Dance Works Academy I Staff

Dana Aniello, Owner and Director

Dana started her dancing career studying Ballet, Tap and Jazz under the direction of Nancy Kelly and Janet Miles. Upon moving to Upton, Dana has continued her dancing career assisting Christine at Dance Works Academy for four years, and has taught Creative Movement, Ballet and Tap as well as choreographed dances for recitals and shows since 2004. She continues to further her dance studies in New York City with Master teacher's Debbie Dee, Leah Gray, Mari Winsor, Cathy Roe, Deborah Damast, Anthony LaCascio, Sara Neece, and Todd Shanks in the areas of Tap, Ballet, Creative Movement and the art of teaching children and young adults various forms of dance. In September 2007 Miss Dana became the new Director and owner of DWA. Since taking over the studio Dana has attended many teacher training and studio owners conferences from Arizona to Massachusetts. Continuing education is the key to moving forward.

Jessica Bates

Jessica began dancing at the age of three with Dance Works Academy. During her time with DWA she studied Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop and Lyrical. Jessica was also a member of DWA's Competition Team and competed and travel to numerous competitions all over New England. In 2018, Jessica became a Professional Dancer for the Boston Cannons, a Major Lacrosse League (MLL) team based out of Quincy, MA. Being a professional dancer in Boston has given Jessica many amazing opportunities to work with other professional dancers and companies! Jessica is currently a company member with Dance Works Boston. She has also trained and preformed with many other professional dance companies such as Expressive Movement, Dance Company Worcester, and Boston Community Dance Project. She was also a finalist for the New England Patriots Cheerleaders as well as the Boston Celtics Dancers! Jessica is excited to spread her passion and love for dance!

Katelyn Peter

Katelyn began dancing at Dance Works Academy at 3 years old. For the past 12 years she’s been trained in ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, and musical theater. She has studied multiple styles of dance under master instructors such as Aaron Turner, Alex Wong, and Amelia Lowe, where she has received awards for her lyrical, contemporary, and tap dancing. Katelyn began dancing competitively at Dance Works Academy at 9 years old. Since then, her competition routines have won many high score awards, judges awards, and an invitation to a National Competition. Katelyn found her passion for teaching when she became an assistant at 11 years old. Katelyn joined the DWA faculty last season as a competition teacher and is very excited to be able to share her love for dance with her students as a this season!

Melissa St Cyr

Miss Melissa has been dancing since the age of three. She began her first teaching job at the age of 15 in 1998. After High School she attended college studying dance as well as psychology. Since then she has taught for various dance studios in Massachusetts including opening her own studio in 2004. Melissa ran her own dance studio for eight years. Miss Melissa’s favorite styles to teach are jazz and contemporary. She has taught all ages and styles including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater and competitive dance over the past 25+ years. Dance is all Melissa has loved to do since a very young age and she continues to share that love and passion with her students. She began teaching at DWA in 2021.

Cheryl Sweeney

Cheryl is a dance instructor for several local studios, who also owned and operated her own dance academy. She continues to attend dance conventions and classes to further her knowledge in dance and has recently become Acrobatic Arts Certified, and an Acro Dance Adjudicator: Certified Founding Member with the ADTA. Cheryl has her Masters in Education with a concentration in Spanish. Cheryl has been teaching dance for more than 20 years, during that time she has taught Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Pointe, Lyrical and Hip Hop to all ages and levels, recreational and competition, including adults. Cheryl also has a theater background and has been both director and choreographer for local Summer Theater Camps.

Daphne Sweeney

Ms. Daphne has been dancing for fifteen years. However, was always dancing around her house when music came on. She has trained with professional choreographers such as, Casie “Tynee” Goshow, Mikey Perkins, and Abby Lee Miller. She has trained in various styles of dance. Ms. Daphne’s favorite styles of dance are jazz, acro, and hip hop. She got first runner up for national mini tittle in 4th grade. Daphne has been part of many award winning routines. She has done nutcracker performances with Boston Dance Company, Dance Prism touring cast, Paula Meola, and Melrose Youth Ballet in roles such as Russian, Snowflake, and Flower.

Jenna-Kate Fischer

Miss Jenna began dancing as soon as she could walk. Having a mom (Miss Melissa StCyr) who not only taught dance but ran her own dance studio, it just came naturally. She trained under her moms direction for many years. She has since learned from various teachers in styles including Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop and Musical Theater. Jenna-Kate is a competitive dancer. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary. Miss Jenna also danced with her high school dance team competing in several competitions in the Boston area. Miss Jenna is constantly dancing and learning and training.