KATHY BLAKE, Director

JENNIFER HEINRICH - General Manager
Jennifer has been with the studio since 1984.  Jennifer traveled to Hollywood California to attend Dance Excellence in '92, '99, '01, ’06 & ‘08.  In 1999, she graduated from the College for Life Long Learning with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.  Jennifer’s cheerful spirit and efficiency in all general operations at KBDS make her a valuable member of the team.  She is in charge of all music reproduction on the computer for classes and performances. Along with team members Rebecca and Diana she is responsible for all measuring, ordering and fitting of all costumes for all performances.  She works on and directs teams for all general operations of KBDS and has a full time job managing Miss Kathy and making cupcakes for special events and birthdays at KBDS.  Her competence in so many areas, as well as her love and devotion to KBDS make her a much beloved and respected staff member.  Miss Jenn can really dance, too
Jennifer@kathyblakedancestudios.com

REBECCA HART - Administrative Director
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!
Rebecca@kathyblakedancestudios.com

DIANA SCHOFIELD - Costume Manager/Seamstress
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!
Diana@kathyblakedancestudios.com

DONNA NIXON - Office Assistant
Donna has been associated with KBDS since 1996.  She participated as a member of Rejoicing: A Dance Choir for five years.  Donna is currently teaching Movement classes at Easter Seals in Merrimack for adults with disabilities. Donna & her husband Robert are proud parents of five children and two grandchildren.  Donna keeps KBDS looking great, her quiet and loving manner is a welcome to all who call or come into the front office.  We love and adore her, her devotion, her competence and support of all the magic we make at KBDS.
Donna@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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. 
Tanya@kathyblakedancestudios.com

LIZ CALABRIA - Performing Arts Assistant Artistic Director KBDS
Kathy Blake Dance Studio is what it is because of Miss Liz!! Miss Liz is the newly appointed Assistant Artistic Director of KBDS.  She will be working 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. 
Liz@kathyblakedancestudios.com

KIMBERLY CIOLA - Performing Arts
Kimberly is a 2006 graduate of Dean College, Franklin, MA, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance with highest honors and inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. This multi-talented young woman has been dancing and participating in musical theatre productions since a very young child.  Kim’s talent, training and artistry extends over many dance and theatre disciplines including ballet, tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, acting and voice.   Kimberly has studied with such master teachers as Earl Moseley, Denise Jefferson, Derick K. Grant, Jill Silverman, and M’bewe Escobar.  She has choreographed and directed many productions for The Bedford Young Performing Company and has experience, not only in dance and production, but also as technical manager and designer of lights and sound.  Kimberly was chosen from hundreds of applicants to serve as an education intern at world-renowned Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, MA in 2006. In the fall of 2006, Kim attended Shock the Intensive Workshop in Worcester, MA. In August 2007 Kimberly attended the Dance Teacher Magazine’s Summer Convention in New York City.  Kimberly will be attending Dance Excellence in California with KBDS in March of 2008.  Kim’s smile, her loving yet professional teaching style, and her inspiring choreography has made her a KBDS favorite in only one year!
Kim@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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.
Connors@kathyblakedancestudios.com

JENNA DOWD - Performing Arts
Jenna has been dancing since she was a young child. She is a 2007 Cum Laude graduate of Rhode Island College where she studied dance and psychology. While in Rhode Island she studied and performed with many dance companies and was a scholarship member of the Rhode Island College Dance Company for three years. She taught dance classes for the YMCA of Greater Providence and volunteered with a Hip Hop and Step Dance program for inner city children. Her early training includes study in Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop and Ballet. She danced with the Milford Dance Workshop traveling dance troupe and also at Kathy Blake Studios for many years. Jenna attended the Dance Teacher Magazine Summer Convention in August 2007 in New York City.  She is so happy to be returning as the newest member of the Kathy Blake faculty. Jenna will be a welcome new presence in the office, the dance shoppe and as an inspiring new member of our faculty.  Miss Kyla’s younger sister – Yeah!
Jenna@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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!
Kyla@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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!
Laura@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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.   
Bethany@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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!
Liana@kathyblakedancestudios.com

TASHA STAPELFELD - Performing Arts
Tasha earned a BFA in Ballet Performance on scholarship at the University of Oklahoma and is certified in pilates.  Her extensive training in classical ballet includes the Austin Ballet, scholarship study with Boston Ballet, Balanchine Intensive with Bart Cook, Maria Calegari, Deborah Wingert, and the Moscow Ballet Intensive. She performed principal roles with the Oklahoma festival Ballet from Odette in "Swan Lake", to the Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker".   In 1995 and 1997 Tasha was invited to perform in Bordeaux, France and Clermont Ferrand, France under the direction of Mary Margaret Holt and Donn Edwards. In 1995 Tasha was honored to accept a scholarship award from Yvonne Chouteau "One of the five American Indian Ballerinas". She has also held company and faculty positions with Ballet New England, and Northern Ballet Theatre from 1997 to 2001. In August 2007 Tasha attended the Dance Teacher Magazine Summer Convention in New York City and had the honor of taking a master class with David Howard and Finis Jhung. She is a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. As the newly appointed Ballet Mistress of KBDS the program is carefully crafted following a syllabus that uses principles of Anatomy and Kinesiology while drawing upon the heritage of Vaganova, Cecchetti, and RAD schools of Ballet. She is excited to be an integral part of KBDS and it is her passion to pass down the tradition of excellence that ballet instills.
Tasha@kathyblakedancestudios.com

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.