Tricia Apicelli

Office Manager of

The Putnam Dance Center

Tricia has been the Office/Accounts Manager for The Putnam Dance Center for 7 years, and part of the PDC family for over 20 years.  Tricia handles the financial aspect of family accounts and can help assist with any questions you may have regarding your account.  Tricia is also the Camp Administrator for Camp Jori, which she does part-time in the off season and full-time in the summer.  She enjoys taking the Adult classes offered at the studio, bringing back the wonderful memories of dancing when she was younger.  In her free time, she loves to make edible creations with her kids!  Tricia is looking forward to another fabulous year at the studio.

Annette Hebard

Director of

The Putnam Dance Center

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2020-2021 Classes:

Ballet/Tap, Tap, Preschool, Wiggles n Giggles, Dancing is Fun, & Creative Movement

Annette began dance lessons at the age of 12 in her hometown of Derby, CT. She was also a student at the Muriel Grossfield School of Gymnastics in the mid 70’s and was among the Top 10 Gymnasts in the state of Connecticut in 1975. She graduated from Bennett College in Millbrook, New York in 1977 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Dance. From 1978 to 1983 she was a member of The Jeanette Niell Dancers and The Beverly Richards Dancers in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1982, Annette was a member of The Heartbreakers, a professional cheerleading squad for the Boston Breakers of the USFL. She has also performed in industrial shows for Thom McCann and Kendell Pharmaceuticals. Annette was a former faculty member of the Betty Gundersen Studio of Dance in West Brookfield, Massachusetts, the Sally McDermott Dance Studio in Auburn, Massachusetts, and the Charlotte Klein Dance Centers in Westboro and Worcester, Massachusetts before opening The Putnam Dance Center in 1996. She has choreographed musicals at The Bradley Playhouse and the Swamp Meadow Community Theatre in Foster, RI, coached high school and college cheerleading squads. 

Annette teaches the 2.5-9 year old students and continues her dance teaching education through numerous conventions and workshops in order to learn and pass on as much as she can to her wonderful young students.

Annette is certified in Acrobatic Arts Module 1, and is a member of Dance Masters of America (DMNE); Chapter 5

Kelsey Rioux

Co-Director of

The Putnam Dance Center

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2020-2021 Classes:

Acro Dance, Ballet, Pointe, Tap/Jazz, Jazz Modern, Styles, Competition Coordinator

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2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Ballet

Kelsey Rioux grew up in Killingly, CT, and began her dance education at The Putnam Dance Center where she danced for 15 years. While teaching and choreographing at the studio, she continued her studies at Rhode Island College located in Providence, RI. Here she received a B.A. in Dance Performance and a minor in Mathematics, and graduated summa cum laude with a four-year talent, and presidential scholarship. While at Rhode Island College, Kelsey has had the pleasure of working with her professors Angelica Vessella and Jessica Pearson, and also guest artists such as Bob Boross, William Evans, Jennifer Archibald, Keigwin+Company, and David Parker. Recently, she has performed with the RIC Dance Company and

Boston Community Dance Project in several areas throughout New England, and a few performances in New York City.

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In furthering her education, Kelsey has recently been certified in the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) Safety & Wellness Course, which includes a verified background check, and certification in Adult & Pediatrics First Aid/CPR/AED. She is also a member of Dance Masters of America (DMNE) Ch. 5, and is certified with an international Acro Dance organization for Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and 2.

Kelsey has been a teacher and choreographer for over 10 years, and is looking forward to working with her students at The Putnam Dance Center this year!

Amanda Farley

Amanda Farley started her dance career as a youngster with the Burrillville RI Parks and Recreation dance program and then moved on to dance with the American Ballet Company in Pascoag, RI. Following those experiences, she danced for 20+ years, in all genres, with Physical Attitude in Pascoag, RI. She was a member of the competition team at Physical Attitude. She began as an assistant teacher at Physical Attitude in 1993 and shortly after began to teach her own classes. Amanda graduated from the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston’s (DTCB) training program and has been a member of DTCB. By day, Amanda is a speech-language pathologist in the public schools in Massachusetts. She works with children from three years old through fourth grade. Amanda resides in Rhode Island with her two children, Keighan and Wesley, and her husband, Jared.  Amanda is excited to be part of the PDC family and to share her love of dance!

