We are so excited to have the following guest artists come this summer to teach and inspire our dancers!
Christina Belinsky
Christina is a dancer, choreographer, film-maker, and dance educator based in the Western Mountains of Maine. She is a graduate of Dean College with an A.A. in Dance and University of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance Performance. Her career spans many genres of dance from ballet to musical theatre, concert dance to television and film. Favorite credits include 1st Broadway National Tour of Finding Neverland (Ensemble/ Peter Pan cover), the National tour of Joseph…Dreamcoat (Dance Captain/Swing), the International tour of The Aluminum Show (Dance Captain/Swing), HGTV, MTV, Dance Mom’s, HBO’s The Gilded Age Seasons 1-3 and Westworld. She has worked with industry leaders such as Andy Blankenbuehler, Mia Michaels, Karla Puno Garcia, Joey Pizzi, Stephanie Klemmons, Nancy Braun and John Carrafa. Christina is the founder of “The Dance Advance”, a pre-professional intensive offering one-of-a-kind workshops and seminars. She has been a guest teacher at Broadway Dance Center, Think Tank NYC, New York City’s Stage Door Connections as well various universities, studios and dance conventions throughout the country. Christina ‘s choreography has been presented at Majestic Empire Theatre in San Antonio, Philadelphia’s Drake Theater, The Tank NYC, The Muse Brooklyn, New Hampshire’s Majestic and Palace Theatre, Boston’s Dance Complex, Third Life Choreographers’ Series as well as at the Built On Stilts Performing Arts Festival on Martha’s Vineyard. Christina is the founder and producer of the Artists in Motion Film Festival at the Gem Theater in Bethel, Maine. Her dance films have been screened at Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center, American Dance Festival, SXSW Music and Film Festival, LA Dance Film Festival and commissioned by the New England Dance Fund and the Maine Arts Commission. She is the creator of Artists In Motion Apparel, an upcycled hand silk-screen printed dance studio-to-streetwear clothing brand @artistsinmotionapparel Christina is proud to be a member of Actors’ Equity, SAG/AFTRA and a founding member of Impact Dance Adjudicators
Natalie Bronfine
Natalie Bronfine has been dancing all her life and has been a part of Allegro Dance Academy since the age of 6. She is a recent graduate from UMass Amherst, where graduated with a BBA in Marketing and danced and choreographed on a student-run dance team. Over the past few years, Natalie has taught children of all ages and hopes to inspire her students to fall in love with dance the way she has. Natalie’s passion has always lied in building community through dance.
Camryn Brothers
Camryn Brothers (she/her) is a professional dancer and choreographer originally from Billerica, MA. She grew up dancing at Dance Etc, and trained and performed throughout the tri-state area with Aurora Borealis Dance Company.
It was during this time in which Camryn realized that she had a passion for movement and creation. Immediately after graduating high school, Camryn moved to New York City to complete Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program where she trained closely with their world renowned faculty.
She has worked closely and assisted artists such as Cat Cogliandro, Neil Schwartz, Hayden J Frederick, and Emily Greenwell to name a few.
Camryn has choreographed for Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester students, and hosts monthly classes at Ripley Grier Studios in Manhattan. She is also currently on faculty at Rockwell Dance Center. Camryn consistently puts fun and authenticity at the forefront of all of her work.
Kirsten Coco
Kirsten Coco is a performer, choreographer, and teacher based in New York City. She is originally from Salem, NH and grew up dancing at Donna Coco’s Performance Plus in Salisbury, MA. Kirsten received her BFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 2019. Since graduating, Kirsten’s performance credits include: Company dancer with Ballet Nepantla (currently), Jon Lehrer Dance Company, Groundworks Dance Theatre, Z Artists Group, and Chutzpah Dance. Other credits include The Aditya Birla Awards in Mumbai, India, Jeremy Nelson’s “Unfurled” at Radio City Music Hall, The Scottish Ballet Dance Exchange at the Joyce Theatre, and the Dance Spirit Magazine “Audition Wear” photoshoot and article. Kirsten has also shared her choreography at the Jack Crystal Theatre in NYC and has the pleasure of teaching and choreographing at dance studios across New England. Throughout her dance journey, Kirsten has found that her love for dance is able to be shared with dancers of all ages through her choreography and teaching, because it allows her to spread knowledge and curiosity to others through her movement.
