The Dance Studio Dance and Fitness instruction
ABOUT US
Cora Paul
Lisa Brucker
TEACHES:
Jazz Hip Hop, Jr.Modern/ Contemporary, Pre-dance, Combo classes and Team choreograghy
Assistant Director /TEACHES:
Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, Tap, Team choreograghy
TEACHES: Jazz, Ballet and Team Choreography
Angela Vital-Martowski
Artistic Director
Bio coming soon!!
The Dance Studio's mission is to bring quality professional dance education to children and adults in a non-competitive atmosphere. One of our top goals is to ensure that all classes are age appropriate physically, develop mentally and socially. We also offer equal attention to dancers regardless of age or ability levels. All dancers are treat equal whether a Recreational or pre-professional student. The Dance Studio stands behind its dancers. No matter color, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs. Our staff believes dance is the great medium to unit us all and bring us together.
All of our classes are taught by adult teachers with a BA, BFA or MA in Dance and Dance Education. We strive to bring the most current methods in dance education, injury prevention and choreography to our students. The Studio has been in operation for over 20 years and our director has over 25 years of Dance education experience. Our moto "Nearly everything I need to know about life, I learn in a dance studio" by Risa E. Sanders . In this article from The Washington Post, Sanders spoke about how dance helped her over come and cope with life's difficulties. She said, she learned how to hard work, have discipline, over coming adversity, develope perseverance, dedication and respect from dance. Sanders fondly remembered how dance helped her develop grace, strength, pose and creative expression that made her the person that she is today.
In these uncertain and unprecedented times, kids and adults alike need these skills and an outlet to express themselves. Dance as a physically and Creative form of exercise, is challenging, relaxing and engages the mind and body. Scientists have proven that music and movements together create Neurological pathways that help and increase brain activity. This is why, The Dance Studio feels so passionate about dance.
The Dance Studio is located. in The Kids Village of Post Office Park in Wilbraham, Ma. Our facility is over 3,500 square feet and our two studios have sprung floors for injury prevention. The Spacious waiting area has large windows to view class, a TV, and internet access. When the studio was first opened in 2000, it was located on the opposite side of Post Office Park and due to the growing interest, the facility was moved into a bigger building to accommodate our dancers and their families.
TEACHES:
Broadway Jazz, Tap
predance, combos,
Toddler and
competition team
Miss Cora, a faculty member at The Dance Studio since 2015, began her dancing career at the age of 13 at her local studio in Ware, Massachusetts. While there, she played a fierce game of catch up and quickly joined the competition team. With each performance her love grew deeper, and she soon realized this is what she was meant to do. Throughout high school, Miss Cora juggled her academics, dance classes, as well as jobs to pay for her lessons. This soon paid off when she graduated valedictorian and was off to further her dance education at Bridgewater State University where she was a member of their dance company and hip hop team. In 2014 she decided to be closer to her family and transfer to Springfield College. It was there that she met Miss Angie, as well as fellow teacher Miss Jelli. In a school mainly focused on sports, Cora immersed herself in dance history, music theory, pedagogy, and numerous technique classes. She performed with their repertory company in various locations across New England, including the annual American College Dance Festival (fun fact: years later we found out that Miss Paige was there too!). She was also a member and choreographer for the Springfield College Dancers club, took master classes with renowned choreographers such as Fritha Pengelly, Paul Dennis, Bill Evans, James Morrow, Jen Polins, David Bovat, and performed during the college’s annual “Scholars in Action” day. Through her course work at Springfield College, Cora was given the opportunity to perform at, as well as teach at, several schools in the area, spreading the positive impact dance can have on an individual and a community. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in dance, Miss Cora continued teaching at The Dance Studio and other studios in the area as a full time career. She currently teaches all age groups both recreationally and competitively in styles such as contemporary, jazz, and ballet, but enjoys and appreciates all genres. Her work has been recognized at Beyond the Stars for “Ultimate Emotional Execution”, in addition to receiving platinum titles, and many judges awards.
When she is not in the studio, you can find Cora with her dog watching Netflix, drawing in her sketchpad, or smelling candles at Marshalls. Miss Cora is the youngest of four girls, who all have children, making her an auntie to four nephews and two nieces (who also dance!). With no children of her own yet, she finds joy in creating bonds with her students and watching them grow in all facets. While dance requires discipline, respect, and hard work, she also believes that its main purpose is to have fun, which is reflective in her teaching style. Miss Cora is looking forward to another great year at The Dance Studio, and hopes you are too!
