Meet Our Faculty

Deborah Stanton-Bianca

Ms. Bianca is an accomplished dancer, teacher, and choreographer with over a decade of teaching experience. A former student of the Boston Ballet, Deborah has studied Classical dance under the direction of E. Virginia Williams, Violette Verdy, James Capp, and Bruce Wells. She appeared in five seasons of the Nutcracker Suite with the Boston Ballet and performed with the Dance Theater of Harlem. As a scholarship student and apprentice, Deborah won a soloist role in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre II's production of "The Sleeping Beauty" and also toured extensively with the Company.

An accomplished vocalist and triple threat, Deborah has performed as a singer/dancer in Theater-by-the-Sea's Show Boat. She is a former member of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall; Carnegie Hall, in New York City; and at the orchestra's summer residence in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Deborah is a Master Teacher for The State Ballet of Rhode Island's summer dance program. She is a former Artist-in-Residence for the Sage School, where she co-founded the Arts Department and served as co-director of its summer theater program. Before opening her own school, Ms. Bianca taught for the New England Dance Academy and MJT Dance Company where she served at-risk children in Boston Public Schools. Congratulations, Ms. Bianca, Dance Theater of New England is celebrating its 20th season!

Angela James
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Angela James

Tanya holds a BFA in dance andperformance from California State University of Long Beach. She has been dancing in Cape Cod productions of the Nutcracker since 1995 as a guest artist and became the artistic director of Cape Cod Ballet in 2002. She has also been a principal dancer with Ballet Repertory Theatre and The Company Dance Unlimited in California. She has performed the role of the White Angel in Martha Graham’s “Diversion of Angels,” as well as performing in Rachel Lambert’s “Braham’sVariations” and Rosalind Newman’s “Heartbeat.”She has also worked with Winifred Harris, Susan McClain, Janet Eilber, J. Slayton, Michelle Simmons, and Rebecca Wright. She and her husband Coby Vincent owned and operated the Atlantic Coast Academy of Dance from 2006-2020. Miss Tanya coaches dancers for the Youth American Grand Prix Ballet Competition (YAGP). Miss Tanya's choreography has won numerous awards and accolades at regional and national competitions. Miss Tanya is a wonderful addition to the DTNE Faculty and we are thrilled to have her expertise in all genres of dance.

Kelley Baran

DTNE Company Manager

Kelley Baran has been dancing since the age of six, amassing a wealth of dance and theatrical performance credits. A graduate of the Boston Dance Teacher's Training School, Kelley has over 30 years of experience as a choreographer, having crafted the choreography for more than 40 regional, college, and high school musical and stage productions. Her talents also extend to directing, with 30 productions under her belt. Kelley is currently the Artistic Director/Director/Choreographer for Bridgewater Raynham Regional High School's Raynwater Players musical theater program, where she continues to inspire and lead young performers. She has volunteered as DTNE's stage manager for their beloved recitals and is pleased to now assist the Executive Team as the Company Manager, contributing to the creation of a positive and nurturing environment for all.

Olivia Rodrigues

CHOREOGRAPHER-in-Residence - Hip Hop | Contemporary | Cheer Dance| Tap | Jazz

Liv is from Plymouth, Ma. She graduated from Dean College in 2016 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance. While at Dean she trained under a variety professionals as a member of the Dean College Dance Company. She also was a member of the school’s dance team, hip hop team, and tap team. Liv has worked for Universal Dance Association (UDA) for 9 years, where she has been able to judge regional and national dance competitions, teach, and choreograph for ages middle school to college; all over the country as well as internationally. She lived in China for 10 months where she taught dance and fitness at an all star gym as well as at different international schools. Liv has had the privilege of introducing cheer dance to Syrian refugees in Jordan, and also to young women in Moldova. She was the head coach of the Plymouth North High School dance team for 6 years, and is now the head coach of the Bentley University dance team, where they are currently 2nd in New England and top 5 in the nation. Liv has been both a teacher and choreographer for several years with recognition on a regional and national level; winning many awards including best choreography and judges choice awards. She currently is teaching at numerous studios around New England. Inspiring, empowering, and pushing dancers to reach their fullest potential is Liv's passion!

Sarah Ready

TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER | ACROBATICS | CONTEMPORARY |JAZZ

Sarah Ready began her dance training at the age of 3 in Attleboro, MA. Alongside her studio training, she has trained with Boston Ballet for five years and was a memeber of the Newport, RI Moving Companies rendition of the Nutcracker. Miss Sarah graduated from the Univeristy of California Riverside in three years where she received her BA in dance and BBA. While in her dance studios at UCR, she received the Chancellor's Performance Award, was invited to the American College Dance Festival Association and was a memeber of the 2016 - 2017 UCR Gluck Touring Dance Ensemble.