Kelsie Crowley
Kelsie Crowley is a professional dancer from Boston, Massachusetts. Having trained and studied in numerous forms of dance since an early age, She graduated from the Dean College Joanne Palladio School Of Dance with her BFA in Dance , B.S. in Business, and A.A. in Early Childhood Education. Though not limited to, she is known for her Hip Hop and Jazz choreography and performances. Kelsie has worked with many artists such as Flo Rider, New Kids On The Block, and Demi Lovato. Kelsie is also a Competition Adjudicator, judging for multiple competitions all over the US and in Europe for the past 9 years. She also knows the role as a studio owner, and is invested in her students’ growth and development as pre-professional dancers. She has been teaching numerous styles of dance including Hip Hop, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Heels, Contemporary, Lyrical,Tap, Musical Theater, Technique Leaps Jumps and Turns, Stretch and Strengthening for over 10 years. As well, Kelsie is a Certified Degreed Member of Dance Masters of America and Dance Masters of New England Chapter 5. Kelsie has been interviewed and published in Dance Spirit Magazine in regards to her experience as a studio owner, teacher, and Judge in the competitive dance world. As well she holds multiple competitive accolades for her choreography including IDA People’s Choice Awards, IDA Best in Category, Choreography Awards, Titleist, Most Entertaining, National dance team invitations, first place overalls, top tens, UDA top three placements, and more. Kelsie has a love and passion for teaching, and strives in advancing dancers not only physically but also with the history, knowledge, and love of dance.
Heather Easley
Heather Easley is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and artistic director originally from Columbus, Ohio. She grew up attending dance competitions and conventions before later going on to receive her BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Heather has performed across the US and internationally as a freelance artist, as well as a company dancer. Along with performing, Heather has a deep love for teaching and choreographing. She regularly works as a guest instructor, working with studios throughout the country. In 2022, Heather joined Dance Division Faculty as an Associate Professor at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. There, she had the pleasure of working with both Commercial and Contemporary dance majors, as well as joining staff for the Summer Dance Intensive. Heather brings her expertise in teaching into choreographing and adjudicating. Her choreography has been presented at The Boston Conservatory Theater, the Paramount Theater, Agganis Arena, and more. She has worked in collaboration with Berklee’s Dancing With the Stars benefit show, HBO, Cirque du Soleil, and had the pleasure of choreographing Berklee’s Honorary Doctorate Concert, honoring Roberta Flack, Usher, and Sona Jobarteh. As an adjudicator, Heather has been on many panels for the past 4 years, working with various organizations. Heather loves to bring her competition and professional background together to provide the best feedback possible to those she works with.
Rory Freeman
Rory Freeman has performed around the world since he began his classical training in Pawtucket, RI. He toured with many productions across the nation, known for his spotlight role as a member of Shaping Sound. By age 12, he was enrolled at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, but returned to Rhode Island to graduate from Classical High School in 2006. He continued his studies with Rennie Gold at The Gold School in Brockton, Massachusetts, and earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from the State University of New York at Purchase. After college, he traveled the world with the contemporary dance company MOMIX and appeared with Earth, Wind and Fire, as well as in music videos with Taylor Swift and Paula Abdul. He is the co-founder of Move the Initiative, a dance intensive that truly unifies dancers. He works to create a space where dancers can discover their sense of self while being inspired. Most recently, he performed in Sonya Tayeh’s full-length show in NYC. You may also have seen him as a featured dancer on America’s Got Talent Season 11.
Rodney Gore
Rodney, originally from Tabor City, North Carolina, embarked on his dance journey at Amy’s Academy of Dance Arts in Chadbourn, North Carolina, igniting his passion at the age of 12. Complementing his profound dance training, Rodney earned his BA in Communications with a concentration in Dance from Bridgewater State University. During his college years, Rodney’s talent caught the attention of the prestigious Joffrey Ballet, where he was accepted as a trainee, further enriching his skills and artistry. He boasts a distinguished background as a national/international champion competitive cheerleader and dancer, having showcased his talent with esteemed groups such as Coker College, Bridgewater State University’s Dance Company, Bridgewater State Dance Team, Impact Dance Company, and collaborations on commercial ventures with Danity Kane.
Recognized for his exceptional acrobatic skills, Rodney holds tumbling certification from The United States All Star Federation, Acrobatic Arts, PBT and Building Blocks. His choreographic prowess has consistently garnered accolades with numerous overall high scores at regional, national, and international competitions. Rodney’s instructional approach is characterized by its uplifting and contemporary style, embodying the words of Aubrey Lynch: “To Touch, To Move, To Inspire, This is the true gift of dance.” His dedication to the art form drives him to impart his knowledge, guiding others to connect with their bodies and resonate with the emotions and spirits of fellow dancers.
