Why movement and dance?
Movement and dance is a great form of exercise for children and adults with or without disabilities. Regardless of your abilities or what shape you are in, you will love moving and dancing!
But it is much more. It opens up a new world for people with disabilities ~~ from improving flexibility, muscle tone and body coordination/motor skills to creating a sense of accomplishment, improving confidence, making new friends and expressing yourself in a safe and relaxed environment.
With experienced instruction and a gentle, patient approach, people of all ages will enjoy participating.
OUR STAFF
María Tomillo—Dance Instructor/Choreographer
María graduated from the University of Valladolid with a B.S. in Art History and a Magna Cum Laude in Master’s in Dance of the XV and XVI Centuries. Her dancing career stared early at the Dance School of Valladolid, where she was a direct disciple of Mariemma. Mariemma was one of the most famous and prestigious Spanish Dance dancers of the 20th Century (www.escueladanzavalladolid.es).
María is from Valladolid, Spain and has moved to the Temecula Valley area. While in Spain, she was the founder, creative director, choreographer and teacher of DyD, “Dance and Diversity”, a group of 25 dancers of all ages focused on the development and artistic growth of students with diverse abilities from pre-school to young adults. (www.companiadyd.blosgpot.com.es). María started with the idea to open dance classes to persons with disabilities and the project evolved and became a non-profit Dance Company, now celebrating 18 years of dance. The dance company performs regularly in the city of Valladolid and has also performed in Madrid and as far away as Portugal.
María was on the dance faculty of the Dance School of Valladolid, where in addition to the DyD program, she taught ballet, body conditioning, ancient dance and all four types of Spanish Dance: Bolera School, Folklore, Flamenco and Stylize Style.
Always curious to know about other dance projects for people with diverse abilities, several years ago María met those who began the Inclusive Movement and Dance project during her summer visits to the United States and joined the company when she relocated. She has choreographed for the company’s original productions of A Very Special Nutcracker..a story of gifts, An Evening in Art, A Story of Gifts, A Gathering for Dance, Rhythms and their most recent production Hopes and Dreams.
Tori Moxley—Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Tori is a Speech-Language Pathologist with Julian Charter School and has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in speech-language pathology from the University of Central Arkansas. She holds a certificate of clinical competence with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and a California state license in speech-language pathology. Tori has been working for sixteen years with children with disabilities from early intervention at the preschool level, K-12 students and young adults completing their adult transition programs. She was also a preschool teacher while in college.
Tori volunteers in the youth ministry at her church, teaching and leading praise and worship. She is a member of the performing arts ministry, helping with and performing in plays, musicals and dances. She is on the worship dance team with her church and performs in services and other venues.
Tori performed in the company’s original production of A Gathering for Dance and has choreographed for the company’s original productions of Rhythms and Hopes and Dreams. She also serves as Vice President of the nonprofit, loves working with the dancers and is glad to be a part of Inclusive Movement and Dance.
Kristin Brown—Instructor/Choreographer Emeritus
Kristin began her study of dance at the age of three. She had the opportunity to study at dance schools in California and Utah where she learned a variety of dance styles including; ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary. She furthered her training in college and received her BA in Dance from Brigham Young University (BYU). While at BYU she was able to perform on the touring company, Contemporary Dance Theatre, and travel with them to India and Colorado.
Kristin worked with renowned choreographers Donald McKayle, Diavolo dancers Jenn and Omar Olivas, Jennifer Backhaus, and others. Kristin received further training at summer intensives including San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Paul Taylor, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She danced with the Utah-based company, SALT Contemporary Dance under the direction of Michelle Nielsen. It was there she was able to work with dancers from North West Dance Project and broaden her artistic abilities. She was a member of Avocado Dance Theater in Temecula for four years and is currently a member of CalliOpus Contemporary Dance.
Kristin has a passion for teaching dance and loves to choreograph. She has choreographed for the company’s original productions of A Very Special Nutcracker..a story of gifts, An Evening in Art, A Story of Gifts, A Gathering for Dance and Rhythms. She choreographed a piece for their most recent production Hopes and Dreams. She also serves as a board member of the nonprofit.
As Instructor Emeritus she instructs and choreographs pieces on a limited basis with Inclusive Movement and Dance while she and her husband raise their four beautiful children, ages one to ten years. She enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time at the beach with her family.
