Christine Safstrom

Christine has been officially dancing since the age of three, although her mother says she was dancing before she could walk. She was a Class Assistant at age 11, Assistant Teacher at age 14, and became Owner/Director of Dance Works Academy at age 18. She attended the Framingham Performing Arts Center, and Dean College Dance Program in Franklin MA.

Christine specializes in and has extensive training for Early Childhood Dance Development and uses a Dance and Movement Syllabus for ages  3 - 6 yrs. She studied with Margot Parsons from the Martha Graham studio and the American Ballet Theatre in the summer of 2003. Christine attended the Dance Teacher Conference in NYC in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. She has studied with master teachers from National Dance Institute, Sean Curran (Stomp!) Diane Smagatz-Rawlinson (certified leader of InterPlay, Dance Spirit and Dance Teacher Magazine), Sheila Barker, Mari Winsor (Winsor Pilates), Debbie Dee, Anthony LaCascio, Leah Gray, Cathy Roe, Rhonda Miller, Bob Rizzo, Marijeanne Liederbach, Savion Glover - Bring in ‘da Funk Bring in ‘da Noise on Broadway, Frank Hatchett (Broadway Dance Center), studied numerously w/Gregg Russell (choreographer for Disney’s Newsies, Gap commercials, Smashmouth, Sugar Ray, the B-52’s, Toni Basil, Alanis Morrisette and Reba McIntyre), Juan Sanchez (Joffrey Ballet), Steven Boyd (choreographer for the Jackson 5) and Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin (choreographers for So You Think You Can Dance!).

Christine attends Project Motivate for dance studio instructors and owners every year, and continues to attend dance workshops and conventions that tour local cities. She also periodically travels into Boston or to New York City to take classes with master teachers to keep updated and to offer the best dance education possible. Christine had the amazing opportunity of meeting Ben Vereen, Patrick Swayze and Mia Michaels. Christine owes her passion for dance to the late Roberta Maracek and Pamela Maracek, the original owners of The Upton School of Dance.

Lacy Donnelly

Lacy is an energetic teacher who brings excitement to the classroom. She has been dancing for 18 years and teaching for 8 years. Lacy has attended 4 years of UCA Cheerleading camp, 4 years with Dance Olympus where she has taken master classes from leading teacher’s from all over the country. Lacy has been fortunate to train with The Funky Bunch, Off the Curb, and even professional choreographers that have worked with Janet Jackson. She has also taken many workshops with New York City’s Todd Shanks, Manhattan Dance Project and The Patriot Cheerleaders.

Lindsey Heerde

Lindsey is a fun-loving, experienced Hip Hop and Jazz choreographer who has been dancing for 18 years and teaching for more than 5 years. She was a cheerleader throughout her high school years and graduated from Nipmuc Regional High School in 2003. Lindsey has attended various performances, master classes and workshops as well as The Dance Teacher Conference in NYC in 2005 and 2006, which included classes from Master Teachers and choreographers Chio, Rennie Harris, Gregg Russell, Michelle Barber, Cathy Roe, Sheila Barker, Bob Rizzo, Lynn Simonson, Tovaris Wilson and Michael Vernon. Linz has attended a variety of workshops with Off the Curb, Manhattan Dance Project, The Patriots Cheerleaders, Todd Shanks and from the Broadway show The Wedding Singer with Cara Cooper. She has also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Wiggles, Ben Vereen, Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing, One Last Dance) and Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance). Lindsey would like to offer all her education and experience with her students in every way possible.

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