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- 217 S Claremont St, San Mateo, CA
- +1 (415) 851-6501
Welcome to the Motion Arts Center, a stunning state-of-the-art dance and fitness studio nestled in the heart of downtown San Mateo! Our studio is designed to inspire and ignite your passion for dance. As a drop-in studio, you have the freedom to visit us anytime and join a wide range of offerings from our daily schedule, including Group & Fitness Classes, Dance Parties, Workshops, and so much more!
In our studio, we believe in creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere where you can explore the joy of dance. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, our professional dance teachers are here to guide and inspire you. Join our dynamic community of dancers and embark on a journey of growth, creativity, and connection.
We are proud to have two convenient locations: the BigMAC at 217 S Claremont St and the MiniMAC at 525 E 3rd Avenue, both situated just around the corner from each other. With easy access to the 101 highway and 92 freeway, our studios are ideally located between San Francisco and San Jose. Additionally, the San Mateo CalTrain Station is only a 3-minute walk away, making it a breeze to reach us. Surrounding our studio, you’ll find a wealth of fantastic restaurants, shops, and even a Century 12 movie theater, all within walking distance.
We also provide studio rental options for individuals and groups who wish to practice, host dance classes, or organize events. Our studio spaces offer a stunning backdrop for your artistic pursuits and provide the perfect setting for your creativity to flourish.
We can’t wait to welcome you and meet you on the dance floor! Join us soon and let the rhythm move you as you immerse yourself in the magic of dance. Get ready to unleash your potential, make lasting connections, and embark on an incredible dance journey.
THE STUDIO: The Motion Arts Center is a beautiful state-of-the-art dance studio located in downtown San Mateo. It is a drop-in studio, which means you can stop by at any time and take classes from our daily schedule of Group & Fitness Classes, Dance Parties, Workshops and more! The studio space is also open for rental to practice, host group dance classes and events.
In our group classes, we strive to create a very fun and friendly atmosphere for you to learn how to dance. Whether your are a total beginner or an experience dancer, come and learn from our professional dance teachers and join the wonderful community of dancers.
We have two locations, the BigMAC at 217 S Claremont St and the MiniMAC at 525 E 3rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA (right around the corner from each other).
The dance studios are closed to 101 highway and 92 freeway (between San Francisco and San Jose) and a 3 minute walk from the San Mateo CalTrain Station. Within walking distance there are many great restaurants, shops and a Century 12 movie theater.
We look forward to meeting you in the dance floor soon!
The Directors: Gustavo and Jesica Hornos, USA Tango Stage Champions, are originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina the world capital of Tango. They are the studio directors of Motion Arts Center. From a very early age, they both began to develop a passion and interest for dance and music.
Gustavo’s connection to Tango began from the time when he was born. The reason being that his parents met each other dancing Tango in the clubs of Argentina, when it was more of a typical dance and everyone got together to have a good time. His father, a tango dancer who was also a musician guided his first Tango steps when the family would gather around for parties.
When Gustavo was a boy his father would put his little feet on top of his to mark the steps together. As a young child, he would always be picked as the lead role for the school plays and shows where he learned and performed the folkloric dances of his country.
As time passed, Gustavo realized that Tango was his passion. He deeply felt the profound meaning of the lyrics, the energy of the music and the beauty of the dance. He was hooked by the magic world of the Milongas (Tango Parties) and he decided to learn from many of the greatest dancers in the city.
He was exposed to many different styles of Tango and he always wanted to develop a way that gives more importance to the sense of “being dancing with a partner”. Thanks to this exposure he created his unique tanguero style. Gustavo teaches and performs with Jesica, his Tango and life partner. Amazingly, they met each other dancing Tango at a Milonga.
Jesica Hornos began her dance training at the age of 4, and was studying at the Escuela Nacional de Danzas by the age of 6. This was her first introduction to Tango and other Argentinian folkloric dances. When she was 11, Jesica was accepted into the world renowned Teatro Colon in Argentina where she studied there for the next two years until she moved to the United Sates. Then, she began her dance training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary at the University of Akron, Dance Institute in Ohio under the wonderful direction of Gena Carroll and Lana Carroll Heylock.
She also studied at Steps in New York City as well as the Royal Ballet of Flanders in Belgium. At age 17, Jesica joined the Ohio Ballet were she danced professionally for 4 years with director and choreographer Jeffrey Hughes. Later on, she moved to California were she studied with Alonzo King, director of Lines Ballet in San Francisco. Jesica has also been dancing and training in latin dances such as Salsa, Bachata and Merengue. She is also a certified Yoga instructor.
