Faculty
Faculty
Katie Correia brings 24 years of dance and performance training as well as 12 years of teaching and choreography experience to the Academy of Performing Arts. Katie has trained extensively throughout Greater Lowell, Boston, and New York in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theater. Katie has choreographed and taught throughout New England for community groups and competitive teams, as well as professional companies and is much sought after for her outstanding work with children in Pre –dance levels. Katie performed professionally throughout New England with many companies including The Body Language Dancers, The Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble, Granite State Ballet, Bay State Ballet, and also with many of the areas top choreographers. The knowledge she gained throughout her successful performance career has helped lead to an even more successful career as an internationally award winning choreographer. In addition to much recognition for creative concepts and all – around entertainment, Katie’s choreography, which has been televised throughout the country, has won top national and international awards. For the past two years, Katie has enjoyed judging for Olympic Miss Dance Competitions throughout New England. Because of Katie’s creative ideas, love for children and dance, and inspiring teaching style, beginning through advanced students of all ages will benefit greatly from Katie’s knowledge and love for dance and theater.
Bryan Steele has been teaching in the Chelmsford area for the past 13 years. He has been on the faculties of Boston Ballet, Walnut Hill School, Dance Productions, New Hampshire School of Ballet to name just a few. Currently on the faculty oat Dean College, Bryan has taught master classes throughout the United States, Germany, Venezuela, France, Ecuador and Spain. Bryan has been choreographing for competitive groups and professional companies for over 15 years. He has won numerous awards on a regional, national and international level. He has self-produced 6 concerts of his own work in the Boston area. His dances have been set on Prometheus Dance Company, Company of Two, Wheaton College Dance Company, Boston Ballet, Walnut Hill and other local companies. Bryan has recently retired from performing. Some of the companies he had the pleasure of dancing with are Prometheus, Impulse, Island Moving Company, Ariel Dance Theatre, Body Language Dancers, Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble and many other independent choreographers. Bryan has also performed in hundreds of industrial shows, commercials and videos. For the past several years, Bryan has enjoyed judging for Olympic Miss and Dance Xplosion dance competitions. Bryan takes all his experience from the professional companies; commercial work and master class teaching and brings this knowledge and love of the arts to his students at The Academy of Performing Arts, New England.
Nikki Taylor joins the Academy of Performing Arts, New England staff after having served as an instructor/choreographer for numerous studios spanning throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. During her tenure at each studio, she has taught students ranging in age from 3 years old to adults. During this time, she has choreographed routines for beginners to competitive programs. Excelling in all disciplines, she is recognized as an exceptional tap instructor/choreographer both regionally and nationally, due to her award winning routines. In 2000, Nikki choreographed a number of competitive team pieces which appeared at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and in June of 2003, she accompanied a Competition Troupe to Daytona Beach, Florida, where the troupe experienced national success.
As a dancer, Nikki has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Some countries included are Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. In addition to touring abroad, she has also traveled extensively throughout the United States, appearing in such states as Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska and Georgia. While in Atlanta, Georgia, Nikki had the privilege to dance in an Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
Nikki is a graduate of Fitchburg State College, where she received her degree in Sociology in 1995. While at Fitchburg State she was a dance instructor/choreographer as well as Vice President for the FSC Dance Club. She is also a graduate of the Dance Teacher's Club of Boston - Teacher's Training Course.
The world of dance and entertainment has provided such a positive impact on Nikki's life. Due to the fact, it is her career ambition to educate other individuals who share the same passion. Having worked with a number of choreographers and dance instructors, she understands how crucial it is to have a positive influence at every level of dance education. For that reason, Nikki is committed to helping students no matter their age or talent level work towards achieving their dance goals.
Riitta Lherault brings over 18 years of recreational, competitive, and professional dance, gymnastics and cheer leading training to the Academy of Performing Arts, New England. Riitta trained with the areas top instructor's and choreographers, including Director, Bryan Steele before attending college at The Boston Conservatory where she graduated as a Dance Major. For the past10 years, Riitta has been teaching dance throughout New England to 2 year olds through adults in all levels Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Tap and Ballet. Ms. Lherault is certified with the United States Gymnastics Association and has been successfully coaching Gymnastics throughout the Boston area. She coaches all levels of competitive gymnastics.
Ashley Lucibello trained extensively throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts in Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Modern, Musical Theater and Lyrical. She has had the opportunity to work and study under many of New England's top teachers and choreographers and brings all of the knowledge that she has gained to her students at Academy of Performing Arts, New England. Ashley has been performing and competing both regionally and nationally. She has won countless awards including top national championships and much recognition for her technique and performance ability. Ashley performed on the International Dance Challenge Television Spectacular in 2003 and 2004. Through her warm, caring and encouraging teaching style, Ashley instills and inspires a love for dance and the arts in all of the students she teaches. In addition to teaching at APA, Ashley is attending Bentley College to further her education. Ashley has recently become a judge for Olympic Miss Dance Competitions.