2020-2021 Classes:

Hip Hop

Caitlyn Sward

Caitlyn Sward is new to The Putnam Dance Center faculty this year. Caitlyn is a certified personal trainer through the American Council of Exercise (ACE), a recent graduate from the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the University of Connecticut. As a former dancer herself, Caitlyn will be drawing on her 15 years of experience to create a conditioning class on Saturdays. This class will focus on minimizing injuries in young dancers, as well as increasing strength, endurance and athleticism. Caitlyn has extensive experience teaching as a piano teacher, private biochemistry tutor, and QVCC Learning Center tutor. She is also a devoted dog mom to Ellie and Marzipan and an avid traveler.

2020-2021 Classes:

Conditioning

Danielle Montville

Danielle Montville has been in and out of the dance community since the age of 11, when she studied dance at Aprilles Danceprints. There, she competed in advanced Tap and completed advanced Jazz and Ballet training. This is her sixth year teaching at The Putnam Dance Center. Recently she has advanced her movement education by completing a 250 hour Yoga Instructor Certification as well as a certification specific to Chakra work which she obtained through Aura Wellness Center out of North Attleboro, MA. Danielle has a passion for dance and believes that dance should be rooted from love, with an emphasis of technique and of course, always fun!  She lives in Killingly with her extremely supportive husband Trevor and her fun-loving, seven year old daughter Evelyn, who has been dancing at Putnam Dance Center for 6 years herself!

2020-2021 Classes:

Tap/Jazz

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2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Jazz

Caitlin LeSage

Caitlin LeSage is a senior at the Woodstock Academy. She has been dancing for 14 years, including 5 years on Competition Dance Teams. At competitions, she has won several judges awards and was part of productions, duos and group dances that won first place at multiple regional and national dance competitions. Caitlin has been awarded scholarships to dance conventions in Tap, Hip Hop and Musical Theater. She has also participated in numerous classes and conventions with artists such as Al Blackstone, Mia Michaels, Nick Demoura, Jason Janas, Jason Samuel Smith, Karen Callaway Williams, and Anthony Morigerato. Caitlin is currently a member of the Boston Tap Company. She will be teaching Intermediate/Advanced Tap at The Putnam Dance Center this year. Besides teaching, Caitlin also works as a camp counselor during the summer at the Brooklyn Recreation Camp. She is excited to be part of the PDC family!

2020-2021 Classes:

Tap

Deanna Costa

Deanna Costa couldn’t have been more honored when Annette asked her to dust off her ballet slippers & jazz shoes and join the Putnam Dance Center Family this fall. Deanna started dancing at 2 1/2 years old at “Dotty’s School of Dance” in Plainfield, CT. She danced with that studio for 16 years. She performed and competed in all genres including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. As a young adult, in her junior & senior year, she was choreographing her own routines and independently teaching classes. She even attended intensives at the Dance Masters of America training school in NY in 1998 & 1999. Deanna has also participated in musical theatre. She was an ensemble member and an assistant choreographer in the dance routines of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “West Side Story” performed at Woodstock Academy. Deanna is currently employed as a Registered Nurse at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. She has been a labor and delivery nurse for sixteen years and loves coaching Mom’s through labor and teaching them about the body’s endless strengths. Deanna lives in Canterbury with her three children, boston terrier puppy, & husband, Michael. Her oldest daughter, Caroline, has been dancing at the PDC for the last seven years. Deanna is so excited to be part of the PDC family and share her passion of dance with its members!!!

2020-2021 Classes:

Pre-School, Ballet/Tap, Ballet, Jazz

Erin Canty

Erin holds a Degree in Dance from Dean College. While at Dean, Erin performed with the Dean Dance Company, in the musicals “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Anything Goes”, and student dance showcases. College accreditations include “Phi Theta Kappa” inductee, “Martin Dance” scholarship, “Rosco Woodward” scholarship, and the “Beryl Martin Memorial Award in Dance and Theatre”. 

After graduating Dean, Erin furthered her education at the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City, under the direction of Judith Jamison. She studied Horton, Dunham, Jazz, Ballet, and African dance. She took class at “Broadway Dance Center” and “Steps On Broadway” with renowned teachers and choreographers: Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo” Nappy Tabs”, Chris Judd, Stacey Tookey and the late and great, Frank Hatchett. Erin performed various roles in “The Nutcracker” and “Alice in Wonderland” with Dance Prism Ballet Company.

In 2000, Erin established Canty Dance Centre. Five years later, her studio was named “50 Studios on the Move” by Dance Teacher/Dance Spirit Magazine. For 13 years, her studio was awarded the “Golden Torch Award”.  She has been involved in community fundraisers and events to raise money for foundations close to her heart, such as Little Hearts, Inc., Special Olympics, and The American Cancer Society. 

