Joan Phelps Palladino – Founder and Dean of the Dean School of Dance; choreographer; dance panelist; consultant; equivalency of Master’s Degree plus 30 credits in dance techniques; lecturer/teacher/performer on the values of dance in education via TV; research, teaching and directing in the Caribbean; research on children’s wellness and learning through dance; teaches Modern Dance, Pedagogy and Creative Movement; supervises Dance Internships and serves as producer of all dance performances.
James T. Beauregard
Technical Director of all dance and theatre performances; founder of Dean College Summer Theatre; M.A. in Theatre and Dance; Co-Chair of The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region I; former Artistic Director for the Medieval Manor Theatre/Restaurant in Boston, where he still performs; trained with Cumberland Company Dance Theatre for seven years becoming a stage combat choreographer, juggler and actor; directs theatre productions; teaches Technical Production, Acting, Character Study, Movement Improvisation and Public Speaking.
Michelle DaSilva-Ball
Member of Actor’s Equity; has performed in over 40 shows including musical theatre, cruise lines, industrials and television; B.F.A. in Dance Performance; adjudicator for international and national dance competitions; has taught master classes for Dance Olympus and throughout the U.S.A.; teaches Jazz.
Christine Bennett
Founded and directed Boston-based Bennett Dance Company from 1996-2008; B.F.A and M.F.A in dance; received choreographic recognition and funding from the New England Foundation for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Dance Umbrella, and the Boston Center for the Arts; taught dance at Smith, Hampshire, and Mount Holyoke Colleges, the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Boston University and Roger Williams University and has conducted master classes throughout the Northeast. Teaches Dance Composition I
Julie Cassamas
After graduating from Dean College with an A.A. in dance, Julie received a B.A. degree from Rhode Island College. Julie hasenjoyed a successful career dancing professionally. Julie is co-owner of the Shannon O’Brien School of Dance as well as founder and Artistic Director of the Evolution Movement Co. Julie’s choreography has been presented all over the east coast from Florida to New York and most recently New Haven, CT. Julie is on the judging staff of American Dance Awards where she travels several times a year enjoying dance across America and Canada. Currently Julie is enjoying performing with Andary Dance, a national touring company based out of Boston and Providence; teaches Ballet.
Jennifer Jenkins –Performed with Ballet West/Utah, International Ballet Company/Europe, Ririe-Woodbury Modern Company/Utah and Jazz Performing Company/California; has appeared in multiple TV spots, dance videos and commercials; a dance educator and choreographer; B.A. degree from University of Utah; teaches Modern Dance and Creative Movement for Children.
Maryanne Kodzis – Co-Artistic Director of Pioneer Valley Ballet; performed with Connecticut Ballet Theatre, Albany Ballet, and Contempo Dance; B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Massachusetts and M.F.A. in Choreography and Performance from Smith College; teaches Ballet, Dance History I, Kinesiology and Dance Company Choreography.
Nailah Randall-Bellinger – Founder and Director of the California based Ebony Jazzettes; B.A. degree in Franco African Literature; M.A. degree in Dance History/African American Literature; dance research in Brazil, West Africa, Paris and Haiti; Founder and Director of Roots Uprising, a modern based dance company; has taught Master Classes for American Dance Association and Dance Masters of America for their national conventions; guest lecturer at Charles University in Czech Republic; teaches Modern Dance, Dance Composition, Dance History, Film Survey in Dance, Dance Company Choreography, serves as Director of the Senior Performance and is Director of the Honors Program.
Mike Sartini – Extensive teaching experience as a percussionist in both the high school and college environment; B.M. degree in Music Performance; has played for numerous musicals at Theatre by the Sea, University of Rhode Island and Roger Williams University; sound engineering background; teaches Rhythmic Analysis, Applied Music, serves as the percussionist for Modern Dance classes.
Jill Silverman – Former Director of the Classical Ballet in Cambridge; teaches throughout New England and has been Co-Director associated with American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet; M.A. in Pedagogy; teaches Ballet, Pointe/Variations, Pedagogy, Dance Company Choreography and is Director of the Dance Company.
Bryan Steele –Performed with Prometheus Dance Company for 13 years; has also performed with Impulse Dance, Ariel Dance Theatre and Island Moving Company; has taught at Boston Ballet, Walnut Hill School and Perry-Mansfield; owns The Academy of Performing Arts, New England; has been a guest artist in Germany, Venezuela, France, Ecuador and Spain; teaches Modern Dance.
Bob E. Thomas – Director, choreographer and performer for the Kamikaze Jitterbugs and Roots of American Dance: The African-European Synthesis 1850-1940, an original historical program; performances include the Boston Pops on July 4th; the San Antonio, Houston, Jacksonville and New Mexico Symphonies; vaudeville shows in Germany; the Artie Shaw Orchestra Asian tour; published in various dance magazines; B.M. degree in Theory; teaches Tap and Theatre/Dance Choreography.
Elizabeth Trombley-Wildes – Owner of Elevé Danse Centre; B.A. degree in dance; has taught throughout New England and New York at performing arts centers; alumna of Dean College; teaches Tap Dance.
Jean Wenzel – Co-founder of Compass Dance Tournament; performed in national nightclub tours; nationally known dance adjudicator, recently judging the World Tap Dance Championships in Germany; past president of DMA, New England Chapter 5; founder of New England Dance Expo; Dance Specialist for Southeastern Massachusetts Arts Collaborative; teaches Tap Dance, Dance Company and Theatre Choreography.
