KATHY BLAKE

SUZANNE BLAKE GERETY
Vice President, Research & Development
Suzanne has been a part of the dance studio in various ways her entire life. In the early years it was taking many dance classes and looking forward to recital day with great excitement each year. Today, Suzanne oversees research and development for KBDS in the areas of technology and marketing. She also collaborates with the management team on public relations and other business operations. Suzanne is also the owner of On Pointe Media LLC, the parent company of DanceStudioOwner.com. As the co-founder of DanceStudioOwner.com, she empowers studio owners to grow their business with the tools and technology that help them work smarter, not harder. She has been featured in various pieces for Dance Teacher Magazine including “Ask the Experts”. Suzanne’s workshops have been presented at Dance Media’s Dance Teacher Summit 2009 and will be featured again in 2010. In addition to a degree in Psychology and Child Development, Suzanne has training and experience in communication and leadership from one of the world's foremost personal development companies. She is the mother of two young children and is an advocate for dance education throughout the world.

LIZ CALABRIA
Director KBDS
Kathy Blake Dance Studio is what it is because of Miss Liz!! She works closely with Miss Kathy to fulfill the vision and projects of the leadership team of KBDS.   Liz is a senior teacher at KBDS and has been teaching Tap, Jazz and Ballet here since 1988.  With KBDS, Liz represented the State of NH competing in the Young Americans National Dance Invitational in 1988.  She has choreographed for many local community groups including the Amherst PTA and the Acting Loft in Manchester.  In the Fall of 2003, Liz also choreographed the premiere production for the Nashua Catholic Junior High Theater Group.  In 1991 she received teacher-training certification from the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston and became a member in 1992.  Liz attended the Dance Teacher Magazine’s Summer Convention in New York City in August 2007.  Liz is a mainstay in our children's programs at KBDS.  When you dance with Liz, you have fun while you learn, explore, and expand your capacity for self-expression and artistry regardless of your age, ability or interest. 

ERIN COUGHLIN
Performing Arts
Erin trained on scholarship with Granite State Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet.  She was a principal dancer for The Granite State Ballet and danced with The Colorado Ballet as well. She has performed principal and soloist roles in Swan Lake, La Bayedere, Paquita, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, La Sylphide, and others. She enjoys working with children and has a BA in Psychology and an M.Ed in Special Education with an emphasis on early childhood and literacy and has taught Kindergarten and first grade.  She enjoyed dancing and performing and now enjoys passing on her love for ballet and her understanding of the technique and artistry of classical ballet.   Erin is a well-respected and loved teacher of ballet. 

REBECCA HART
Office Manager, Performing Arts
Rebecca is a 1994 graduate of Dean Junior College in Franklin, MA, with an Associate Degree in the Performing Arts.  She has had extensive training in Modern, Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Creative Dance and danced at KBDS since she was a child.  In 1996, she also graduated from New Hampshire Technical College with an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies.  She is the Administrative Director of Kathy Blake Dance Studios and is also a member of the Performing Arts Faculty.  Rebecca was a part of the studio company who represented the State of New Hampshire in 1992 and 1999 at "Dance Excellence" in Hollywood, CA.  As director, her management skills and love of the studio atmosphere creates a positive and supportive environment for students, faculty and their families.  In the fall of 2006, Rebecca attended Shock the Intensive Workshop in Worcester, MA.  Rebecca is the director of the Sacred Dance Program at the United Methodist Church in Milford.  Rebecca is an extraordinary woman who enjoys the many challenges of studio management and a busy family life.  Rebecca amazes us by scheduling all seven recital performances, managing accounts payable, costumes and costume packets, human resources, tickets and backstage operations at SHOWTIME – the list is endless and her competence and passion for KBDS is unparalleled!

DIANA SCHOFIELD
Costume Manager/Seamstress, Dance Shoppe Manager
Diana Schofield began at KBDS as volunteer.  She generously gave of her time and talent to fit and alter costumes for our dance company performances.  As the mom of Margaret, one of our students, Diana’s skills and efficiency for managing the multiple tasks of costume management became apparent. Diana is an expert amateur seamstress she now works in a professional capacity as full time manager/seamstress of the thousands of costumes fitted and worn each year by students of KBDS.  Miss Diana we love you our Costume Angel!

TANYA ANDERSEN
Performing Arts
Tanya began dancing when she was four years old at the Milford Dance Workshop in Milford, NH.  At the age of twelve, she came to Kathy Blake Dance Studios to study Ballet with Kathy.   Since that time she has been studying Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop and Modern, Lyrical and Children's Dance.  In the fall of 05’ & ’06 Tanya attended the Shock Dance Intensive in Worcester MA, where she danced with brilliant teachers such as tap teacher Mark Goodman.  Tanya has accompanied the dance studio to Dance Excellence in California in 2006 & 2008 where she was inspired by Suzy Miller and Doug Caldwell.  In August of 2007 Tanya attended the Dance Teacher Magazine’s Summer Convention in New York City.  In 2005 Tanya received her Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts from the Institute of Art in Manchester.  Recently, Tanya became an ASEP certified coach for NH and will be coaching the Souhegan High School dance team this fall.  Her artistry, energy and love for dance, as well as her love of her students of all ages, make her one of the most popular teachers on the faculty. 

