Lisa LaMonica Moretti
Ms. Lisa is the artistic director of Lisa's Dance Studio which she founded in 1985. She has been a dance educator for over thirty five years and has taught classes all over the New England area. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Salem State College. She is a member of Dance Master's of America, New England chapter #5 and was on DMA's board of directors. She has choreographed for Bentley College drama department and was an original Kiss 108 dancer, touring with the company for many years. She also choreographed for various commercials and videos. As a teenager, she was a member of the Salem Ballet Company under the direction of Helen and Georgia Deane and Cynthia Marnik. Every three years since 1997, her students have performed at Disney World in Orlando. Her students also perform for different charitable events. Ms. Lisa is also the founder and artistic director of the New England Ballet Ensemble, and her students have performed Tchaikovsky's classical piece "The Nutcracker" with international artists and former members of the Boston Ballet, Jennifer Gelfand and Paul Thrussell.
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Joe Istre
Joe Istre's cutting edge, stylized movement, and unique approach to teaching combined with his understanding of the art, keep him in demand nation-wide. His performing credits include 42nd St., Chess, Contact, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular to name a few. He assisted with London's West End production of Hot Mikado, the tony nominated broadway Show "Ain't Broadway Grand", and the German version of "Beauty and the Beast". Choreography credits include shows for HBO, Midas Muffler, American Express, and Merle Norman Cosmetics. Istre has taught at the International Ballet Festival in Jackson, MI and had his piece "Come Together" placed on the national arts choreography plan. Joe was chosen as one of the finalists in the Leo's Jazz Dance Competition, and his choreography has won a soloist the bronze medal at the Helsinki ballet competition. Joe also has his own series of dance instructional videos that he sells at his site, www.joeistre.com. Joe teaches at universities, conventions, and schools all around the country, and at home in the LA area.
Angie Sellers
A former Disney World dancer, Angie is currently the Creative Director for an award winning Entertainment Company that produces shows for many Theme Parks, Touring shows, and Corporate Events across the country and abroad. She recently was awarded the distinguished "Spotlight Award" as Creative Director of the Year. She has directed and choreographed many Industrials, Professional Basketball dance teams, and Television Specials including NFL halftime shows. As a producer, Angie has opened shows in both Branson and Las Vegas. She co-produced and choreographed a live televised special that won an EMMY Award for "Best Special Event". A member of Dance Masters of America, Angie has also established herself as a master teacher and choreographer. She is passionate about sharing her love of dance and travels with many organizations, judging and teaching conventions across the United States.
Shauna Whalen
Shauna Whalen began dancing at the early age of five. She has studied at a number of prestigious schools. Including, Marblehead school of ballet, Jeanette Neil, the Gold studio, and Karla Pattavina’s Dance Academy.
Shauna has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships throughout her years as a dancer. She was the first dancer to receive a scholarship for modern dance at Roger Williams University. She is also the graduate of the dance teachers club of Boston teacher training program. Shauna has also received multiple choreography awards for her choreography as a dance instructor.
She has performed at the North Shore music Theatre with the North Shore Civic ballet company. In Aspen Colorado with the Santa Fe ballet company. In Atlanta at the 1996 Olympics with Karla Pattavina’s Dance Academy. Shauna enjoys educating and sharing the love of dance with all of her students.
Shauna has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships throughout her years as a dancer. She was the first dancer to receive a scholarship for modern dance at Roger Williams University. She is also the graduate of the dance teachers club of Boston teacher training program. Shauna has also received multiple choreography awards for her choreography as a dance instructor.
She has performed at the North Shore music Theatre with the North Shore Civic ballet company. In Aspen Colorado with the Santa Fe ballet company. In Atlanta at the 1996 Olympics with Karla Pattavina’s Dance Academy. Shauna enjoys educating and sharing the love of dance with all of her students.
Carissa Myre
Carissa Myre has been dancing and competing since the age of 3, focusing her training in hip hop, contemporary, tap, jazz, and acro. She has been choreographing for competitions since she was 15, and has won 3 best-choreography awards and her dancers have been awarded numerous top scores around New England and at National competitions.
In her competing years she had been awarded regional titles such as Teen Miss Sophisticated, Teen Miss Dancers Inc and Miss Dance Ovations.
She has been teaching at and competed with Dance Enthusiasm in Salem, teaching everything from private lessons, group classes, and solo/duos. She has had the opportunity to teach contemporary/hip hop master classes at studios in Maine as well as assisting master classes taught by well-known dancers such as Miles Keeney and Dusty Button.
Outside of dance she is a busy musician and currently finishing her degree in Media and Music-Tech at Salem State University.
In her competing years she had been awarded regional titles such as Teen Miss Sophisticated, Teen Miss Dancers Inc and Miss Dance Ovations.
She has been teaching at and competed with Dance Enthusiasm in Salem, teaching everything from private lessons, group classes, and solo/duos. She has had the opportunity to teach contemporary/hip hop master classes at studios in Maine as well as assisting master classes taught by well-known dancers such as Miles Keeney and Dusty Button.
Outside of dance she is a busy musician and currently finishing her degree in Media and Music-Tech at Salem State University.
Taylor Cocco
Taylor is a dancer to her core. She grew up all around dance and has been teaching for the past 8 years! She earned her degree in the Arts from Dean College where she was a Dance Major. Taylor also was an Adjunct Professor at Dean College where she instructed Jazz dance within the school of the Arts. She is an active member of Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston and Dance Masters of New England where she continues to educate herself in this beautiful artform so she can be the best teacher possible for her students.
In her professional career, Taylor was an animation performer for the Boston location of Cirque du Soleil : Totem and also was a dance demonstrator for “Radio Disney”. In addition to this, Taylor founded the first ever semi-pro dance team for the Lowell Spinners – which is the class A affiliate to the Boston Red Sox.
She is proud to share her passion for dance with her students and is happy to continue for many years to come.
In her professional career, Taylor was an animation performer for the Boston location of Cirque du Soleil : Totem and also was a dance demonstrator for “Radio Disney”. In addition to this, Taylor founded the first ever semi-pro dance team for the Lowell Spinners – which is the class A affiliate to the Boston Red Sox.
She is proud to share her passion for dance with her students and is happy to continue for many years to come.
Michaela Bird
Michaela Bird grew up as a student at Lisa’s Dance Studio and quickly discovered her passion and love for dance. At the age 16, Michaela was chosen to do a nationwide DANZA Convention tour assistant teaching masterclasses and performing around the country. The next year, Michaela was selected for the Hollywood Summer Tour in Los Angeles where she studied at various studios in California while being featured a music video and further exploring the dance world. She attended Oklahoma City University as a dance major then was accepted into the Broadway Dance Center professional semester which she currently attends and trains with New York’s best dance teachers and choreographers. Michaela has always had a love for teaching and has done classes for Lisa’s Dance Studio in the past as well as run rehearsals for the competition team. She is so excited to become a faculty member and share with her students everything she has learned.
Tess Gould
Tess Gould is originally from Washington State where she began her dance training at the young age of four. She then began training in acting and voice where she starred in many musicals. Her strong passion for dance further developed as she was selected to train in New York City with the Radio City Rockettes. Tess attended Oklahoma City University after being accepted into their prestigious dance major program. Tess currently attends the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in New York City, where she has had the opportunity to train with many well-known choreographers and teachers in the industry. She continues to explore many dance styles and has turned her love for dance into a career. She is so excited to have the opportunity to teach here at LDS where she can inspire others with her passion for dance.