Meghan Hamilton
Meghan Hamilton is a dance teacher and choreographer with over 20 years of experience with dancers of all ages. She is proficient in Ballet, Jazz. Lyrical, Contemporary, Horton and Graham- based Modern, Tap. Pre-ballet, Conditioning/Leaps and Turns, and Acrobatics. Meghan taught for 14 years at Erin Rae’s School of Dance and 18 years at Art in Motion Academy of Dance, both in southeastern Massachusetts. Meghan was the Company Director at Art in Motion and continues to choreograph for their team. She now resides in New Hampshire with her wife, daughter, and twin boys.
Meghan’s love for dance began at a young age, and she always knew that she wanted to teach in order to share this passion and inspire other dancers. She holds an Associates of the Arts from Dean College, where she was a member of the Dean College Dance Company and Dance Team. She continues her education by attending many programs, classes, and conventions, including Boston Conservatory Summer Program, Boston Ballet, Acrobatic Arts, DanceLife Retreat Center, and Dance Teacher Life Conference, She attributes her success as a teacher to the mentors that trained her, including Ann-marie Basara, Kym and Patti Eisenhower, Nailah Belanger, Jill Silverman, Maryanne Kodzis, Joan Palladino, Sean Curran, and especially the late Marianne Harkless who first sparked her love for modern and contemporary ballet.
Her choreography is as versatile as the many styles she teaches. Meghan’s pieces have been recognized at Regional and National competitions by winning top cores, entertainment and choreography awards. She was honored to be nominated for Headliners Choreographer of the Year and win the National Choreography Award at Spirit of Dance Awards in 2015 and 2016. Her teaching philosophy focuses on fostering a supportive environment where students can express themselves, build confidence, and develop their skills. Meghan believes in the importance of technique, discipline, and creativity, and strives to incorporate these elements into all her classes. She enjoys teaching and training all levels of dancers and helping students grow a better understanding of their technique and artistry.
Devon Larcher
Devon Larcher has been dancing since the age of 10, training in all styles of dance. In his early years, Devon was trained as a television and movie actor through the program A.C.T. in Providence Rhode Island, where he grew up. Along with this program, Devon had the opportunity to attend the Jacqueline M Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts and continued his training at Shannon O’ Brien School of Dance. During the start of his professional career Devon traveled internationally to Hengshui, China for their Inaugural Arts Festival. Here, in the states, he has worked with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Part of the Oath, Bill Evans Dance Company, Ten31, Fusionworks Dance Co., and Urbanity Dance. These early opportunities have led Devon to where he is now, which is a company member with the world-renowned Koresh Dance Company for 6 years. As a performer with Koresh, Devon has been performing to sold out audiences nationally and internationally.
Some more fun facts about Devon:
Devon has won several regional, national, and Worlds choreography awards throughout his career. American Dance Awards awarded Devon the title of Americas National Young Choreographer of the Year.
Devon is currently a director and elite judge for one of the largest dance competitions in the USA, Starbound National Talent Competition. When not spending the weekend with Koresh or Starbound, Devon shares his broad knowledge and talents teaching & choreographing at studios, conventions and universities across the United States and abroad
Tristan Marshall
Tristan Marshall began his dance training at the age of 14 in Plymouth, MA. He trained extensively in ballet, hiphop, contemporary, lyrical, modern, and jazz, and competed in those styles for 3 years. From there, he went on to receive his Bachelor of the Arts in Dance from Hofstra University on Long Island, NY in 2019. Throughout his time in this dance program, Tristan received many accolades for his choreography. Since graduating, he has found a love for teaching & working with young students. During the school year, he teaches at local studios, with a focus in technique and artistry, regardless of the style he’s teaching. Then, throughout the summer, he travels to different studios to teach at workshops, intensives & choreograph. On top of teaching, in the winter & spring, he works with Sheer Elite International Dance Competition as an Announcer, Awards Manager & Events Director. Tristan loves travelling, so getting to combine these two passions is something he looks forward to each year. He performed with DanceWorks New York City for four seasons and had choreographed three pieces for their company; one virtual & two main stage. Having recently moved back to Massachusetts, Tristan is excited to continue growing as an Artist & Educator, and looks forward to starting his new journey with DanceWorks Boston!