LIZ CONNORS
Performing Arts
Liz began dancing in 1985 under the direction of Donna M. Killerby, in Lowell, Massachusetts at Demetra School of Dance.  She studied Ballet, Pointe, Tap, and Jazz.  In 1987 she became a teacher assistant and in June of 1993 she began team teaching with Donna and soon thereafter became a full teacher at the studio.  Liz particularly enjoys teaching the preschoolers, and she was a favorite among the little ones.  After starting her own family, she moved to Brookline, NH in 1998.  Liz has been a part time student at Rivier College earning a BA in Human Development and has been teaching and taking dance and academic classes part time.  She is excited to be back on the dance floor as a preschool teacher for KBDS while also enjoying her life as a wife and a mother of two lovely children, Devon and Jenna.  Liz is a quiet, loving, devoted presence at KBDS both on and off the stage.

KYLA DOWD
Performing Arts
Kyla began dancing as a child and has had lifelong training in Ballet, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, and Jazz dance.  She went on to study modern and jazz at Keene State College.  Kyla was founder and captain of the Milford High School Dance Team and was a member of the Keene State College Dance team.  Kyla has taken classes with Jermaine Brown, Adrienne Hawkins, Chio, Germaine Goodson, and Rhapsody.  In the fall of ‘05 & ‘06, Kyla attended Shock the Intensive Workshop in Worcester, MA.  Kyla was an assistant teacher at the Milford Dance Workshop, taught jazz dance for the Milford Middle School Enrichment Program, and was a choreographer for Amherst Patriots Cheerleaders before becoming one of the mainstay faculty members at KBDS.  Kyla attended the Dance Teacher Magazine’s Summer Convention in New York City in August of 2007. She is a registered nurse, a beautiful dancer, teacher, and choreographer and brings a sensitivity and exuberance to all of her work.  In addition to teaching, Kyla is the KBDS Dance Shoppe Manager.  KBDS is delighted to have this talented young woman, mother of two beautiful young daughters, as a key member of the faculty. Kyla has brought hip hop to the Adults Only program and has made “being really cool” possible for everyone!

MICHELLE DOWLING
ZUMBA
Michelle is a lifelong student of dance and loves to study, teach and perform.  Her love of fitness expanded when she was certified in Zumba in April of 2009 and attended the National Zumba Convention in Orlando in September of 2009 and is certified also by the American Council on Exercise and Aquatic Exercise.   Michelle graduated from the University of New England in 1991 with a Bachelors of Science.  She is an Occupational Therapist/Certified Hand Therapist who specializes in upper quadrant and hand injuries and works full time in Bedford, NH.  Michelle and her husband Karl are the proud parents of Michaela and Matthew.
 

AMY GOUDREAU
Performing Arts
Amy Goudreau is a 2008 graduate of Keene State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Dance. She has taught through a Dance Internship at Keene State, as well as at studios and dance camps throughout New England. She teaches Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Theatre Dance and Modern for all ages. Most recently, Amy facilitated a Lecture Demonstration for Pilobolus Dance Theatre's Masterwork, "WALKLYNDON", in the Walpole, NH school district. She attended the 2008 Dance Teacher Summer Conference in New York City, and in October 2009 she attended the Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston Conference. Amy is a joy to all who attend her  classes.

LAURA HORNE
Performing Arts
Laura began her dance training at the Raylyn School of Russian Ballet over 20 years ago.  She received a B.S. in dance education at Skidmore College, and then continued on to New York to study on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey School.  Other years were spent studying with May O'Donnel, Finis Jhung and the Broadway Dance Center.  Laura stayed in New York for ten years dancing and doing theatre, before moving to California in 1992.  There she began teaching dance at the Lycee International Schools of Los Angeles.  She recently revisited the stage in the Southern New Hampshire Dance Theatre production of the Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre.  In the fall of ’06, Laura attended the Shock the Intensive Workshop in Worcester, MA.  Laura lives in Milford with her husband Chris and two beautiful daughters Sierra & Christina.  Laura is a wonderful teacher, dancer, and choreographer and we are delighted to have her on our faculty!  Laura’s innovative and creative choreography is a favorite at KBDS!