Erin adjudicated for the Miss Plymouth and Miss Middleboro pageants in 2013 and Step Up 2 Dance Talent Competition for the past 7 seasons. Erin is a master teacher for Step Up 2 Convention.  Erin has won numerous awards for her “innovative choreography” and “story telling”. She draws inspiration from other members of the dance community and takes every opportunity to share her love of the arts with her peers. Erin has worked for some of the area’s most prestigious studios and is now excited to add The Putnam Dance Center to that list. Recently, Erin joined the respected organization, Dance Masters of American New England Chapter 5. She is honored to share this privilege with other dance educators.  This is Erin’s 4th year teaching at The Putnam Dance Center, both at the recreational and competitive level. She is a proud mom of 3, daughters Savannah and Delaney, and son Zachary.

2020-2021 Classes:

Modern/Ballet, Modern, Adult Classes (Hip Hop, Tap, & Jazz)

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2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz

Janelle Charron

Janelle Charron is currently a Senior at Killingly High School. She has been a dancer at The PDC for 11 years, and has been a competition team member for 5 years. Over the years, Janelle has won many judges awards and overalls for her routines. She was also a recipient of The PDC Outstanding Student Award at the studio, and has received other studio scholarships. Janelle is so happy to be teaching again this year, and is looking forward to spending her senior year at the studio as "Aurora" in Sleeping Beauty.

2020-2021 Classes:

Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Modern/Ballet

Jennifer Paquette

Jennifer is an alumnus from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, and graduated with a BFA in Dance with a concentration in Jazz Dance Performance. There she received the Dance Program’s Performance Scholarship Award for all four years and the University’s Academic Scholarship for three years. She is a former dance company member at the Charlotte Klein Dance Center in Worcester, MA and has participated in numerous classes and conventions with Mia Michaels, Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano, Denise Wall, Mandy Moore, and Sonya Tayeh. She was a featured dancer in productions of “Guys and Dolls,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Chicago,” and “Dames at Sea.” After returning from Brooklyn, NY, where she extended her studies at The Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, she continued to take classes at the Jeanette Neill Dance Studio in Boston, MA. Jenn has been teaching in the New England area for the past 16 years. Her choreography has earned her 1st place overall high scores as well as the winning routines for Miss Dance of New England, 2nd runner up to Miss Dance of America, Miss Headliners, ADA Dancer of the Year, and Mr. CanDance. She choreographed and modeled for “Giving Back in Black” at the R.I. Convention Center for Paul Mitchell Professional Hair Care Systems and has been involved with multiple professional photo shoots. She has appeared on HGTV, PBS, and performed at Fenway Park for the Red Sox World Series kickoff party. She was the recipient of the Sherry Gold Memorial Award for Outstanding Choreography, 13 and over Outstanding Choreography from Legacy Dance Championships, as well as the title of America’s Choreographer of the year. Jenn belongs to Jazz Inc., a Boston based Jazz dance company. She is so excited to have been a part of the PDC family for the past 16 years

2020-2021 Classes:

Jazz

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2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Contemporary, Jazz

Idrissa McCallum

2020-2021 Classes:

Hip Hop

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2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Hip Hop

Idrissa McCallum is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts with many years of dance experience, including having studied at the Alvin Ailey School, JoAnn Warren Studio, and with the Boston Youth Moves (Jeannette Neill). She was fortunate to attend Point Park University for three years where she was a dance major with a concentration in jazz. Idrissa is an experienced dance teacher who has taught at several dance studios in Central Massachusetts. Additionally, Idrissa has assisted some of the industry's most talented dancers from the television series, So You Think You Can Dance.

Molly O'Connor

Molly O’Connor is a senior at the Woodstock Academy. This is her tenth year as a student at The Putnam Dance Center and her third year as a Student Teacher. Before that, she was an Assistant Teacher for four years. She is very excited to be teaching Tap, Jazz, and Ballet this year. Molly’s favorite style is Jazz, however, Tap is also a favorite which she demonstrated when she played Captain Hook in our Peter Pan show in 2019. Here at The PDC, Molly received a scholarship for Most Improved in the Intermediate I level in 2017 as well as Most Outstanding Student in 2020. At school, Molly is a member of The Spanish National Honor Society and works as a volunteer for a group called FRESH. After college, Molly hopes to be a psychologist/sociologist. She loves her dance family and enjoys watching her students grow each and every year.