Chelsea McNamara
Chelsea is a New York Based artist who has received her BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with a minor in Business, Entertainment, Media and Technology. Originally from New Hampshire, she grew up competing in several genres of dance, including ballet, Pointe, contemporary, modern, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop at Kathy Blake Dance Studios. She attended several prestigious summer dance intensives including Alonzo King Lines Ballet and Boston Ballet. In the summer of 2021, she traveled to Agropoli, Italy to perform in the Agropoli Danza Festival where she worked with notable Italian choreographers. Now, she continues to work professionally in New York City. She has most recently worked with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company, Stephen Petronio, and Rhonda Malkin.
Marissa Miller
Marissa began dancing at an early age and is a graduate of Erica’s Dance Academy in 2017. Marissa’s love for dance led her to Dean College where she graduated with the class of 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Dance and an Associate’s in Exercise Science. In 2018, Marissa had the pleasure of being a dancer for an up and coming dance company called Expressive Movement based out of Boston and was lucky enough to tour the New England area in its first Tour. She also had the pleasure of dancing with BCDP under the Direction of Skooj, dancing for 3 seasons and interning for 1. Marissa has been teaching for 7 years at Erica’s Dance Academy teaching all ages of dancers from recreational to competitive. She has also been all over New England to share her craft with students. She loves to learn as much as teaching and is apart of Julie Kay’s studio training to help further her teaching.
Candace Mitchell
Candace is a professional dancer, choreographer, classical coach, and teacher from Boston, MA. Her early training focused in The Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus, of which she has completed, and has continued into her current teaching and performing career. She has received a BA in dance and business from Dean college Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance. While there, she completed an internship with the Boston Ballet, working with their Education and Community Initiative program to help bring dance into Boston public schools. She received awards for excellence in dance, choreography, and academics, and participated in the ACDA New England Gala Concert. Some of the choreographers she has worked with include Laura Young, James Morrow, Kristina Berger, Bill Evans, and Ricardo Foster. She has also performed in festivals with companies such as Urbanity Dance, and Koresh Dance Company. She has received multiple accolades for her competitive pieces such as choreography awards, top placements, titles, and choice awards from a variety of competitions including top 24 placements at YAGP and 1st overall placements at UBC. Candace is currently judging, choreographing, and focusing on the education of her students.
Piper Otis
Piper Otis is a dancer and educator pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance at the University of Hartford’s, Hartt School (2027). With a strong foundation in ballet pedagogy, kinesiology, dance performance, and music theory, her training spans ballet, jazz, Limón, Graham, Cunningham, Paul Taylor. Passionate about fostering a non-judgmental, exploratory learning environment, Piper emphasizes self-expression, collaboration, and creativity in both her performance and teaching. Her training includes intensives at the Graham School (winter & summer 2024), CLI Conservatory (summer 2024), and NSquared Dance Company (summer 2022), as well as extensive competitive dance experience in jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, ballet, and contemporary fusion. Following graduation, she aspires to join a contemporary company, choreograph innovative works, and establish her own dance company dedicated to artistic excellence and community-driven movement.
Todd Shanks
Todd Shanks has been featured in Dance, Dance Spirit, Dance Studio Life, Dance Teacher, and Dancer magazines. As a performer, he has appeared in music videos, commercials, and TV programs such as The Electric Company, The View, and Good Day NY, as well as campaigns for Volvo, Ford Motors, Wrigley’s, and more. On stage, he has performed with Synthesis Dance Project, Jette Performance Company, The Westchester Philharmonic, and at the NFL Kickoff shows in 2015 and 2017. His choreography has been featured in a BIC “Soleil” commercial, The View, ABC Nightly News, NYC’s Carnival, and a New Line Cinema production. Todd spent over a decade on faculty at Steps on Broadway and has taught at institutions such as the University of Florida, Boston University, Skidmore College, Ballet Hispanico, and many more. He is currently the Program Coordinator for the Palladino School of Dance and an Assistant Professor at Dean College, as well as touring with Manhattan Dance Project, Revel Dance Competition and Dance Educators of America.
Emma Washburn
Emma Washburn has over 18 years of dance experience and education. She is a skilled and passionate dancer who brings her knowledge and love of dance to every class. Emma is well versed in various dance styles including ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, and lyrical. Growing up in New Hampshire, Emma competed in numerous dance competitions, took many different classes with experienced instructors, and grew her love for dance. Emma now shares her expertise, teaching throughout the state, inspiring and motivating dancers. Emma is excited to see all the unique talents of each dancer, while helping guide them through their dance journey. Her goal is to push dancers to explore their full potential, feel comfortable to try new things and challenge themselves, while pushing them to explore their emotional and physical commitment to the art of dance.
