Staff

Kristen Mello, Director

Kristen holds both an Associate and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Dean College School of Dance in Franklin, Ma. She also has an academic minor in Athletic Training for the care, prevention and treatment of dance related injuries. She danced and choreographed numerous performances at Dean and was also an active member of their Theater Arts group. Graduating with honors she has studied with dance masters including, but not limited to, Jimmy Slye, Jean Wenzel, Michelle DaSilva-Ball, Jill Silverman, Joan Paladino, Nailah Randall-Bellinger, Dianne Walker, Wyatt Jackson, Andrew Hubbard,Jay T Jenkins, Marianne Harkness, Missy Lay–Zimmer, Kelly Peters and Savion Glover. Miss Mello began her dance training with Rosemary’s School Of Dance Education in Warren, RI at the age of 4 and has been dancing ever since. She has received numerous awards including Best Dancer in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from the RI Drama Festival, and outstanding choreographer for “Fiddler On The Roof ”. She is listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and Who’s Who Among American College students. Kristen was the recipient of the NCAA Gold Academic Athletic Award and was a recipient of the Dean College Performing Arts Scholarship. She has performed in numerous venues including Providence, Boston, Florida and New York City. Kristen is a certified Zumba and Zumba Gold instructor. She is a member of the Zin network. Kristen loves teaching dance to children and adults and has been sharing her knowledge and passion of dance with others, teaching since 1999.


Liz Powers, Teacher

Liz Powers is a New England based contemporary dancer, teacher, and choreographer, as well as a graduate student studying dance/movement therapy. She is currently a company member of Monkeyhouse and Sasso & Company, both Boston based professional dance companies. Additionally, Liz creates and presents her own work with a special interest in contact, floorwork, and improvisation. Her work has been presented in various venues throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Liz has been teaching dance for 10 years. She teaches ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, acrobatic dance, hip hop, and creative dance/tumble. Liz has worked with students ages 18 months to professional adults. She loves to share her passion for dance and performance with her students!