Katie is excited to be entering another wonderful season at The Performing Arts Connection as the Office Manager. Before arriving at TPAC, Katie was employed at Native Plant Trust (Garden in the Woods), where she served as the Administrative Coordinator for three years. Working at the Garden sparked an interest in environmental issues and protecting the region’s native flora and fauna, and she plans to continue educating herself about the field of conservation. Prior to that she was a Gallery Assistant at Quadrum, a gallery featuring a carefully curated collection of designer jewelry, for twelve years. There she was able to indulge in her love of gemstones and all things sparkly. Her favorite part of working at Quadrum was meeting interesting artists and making personal connections with clients. Katie has two daughters and is a proud dance, soccer and theater mom! She has made her home in Framingham for the past 20 plus years after earning a degree at Framingham State University, studying Art History and Museum Studies. She is so excited to be a part of the TPAC team and work with all the wonderful families, students, and colleagues!

Emily is so excited for another great year at TPAC! Emily danced at Acton Boxborough Dance Center for 15 years, starting at age four. She studied all forms of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, and pointe. At AB Regional High School, Emily was very involved in Proscenium Circus, their theater group, as a performer, director, and student choreographer. Emily has a B.A. in Dance and Theatre from Muhlenberg College, with concentrations in Education, Choreography, and Performance Studies. She performed in numerous faculty and student productions, choreographed several mainstage pieces, and coordinated dance showcases, and was thrilled to work with Earl Mosley in “Unconquered.” At college, Emily was captain of the jazz team and a performing choreographer for both the jazz and tap teams. She also taught dance for the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center and completed an Arts Administration Internship at The Dance Complex in Cambridge. She continues to perform and choreograph with DanceWorks Boston, a Boston-based dance company. Emily strives to create inclusive and engaging classes and shows that foster a love of performance. She cannot wait to get moving with everyone!

A lifelong musician with a passion for education and performance, Hannah is a dynamic music educator, performer, and music director based in the Greater Boston Area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Plymouth State University (NH) and has been teaching privately since 2013.

Hannah currently teaches private lessons, music directs, and serves as the private lesson booking coordinator and program and operations manager at The Performing Arts Connection (Sudbury, MA).

Previously, Hannah has led and supported a variety of programs including: Jammin’ With You (Wellesley, MA), Piano Monster Festivals and The Flying Monkey Summer Theater Workshops (Plymouth, NH), Educational Theater Collaborative (Plymouth, NH), and Newbury Elementary School - K-6 General Music (Newbury, VT)

As a performer, Hannah has appeared in numerous venues throughout New England and beyond. She is an active member of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Boston, MA) and regularly sings for the High Holy Days at Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA). Her past performance credits include engagements with: Coro Amante (Wakefield, RI), Night Song (Cambridge, MA), New Hampshire Master Chorale (Concord, NH), TIGER Theater and Educational Theater Collaborative (Plymouth, NH), and St. Martin’s Theater (New Brunswick, Canada)

Hannah brings warmth, experience, and versatility to every lesson and performance, inspiring students and audiences alike with her dedication to music as both an educator and artist.

Ashley began her dance journey at age 3. In her youth, she performed and competed in various dance styles and also taught her first students in an after-school enrichment program. In college, Ashley was a member of the Siena Dance Team and performed at sporting and community events. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Spanish Language from Siena College in 2012. After graduating, Ashley worked in special education while also teaching dance and movement classes to young children. In 2016, Ashley joined the TPAC community and never looked back. During her time at TPAC, Ashley has taken on multiple roles, including Teacher and Choreographer for the Conservatory Program, Eclipse Dance Team, Encore, and Metrowest Family Theater. She was Costume Coordinator for several youth musicals and worked remotely as Administrative Assistant in 2022. Even after relocating to upstate NY with her family, Ashley has one foot firmly planted at TPAC because there's just no other place like it! She is looking forward to reprising her role as Recital Coordinator for TPAC's 20th season!

Jackie had her first TPAC experience while rehearsing for Metrowest Family Theater's production of The Little Mermaid!  She has been a theater educator for over a decade.  Jackie has directed many junior musicals, improv shows, and student showcases.  She has written plays and musicals with children in addition to creating choreography and curriculum.  She earned her BA from the University of Connecticut and is a Certified Kripalu YogaDance Instructor.  A lifelong dance enthusiast, she began dance classes at the age of 4.  Jackie attended ImprovBoston Comedy School and has been a cast member of Acme Improv Company since 2018.  She is a performer and interactive storyteller who loves getting puppets involved.  Previously, she was the Education Director of a children’s theater program where worked for 8 years on the management team and as an educator.  She also has been the Instructor and Coordinator of the Arts on the beautiful Caribbean island of Saba.

Jess, or “Jeb”, is thrilled to be back for another season at TPAC! Jess started dancing when she was three years old, and has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, tap, and pointe. At eight years old, she started training in dance and theater right here at The Performing Arts Connection! Jess is currently getting her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Dance Education at Bridgewater State University, and will graduate in December 2026. There, she has trained with amazing professors, choreographed for and been a part of dance concerts, and won departmental awards for Most Outstanding Leadership in Theory & Practice of Dance and Outstanding Service to the Dance Department. TPAC has been Jess’s happy place since the day she stepped foot inside the main space doors at eight years old, and she is so honored and excited to continue to nourish the positive environment for students to learn and grow that she received growing up. Woo season 20!!

