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Kelly Chadwick
Artistic Director/Owner
Teacher
Kelly Chadwick is passionate about the art of dance as well as the gift of teaching. Trained by nationally recognized dance educator Thelma Goldberg, Kelly learned not only great technique, but also how dance can positively influence people and help shape a community. Under Ms. Goldberg’s direction, Kelly was accepted as one of the first team members of the Legacy Dance Company, where she had the opportunity to perform and compete at venues both locally and nationally. In 1996, Kelly earned her 3-year Dance Teacher’s Training Certification from the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston where she was awarded a full tuition scholarship in 1995, based on achieving high exam and performance scores. In 2004, she founded The Next Step Dance Company under the direction of Pamela Caira at Step-by-Step Dance Studio where she managed and coached the team for four years. Recently, Kelly earned certification in Progressing Ballet Technique. In addition to her dance credentials, Kelly proudly holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in Interdisciplinary Health Services and a Master of Arts degree from Lesley University in Cambridge in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in School Guidance grades 5-12. Kelly joined North Shore Performing Arts Center (NSPAC) as a faculty member in 2012 under the direction of Marie McDermet. In 2021, she assumed ownership of the studio and changed its name to Elevate Dance Center to better reflect her vision. She is thrilled to be able to share her passion for the art of dance with the next generation of dancers.
Teacher
Kelly Chadwick is passionate about the art of dance as well as the gift of teaching. Trained by nationally recognized dance educator Thelma Goldberg, Kelly learned not only great technique, but also how dance can positively influence people and help shape a community. Under Ms. Goldberg’s direction, Kelly was accepted as one of the first team members of the Legacy Dance Company, where she had the opportunity to perform and compete at venues both locally and nationally. In 1996, Kelly earned her 3-year Dance Teacher’s Training Certification from the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston where she was awarded a full tuition scholarship in 1995, based on achieving high exam and performance scores. In 2004, she founded The Next Step Dance Company under the direction of Pamela Caira at Step-by-Step Dance Studio where she managed and coached the team for four years. Recently, Kelly earned certification in Progressing Ballet Technique. In addition to her dance credentials, Kelly proudly holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in Interdisciplinary Health Services and a Master of Arts degree from Lesley University in Cambridge in Counseling Psychology, with a specialization in School Guidance grades 5-12. Kelly joined North Shore Performing Arts Center (NSPAC) as a faculty member in 2012 under the direction of Marie McDermet. In 2021, she assumed ownership of the studio and changed its name to Elevate Dance Center to better reflect her vision. She is thrilled to be able to share her passion for the art of dance with the next generation of dancers.
Kelli-Ann Camacho
Director of Competition Team Programming/Teacher
Kelli-Ann Camacho is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance at Elevate Dance Center. Kelli grew up dancing in Syracuse, NY where she received her early training from one of the top 50 dance studios in the country. As a student, she has competed and won many overall titles in several regional and national competitions. When Kelli was a teenager, she was selected to dance as a member of an elite dance team for the original ‘StarPower Pak’ dance tour. After traveling and performing at a young age she was inspired to pursue a career in dance. Kelli moved to Massachusetts to further her education in dance and received her BA from Dean College. During her time at Dean, she was a member of the dance team, and her choreography was featured in dance showcases. While developing her education in dance, she realized her passion for teaching. After college she became a member of Dance Masters of America Chapter 5. Kelli has taught in several dance studios throughout New England. From 2009-2019 she was the dance director and choreographer for Landmark Stage Company at Landmark High School. Throughout her time in Massachusetts, Kelli has choreographed several musicals for theater companies across the North Shore. Some of her musical highlights include, Seussical the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors, The Drowsy Chaperone, Bye Bye Birdie, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Honk, and The World Goes ‘Round songs from Kander and Ebb. From 2009-2021 Kelli was a teacher and competition director at North Shore Performance Arts Center. Kelli’s choreography has received numerous high score and special awards throughout New England which include, Outstanding Choreography and Technique awards. Kelli’s performance highlights include opening for the musical group Blessed Union of Souls and Evan & Jaron. She danced with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and performed as a backup dancer to Travis Barr for Radio Disney. Kelli was also featured dancing in a national T.V. commercial. From 2003-2005 Kelli was casted in the National Tour of Sesame Street Live in the Original West Coast and East Coast production of ‘Out of this World’. Kelli has danced in National and international venues and arenas, her favorite venue being Hollywood’s famous Kodak theater where the Oscars are filmed. While dancing has always been Kelli’s first love, singing and acting is a close second. Kelli has performed with North Shore Players, Marblehead Little Theater and Pentucket Players in a range of musical theater shows and Cabarets. Kelli feels extremely lucky to be a part of EDC family and is thankful for the opportunity to inspire her students.
