Lauren Mangano
Owner & Director
Our faculty consists of qualified, professional teachers who share a passion for their work. We promote an encouraging atmosphere to learn and grow.
Lauren Mangano
Owner & Director
Owner and Director of Elite Academy of Dance is an honors graduate from Dean College, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Dance with a graduate focus in Pedagogy, Composition, and Creative Movement.
Lauren opened Elite in 2008, and had quickly become known for her choreography, quality training and dedication to her students. As a teacher her choreography has been recognized on a regional and national level, her dancers have taken top honors at well known, high caliber dance competitions around the country and have been cast in Broadway shows including "Finding Neverland", "Elf" the Musical, "Radio City Christmas & Spring Spectacular", movies, print work, Disney, company work, T.V. shows including “So You Think You can Dance”, “Live to Dance” and other exciting opportunities. Lauren travels as a judge for several national and international dance competitions and is an in demand teacher in the convention circuit. She has taught at events including ConQuest, Dance Masters of America, Dance Teachers Club Boston, and The Broadway Experience. She was the first New England based teacher to be certified in Acrobatic Arts training certification, and is also Alixa Flexibility Certified.
Lauren has run several local pageants in the past and currently serves as board member, choreographer and producer of the Miss Massachusetts America Pageant Organization.
Lauren’s goal is to continue to set standards and pave the way for Elite Academy of Dance. To provide your dancer, no matter what age and level with the highest quality dance education and opportunities that cannot be found anywhere else. Her dedication to her craft and to her studio is unique, and her love for the art of dance and teaching is what makes Elite Academy of Dance “Massachusetts Premier Dance Studio”!
Tami MacDonald
Dance Instructor
Ms. MacDonald has been teaching dance for over 25 years. She formerly owned and operated Tami's Dance Connection in Leominster, MA., for 17 years with much success and involvement in the community. Ms. MacDonald graduated the Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston's Teacher Training School with high honors. She served as President of Dance Masters of America's New England Chapter #5 and also sat on the National Board of directors for the organization.
Erin Stomski
Dance Instructor
Earning her Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Worcester State University, Erin continues to train and audition within the dance industry. Dancing for 20 years, she has trained intensively in areas of ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip hop and tap. Her teachers include Teddy Forance, Jolanta Valeikaite, Derrick Yanford, Karin Tremblay, Katy Speadbury. She has also trained at Walnut Hill summer intensive program with Michael Owen and Kathy Kozel. Erin’s community involvement includes building a dance club for grammar school aged children for over five years and working as the original choreographer for Mike Nyman Photography's park project, “Dancers in the Parks”.
Erin’s professional credits include dancing and modeling for Reebok Industry; choreographing and assisting at “Turn It Up Dance Challenge” Nationals, TD Bank WOW awards and modeling for Capezio dance wear. Erin’s performance credits include, Sean Kingston’s concert dancer, Boston Symphony Orchestra, KISS 108, HGTV, Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, The Nutcracker presented by Ballet Arts Worcester, Miss Massachusetts Pageant, Boston Celtics game, the Worcester State University Dance Team, Boston Contemporary Dance Project and New Age contemporary company. Within the past year she has assisted James Alsop (Beyonce’s choreographer) and Matthew Kzmierczak (sytycd) to name a few. Erin is a member of several hip hop crews in Boston including: CONceptARTists, PROject Nailz, and Static Noyze. Her crews have been numerously crowned champions in competitions including World of Dance Boston, New Jersey, and New York as well as Prelude New England. Static Noyze, a hip hop crew presented on the well-known television show America's Best Dance Crew has led her to many championships as well as performance and choreography opportunities. Outside of her dancing she loves teaching, choreographing, and judging all styles of dance as her full time job at numerous studios around Massachusetts.
Hope Specht
Dance Instructor
Hope Secht comes to Elite with years of knowledge and experiences having owned and directed a dance- acrobatic school in new england for 17 years. Hope is a member of the Chapter #5 Dance Masters of America and Dance Teachers' Club of Boston. Her students have performed in commercials, Disney, the Macy's day parade, Madison Square Garden, and Times Square in New York. Performing in musicals such as: Grease, Dr. Seuss, Annie, Bye Bye Birdie and the touring broadway musical "Fosse". Also achieving, 16 acro titleist of United States, bringing home 3 world gold medals at the World Championships in Showdance, world gold medalist in tap & 4 world silver medals in 2005-2006, as they represented our country in Riesa, Germany. Hope had the prestigous honor of being nominated to perform her choreographed acro-dance production routine "Glory" for President Bush.
Laurie Lebeau
Dance Instructor
Laurie comes to Elite Academy of Dance with twenty years of experience as a leading gymnastics coach for both dance schools and gyms, including the Gymnastics Learning Center of Shrewsbury. Laurie is our tumbling/ technique instructor here at Elite! Laurie received her coach’s training and safety certification through the United States Gymnastics Federation, and is CPR/First Aid certified. Laurie is also employed by the Auburn School system as an ABA.