2020-2021 Classes:

Ballet, Jazz, Tap

Lisa Trottier

Lisa received her earliest training from Sue Scheffler-Savage in Auburn, MA, later on studying with Shirley Benjamin – former director of the Performing Arts School of Worcester, Lucy Johnson-Fitzgerald and Eleanor Thompson.  She continued her studies with Sydney Leonard and E. Virginia Williams, founder and director of the Boston Ballet Company.  She has appeared with the Boston Ballet in The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty.  She studied with such well-known artists as Mark Morris, Jean Pierre-Bonnefeus, and Robert Barnet.  Lisa has been a member of The Dance Prism and has danced the leading roles of the Dew Drop Fairy, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, and Autumn Fairy in Cinderella, as well as the leading role of Cinderella.  She has performed in contemporary ballets with the Dance Prism as well.  Lisa is certified to teach through a testing procedure by Dance Masters of America and is a member of the National Dance Teachers Association.  She has also been a judge for several seasons of dance competitions for Olympic “Miss Dance.”  Lisa and her husband Mike live in Thompson with their two sons, Jon Michael and Jesse, and their daughter, Kendralyn. Lisa is very excited to start her 13th year of teaching at The Putnam Dance Center!

2020-2021 Classes:

Ballet, Tap/Jazz, Ballet Technique

Angela Woodie

Angela Woodie has been dancing since she was 5 years old learning all styles of dance throughout her childhood.   When she was a teenager, she was part of the dance competition team at Marie K. Jennison School of Dance in Greenville, RI and then proceeded to continue dancing throughout her college years.  She graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in Mathematics.  Throughout her college years, she enhanced her dance techniques by enrolling in ballet, modern and tap classes at the college.  Once she graduated in 1999, she continued her study of dance at the Modern Jazz Dance Company in Providence RI and concentrated in Jazz and Tap.  In her mid  20’s she taught jazz classes at a summer recreation program for elementary grade level students at the Captain Isaac Paine school in Foster, RI as she loved teaching children the beauty of dance.  Over the past 2 years, she choreographed jazz routines for her daughter to perform at the elementary school variety/talent shows.  Angela is also a full time employee with MetLife and has been with the company for over 20 years.  She is currently employed there as a Supervisor of a team of 15 associates.  She resides in RI with her loving husband and beautiful daughter.  After her daughter Taylor was born, she took a small break from dancing but then missed it so much that she enrolled at the Putnam Dance Studio and has been dancing there for the past 6 years taking both the Adult Tap and Jazz classes.  Her daughter also has been dancing at the Putnam Dance Center for the last 6 years and absolutely loves being there!  Angela is very grateful that Annette has asked her to begin teaching at the studio and is excited to embark on the new journey!

2020-2021 Classes:

Jazz

Ann-Marie 

Carlomagno-

Wilson

2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Jazz

Ann-Marie has been a dance educator for over 35 years, teaching students ages 3 years old to Professional. She teaches weekly dance instruction at several studios in New England as well as choreographing competition routines.  She studied intensively for years with the internationally known Gus Giordano in Chicago, Illinois and at his World Congress. She has served as President of the New England Chapter of Dance Masters of America in years 2014-16 and 2018-20 . She has sat on the Board of Directors for DMNE for over 25 yrs and is now a Permanent Director who is also chapter certified to test. She was thrilled to receive her 25 year member pin at the DMA Nationals convention in Orlando, Florida in 2014!

Ann-Marie has been a guest teacher and choreographer for many prestigious dance studios across the country and has traveled the United States as an adjudicator for many well known competitions regionally and nationally. Ann-Marie has taught at the Houston MET in Texas where she was on the faculty for their Teacher Seminar. She has been on the Faculty and a Master Teacher for the DMA National Conventions.  She choreographed the 2014 opening number for the National DMA Welcome Party as well as choreographing the opening number for the Teen Miss and Mr. Solo Title Scholarship Competition in 2018.  Ann-Marie is honored to be the current DMA National Petite Miss and Master Dance Solo Title Scholarship Director. She has had the pleasure to have choreographed for local Community Theater in Worcester, MA. She is thrilled to have  been featured in articles for Dancer Magazine and for Dance Studio Life Magazine. Ann-Marie has also choreographed competition routines for Ice Skaters at a competitive level. 

Her choreography has won many Special Recognition Awards and Cash Scholarships in regional and national competitions, including the prestigious Sherry Gold Memorial Choreography Award and the David DeMarie Memorial Choreography Award. She has choreographed winning routines for Petite Miss Dance, Junior Miss Dance, Teen Miss Dance and Miss Dance of New England. Also,  Master Dance and Teen Mr. Dance of New England and Master Dance of America. 

