Our Values
To achieve our goals and to therefore, accomplish Our Mission, we strongly believe that the proper environment is essential. At Dance It Up!, you may expect a warm, caring, nurturing and harmonious atmosphere, where cooperation, open communication, courtesy and respect are our trademarks.
Our Facility
- Opened in 1996
- Three beautiful, fully equipped, clean, well ventilated dance classrooms with observation windows and free of obstructions
- Resilient and well maintained, suspended floors; floor spaces are adequate for class size
- Access to drinking water, beverage vending machine, 3 restrooms
- Two furnished and decorated waiting areas; magazines for adults; books, toys and table and chairs for children; VCR and DVD players
Our Method
- We’re a non-competitive dance school whose Mission is to instill in our students a love of music and dance
- We offer a broad range of movement programs for ages 2 1/2 to adult
- Major portions of classes are devoted to formal/specific dance instruction, with a gentler approach for the younger students
- Performance focus at appropriate time(s) during the dance year
- Pointe work is authorized by the Director of the Ballet Program
- Our DANCE ‘N PLAY© program, a stepping stone to pre school, is designed to ensure young children (ages 2 1/2 to 4) are not beginning formal training too early; they are gently encouraged to explore movement and imagination; geared to provide social interaction in a fun and exciting atmosphere
About the Director
Stephanie Mack
Stephanie is currently President and Director of Dance It Up Inc., which opened in 1996. She holds a B.S. degree in Dance and Physical Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was formerly the owner/director of SMW Dance Studio in North Grafton, MA, from 1977 to 1987.
Stephanie began studying dance with Marlene Francis of Worcester, MA at the age of seven. In her early dance training, she also studied with Virginia Williams of the Boston Ballet, Don Farnsworth and Luigi to name a few.
Stephanie has developed, implemented and taught pre-school and other dance programs in Boston area studios. She co-created and is co-owner of the specialized registered pre-school dance program called Dance ‘N Play® These classes have been showcased on WCVB-Channel 5 Lifetime Television with Dr. Penelope Lynch, child psychologist, analyzing and promoting the benefits of non-competitive activities for young children.
She is ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified and holds a Massachusetts Teacher’s Certificate in Health and Physical Education, K-6. Stephanie is also trained in Classical Method and Stott Pilates.
About the Instructors
Brigit Catalanotti
Brigit graduated from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, completing her degree in Human Services/Social Rehabilitation. She is continuing her education in Dance Movement Therapy at Antioch University in New Hampshire.
She is a volunteer at Camp Sunshine, a camp for children who have cancer or are terminally ill. As well as at the Salvation Army After School Program for children.
While at Assumption College she was a member of the Dance Team; participates in and serves as a volunteer in the Addictions Program; and acts as a Tour Guide for Assumption College. Brigit is also a Camp Counselor for the town of Shrewsbury.
She was a student at Dance It Up! for 14 years and has been a member of our Faculty for six years. Brigit will be co-director of Team Dance It Up! for the 2013-2014 season.
Lacy Donnelly
Lacy is an energetic teacher who brings excitement to her classroom. She has been dancing for 20 years, teaching for 15 years, and specializes in Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. Lacy also has experience in Cheer Dance, Jazz, Modern, and Cardio Kick Boxing. She has attended professional workshops including Dance Olympus and The New York Dance Teachers Conference, working with various master teachers.
Her most recent training in Hip Hop was with Todd Shanks from Steps on Broadway of New York City. Todd’s choreography has been featured on the View and ABC Nightly News, and he is well known for a group of dancers known as “Cancer Dancer“.
Lacy also choreographed and performed for recording artist Susan Tedeschi at Berklee College of Music. Lacy has won choreography awards at Competitions such as Headliners, Kars, Starbound, and Dance Ovations.
Dance is her passion and choreography is her calling! Lacy’s commitment to her students and her career motivates her to continually take dance classes to keep herself challenged and inspired!
Michele Gordon
Michele has over twenty years of teaching, dancing and choreographing experience. She has taught students ages 2 ½ through adult in a variety of dance techniques, including Ballet, Jazz and Tap. She recently earned her Zumba certification.
She spent the first 10 years of her teaching career in New York, where she also was a choreographer and studio manager for the JG Dance Arts Center. She has had additional teaching and choreographing experience in both Florida and Texas.
She teaches Dance ‘N Play®, Intro and Ballet/Tap, as well as more advanced classes.
Deanna Jarvis
Deanna comes to us after teaching at Denise Day’s Dance Center in Shrewsbury Massachusetts. Deanna has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been trained in Jazz, Tap and Modern. Her expertise is in Hip Hop and has experience instructing ages 5 through high school students. She maintains a focus on technique and performance while incorporating appropriate movements and music for all classes.
Deanna continues to take master classes whenever possible to keep up on the current trends of hip hop. She is also part of a hip hop dance crew in Worcester called Critical MASS Crew. Critical MASS Crew won First place at Clarks got Talent and also Consortiums got talent!
We are very excited for Deanna to share her passion of Hip Hop with us!