ASHLEY HUGHES
Performing Arts
Ashley began dancing in 1986 at the Nashua YMCA and then at the Southern NH Dance Theater beginning in 1991.  She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Musical Theater/Dance Studies and English from Wheaton College in Norton MA in 2006 and has expanded her dancing experience ever since.  Ashley has performed in numerous musical theater productions; her credits including, Roxie (Chicago)First Runner-up for Best Actress in NH in2009, Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Adelaide (Guys & Dolls), Sandy and Rizzo (Grease), and Dorothy (Wizard of Oz).  Ashley has choreographed four full length musicals, created and directed a dance & theater club for a technical high school in Taunton MA, and performed all four years of college on her hip hop/ multicultural dance team TRYBE, where she was named manager.  When not on stage or the dance floor, Ashley is spending the rest of her time finishing up her master’s degree to become a physician’s assistant.  Ashley brings a wealth of Musical Theatre and Hip Hop experience to her classes.

BETHANY LOVERING
Artistic Director of the Dance Companies
Bethany graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City in the spring of 2001.  While attending this internationally prestigious school for the performing arts she studied all forms of performance including musical theatre, improvisation, classical voice, scene study, tap, jazz, and classical ballet.  She took classes in original Broadway choreography which she is very excited to share with her students.  Bethany danced at Roger Williams University with the dance team and finished a work-study program in Jazz and Hip-Hop at Impulse Dance Studio in Boston, MA under the tutelage of Adrienne Hawkins.  Bethany is a script writer and has performed, co-directed, stage managed, and choreographed for local children’s companies including Andy’s Summer Playhouse, Peacock Players and The Acting Loft.  In April 2006 Bethany traveled with KBDS to Dance Excellence in Los Angeles, CA.  Bethany brings professionalism, grace and passion for dance, theatre and performance to her many devoted students at KBDS.  Bethany lives in Hollis, NH with her husband Ricky and is expecting her first child in December.  As new Director of the Dance Companies, she will bring outstanding leadership and professionalism to the artistic level, performance, and educational opportunities for all company members.  Her direction and vision will elevate the presence of our companies in the studio and in the community.   

RACHEL PETERS
Performing Arts
Rachel has an extensive background in classical ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance.  When a member of our Senior Dance Company, she attended Dance Excellence in California, and performed at Disneyland.  In the summer of 2009 she attended the Dance Teacher Summit in New York City studying with the world’s greatest dance luminaries.We are thrilled to have Rachel’s grace, beauty, talent and training available to our students!

LIANA SHEPPARD
Performing Arts
Liana joins the faculty from the San Francisco Bay Area where she received sixteen years of dance and performance training in jazz, tap and ballet.  Liana began performing in the "Can't Stop Dancing" series presented yearly at Foothill College.  She continued her training at such studios at Zohar School of Dance, where she studied tap dance and Luigi-style lyrical jazz with Ehud Krauss, Western Ballet, Academy of American Ballet and the American Musical Theatre of San Jose.  In 2001, Liana became a member of the Donna Cerio Theatre Dance Company where she performed works in the Fosse Style.  Liana attended Shock the Intensive Workshop in Worcester, MA in the fall of 2006.  In August 2007 Liana participated in the Dance Teacher Magazine’s Summer Convention in New York City.  While pursuing her life long dream of dancing and performing, Liana worked as an Associate Scientist in both academia and the biotechnology sector studying molecular and cellular biology.  She received her Biology degree from Brandeis University in 1986.  Liana and her husband Len are the proud parents of Samantha and Rachel and are living in Brookline.  Liana was the inspiration for our Adults Only program and has made the joy of dance and full self-expression available for everyone.  Don’t miss her classes!

JOLANTA VALEIKAITE
Guest Teacher, Ballet
Born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ms. Valeikaite received her training from the Vilnius Ballet School.  As a student she received her break through at the age of 18 debuting in the title role of Giselle, whereupon she was promoted to soloist in the Lithuanian National Ballet Company.  Her coaches include T. Legat, I. Kolpakova and P. Gusev.  A principal dancer for 10 years with the company, her principal roles include those in Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda, and Romeo and Juliet.  She also toured extensively in the United States, South America and Europe.  In 1988, she received prizes in international ballet competitions in Moscow, Varna and Paris.

THERESA WALLER
Performing Arts
Theresa is excited to be part of the faculty of Kathy Blake Dance Studios.  She has been teaching dance in the Manchester and Nashua area for over 15 years.   Locally Theresa has performed at the Palace Theatre’s production of “42nd Street” as well as “My Fair Lady”.  As well as teaching at KBDS Theresa holds a full time position as Director and Preschool Teacher at the Nashua Adult Learning Center and has been presented the award for “Best Childcare Provider” for the Nashua area.  She has studied at the Jeannette Neil Studio in Boston, MA as well as Dance Expressions in Manchester, NH.   Theresa loves sharing the joy of dance with her students.  She lives in Milford with her husband and four young children.

OTHER FACULTY MEMBERS
Erin Coughlin – Classical Ballet

MISSION STATEMENT
Kathy Blake Dance Studios staff & faculty will operate with respect for the art and heritage of dance as a performing art.  We are committed to professionalism and excellence in our classes, faculty, administration, annual performance, and general operations.  We share in the joys and challenges of dance education in a disciplined, yet positive environment that encourages the development and full self-expression of each dancer, regardless of age or experience.