Kelli-Ann Camacho is thrilled to be sharing her love of dance at Elevate Dance Center. Kelli grew up dancing in Syracuse, NY where she received her early training from one of the top 50 dance studios in the country. As a student, she has competed and won many overall titles in several regional and national competitions. When Kelli was a teenager, she was selected to dance as a member of an elite dance team for the original ‘StarPower Pak’ dance tour. After traveling and performing at a young age she was inspired to pursue a career in dance. Kelli moved to Massachusetts to further her education in dance and received her BA from Dean College. During her time at Dean, she was a member of the dance team, and her choreography was featured in dance showcases. While developing her education in dance, she realized her passion for teaching. After college she became a member of Dance Masters of America Chapter 5. Kelli has taught in several dance studios throughout New England. From 2009-2019 she was the dance director and choreographer for Landmark Stage Company at Landmark High School. Throughout her time in Massachusetts, Kelli has choreographed several musicals for theater companies across the North Shore. Some of her musical highlights include, Seussical the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors, The Drowsy Chaperone, Bye Bye Birdie, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Honk, and The World Goes ‘Round songs from Kander and Ebb. From 2009-2021 Kelli was a teacher and competition director at North Shore Performance Arts Center. Kelli’s choreography has received numerous high score and special awards throughout New England which include, Outstanding Choreography and Technique awards. Kelli’s performance highlights include opening for the musical group Blessed Union of Souls and Evan & Jaron. She danced with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and performed as a backup dancer to Travis Barr for Radio Disney. Kelli was also featured dancing in a national T.V. commercial. From 2003-2005 Kelli was casted in the National Tour of Sesame Street Live in the Original West Coast and East Coast production of ‘Out of this World’. Kelli has danced in National and international venues and arenas, her favorite venue being Hollywood’s famous Kodak theater where the Oscars are filmed. While dancing has always been Kelli’s first love, singing and acting is a close second. Kelli has performed with North Shore Players, Marblehead Little Theater and Pentucket Players in a range of musical theater shows and Cabarets. Kelli feels extremely lucky to be a part of EDC family and is thankful for the opportunity to inspire her students.
Christina Ackley
Ballet Mistress/Teacher
Christina Banacos Ackley, daughter of a jazz pianist and classical pianist was destined to follow a life in the arts. At the age of 5 she was immersed in music, dance, and visual arts. Beginning her dance training with ballet tap and jazz at a local studio, her parents quickly saw her love of the art form and she went on to study ballet more seriously as a teen at the Boston Ballet School and the Marblehead School of Ballet. She then attended college at The University of Hartford’s Hartt School where she received her BFA in Children’s Dance Pedagogy in 2003. At Hartt, Christina was fortunate to work under the direction of former Martha Graham principle dancer Peggy Lyman, as well as numerous gifted ballet faculty members such as Alla Osipenko, Hilda Morales, Adam Miller, Christine Busch, Elaine Werner, and character teacher Alla Nikitina. She assisted classes in the afternoon and evening as part of her teaching internship at the School of Dance Connecticut (formerly The School of Hartford Ballet) where she learned their pre professional program’s complete ballet syllabus. Upon graduation Christina was awarded a full tuition scholarship and graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Oklahoma where she received her MFA in dance in 2006. During her three years at OU she studied under ballet masters Mary Margaret Holt, Jeremy Lindberg, Donn Edwards, and Steve Brule. She was also honored to study modern dance with former Pilobolus dancer Austin Hartel and guest faculty members Jeff Rebudal, and Derrick Minter. She’s performed many amazing works but her favorites include Martha Graham’s “Steps in the Street”, “Arabian Coffee” in the Nutcracker, “The Desperate Heart” by Valerie Bettis, George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco”, and “West Side Story”. Her lifelong dream was to become a choreographer, and with the guidance and direction of her mentors she was able to learn the tools of composition and pursue that dream. In graduate school, her thesis piece “Mechanical Goddesses” (a fusion of Middle Eastern dance and modern dance) won the modern dance choreography award and was selected for showcase at the American College Dance Festival in Austin TX later that year. Christina then became committed to pursuing her training in Middle Eastern dance and danced professionally for several years in and around Boston. She founded her own dance company, Bellybeat in 2009 and produced and directed 5 full length productions. Christina is thrilled to teach at Elevate Dance Center. While she loves being on stage, her true love is being behind the scenes with her students, creating choreographies, and passing along the many gifts she’s received from her mentors to her own students. Christina is also a fully certified Pilates instructor and owns a small Pilates studio in Lexington MA where she’s been teaching for the past twelve years.