Ann-Marie is a dedicated dance teacher and has inspired her students to have professional careers, which includes performing on Broadway, in U.S. and European Tours, on Cruise Ships, in Film and Television, at U.S. and Tokyo Disney, Hershey Park, Fiesta Texas, Bush Gardens, Opryland and Transcendence Theatre Company.

Brooklyn Toli

2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Tap

Brooklyn Toli is a senior at Rhode Island College with a double major in Musical Theatre and Dance Performance.  In 2012, she joined the Boston Tap Company and discovered her passion for tap dancing and working with students.  Since then, she has attended numerous tap festivals, including interning at the final “Beantown Tap Fest” last summer, and has been extremely fortunate to learn from Dianne Walker, “Lady Di” in recent years. Brooklyn cannot wait to share her love of music and dance with the Putnam Dance Center this year!

Sarah-Katarina (SKooJ CorE-O) brings her knowledge and talents to the Performing Arts with experience in performance, choreography, instruction, and adjudication. SKooJ’s organic approach toward movement created the Boston Community Dance Project (BCDP), a professional collective expressing their passion of story telling through contemporary and fusion movements. BCDP’s work can be seen at NYC Dance Week, NYC Carnival, Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, and our annual BCDP show every August! SKooJ is also the Former Artistic Director of the Boston-based Static Noyze Dance Company (World Of Dance:NYC/NJ Champions and 5x Best Theme  Winner), whom are a Theatrical Hip Hop Company that have guest performed for Former Governor Devaul Patrick, Harvard Business School’s New Venture Competition, and for colleges throughout the country.

Her choreography and direction has also been featured on the HGTV series “Spontaneous Construction”, NESN, The Dr. Oz Show! and on the most recent WayFair.com Commercials as well as MTV’s new show PROMPOSAL! Her  talents have also paired up with TedEX Boston/Philadelphia, New Balance, Broadway in Boston, LA’s own Club Jete, and Carnival Choreographer’s Ball Anniversary Show!

SKooJ is also part of the adjudication world being on the judges panel for Prelude Urban Dance Competitions, Turn It Up Dance Challenge, Kids Artistic Revue (KAR), Elite Dance Challenge, and Diva Dance Competitions. She also travels the country and teaches at their conventions and nationals locations setting productions on their selected elite dancers throughout the season! Most recently, SKooJ is on faculty of the new craze Artistic Dance Exchange and has started assisting Brian Friedman at his RADIX Dance Convention classes!

SKooJ CorE-O entered the Music Video scene with choreographing for International Pop Artist Tamara Rodriguez, Pop/R&B Artist Erene, and Lucia Marie’s House of Blues Tour! Other credits include “Digital Love” by Makio, “Dance With You” by Bad Rabbits ft. Clinton Sparks, “Stay With Me” Cover by Keith London “Medicine” by Jack Newsome and her own dance concept videos with McCarthy Visuals, Moonculture Films, 4ward Productions, and Kuto Films. Most recently catch SKooJ choreographing for Ari B and featured in Pineapple Citi’s newest video “Rose Colored”.

Lastly, SKooJ partnered up with Salty Bovine Films with setting artistry for their past three short films ADONIS, MOSDEN, and TRENT while most recently showcasing her acting talent in movies Basic Math starring Cameron Diaz, TED2 with Mark Wahlberg, and Patriots Day!

Sarah-Katarina (SKooJ CorE-O) has gathered all her adventures, journeys, and experiences to inspire thousands of movers around the world. Her heart will continue to mentor the next generation, build the industry, and spread movement to all. Make sure to check out her work and #FollowTheArtistry

Check out some of her work!

SOCIAL MEDIA: 

Instagram 

@skoojcoreo     |    @BCDPAtristry

Facebook 

SKooJ CorE-O: https://www.facebook.com /SKooJ-CorE-O-713484405432994/ ?fref=ts

Boston Community Dance Project:

 https://www.facebook.com /Boston-Community-Dance-Projec t-BCDP-212977655454845/

CLASS FOOTAGE: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7N6vCekCIU  |  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTv9j_m_LGw

2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Hip Hop, Jazz

Sarah-Katarina

"SKooJ CorE-O"

Yvie Bessette

Yvie is a Senior at The Woodstock Academy. She has been very active in the musical and chorus programs both at The Woodstock Academy as well as Rectory School where she played “Belle” in “Beauty and The Beast” and Gertrude in “Seussical.” Yvie has been dancing at The Putnam Dance Center for 15 years, and is also a member of the Competition Team. This is Yvie’s 3rd year teaching at The Putnam Dance Center. She would like to thank Annette for the opportunity to teach and is looking forward to the recital.

2020-2021 Competition Choreography:

Ballet, Jazz