Naomi Greenspan
Dance Instructor
Naomi Greenspan is a proud alumni of Elite Academy of Dance! In her time as a competitive dancer, she won numerous awards including KAR Miss Dance America in 2016. After her competition years, she furthered her education at the University of Hartford’s The Hartt School and graduated with a BFA in Dance and an emphasis in Ballet Pedagogy. There, she performed famous works by José Limon, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Alice Klock, Michelle Thompson-Ulerich and many others. As a pedagogy major, she also had the opportunity to intern with amazing dance educators at the University of Hartford Magnet school, Spectrum in Motion, and the Hartt School Community Division. Along with being a teacher, she is a costume designer/creator for competition dancers and has her own business, Costumes by Naomi. Naomi is so excited to be back with her Elite family and share her love for dance, choreography, and the competition experience with all of her students!
Becky Maronne
Dance Instructor
Becky holds a degree in early education and has been teaching dance for over 30 years! She has been a part of the Elite faculty for over 7 years teaching Creative Movement, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and specializes in the classroom with our younger dancers! Becky is certified in Flow and Grow Yoga and also had a hand in creating the diverse and amazing syllabus for our Elite Kidz Club! Her daughter Bella is a member of the award winning Elite company and Becky loves that she gets to share the same love and passion for dance with her!
Hannah Lebeau
Dance Instructor
Hannah is an Auburn, MA native, who has trained extensively in many different styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, and acro. Throughout her youth, she was a successful competitive dancer where she was awarded many prestigious local/national awards, titles, and scholarships. Some of the dance studios/establishments she has studied under include Broadway Dance Center, Worcester Ballet Arts, Janette Neil Studio, and Hackworth School of Performing Arts directed by Alison Forance. She was an original member of the Boston Tap Company under the direction of Sean Fielder where she performed in shows such as the Radio City Rockettes, Jacob’s Pillow, The Dance Complex Showcase, and Rhythm in the Night at the Riverside Theatre in Hyde Park. She also specializes in Pro Dance/Dance Team style, as she is most well known for her former title as an NFL Cheerleader where she obtained the titles of a Line Captain, 2X Super Bowl Champion, and 2017 Pro Bowl Representative. She has trained under notable choreographers including Teddy Forance and members of the Shaping Sound Company, Jason Samuels Smith, Kelly Kaleta, Gregory King, Hope Specht, and many more. Hannah still teaches all styles of dance, choreographs for National winning pieces, and is also a judge for Regional and National dance competitions.
Lucy Jacek
Dance Instructor
Lucy was born to be a dance teacher and she has been proudly pursuing that dream for over 15 years. As a 2013 graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Lucy holds degrees in both Dance Education and Kinesiology. Lucy is Acrobatic Arts Certified, the co- creator of The Elite Kidz Club Syllabus and is the founder/ owner of Whimsy Stories!
During her tutelage she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, preschool dance, pedagogy, composition, exercise science, anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, and personal training, and more all under wonderful professors such as Paul Dennis, Tom Vacanti, and Judi LaBranche. In school she also taught college level ballet courses, choreographed on numerous occasions for dance concerts, and founded and directed the UMass Dance Company. During those same years, Lucy was mentored by Donna Lindgren and Betty Gundersen at Betty Gundersen Studio of Dance in all aspects of dance education and running a successful studio, giving her invaluable hands on experience. After graduation, Lucy became a full-time teacher, choreographer, and office administer in studios throughout New England.
Lucy’s passion for teaching dance has continued to grow as she continues to pursue her own dance and teacher training regularly at Broadway Dance Center, Jeannette Neils, Dance Life Retreat Center, and the Boston Ballet School. She is a member of Dance Masters of America Chapter 5. Lucy has recently participated in numerous classes and conventions with world renowned teachers such Thelma Goldberg, Rhee Gold, Melissa Hoffman, Rennie Gold, Derrick Schrader, Jackie Sleight, Scott Fowler, and Eileen Juric. Currently, Lucy teaches and choreographs throughout New England in studios with competitive and recreational programs, as well as, outreach programs such as libraries, preschools, and senior centers. Lucy’s philosophy is to foster a child’s individual love of dance with great technique and safe kinetic principles in a fun and loving manner.
Christie Mcpherson
Dance Instructor
A Texas native transplanted to Boston recently, Christie has been a dance educator for 18+ years in tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, and tumbling. Christie also is heavily experienced and well-known in the collegiate, pre-professional, and professional dance team world for coaching, choreography, and judging. Christie has been a part of major productions including A Chorus Line, Mary Poppins, Hairspray, Clowns, Cinderella, and more. She danced the Youth Principal role of “Clara” in the Stephens Ballet Company Nutcracker twice at age 10 and 11 - a first in the ballet company’s history and hasn’t been repeated since. Training at the University of Texas in her college years, she was sidelined by a major double foot reconstructive surgery which is why she still focuses heavily in classes on dancer safety while teaching them to take care of their bodies to prevent injuries. Christie is Acrobatic Arts trained and Certified among other certifications in the dance education world. Outside of dance, she is also a healthcare provider so you can frequently see her passion and knowledge of how the human body works specifically for dancers in class helping them to better understand not only the mechanics of dance but the best way for them to train their bodies for strength, control, endurance, and safety. Christie’s goal has always been to ensure dancers receive positive and constructive feedback, encouraging them to find their internal motivation in life even outside of the studio walls, help them create longevity in their dance education and career through growth and safe training practices, as well as encouraging them to expand their perspectives on the art we all love so much!
