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”!
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.
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/ Recreational Director
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!
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.
Florian Rouiller
Dance Instructor
FLORIAN ROUILLER is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer who has worked extensively across three continents. Mr. Rouiller has an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland, where he choreographed and performed original productions while continuing extensive performance with local dance companies outside the university. Mr. Rouiller began his dance career with training at the prestigious John Cranko School in Stuttgart with a BFA, and performed with the Stuttgart Ballet in productions such as Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. Upon immigrating to the United States, he danced with Merce Cunningham Dance Company as an apprentice, Ohio Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Chicago, Ballet International Eldar Aliev, Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas and Ballet Contemporanea de Caracas in Venezuela, as well as Goteborg Ballet in Sweden performing principal and soloist roles. He has won choreographic prizes at YAGP and Korean National Competition. He is featured in Lois Greenfield's book "Moving Still" NY. He was a guest teacher at the Kirov Academy in DC for there Summer Programs in 2005, 2008 and 2015 and also taught at the Washington Ballet School. Mr. Rouiller is currently teaching and choreographing in the DC area. This year he is teaching at UMBC , Baltimore School for the Arts and City Dance Conservatory in DC. Recently Mr. Rouiller was visiting artist at UMBC Fall 2013. Also he was a lecturer in dance at John Hopkins University Peabody BFA program and recently Ballet Master at the Florida Ballet .
Erika Haydon
Dance Instructor
Erika Haydon has many years of teaching experience and extensive knowledge in all forms of dance at both recreational and competitive levels. She holds a B.A. in Dance from Dean College, where she was a member of the Dean Dance Company for four years. She has also been certified by the prestigious Acrobatics Arts. Her choreography has been recognized and awarded on both regional and national levels. Most recently, she was awarded the Al Gilbert Tap Award. Erika brings high energy, passion, and creativity to all of her classes. Students of hers have gone on to achieve great success in many different facets of performing. She hopes through her love and knowledge of dance to motivate and inspire all her students.
Brooke Morrison
Dance Instructor
Brooke Morrison is a dancer, choreographer and actress from Central
Massachusetts. She grew up dancing competitively at Diane Kelley Dance Studio
in West Boylston, MA and The Dance Center in Winchendon, MA. Throughout her
time in the studio, she trained with many top choreographers and teachers such
as Katy Spreadbury, Alicia Monaco, Mary Grace McNally, Derrick Yanford, Sandi
Duncan and many others. After graduating high school, Brooke attended the
University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she received her Bachelor of Fine
Arts in Dance and Minor in Theater. While there, she had the opportunity to train
with many decorated professors, including Thomas Vacanti, Leslie Frye-Maietta,
Paul Dennis, Bronwen McArthur and Lauren Cox. You can also see her as the
featured dancer in UMass Amherst’s commercial, “Be Revolutionary”! Brooke
has had the opportunity to work background on movies such as Hubie’s
Halloween, The Parenting, and on two episodes of Castle Rock. Most recently,
Brooke had the opportunity to live in New York City and train at the prestigious
Broadway Dance Center in their Independent Training Program. She has since
brought this knowledge back home with her to share with her students.
Currently, she holds safe stretch practice certifications from Alixa Flexibility in
Module one, Module two and Module three.
Jackie Heider
Dance Instructor
Jackie is a proud graduate of Elite Academy of Dance where she trained in many different styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, contemporary, and Acro. Throughout her competitive dance years, she attended numerous competitions and conventions and earned many local and national awards. She has had many performance opportunities such as dancing in the Miss Massachusetts pageant and performing for the Radio City Rockettes in Boston and is currently an IFL cheerleader.
Teaching children has always been a passion of Jackie’s and she was trained at Elite where she was an assistant teacher in many classes throughout her years there. After she graduated, she earned her B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education and taught Kindergarten. Jackie’s goal as a teacher is to provide a safe and encouraging space for her students to grow and learn all while having fun! She is so excited to be back at her home studio sharing her love of dance with her students!
JR Linden
Dance Instructor
JR graduated from the Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School at the University of New York at Buffalo in 1998 and received his certification as a dance educator in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. For 16 years he was a member of the Dance Teachers’ Club of Connecticut, Chapter 18 where from 2002 to 2004 he served on the Board of Directors. In the fall of 2014 he transferred his membership to Dance Masters of New England Chapter 5 where he sat on the Board of Directors from 2020-2022. From 2003 to 2005, he served as the National Co-Director of the Teen Miss/Mr. Dance of America title competition. For the past decade, JR has served as an adjudicator at the regional and national levels throughout the United States and Canada and is a highly-sought-after master teacher and guest choreographer. He has gained immense experience working for companies including many Chapters of Dance Masters of America, the American Dance Awards, Elite Dance Challenge, Dance Ovations, Star Systems, Dance Odyssey, Star Quest, Dance Xplosion and the Canadian Edge Dance Competition.
In June 2017, Jr established the nonprofit Dancers at Heart. Dancers at Heart believes we can all shine bright on stage but shining bright in life by helping and lifting others up is where we can all make an everlasting difference. DAH is committed to raising funds that benefit the health and wellness of those in need while fostering kindness and support. To date DAH has raised over $500,000 for various organizations. For more information please visit www.dancerstheart5678.org .
Currently, JR is a dedicated and enthusiastic faculty member at Melissa Hoffman Dance Center (Hudson, NH). He was also on the faculty for 10 years at Let’s Dance Inc (Stoneham, MA) and Concord Dance Academy (Concord,NH). He and his students are continually recognized for delivering clean, precise, and technical routines, winning many special, high overall and choreography awards at both the regional and national level. His students have held the titles of Dance Master’s of America National Teen Miss Dance of America 2017 and National Junior Miss Dance of America 2016. Some of his students held the title of National Teen Miss Turn It Up and National Petite Miss Turn It Up in both 2013 and 2014. His students also won the 2012 Senior Solo at Dance Xplosion Nationals (Orlando, FL)and Step Up to Dance National Senior Soloist 2012. His students have been selected as back-up dancers for young pop stars such as B-Capp and Kenzie, have performed with the Boston-based hip hop company StreetHype, and have traveled as apprentices with Excel in Motion and Motiv8 Convention Tours. Many students have been accepted to programs at the Boston Ballet, Kirov Academy, Walnut Hill, National Ballet of Canada and Juilliard. Others have succeeded in careers in dance as teachers, choreographers, and performers.
JR is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University where he received Bachelors of Science Degree inAccounting (cum laude) and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (magna cum laude). He works fulltime as the Director of Finance for Boys & Girls Club of Manchester located in Manchester, NH, and resides in Concord, NH,with his wife Cathy and their daughter Sophie.