Sarah Vali—Dance Assistant
Sarah is spending her break from college back in Murrieta and is volunteering with Inclusive Movement and Dance again for the summer. She is a veteran volunteer, working with the dance company for several years, including as a Dance Assistant. She has performed in the company’s original production of Rhythms and returned for the weekend of their most recent production, Hopes and Dreams, to help backstage. Sarah just finished her first year of college and will be returning to California Polytechnic State University in September.
Avianna Hughes—Dance Assistant
Avianna has been dancing classical ballet since the age of four and performed in shows such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. For over a decade, she has danced in the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater. Her Nutcracker repertoire consists of several leading roles including last season as Clara.
Avianna attended Murrieta Valley High School and graduated Spring 2025. In high school, Avianna was on the varsity dance team for three years, dancing and choreographing a variety of genres including jazz, pom, contemporary and hip hop. She was also involved in several clubs, such as Society of Women Engineers and served as the National Honor Society president her senior year. Outside of high school she worked as a tutor. She will be heading off to Columbia University to begin her first semester in Fall 2025, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
She has been volunteering at Inclusive Movement and Dance since Spring 2024, and performed in the company’s most recent production of Hopes and Dreams. She absolutely loves dancing alongside the students.
Isabella Heredia—Dance Assistant
Isabella Heredia has been dancing since the age of four and is currently a ballet instructor at The Ballet Studio of Norris Performing Arts Center. She has been dancing ballet for twelve years, and has danced other genres including contemporary, jazz, and tap for five years.
Isabella has performed in many shows--The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Alice in Wonderland to name a few. She has danced many lead roles, including The Snow Queen in The Ballet Studio's production of The Nutcracker this past year. She has been a ballet instructor for two years, running pre-ballet summer programs and preparing young dancers for roles in many classical ballets.
Isabella attends Murrieta Valley High School and will be graduating in Spring 2026. She currently serves as Vice President of the National Honor Society. She works as a tutor as well.
Isabella began volunteering with Inclusive Movement and Dance in Summer 2025 and loves working with the dancers.
Kelaiya Dokes—Dance Assistant
Kelaiya is a second-year college student, majoring in Political Science/International Affairs and the University of California, Riverside. She has an extensive background in both the performing and martial arts.
She has been figure skating and playing piano since the age of two. A passionate vocalist, she sings for her church and has musical theatre experience in productions such as Annie Jr., Julius Caesar and Occupation: Murder.
Kelaiya is an advanced Krav Maga student and has experience teaching martial arts classes for children. She also regularly trains in barre and yoga to stay strong and balanced. In her spare time, she loves to do creative writing and making music.
She joined Inclusive Movement and Dance in Summer 2025 and is so excited to bring her performance experience and positive energy into the dance company.
Amanda Ankele—Dance Assistant
Amanda is a dancer with multiple disabilities who loves to perform contemporary improvisational dance and ballet. She currently studies with Kristin Brown and has performed in many venues including dance recitals, churches, retirement/care facilities, at danceXchange in Temecula, and with a nationally known concert singer.
She is a member of Inclusive Movement and Dance and has performed the company’s original productions of A Very Special Nutcracker..excerpts from The Nutcracker Ballet, The Carnival of the Animals, A Very Special Nutcracker..a story of gifts, An Evening in Art, A Story of Gifts, A Gathering for Dance, Rhythms and their most recent production Hopes and Dreams.
Amanda has been featured in articles in the Press Enterprise describing the various challenges she faces and how dance has made a positive impact in her life. She loves to paint with watercolors and creates a line of greeting cards and wall paintings. She plays violin and played with her church’s youth worship team in high school. Amanda was part of a Temecula Valley Museum exhibit about special needs families in Temecula Valley.
Barbara Ankele—Founder and Business Manager
Barbara is a founder of Inclusive Movement and Dance and has been its business manager since inception. She serves as President of the dance company. which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation supporting dance in the disabled community. She teaches piano to children and adults, including those with disabilities. She has been an accompanist, part of a trio of piano/cello/violin and was the children’s choir director at her church for many years.
Barbara has extensive business experience and holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Finance from San Diego State University. She has served on several boards and in professional organizations and has been actively involved in the community, serving on various committees for the City of Murrieta. She and her daughter Amanda enjoy traveling, hiking, attending cultural events and the theater and working in their backyard garden together.