Matt Guerrera
Michelle Kupec Minde
Taionna's passion for dance began at just 15 months old. She has been dedicated to studying the art of dance by training at various studios with a variety of dance teams. She has even worked with a plethora of choreographers and dance instructors. She has explored and worked on many dance genres and techniques, including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Modern (Horton, Limon, Graham), and African. However, Hip Hop has her heart. As a recent college graduate from Dean College receiving a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management, an Associates of Science Degree in Business, and an Associates of Arts degree in Dance, Taionna has always included dance in her future life plans as a career. She has become a well rounded dancer, instructor, and choreographer dedicated to performing and sharing her passion for dance with others. Her desire to teach, instruct, choreograph and inspire comes from her personal mission which is to motivate the individuals around her to desire to be successful while driving the mindset of "Hungry but Humble". She hopes to inspire at least 1 person a day to be successful not only for themselves but for generations to come.
TEACHES:
Acrobatics, early childhood classes
and Team Choreograpghy
TEACHES:
Hip Hop, Funk and
Team choreograpghy
Jill began her dance career at two years old. She began dancing at her town's local rec program and then moved to Angela's Studio of Dance in Windsor Locks, CT.
In high school, she attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, where she majored in dance for four years. Here she got technical training in ballet, where they heavily focused on the Vaganova technique and modern, where she learned various techniques such as Horton, Limon, and Graham. In addition to those classes, she learned about improvisation, and dance composition, creating and performing her choreography and her peer's choreography.
She recently graduated from Springfield College, where she received a bachelor's degree in health science and a minor in dance. She met Miss Angie while taking her ballet class on campus! In addition to receiving her minor in dance, Jill was on the Pride Dance Team, which performed at football and basketball games. This team also competed locally and nationally at the collegiate level.
Jill has been teaching dance for eight years now. She previously taught at East Windsor Parks and Recreation Dance Program, where she was the program coordinator. She taught classes in various styles such as ballet, jazz, acro, and contemporary.
She is currently in graduate school working on her degree. She hopes one day to be a physical therapist for dancers. Outside of the studio, Jill enjoys spending time with her two dogs, watching criminal minds, and being with her friends and family.
Taionna Pope
Mariya Lindsay
Nadine Mathews
Paige graduated from Mount Holyoke College in May of 2016 with a B.A. in Dance, a minor in Mathematics, and her Massachusetts K-12 Dance Education License. Paige has taught in the dance department of Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School and Amherst Regional High School. She is currently continuing her education at MHC in the Master of Arts in Teaching program, pursuing licenses to teach middle school math, special education, and English as a second language. Paige is the founder of the Treble Effect show choir at Mount Holyoke. She was the Artistic Director of the Mount Holyoke Dance Department Student and Senior Dance Concerts for three years, choreographer of four diverse and challenging dance pieces. During her summers, Paige has taught performing arts camps and choreographed musical productions.Her competitive students have received high scores and titles.
A native of Windsor Locks, CT, Paige also choreographed the Windsor Locks Middle School musicals for 8 years, Paige has studied tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, modern and musical theater jazz. She has also studied tap at Steps on Broadway in New York City, facilitated and participated in a workshop for the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL). Paige is very excited to join The Dance Studio for a great year of dance and fun!
TEACHES:
Fairy Tales, Pre-Dance, Combo, Classical Ballet, Pointe, Jazz , Ballet Booty Bootcamp, Pre-professional program and competition Teams classes
Jill Michaud
Michelle is a 2011 graduate of Springfield College where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and Business with a concentration in Marketing. While studying at Springfield College, she worked with many great choreographers, studying classical dance works from such artists as Limon and Cunningham. Michelle also served as Vice President and Choreographer of the Springfield College Dancers. She has danced with Disney and has won several prestiges’ awards for dance. Michelle has been an intern at The Dance Studio since 2009 and she joined the teaching staff in the fall of 2010.
Teaches:
Ballet fairy Tales, Toddler, pre-dance, combo, Jazz, Modern and competition team classes.
Angela began her dance career at the young age of three, studying every aspect of dance. She spent her summers dancing at nationally renowned ballet programs such as Princeton Ballet, Boston Ballet, Jacobs Pillow and White Mountain Dance Festival. She studied locally at The New England Dance Conservatory with Shelley Zeibel and Ken Liptiz and performed with their Company New England Dance Theater.