Christina Banacos Ackley, daughter of a jazz pianist and classical pianist was destined to follow a life in the arts. At the age of 5 she was immersed in music, dance, and visual arts. Beginning her dance training with ballet tap and jazz at a local studio, her parents quickly saw her love of the art form and she went on to study ballet more seriously as a teen at the Boston Ballet School and the Marblehead School of Ballet. She then attended college at The University of Hartford’s Hartt School where she received her BFA in Children’s Dance Pedagogy in 2003. At Hartt, Christina was fortunate to work under the direction of former Martha Graham principle dancer Peggy Lyman, as well as numerous gifted ballet faculty members such as Alla Osipenko, Hilda Morales, Adam Miller, Christine Busch, Elaine Werner, and character teacher Alla Nikitina. She assisted classes in the afternoon and evening as part of her teaching internship at the School of Dance Connecticut (formerly The School of Hartford Ballet) where she learned their pre professional program’s complete ballet syllabus. Upon graduation Christina was awarded a full tuition scholarship and graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Oklahoma where she received her MFA in dance in 2006. During her three years at OU she studied under ballet masters Mary Margaret Holt, Jeremy Lindberg, Donn Edwards, and Steve Brule. She was also honored to study modern dance with former Pilobolus dancer Austin Hartel and guest faculty members Jeff Rebudal, and Derrick Minter. She’s performed many amazing works but her favorites include Martha Graham’s “Steps in the Street”, “Arabian Coffee” in the Nutcracker, “The Desperate Heart” by Valerie Bettis, George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco”, and “West Side Story”. Her lifelong dream was to become a choreographer, and with the guidance and direction of her mentors she was able to learn the tools of composition and pursue that dream. In graduate school, her thesis piece “Mechanical Goddesses” (a fusion of Middle Eastern dance and modern dance) won the modern dance choreography award and was selected for showcase at the American College Dance Festival in Austin TX later that year. Christina then became committed to pursuing her training in Middle Eastern dance and danced professionally for several years in and around Boston. She founded her own dance company, Bellybeat in 2009 and produced and directed 5 full length productions. Christina is thrilled to teach at Elevate Dance Center. While she loves being on stage, her true love is being behind the scenes with her students, creating choreographies, and passing along the many gifts she’s received from her mentors to her own students. Christina is also a fully certified Pilates instructor and owns a small Pilates studio in Lexington MA where she’s been teaching for the past twelve years.
Kelly Pitcher
Director of Acrobatic Arts Programming/Teacher
Kelly Pitcher has been passionate about dance for her entire life. She began dancing at the age of 3 and is trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary. She completed the first level of Teacher Training School by Dance Masters of America in 2000 and taught dance in Vermont and the greater Boston area for 10 years before taking a hiatus to have a family. She joined the staff of North Shore Performing Arts Center in the fall of 2017. Kelly has a deep respect for all genres of dance but has a special love for AcroDance. She is certified by Acrobatic Arts and has taken many continuing education classes through them as well as Acro Alliance and the ADTA. Creating strong, beautiful and well-balanced dancers is something that is very important to her and she takes the health, well-being and injury prevention of her dancers very seriously. Kelly is thrilled to be continuing with Elevate Dance Center as the Director of Acrobatics. The vision for the future is vast and exciting and Kelly is excited to be a part of it!
Kelly Pitcher has been passionate about dance for her entire life. She began dancing at the age of 3 and is trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary. She completed the first level of Teacher Training School by Dance Masters of America in 2000 and taught dance in Vermont and the greater Boston area for 10 years before taking a hiatus to have a family. She joined the staff of North Shore Performing Arts Center in the fall of 2017. Kelly has a deep respect for all genres of dance but has a special love for AcroDance. She is certified by Acrobatic Arts and has taken many continuing education classes through them as well as Acro Alliance and the ADTA. Creating strong, beautiful and well-balanced dancers is something that is very important to her and she takes the health, well-being and injury prevention of her dancers very seriously. Kelly is thrilled to be continuing with Elevate Dance Center as the Director of Acrobatics. The vision for the future is vast and exciting and Kelly is excited to be a part of it!