Nicole Quinn
Dance Instructor
Nicole Quinn is a graduate of the University of Arizona as a dance major in the College of Fine Arts. Receiving her B.F.A. in dance and graduating magna cum laude, she learned works from Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, José Limon, Amy Ernest and more. During her time in Arizona, she had the opportunity to perform Panorama by Martha Graham and open for the Martha Graham Dance Company during their performance show. She furthered her training by studying during summers at Visceral Dance Chicago and Giordano Dance Chicago, where she received a mentorship with the company for the year of 2018. In 2020 Nicole received her certification in PBT: Progressing Ballet Technique Nicole and continues to spread her love of dance through teaching and choreographing. Nicole grew up as a competition dancer competing in regional, national, and title competitions across the US. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, and partnering and brings her experience to all of her students at Elite where her choreography has been recognized on a national competition level. She is so incredibly grateful to be a part of the Elite family and be part of each dancer’s journey!
Samantha Moody
Dance Instructor
Samantha Moody has been captivated by dance for the last 25 years and is excited to be able to share her passion with Elite! During her 15 years of training at New England Dance Academy Samantha has trained in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Acro, Lyrical and Contemporary. After many years of competitive dancing and winning multiple national titles with her teammates, she knew when she was older she wanted to share her love for dance. Once she graduated high school Samantha participated in Salem State Universities faculty run dance program. She had her first opportunity to choreograph and fell in love, she knew she had found her calling. Samantha decided to take a leave and jump right into teaching. Her first years as an instructor she had the pleasure of coaching levels 1-4 gymnastics, including Mommy and Me classes, a junior dance team and recreational levels as well. Samantha has specialized in teaching children ages 2-7 Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, and Acro for the last 8 years. Throughout her career Samantha has been able to make an impact on the children at multiple studios . She is beyond honored to have the opportunity to share her experience with you!
Joelle Minisce
Dance Instructor
Joelle Minisce is a dancer and choreographer from Providence, RI. Her dance journey began with ballet at an early age and continued for the first 10 years of her career. She then began to expand her expertise to many other disciplines including contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop and lyrical by training with Rising Stars Dance Academy, Liv3lihood Crew, Thr3elive Dance Complex and Boston Community Dance Project. Joelle feels a deep love for every style she has trained in and draws inspiration from them all in her dancing and choreography. Joelle has spent the last nine years working as a choreographer and instructor at various dance schools in the New England area. She has also directed, choreographed, produced and performed in multiple concept/music video projects such a Project Phoenix Concept Video Series and Down We Go’s “Conscious Minds” music video. In addition, she has been featured in AYO: The Show, Greenwich Bay Brokers television advertisement, and many local showcases and performances. Examples of her work can be viewed on her Youtube page, www.youtube.com/@joelleminisce.
Jada Specht
Dance Instructor
Jada Specht is a Rhode Island native and has been a competitive dancer for the past 12 years. Some of her accomplishments include; World Dance Pageant overall winner, Radix Nationals Top 10 and has auditioned on the World of Dance stage! Jada has trained in all genres of dance and continues to do so through the dance convention circuit. She is bringing her talents and love for teaching to Elite this season!
Abbie White
Dance Instructor
Abbie is a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Dudley, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Salem State University where she earned a BA in Dance with a concentration in Hip Hop and a certificate in Dance Education. Her choreography has been performed at the Salem Arts Festival, the Salem State Dance Film Festival and at Onstage 360 in Boston, Ma. She also has been featured in a Boston Globe article about creating art during the pandemic.
Abbie found a love of dance and performing at a young age where she danced with Canty Dance Centre and went on to be a part of the nationally-recognized show choir, Shepherd Hill “Fantasy” where she was the youngest dance captain in the program’s history. Additionally, She has trained at the internationally acclaimed Bates Dance Festival where she studied under Courtney Jones, Yvonne Hernadez and Brittany Engel-Adams. Abbie was a member of the award-winning, Emmanuel College Dance Team where she worked with Yiota “YoYio” Zeitinidis. Currently, Abbie is a member of The Concept Artists who have recently performed in Boston, New Jersey, Providence, and New Haven. When she’s not performing or teaching, she can be found continuing to train in various styles in the Boston area.
Abbie’s teaching philosophy encourages her to create a safe space for her students to learn, create, and explore. Her classroom provides a space of community where every student’s voice is heard. As an artist, Abbie is full of wonder and she enjoys exploring the curiosities of her students as well as her peers to create a lens in which their practice can showcase these.