After College, Miss Sarah became a member of the Ballet Carreras under the direction of Jose Gonzalez Pilar formerly of Ballet de Santiago, Kelly Lamoureux formerly of National Ballet of Canada and Sofia Carreras, former student of George Balanchine and Patricia Neary, who performed alonsgide Mikhail Baryshnikov. Miss Sarah also became a featured dancer in Avacado Dance Theater under the direction of Lori Craig Torok, former Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Upon returning to the East Coast, she joined Project 31 Dance Company (2018-2021) under the direction of Kenzie Finn.

As of 2021, Miss Sarah is a company member with Evolve Dynamicz under the direction of Lisa Giancola and Nicole Zizzi, Fox Ballroom under the direction of Douglas Dombrowski and Madison Plummer, Nozama Dance Collective, under the direction of Dana Alsamam, Covering New England under the direction of Randy Tartow and Rehearsal Director Philip Tomlinson. As a member of Covering New England, Miss Srarah is a saught after aerialist, dancer, handstand cane performer, and acrobatic tumbler. In addition to her dance companies, Miss Sarah has also accepted a position in an Aerial Company, where she is a featured lyra performer (2023). We are delighted to have Miss Sarah as part of the DTNE faculty!

Deanna DeCost
TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER BALLET |JAZZ | LYRICAL | CONTEMPORARY | TAP

Deanna began dancing at the age of 3 and since has been dancing for over 20 years! Her dancing has won her numerous accolades at both the regional and national level. She studied Dance and Business Management while attending Dean College. She also is continuing her education while taking different master classes! Deanna has extensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theater, and contemporary. She is now lending her knowledge as a teacher and choreographer to both the non-competitive and competitive dancers at studios in the Massachusetts area! Deanna loves to inspire students to take chances and be creative in their own individual way!

Lila Boates
TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER Ballet |Tap |Jazz

Lila Boates comes to DTNE with more than 20 years of teaching experience. She grew up in the South Shore, training and competing at the local and national levels, until moving to the North Shore. At Salem State University, Lila continued studying dance, was the President of the Dance Theatre and was a 2-year Dance Arts scholarship recipient. Lila began teaching in college, began running a Dance studio and company and eventually opened her own studio which she ran for 10 years. Happy to back in the South Shore, Lila is excited to share her knowledge and love for Dance in Bridgewater at DTNE!

Jacqui Holmes
TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER |Sparkle Squad| Ballet |Tap |Jazz

Jacquelyn "Jacqui" Holmes is a Youth Protection Advocate in Dance (YAAD) Certified Dance Educator, with her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a Pedagogy concentration from Dean College. In the summer if 2018, she interned as a Creative Movement Instructor at the Boston Ballet School alongside their children's program creator, Luciano Aimar. During spring 2019, Jacqui studied abroad in Argentina in a intensive dance and Spanish program. She trained under Teatro Colon's former principal dancer, Chichi Diaz, world renowned Tango Professor, Alejandro Figliolo, and contemproary artist and choreographer, Hernan Martinez. During her time at Dean College, Jaqui performed in a variety of shows, dance films, and a commercial. Miss Jacqui began her dance education career at Center Stage Dance Academy as a teachers assistant from 2012-2016 and has been an instructor since 2017. Miss Jacqui was part of the CSDA Outreach Team, Senior Company, was Dance Captain, and is an award winning soloist. She was the Captain of the Plymouth North Dance Team, helped her team become regional champions, and represented New England at the National Dance Team Championships in Disney world. From 2019-2012 Miss Jacqui worked at the Dean School of Dance under the former President of the New England Chapter of The Dance Masters of America. Jacqui contines to broaden her dance education career working at dance studios across south eastern MA and says, “I will always encourage my students of all ages to strive to be their best selves, inside and outside of the studio.”

Kristina Hernandez
TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER Early Childhood Dance| Hip Hop

Having twenty years of dance experience as a student and teacher, Kristina Hernandez began her multifaceted training at the early age of eight years old. The Dance Center, a competitive dance studio, is where she competed in national competitions throughout the East coast, winning awards for her over-all technique, captivating stage presence, and powerful performances. Her passion continued as she was accepted to attend Bostons first and only high school for the visual and performing arts, Boston Arts Academy. Kristina has worked with world-renowned faculty and guest artists. She was also awarded scholarships to the Boston Conservatory and Alvin Ailey dance Intensives. Kristina was an original member of Impact Dance, a non-profit Boston based dance organization, and for years traveled to various parts of Massachusetts and New York City performing with the company. Kristina has taught jazz, ballet, Hip-hop, contemporary, Modern, &Heels. Encouraging teacher, honored choreographer, and accomplished performer, her goal is to continue to inspire those who follow her journey and motivate all. Welcome, Miss Kristina!