Tracy Levicki
Tracy has been a member of the Dance It Up! faculty for five years. She obtained a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Framingham State College and is currently teaching third grade at the Grafton Elementary School. She has been a student of dance since the age of 2, taking classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern and Hip Hop.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Worcester State College. While attending WSC, Tracy performed in numerous shows with the Worcester State Dance Team as well as choreographed many production pieces.
Tracy has taught in Elementary and Special Education programs in the Worcester area for Pre-K through 9th grade.
Elizabeth McCarthy
Elizabeth McCarthy graduated with a BFA from the University of Hartford/Hartt School with an emphasis in children’s dance. Elizabeth began dancing at an early age, and immediately knew it was something she would be involved in her whole life. She studied Graham technique under Peggy Lyman and ballet with Franco DeVita & Alla Osipenko. Elizabeth has extensive teaching experience in ballet, contemporary, creative movement and yoga for children. In 2004, she started her own creative movement and yoga for children program which was offered to local preschools and daycares in the area. She has also worked also in the classroom setting with ages 2.9-6 years of age at multiple Montessori schools. Elizabeth is an accomplished pianist and flutist, playing since her early childhood. Her musical background also includes instructing music at a private K-6 academy. She has worked as a Director and Choreographer at numerous area high school drama productions, including Nipmuc Regional High School, Hopedale Elementary, Hudson Arts Alliance, and Shepherd Hill Regional High School. Dance It Up is excited to share in Elizabeth’s passion of both dance and music as she joins our faculty.
Nora O’Brien
Nora is a recent graduate of Sacred Heart University and is employed as a Spanish teacher at St. Mary’s High School in Worcester, MA.
Nora began her dance career at four years of age, with the McInerney School of Irish Dance. She competed in hundreds of Irish Dance competitions and was a champion dancer when she concluded her classroom study of Irish Dance. She now teaches at the McInerney School.
In addition to the competitive side of Irish Dance, Nora has also enjoyed public performances and has had the opportunity to dance with world renowned Irish performers, such as Cherish the Ladies and The Saw Doctors, in beautiful venues including Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA and the State House in Boston.
Kathryn Proulx
Kathryn graduated from Roger Williams University in 2011, with a Bachelor of Arts in both Elementary Education and Dance Performance. She has a passion for working with children and enjoys teaching and sharing her love of learning with her students.
Before leaving for college, Kathryn had studied dancing for over 16 years, 12 of which were at Dance It Up! Throughout her years at Roger Williams University, Kathryn was a member of their Dance Theater performing many modern dances including her own choreography. While at Roger Williams she was able to study under France Hunter, a previous member of Twyla Tharp’s company, Sean Curran, Tiffany Mills, Deganit Shemy, Jenny Rocha, Carl Flink, Kelly Donovan, David Dorfman, and Melody Ruffin Ward.
As part of the Dance Theater, Kathryn has performed in the American College Dance Festival New England Region in both 2010 and 2011. In 2010, Kathryn performed “This Way Through” choreographed by Angela Conte at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. This particular piece of dance was chosen to be shown at the American College Dance Festival National Showcase out of forty-five other works performed regionally that year.
Kathryn loves the joy dancing brings to life and is very happy to be back at Dance It Up!, guiding her students on an exciting journey to discover their own world of Dance! She will be teaching ages 4 to high school level. Kathryn will be co-director of Team Dance It Up! for the 2013-2014 season.
Catherine Rhodes – Artistic Director of the annaul Nutcracker Program
Catherine is Director of the Ballet Program at Dance It Up! Catherine received her ballet training in New Hampshire with Larry and Colleen Robertson, formerly of Boston Ballet and Ballet West and at Walnut Hill’s summer ballet program. She has a minor in Dance from the University of New Hampshire, with an emphasis in ballet.
While at UNH, she performed with the Ballet and Jazz Companies and the Modern Company, under guest direction by Paul Taylor Dancers. She also performed the title role of Pinocchio in an original ballet with original orchestral music. With the SeaCoast Ballet Company of New Hampshire and the New England Ballet Company of Connecticut, Catherine performed in various roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Swan Lake and many more.
In addition to many years of experience teaching dance to all ages, with a Master of Fine Arts degree, she teaches Interior Design at the college level as well as practices professionally and is raising her two children.
This year marks Catherine’s seventh year with Dance It Up!, She is the artistic director of Dance It Up!’s annual winter production of the Nutcracker and the new Ballet REPerformance Group.
Maureen Williams
Maureen graduated from Dean College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2010. She grew up in Bellingham, Massachusetts, where she began dancing when she was five years old. She attended Christine’s Dance Studio and Paula O’Malleys School of Dance.
She performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2005 with the Mike Miller Dance Team. Maureen has studied Ballet, Tap, Theatrical Jazz, Contemporary and various teaching techniques in Modern Dance.
We welcome Maureen to her third year teaching at Dance It Up!. She will be Team Dance It Up!’s Adminstrative Director for the 2013-2014 dance season.