Dana Aniello, Owner and Director
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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.
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Jessica McGann
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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 traveled to numerous competitions all over New England. In 2018, Jessica started her Professional Dance/Cheer career with the Boston Cannons Dance Team, a Major Lacrosse League (MLL) Team and was apart of their team for three seasons. She had the honor to watch them win the Steinfeld Cup Championship in 2020! It was with this team that she discovered her love for Pom Style Jazz and performing for large crowds in sporting events! She then joined the Massachusetts Pirates Cheerleaders, an Indoor Football League (IFL) team out of Worcester, MA. There, she continued to expand her Professional Dance/Cheer career and was with the Massachusetts Pirates Organization for two seasons. She also had the honor to watch them win the United Bowl Championship in 2020! Jessica became a team leader with the Massachusetts Pirates Cheerleaders on her last season and helped to coordinate game days and made sure her team was always game day ready! In 2024, Jessica then joined the Worcester Railers Cheerleaders, a professional hockey team (ECHL) also based out of Worcester, MA. With three professional sports teams under her belt, two championship wins and over six years of experience, Jessica specializes in Pom Style Jazz and loves to spread her experience and knowledge to the younger generations! Being a professional dancer based out of Boston has given Jessica many amazing opportunities to work with other professional dancers and companies! She has trained with DanceWorks Boston, 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!
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Katelyn Peter
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Katelyn began dancing at Dance Works Academy at 8 years old. For the past 20 years she’s been trained in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz. She has studied multiple styles of dance under master instructors including Mia Michaels. Katelyn has attended Ballet and Modern intensives both with the Boston Ballet in Boston. She became a teacher at DWA in 2011, and began choreographing for our competition team in 2014. In 2018 Katelyn received the “Outstanding Choreography Award” from Imagine National Dance Challenge, this award was given to 1 of 700 dance routines. While teaching at DWA Katelyn also holds a management position in Boston. Along with her love of teaching and choreography, Katelyn has a passion for health, fitness, and strength training.
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Cheryl Sweeney
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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.
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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.
Lily Sweeney
Miss Lily has been dancing since the age of two, assisting since the age of eleven, and teaching since her junior year of high school. Over the past seventeen years she has trained in styles including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, theater jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, hip hop, and jazz funk. Lily was apart of the CLI Conservatory’s year four from 2024-2025, where she had the opportunity to train with the industry’s top choreographers. She had the privilege of learning from professionals including Chris Scott, Martha Nichols, Blake McGrath, and Khori Petinaud.
Christina Koleoglou
Christina began dancing at the age of three on Long Island, NY. She trained and competed in a variety of dance styles, including Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater, Pointe, and Tap. Christina graduated from the University of Notre Dame with Bachelor’s degrees in both Mathematics and Economics. While at Notre Dame, she was a member of the Notre Dame Dance Company and the Notre Dame Pom Squad, where she served as captain. In addition to performing, she led the team’s choreography, fundraising, and community service. Since graduating, Christina has spent her time teaching at studios in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. She is a certified member of Dance Masters of America, New England Chapter. Her teaching focuses on fostering a safe, joyful space, developing confident dancers, and challenging students to reach their full potential.
Christina is delighted to bring her experience, patience, and love of dance to the dancers at DWA!
Christina is delighted to bring her experience, patience, and love of dance to the dancers at DWA!
Carissa Chardonneau
As a dancer of more than 20 years, Carissa has grown to love sharing her passion for dance and performing with her students. She has trained in the styles of tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop and has competed both regionally and nationally. Carissa began assisting with classes at her home studio at the age of 12, graduated from the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston Teacher Education Course in 2018 and began teaching in 2022. Carissa is also a science teacher at a local high school and instructs indoor cycling classes. Whether at the dance studio, in the classroom, or on the bike, Carissa loves to perform and express her joy of movement through the power of music. She hopes to foster a love for the arts and create a learning environment where her students feel safe to express themselves.