Jesica was always very attracted to Argentine Tango. She felt she was able to express herself more deeply, and was amazed by the sensual, smooth and refined movements of this dance. One wonderful night at a Milonga in Stanford, Jesica saw a gentleman with a fancy striped black and white pants dancing so beautifully. She was totally captivated by the fluidity and skills of his movements. At the same time, because she didn’t know how to tango at that level, she was a little afraid that he might ask her to dance. Then, whilst chatting among other dancers in the room, she heard his deep voice saying “would you like to dance with me?”. She turned her head around and saw that it was the gentleman with the fancy stripped pants, it was Gustavo, she was shocked! It was clear that this was the best dance she ever had, period. So she decided to start studying the Art of Tango with him. Their connection was so deep that they became tango and life partners ever since.
In 2011 Gustavo and Jesica Hornos competed in New York and won the First Place becoming the official USA Argentine Tango Stage Champions.
The Directors: Gustavo and Jesica Hornos, USA Tango Stage Champions, are originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina the world capital of Tango. They are the studio directors of Motion Arts Center. From a very early age, they both began to develop a passion and interest for dance and music.
Gustavo’s connection to Tango began from the time when he was born. The reason being that his parents met each other dancing Tango in the clubs of Argentina, when it was more of a typical dance and everyone got together to have a good time. His father, a tango dancer who was also a musician guided his first Tango steps when the family would gather around for parties.
When Gustavo was a boy his father would put his little feet on top of his to mark the steps together. As a young child, he would always be picked as the lead role for the school plays and shows where he learned and performed the folkloric dances of his country.
As time passed, Gustavo realized that Tango was his passion. He deeply felt the profound meaning of the lyrics, the energy of the music and the beauty of the dance. He was hooked by the magic world of the Milongas (Tango Parties) and he decided to learn from many of the greatest dancers in the city.
He was exposed to many different styles of Tango and he always wanted to develop a way that gives more importance to the sense of “being dancing with a partner”. Thanks to this exposure he created his unique tanguero style. Gustavo teaches and performs with Jesica, his Tango and life partner. Amazingly, they met each other dancing Tango at a Milonga.
Jesica Hornos began her dance training at the age of 4, and was studying at the Escuela Nacional de Danzas by the age of 6. This was her first introduction to Tango and other Argentinian folkloric dances. When she was 11, Jesica was accepted into the world renowned Teatro Colon in Argentina where she studied there for the next two years until she moved to the United Sates. Then, she began her dance training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary at the University of Akron, Dance Institute in Ohio under the wonderful direction of Gena Carroll and Lana Carroll Heylock.
She also studied at Steps in New York City as well as the Royal Ballet of Flanders in Belgium. At age 17, Jesica joined the Ohio Ballet were she danced professionally for 4 years with director and choreographer Jeffrey Hughes. Later on, she moved to California were she studied with Alonzo King, director of Lines Ballet in San Francisco. Jesica has also been dancing and training in latin dances such as Salsa, Bachata and Merengue. She is also a certified Yoga instructor.
Jesica was always very attracted to Argentine Tango. She felt she was able to express herself more deeply, and was amazed by the sensual, smooth and refined movements of this dance. One wonderful night at a Milonga in Stanford, Jesica saw a gentleman with a fancy striped black and white pants dancing so beautifully. She was totally captivated by the fluidity and skills of his movements. At the same time, because she didn’t know how to tango at that level, she was a little afraid that he might ask her to dance. Then, whilst chatting among other dancers in the room, she heard his deep voice saying “would you like to dance with me?”. She turned her head around and saw that it was the gentleman with the fancy stripped pants, it was Gustavo, she was shocked! It was clear that this was the best dance she ever had, period. So she decided to start studying the Art of Tango with him. Their connection was so deep that they became tango and life partners ever since.
In 2011 Gustavo and Jesica Hornos competed in New York and won the First Place becoming the official USA Argentine Tango Stage Champions.
Gustavo and Jesica
at the San Francisco Premier of the 2012 HBO movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn”
with Oscar Winner actress Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen & Director Philip Kauffman
Gustavo and Jesica
at the San Francisco Premier of the 2012 HBO movie “Hemingway and Gellhorn”
with Oscar Winner actress Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen & Director Philip Kauffman
They are featured dancers in the Tropicana Club scenes.
“Hemingway and Gellhorn” movie was nominated with
15 Emmy Awards
They are featured dancers in the Tropicana Club scenes.
“Hemingway and Gellhorn” movie was nominated with
15 Emmy Awards
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