Owner/Director/Head Teacher:
Ms. Melissa
Miss Melissa began dancing when she was three years old. She danced her early years with Ms. Jean's School of Dance, formerly of Hudson, MA, and Sue's Dance Studio of Marlborough, MA. It wasn't until Ms. Melissa started dancing at Hudson Dance Academy formerly of Hudson, MA that she realized her passion for dance. She studied many types of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics and lyrical. At the age of 13 she became an assistant teacher. Two years later at the age of fifteen, Ms. Melissa was offered a teaching position. During High School, Ms. Melissa became known at her studio of over 100+ dancers for being the best tap dancer at the studio.
After graduating high school Ms. Melissa went on to Dean College. While in Dean College Ms. Melissa studied Dance, training with Joan Palladino, Clyde Nantais, Jean Wenzel and Nailah Randall-Bellinger in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and creative movement. Melissa also has three years of Psychology background in college.
While in college Melissa taught at a studio owned by her sister, Lindsey's School of Dance. Her choreography became well recognized by parents and students while at Lindsey's School of Dance. She was also known for being the strict teacher. Ms. Melissa taught at Lindsey's School of Dance for six years.
In August of 2004 Ms. Melissa opened Princeton Academy of Dance. It was then that she realized what her calling was, to own her own dance studio. It is the one true thing that she has always been passionate about in life.
Princeton Academy of Dance is now entering it's eigth year and continuously grows thanks to wonderful reviews from satisfied customers.
Ms. Melissa is constantly looking for ways to expand her knowledge of dance by attending competitions, keeping up with what is new in the dance world and has attended many dance conventions. Ms. Melissa is also a Professional Representative for 2007 and 2010 National Dance Week. Ms. Melissa's dancers have placed well at competitions earning High Gold, Gold as well as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and Winning Titles.
Princeton Academy of Dance was recognized at the 2008 Olympic Miss Dance Competition for it's age appropriate costuming and music, which is very important to our studio.
Ms. Melissa has one daughter, age 5 who already loves to dance, taking three dance classes a week and a boy, age 2 who loves dancing as well and takes one preschool dance class.
Besides her children, the most important thing in Ms. Melissa's life is her dancer's. She expects and accepts only the best for them. Providing them with the best possible dance training, choreography, self-esteem and motivation.
Associate Teachers -
Miss Marney - Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical Teacher
Miss Marney has been dancing for eleven years at various
locations. She currently studies in Ballet, Tap, Jazz,
Modern, Hip Hop and Latin Dance. She has participated
in three dance competitions and has won many awards for
dance. Miss Marney currently attends Fitchburg State
College where she majors in business with hopes of
opening her own dance studio one day. Miss Marney's
dancers won Gold and High Gold titles in the 2011
Step Up 2 Dance competition.
Miss Taylor- Modern, Acrobatics Teacher
Miss Taylor has been dancing with Princeton Academy of Dance
for six years. She assisted many classes for four years and began
teaching in Fall of 2009. Miss Taylor is great with younger dancers
and will be teaching our Junior level in the fall. Miss Taylor
currently studies Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical
and Acrobatics. She has participated in many competitions
winning Gold and High Gold titles.
Miss Niki- Hip Hop & Jazz, Acrobatics Teacher
Miss Niki has been dancing with Princeton Academy of Dance for
six years. She assisted many classes for three years and began
teaching in Fall of 2009. Miss Niki currently studies Ballet, Pointe,
Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical and Acrobatics. Miss Niki has
participated in many competitions winning Gold and High Gold
titles.
Miss Sarah- Jazz, Tap Teacher
Miss Sarah has been dancing with Princeton Academy of Dance
for seven years. She assisted for three years and began teaching
her first class in Fall of 2010. Miss Sarah is a talented dancer, training
in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical and Acrobatics.
She has participated in many competitions and has won several Gold
and High Gold Awards. Miss Sarah was our "Dancer of The Year" in
2005 and was casted as Clara in our 2006 productions of the Nutcracker.
Assistants -
Assistants are students of Princeton Academy of Dance chosen by Ms. Melissa to assist with younger dancers. These assistants begin to learn the teaching process while learning to work with children. Our assisting program is a volunteer position. Assistants learn skills that will last a lifetime and help them in everything they do with their lives. It teaches responsibility, as well as earning hours for volunteer work.
Class Assistants-
Miss Becky; Miss Madeleine; Miss Taylor; Miss Autumn