Emma Baran

TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER |BALLET| PETITE COMPANY

Emma Baran has dedicated 15 years to honing her craft at Dance Theater of New England (DTNE), where she has earned numerous team and individual accolades at both the regional and national levels throughout her competitive career. Her extensive training spans multiple disciplines, including ballet, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theater, and hip hop. Emma's commitment to excellence has led her to train with prestigious institutions such as the Joffrey Ballet in New York City, José Mateo Ballet in Boston, and Gen IV in Western Massachusetts. Over the years, she has had the privilege of performing works by 22 different professional choreographers, showcasing her versatility and passion for dance. Among her many accomplishments, Emma is particularly proud of her roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Dance Theater of New England's Little Toy Shoppe and Reno Sweeney in the Raynwater Player's production of Anything Goes. Emma is currently in her second year with the Wheaton College Dance Company and is excited to join the DTNE Faculty, where she looks forward to inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Bri Kimble

TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER EARLY CHILDHOOD DANCE

A life-long dancer, Miss Bri has been dancing since the age of 3. She was born and raised in Western MA dancing at both Terpsichore and Toe to Toe Dance Centers. Since a young age, she has had a passion for all forms of dance; ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and cheer. Miss Bri danced with the Providence College Dance Company where she studied in the department of Theater, Dance and Film, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. She worked for Wheelock College in Boston, supporting their mission to improve the lives of children and families. During her time at Wheelock, Miss Bridid post graduate studies in the Early Childhood Education department. Her first involvement with DTNE was 10 years ago,taking our inaugural Mommy and Me class with her oldest daughter. Since then, she has watched her three daughters grow and cultivate a love of dance, movement and music at DTNE. Miss Bri is delighted to be joining the DTNE faculty as a dance instructor; teaching our youngest dancers in the Early Childhood Dance program. Miss Bri lives in Bridgewater with her husband and three daughters.

Allison Bogatay

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Allison Bogatay is the Artistic Director of Allongé Dance Variations which was founded in 2006 and has received recognition for its uniqueness in fusing Contemporary Dance, Classical Ballet and Spanish Flamenco styles. The Greater Hartford area-based Company performs, teaches and nurtures the art of dance in its many forms, "providing education and inspiration through creativity and passion." ADV strives to seek out opportunities for Community & Collaboration with diverse artists and venues. Their work has been associated with CONCORA, Wadsworth Atheneum, and the New Britain Museum of American Art, where a site-specific piece was premiered in 2007 & a “Latke-Vodka” holiday dance party was held in 2016. Since relocating from NYC, Alison has taught Spanish Flamenco, Ballet, Contemporary-Improvisation and Musical Theatre dance styles at many prestigious schools and universities throughout the country. Performance Highlights include: Professional company member with New Dance Collective, Danbury and Angels In Shadows, NYC; Summer Stock & Regional theater, including Bucks County Playhouse, Surflight Theatre, New Harmony Theatre, and Indianapolis Civic Theater; Ted Hershey Dance & Music Marathon; Hartford Dances! at The Bushnell; NBC 30 Health & Wellness Festival; CT Latino Expo; NPR's fundraising event hosted by Faith Middleton & performing with Val Ramos; Asylum Hill Congregational Church's Boar's Head & Yule Log Festival; performer/choreographer in Chicago & Hairspray for the Opera House Players. She was selected as one of 8 choreographers in the state to feature her work for the CT Dance Alliance Festival, choreographed the ‘Dance of the Seven Veils’ for Connecticut Opera’s production of Salome, and assisted director/choreographer Billy Johnstone in mounting the first National high school production of Cats at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts where she was an artist/instructor for 7 years. Ms. Bogatay began serious training at the Ballet des Jeunes outside of Philadelphia and through their Pre-Professional program, traveled and performed throughout Romania, Bulgaria and Spain. Alison was mentored and influenced by the teaching guidance of Ursula Melita, Stuart Sebastian, Chérie Noble, Karl Kaufmann, Michelle Jarvis, Luigi, Michael Vernon, David Howard and Gelsey Kirkland. She studied and performed at the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Dance Theater of Harlem (full scholarship), as well as intensively at Steps and Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and was a BFA dance major at Butler University. In 2015, ADV began to offer All-Inclusive, In-Home Themed Dance Parties that are fully catered buffets with a fun & easy dance lesson! While keeping with the mission statement, it allows Alison to marry two passions- teaching & entertaining! Alison is thrilled and honored to be working with Dance Theater of New England!