Abbie is a passionate and versatile dancer, choreographer, and educator with a BA in Dance, specializing in Hip Hop, alongside a certificate in Dance Education. Additionally, She is certified in Modules 1 and 2 of the Acrobatic Arts curriculum. 
Beyond the classroom, Abbie continues to evolve as an artist by training across various dance styles in the vibrant Boston area. A former member of The Concept Artists, she has performed throughout New England and trained at the renowned Bates Dance Festival. Her collegiate journey includes performing with the Emmanuel College Dance Team and choreographing for the Salem Dance Ensemble, where she earned the prestigious Salem State Creativity Award. Her work has even been featured in The Boston Globe for her innovative approach to creating art during the pandemic. 
Abbie’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering a safe, inclusive space where students are encouraged to explore, create, and find their unique voice. She strives to nurture not only skilled dancers but well-rounded artists who are empowered to express themselves through movement. 

Casey is thrilled to be on TPAC staff for her third year! Born and raised in Sudbury, MA, Casey got her theater start at TPAC, where she studied under Samm, JB, and countless other fabulous instructors from 2007-2020, when she graduated high school and headed to Williams College in the Berkshires. While at TPAC, Casey studied Musical Theater, took voice lessons, danced on the Eclipse Dance Team, performed in multiple youth and community theater musicals, and was a longtime member of The Friends of Broadway. While working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology from Williams, Casey led the nation’s oldest continuously running student theatre organization, Cap&Bells, serving as both General Manager and Co-Artistic Director. She performed on the Contemporary Dance team and worked as a TA under Artist-in-Residence Erica Dankmeyer, former member of the Martha Graham company. Casey continued to perform and some favorite roles include Cathy Hiatt (The Last Five Years), Molly Aster (Peter and the Starcatcher), and Ashlee (Dance Nation). After graduating from Williams in June 2024, Casey returned to TPAC as a member of the faculty while simultaneously pursing her Master’s in Social work at Boston College, which she achieved in May 2026. Now a Licensed Certified Social Worker, Casey is a Clinician at a residential treatment facility for adolescents with complex behavioral and mental health challenges. She loves being a part of the TPAC team and is excited for Season 20!

Anina (they/she) is thrilled to be starting their third season at TPAC! Students have described Anina as warm, friendly, and “pretty cool”, which she would like to highlight as one of the highest compliments they’ve ever received. Anina teaches both voice and songwriting with the singular goal of providing students with a safe space to take musical risks and grow along their musical journeys. As a voice instructor, Anina provides students with strong foundations in vocal health, aural and music theory skills, and performance techniques. In songwriting lessons, Anina aims to equip their students with new tricks and tools to add to their songwriting tool belts, as well as a supportive environment to explore new ideas. Lessons with Anina are fun and collaborative— she is all about helping their students discover a new confidence in themselves as performers and writers! Anina takes a very student-centered approach to teaching, so each lesson is uniquely suited to each student’s learning styles, goals, and abilities. She finds that if a student has agency over their lessons– regardless of age, proficiency, or goals– they tend to get the most out of lessons and foster a deeper love of music and performing, which is always the ultimate goal! 

Katie is excited for another amazing season at TPAC! She received dual degrees in both Theatre Arts and Creative Writing from Providence College. Katie teaches a variety of Little Limelight classes and is ready to have another great year helping students begin their journey as young dancers and actors. When not at TPAC, Katie can be found reading during her free time.

Tanisha is a well rounded dance teacher with a diverse background in performance, instruction, and choreography. With over 15 years of experience in the dance world, she is dedicated to pushing creative boundaries and sharing her love of dance with others. She holds an Associate of Arts degree from Dean College (2015), and continues to explore new avenues for artistic expression. Tanisha is professionally trained in hip hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and tap, she has taught students of all ages and levels throughout her career. An award-winning choreographer, Tanisha brings a unique artistic vision to her work, crafting pieces that resonate with her audience and students.

Kelly-Jo has been a preschool teacher for over 30 years and loves to bring light, laughter and learning into her classroom! Kelly-Jo completed her lead teacher requirements for preschool and infant/toddlers at Mass Bay Community College. She started teaching in Maine at Rocking Horse childcare center (1986), and since then has also taught in New Hampshire (1988-1994), and Massachusetts (1994-present). Kelly-jo helped launch Pod Squad back in 2020 and has loved every second of the journey. She is the mother of two wonderful children and loves taking vacations to the beach and Disney World! Kelly-Jo hopes to continue to mold young minds through hand on projects and thinking outside the box. She believes that through using your imagination and support of each other you can accomplish anything! Kelly-Jo has strived to create a safe and fun learning environment for children so their education, growth and safety will always come first. Fun facts: has a German Shepard, loves Disney, and her favorite color is green. 

Eva Rose is thrilled to be back at TPAC! Eva is originally from Framingham where she spent her time singing and dancing around the living room. She graduated from Millikin University in 2025 with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Dance. While at Millikin she served as Head Choreographer and President of 'Gregory,' a student run Tap group. She also had her choreography featured in Solstice: A Concert of Dance (2022, 2023, 2024). Eva loves all things dance and theatre and cannot wait to share the joy of the arts!

Lindsey has been a passionate supporter of TPAC since its earliest days. Over the years, she has contributed to the studio in many ways—as a performer in musicals, a member of the summer theater team, a costume and props organizer, and a backstage crew member for performances. She especially loves improv and is a familiar face in TPAC’s Adult Improv class. Through improv, she has grown tremendously as both an actor and an individual. The class continues to challenge her to think quickly, embrace new ideas, take creative risks, adapt in the moment, and collaborate with others. She holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and a M.Ed. from Northeastern University. 

Harleigh is beyond excited to be joining the TPAC team this season! She has been at The Performing Arts Connection since she was three years old and took part in many Conservatory classes and theatre programs, eventually joining the Eclipse Dance Team and Apprentice Program until she graduated in 2024. She aspires to be even an ounce as wonderful as any of the TPAC teachers she studied under!