power of music could be accessible to people of all ages and all abilities.
That vision became Body & Mind in Motion.
Today, my mission is to bring music, movement, and the joy of creative expression into the homes, hearts, schools, programs, and communities of as many people as possible. Whether it’s through dance, live music, singing, movement, or simply creating a moment where someone feels free to express themselves, I want people to experience the same sense of joy and freedom that music gave me as a child.
There truly has been no greater feeling than being able to share something that has brought so much meaning to my own life with others. I believe music and movement have the power to connect us, build confidence, create memories, and remind us that everyone deserves a space where they can simply be themselves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think some of the challenges along the way are what ultimately led me to where I am today.
Growing up in a single-parent household, there were financial hardships, and I learned at a young age what it meant to work hard and contribute. I took on jobs while I was young to help make ends meet. Those experiences taught me independence, responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of never taking opportunities for granted.
At the same time, I struggled with the feeling that pursuing a career in the arts wasn’t practical or realistic. I loved performing, music, and dance, but I eventually chose a more traditional path and earned my master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, specializing in working with children with disabilities. At the time, I thought I was moving away from the arts, but looking back, I realize I was actually gaining skills that would eventually become the foundation for Body & Mind in Motion.
Starting a family also changed the direction of my life. I stepped away from my career to raise my children, and when I was ready to return to the workforce, I had to figure out what the next chapter would look like. I explored different paths, including becoming a Zumba instructor, and eventually returned to working with children with disabilities.
Building my own business has brought an entirely different set of challenges. When you create something from the ground up, you are not only the person providing the service—you are also the marketer, administrator, salesperson, scheduler, problem-solver, and often the person wearing every hat at once. There have been times when I questioned whether I was doing enough or whether the business would grow the way I hoped it would.
Another challenge has been learning how to balance my passion for helping people with the realities of running a sustainable business. Because this work is so personal to me, it can be easy to focus so much on the mission that you forget that the business itself also needs structure, boundaries, and room to grow.
But I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the road doesn’t have to be smooth to be meaningful. Every time I thought I was taking a detour, I was actually gaining an experience, skill, or perspective that eventually brought me closer to my purpose.
Body & Mind in Motion is really the result of all of those chapters coming together—my childhood, my love of music and dance, my experiences as a performer and educator, my work with children with disabilities, becoming a mother, and my desire to make music and movement accessible to everyone.
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But I wouldn’t trade the journey, because every twist and turn helped lead me here.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Body & Mind in Motion, or BAMM, is a music and movement company built around a simple belief: music and movement should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability.
We offer a variety of music, dance, fitness, and movement experiences, including adaptive dance and movement programming, music and movement classes, live music experiences, dance fitness, private instruction, small-group classes, and customized programs for schools, senior centers, adult day programs, rehabilitation programs, community organizations, and other facilities. We can bring our programming directly into a client’s space, or offer it virtually.
My background is what really shapes the work we do. I have a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in working with children with disabilities, and I spent eight years working as an Early Intervention Specialist. I also have a background in performing arts, dance, music, fitness, and musical theater. That combination allows me to look at music and movement not simply as entertainment, but as a way to connect, communicate, build confidence, encourage participation, and create meaningful experiences.
I think we are especially known for making people feel included. Whether I’m working with someone with a disability, a group of young children, older adults, or someone simply looking for a fun way to move and enjoy music, I want them to feel that there is a place for them. We meet people where they are and adapt the experience to their abilities, interests, and needs.
What I’m most proud of are the moments when I see music create a connection that might not have happened otherwise. During my years in early intervention, I witnessed children who weren’t yet speaking begin using words through songs and musical play. Those experiences showed me firsthand how powerful music can be. Today, when I see someone who may have difficulty participating in traditional activities light up during a song, move to the music, gain confidence, or simply smile and feel successful, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
What sets BAMM apart is that we aren’t trying to fit everyone into the same program. We bring the program to the person. We can adapt the music, movement, pace, environment, and level of participation so that everyone can experience success.
Ultimately, I don’t want BAMM to simply be known for dance classes or music programs. I want it to be known for creating joy, connection, confidence, and belonging through music and movement.
Our motto is, “Remember to always love your body and your mind because you’re beautiful inside and out.” That message really captures what BAMM is all about. We want people to feel good about themselves, feel connected to others, and discover the joy of moving, creating, and expressing themselves—exactly as they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bodyandmindinmotion.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/body_andmindinmotion?stkn=MWE1eHFxb3diY21qdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19m9grzQ7b/?mibextid=wwXIfr