Caroline Ferrazzani
Teacher
Caroline Ferrazzani was born and raised in Reading, MA. She trained at the LaPierre School of Dance for 13 years. She attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has a BFA in Dance with a concentration on Performance & Choreography. She is trained in many forms of dance, but especially enjoys Hip-Hop, Jazz and Contemporary. She hopes to pass on her passion for dance to others, fostering their love and appreciation for this special art form.
Caroline Ferrazzani was born and raised in Reading, MA. She trained at the LaPierre School of Dance for 13 years. She attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has a BFA in Dance with a concentration on Performance & Choreography. She is trained in many forms of dance, but especially enjoys Hip-Hop, Jazz and Contemporary. She hopes to pass on her passion for dance to others, fostering their love and appreciation for this special art form.
Bailey Peicott
Teacher
Bailey is a graduate of Dean College graduating Magna Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in dance with a concentration in education as well as an associate degree in psychology. At Dean, Bailey trained under an incredible faculty including Todd Shanks, Jill Silverman, Roshni Pecora, Kristina Berger, and Lindsey Klein. She was an active member of the college’s chapter of the National Dance Educator’s National Honor Society led by Stephen Tracey-Ursprung and continues as a member of the organization as a professional. She was chosen to present her senior capstone at the organization’s National Conference in Atlanta in 2022. During her time at Dean, Bailey had the privilege of performing many students' choreographic works as well as performing choreography by Todd Shanks and Kimberly Calore-Sedlak. In addition to choreographing herself for five main stage shows at the college, Bailey was also a member of the college’s Pom Team, where practiced weekly and performed at football games and competed at the regional level. Bailey has also performed at Gillette Stadium for their 2017 and 2019 Home Opener performances as well as other local performances including a flash mob for Ghost Ship harbor in Boston. Recently, Bailey proudly earned her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Bailey has always had a passion for working with young dancers. She began assistant teaching at the age of 11 and continued through high school. She has led her own classes for several years and has experience with ages 18 months through high school. She continues to stay involved in the competition world by frequently attending dance competitions and conventions both regionally and nationally. Bailey loves to share her passion for dance and movement with the younger generation while teaching correct dance technique that is not only developmentally appropriate but safe for their bodies. While maintaining a supportive and encouraging classroom environment, Bailey’s goal is for all her students to have fun in her classes!
Bailey is a graduate of Dean College graduating Magna Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in dance with a concentration in education as well as an associate degree in psychology. At Dean, Bailey trained under an incredible faculty including Todd Shanks, Jill Silverman, Roshni Pecora, Kristina Berger, and Lindsey Klein. She was an active member of the college’s chapter of the National Dance Educator’s National Honor Society led by Stephen Tracey-Ursprung and continues as a member of the organization as a professional. She was chosen to present her senior capstone at the organization’s National Conference in Atlanta in 2022. During her time at Dean, Bailey had the privilege of performing many students' choreographic works as well as performing choreography by Todd Shanks and Kimberly Calore-Sedlak. In addition to choreographing herself for five main stage shows at the college, Bailey was also a member of the college’s Pom Team, where practiced weekly and performed at football games and competed at the regional level. Bailey has also performed at Gillette Stadium for their 2017 and 2019 Home Opener performances as well as other local performances including a flash mob for Ghost Ship harbor in Boston. Recently, Bailey proudly earned her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Bailey has always had a passion for working with young dancers. She began assistant teaching at the age of 11 and continued through high school. She has led her own classes for several years and has experience with ages 18 months through high school. She continues to stay involved in the competition world by frequently attending dance competitions and conventions both regionally and nationally. Bailey loves to share her passion for dance and movement with the younger generation while teaching correct dance technique that is not only developmentally appropriate but safe for their bodies. While maintaining a supportive and encouraging classroom environment, Bailey’s goal is for all her students to have fun in her classes!
Natalie True
Teacher
Natalie True is a multidisciplinary artist and performer from Byfield, MA. She received her BFA in Dance Choreography from Marymount Manhattan College (NYC) in 2018 and has since been featured in films such as Aviva choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber and HBO’s Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance. Performance credits include backup dancer for Dorian Electra and opener for Ari Shaffir at the Beacon Theatre NYC. Additionally, Natalie is a gogo dancer, barre fitness instructor, dance teacher, stylist/costume designer, and associate choreographer for Maine Dance Company. Recently, Natalie became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, which she incorporates into her training across genres.