Angela received the “Chancellor’s Award” from the University of Massachusetts, But passed on the award to study and dance professionally. She has performed with Boston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, American Repertory Ballet Theater, Ballet South, Albany Berkshire Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Disney, Universal Studios, MTV, and local Musical Theater productions. She has worked with artists such as Twyla Tharp, Bruce Marks, Laura Young, Dermet Burk, Mary Pat Robinson and Septime Webre. Angela received her teacher certification in both dance and Early Childhood education and went on to teach at many area schools, including New England Dance Conservatory with her mentors Shelley and Ken. The Dance Studio opened in Fall 2000, Angela has spent 19 years growing the program.
She is now a member of The National Dance Education Organization and National Dance Week, she feels educating the public on dance and movement arts is important. She currently is on faculty at Springfield College and is head of the Minnechaug’s Dance Team. Angela is certified in Zumba, Zumba Toning and Zumbatomic but has recently been teaching Ballet Booty Bootcamp which she created herself. She enjoys encouraging other to explore dance as a n art and as fitness.
You can contact Angela directly at The Dance Studio (413) 596-0121 or via email at dancetds2@aol.com. Follow her on Facebook @ Angela Vital-Martowski to get important Dance Studio updates.
Our Mission
Matt is a graduate of Muhlenberg College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Dance and Theatre with concentrations in education, choreography, performance studies, and stage management. Matt has studied dance for over eighteen years in various locations throughout Connecticut and Pennsylvania as well as at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York City. He has received the award for Best Student Choreography at the 2015 KO Wyvern A Cappella Festival and most recently won a Broadwayworld.com award for best choreography (non-equity) for The Wizard of Oz. Matt also teaches at the Goodman Performing Arts Center in Orange, CT, Dance Central in Middlefield, CT, Pantochino Productions in Milford, CT, and Connecticut Family Theatre in West Hartford, CT. Throughout Connecticut, Matt has performed with various theatre companies as well as choreographed a multitude of shows for ages 6-25 with the Performing Arts Programs, East Hartford Summer Youth Festival, Wethersfield Teen Theatre, Tootin’ Hills Elementary School, Connecticut Family Theatre, East Hartford Middle School, and Panotchino Productions. Matt has taught in various locations throughout Allentown, PA as well and has also performed professionally with the Muhlenberg Summer Theatre in My Fair Lady (Dance Ensemble) and Anything Goes (Dance Captain). During the spring of 2018 Matt studied dance in Arezzo, Italy at the Accademia Dell’Arte.photo and Bio
coming soon
Nadine knew that she was a dancer before she knew what a dancer was. As a child she would go to the public library and find the shelf with the ballet and dance picture books and sit for hours looking at the pictures. At three years old, her mother enrolled her at Pioneer Valley Ballet in their kinderdance program. From there she went on to take gymnastics at Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton. She left dance for a few years but returned at age 8 to a local noncompetitive studio. She danced there for several years before joining a different studio. At that studio, Nadine became an assistant teacher at the age of 13. She taught her first jazz class as a senior in high school and from there went on to teach 10-12 classes a week, including: acrobatics, jazz, tap, ballet, preschool dance and lyrical. When that studio closed, Nadine taught at two other studios for two years before being offered the opportunity, at age 21, to buy one of the studios. While in the process of taking over her studio, Nadine was enrolled at UMass Amherst and took dance and dance related classes at UMass, Smith and Mt Holyoke. Nadine is certified to teach dance through Dance Educators of America. She ran her studio, Dare to Dream, in Feeding Hills from 1996-2009. In 2009 she closed Feeding Hills to move the studio to Northampton, where she ran it from 2009-2010. In 2010, after having just given birth to her first son, Sam in March, she lost her lease at the Northampton location forcing her to close indefinitely. When Sam was 2, she enrolled him in a local dance studio and offered to assist with classes there. She was soon teaching the acrobatics classes at that studio as well as the adult jazz/ballet class. Nadine has vast experience teach preschool creative dance, preschool dance combo classes, jazz, tap, ballet, acrobatics & lyrical/contemporary classes. Nadine has taken classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. Nadine is a mom to two boys, Sam and Ben. In 2020, Nadine certified through Acrobatic Arts. She is an avid crafter and when not at a dance studio she can most often be found crafting at home. Nadine is a Purple belt in taekwondo and has practiced that since 2018.
Nadine’s personal philosophy is Every Body is Unique and Every Body Can Dance.
Paige Fortier
TEACHES:
Acrobatics, early childhood
classes and Team Choreograpghy