Natalie True is a multidisciplinary artist and performer from Byfield, MA. She received her BFA in Dance Choreography from Marymount Manhattan College (NYC) in 2018 and has since been featured in films such as Aviva choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber and HBO’s Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance. Performance credits include backup dancer for Dorian Electra and opener for Ari Shaffir at the Beacon Theatre NYC. Additionally, Natalie is a gogo dancer, barre fitness instructor, dance teacher, stylist/costume designer, and associate choreographer for Maine Dance Company. Recently, Natalie became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, which she incorporates into her training across genres.
Lora Madden
Office Manager
Lora holds a BFA with a major in Business and Communications from Assumption College. After graduation she pursued a career in finance at State Street Corporation. There she started off as a Portfolio Administrator for a multi billion dollar mutual fund client. Her responsibilities included processing trading activities, reconciling holdings with accounting records, creating reports and budgets, as well as processing multi million dollar daily wire transfers. Lora worked her way to Account Manager, a title that she held for 2 years before changing roles to a Client Service Manager. Within that role, she handled and resolved client queries, maintained client relationships, and was the main point of contact between multiple clients and the company. Lora decided to take a break from the corporate world after the birth of her first daughter. She is excited to join the Elevate Team and work closely with the families and staff.
Lora holds a BFA with a major in Business and Communications from Assumption College. After graduation she pursued a career in finance at State Street Corporation. There she started off as a Portfolio Administrator for a multi billion dollar mutual fund client. Her responsibilities included processing trading activities, reconciling holdings with accounting records, creating reports and budgets, as well as processing multi million dollar daily wire transfers. Lora worked her way to Account Manager, a title that she held for 2 years before changing roles to a Client Service Manager. Within that role, she handled and resolved client queries, maintained client relationships, and was the main point of contact between multiple clients and the company. Lora decided to take a break from the corporate world after the birth of her first daughter. She is excited to join the Elevate Team and work closely with the families and staff.
Angela Swain
Studio Logistics Coordinator and Office Support Team Member
Angela Swain is a semi-retired registered nurse and event planner. Angela spent 25 years working in hospitals in the greater Boston area as a critical care nurse from 1975-2001. While working in the operating room and post-anesthesia care unit, she developed pre-operative testing and evaluation services for a surgical day care program. In 2001, Angela left acute care nursing for a position with Airway Management Education Center (AMEC), a medical company specializing in educating emergency medicine, anesthesiologist, and critical care physicians in difficult airway management, where she held the title of Director of National, Custom, and Resident Courses. Angela concurrently began developing a secondary career as an event planner, and in her 18 years with AMEC, she negotiated contracts, planned and implemented logistics, and managed the staff and faculty for courses of up to 250 physicians, both domestically and internationally. In January of 2020 Angela retired from AMEC but continued to consult as an on-site coordinator. Currently, Angela works part-time as an RN in the Wellness Office of an elder housing facility. She is a dedicated dance grandma, a cheerleader at karate and fencing competitions, and a spectator for the numerous baseball, lacrosse, and field hockey games in which her five grandchildren participate. Angela is thrilled to be a team member at Elevate Dance Center and looks forward to a wonderful year!
Angela Swain is a semi-retired registered nurse and event planner. Angela spent 25 years working in hospitals in the greater Boston area as a critical care nurse from 1975-2001. While working in the operating room and post-anesthesia care unit, she developed pre-operative testing and evaluation services for a surgical day care program. In 2001, Angela left acute care nursing for a position with Airway Management Education Center (AMEC), a medical company specializing in educating emergency medicine, anesthesiologist, and critical care physicians in difficult airway management, where she held the title of Director of National, Custom, and Resident Courses. Angela concurrently began developing a secondary career as an event planner, and in her 18 years with AMEC, she negotiated contracts, planned and implemented logistics, and managed the staff and faculty for courses of up to 250 physicians, both domestically and internationally. In January of 2020 Angela retired from AMEC but continued to consult as an on-site coordinator. Currently, Angela works part-time as an RN in the Wellness Office of an elder housing facility. She is a dedicated dance grandma, a cheerleader at karate and fencing competitions, and a spectator for the numerous baseball, lacrosse, and field hockey games in which her five grandchildren participate. Angela is thrilled to be a team member at Elevate Dance Center and looks forward to a wonderful year!
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