Originally from Georgia, Ms. Goor was born into a family that taught and nurtured a love and appreciation for the joy of signing and sharing songs. Sarah is a self taught guitar player and accompanies herself and others in music. She graduated high school in Quincy, Illinois as a Junior. Ms. Goor has sung with many choirs and is presently at First United Baptist in Lowell where she is the director of the Hand Bell Choir. She directed the music program for over 10 years for joint Vacation Bible School endeavors. Ms. Goor resided in Germany for four years and taught music and signing to small groups while they were on retreats in the Bavarian Alps and has also performed in Poland. She has performed for many weddings and funerals, on the Tall Ships on Boston Harbor, for political campaigns and with the Highland Players in Lowell, Ma. She brings her love of music and song to our students through her positive teaching approach.
Judith received a Ford Foundation Scholarship for study at The School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet's official school. There, her teachers included the great Russian ballerinas, Madame Alexandra Danilova and Madame Antonia Tumkovsky. Ms. Koeckhoven's dedication and vision have earned national acclaim for the Chelmsford Academy, which offered a level of training usually found in larger cities, rich in dance culture. Her reputation in the professional dance world enabled her to attract America's greatest dance professionals and teachers to enrich the education of Academy students. Guest Artists and teachers included Maris Battaglia - Director of the American Academy of Ballet, Oleg Briansky and Mireille Briane - co-founders of Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center, Mihailo Djuric -Artistic Director of Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Susan Duffy - Director of Ballet Theatre Workshop, Peter Pawlyshyn, Paul Thrussell and Laura Young of Boston Ballet and Robert Maiorano, Victoria Hall and Jeffery Edwards of the New York City Ballet. Ms. Koeckhoven continues to be involved in Local school productions as a guest choreographer. Her most recent work was seen in the production of Bye Bye Birdie.
Lynda Blair Vernalia comes to APA with over 20 years of
experience performing onstage. She has been a member of the Borderline players
of Haverhill, the Bradford Ensemble Story Theatre (B.E.S.T) and Bradford Players
both of Bradford College, The Lutheran Church of the Savior Drama Ministry and
has participated and starred in numerous
local plays, concert choirs and a capella groups. She has a Bachelor's degree in
Performing Arts (Theatre, Musical Theatre and Voice) from Bradford College and a
Master's degree in Education from Harvard University. Lynda has a down-to earth
style and an honest, respectful approach to character and student development.
Currently a homeschooling mother of 2 and a freelance writer and published poet,
she writes and performs weekly with her church drama ministry which produced her
first written play last fall. After many years honing her craft onstage, Lynda
is delighted to have this unique opportunity to develop a program specifically
geared toward the youth
at APA
Corinne Chase has been an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music since 1997. She has a Bachelors of Music Education Degree from Western CT State College. She's skilled in a wide variety of musical idioms from Jazz and Pop to Classical, and has extensive experience in all phases of both live and recorded performances. She's sung on hundreds of Radio and TV commercials and dozens of CDs, including her own recent CD release of lullabies, "In Angel's Arms." Corinne is also the leader of the highly regarded area band, Chase, with well over 1000 performances at night clubs, shows, corporate functions and weddings all over the East Coast from Florida to Canada. Academy of Performing Arts, New England is proud and excited to bring Corrine's talent and wealth of knowledge to our students.
With a background in Dance, Arts, Gymnastics and Performance APA New England is proud to bring Laura Tsolas' expertise to our students. Laura trained extensively in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern Dance for over 18 years. Laura has been teaching dance to children through adults throughout the area for the past eight years. Laura performed professionally with "In the Company of Two", a modern company in Boston, and continues to train professionally throughout the area. Laura also coaches gymnastics and is much sought after for her work with children. Ms. Tsolas works actively with the youth centers in the Greater Lowell Community and is a wonderful addition to the staff of APA.
Amy is a certified Yoga Instructor and is registered with the National Yoga Alliance. She is also a member of the Kripalu Yoga Teacher's Association. She has been practicing Yoga for over seven years. After completing a year long Yoga Teacher Training Program she continued to seek out and study with with a number of esteemed teachers. She teaches a style of Yoga that is eclectic and fun. Amy teaches students at every level of their journey (beginner through advanced) and always encourages students to work at their own pace. Sharing her love of Yoga and introducing others to the benefits that Yoga can offer is a constant source of inspiration and joy. Amy has had the pleasure of studying with Rodney Yee, Rolf Gates, David Magone, and Yoganand Michael Carroll. Amy, who is also a certified Reiki Practitioner, teaches in multiple locations throughout the area. Academy of Performing Arts, New England is proud to be able to bring Amy, her expertise, knowledge, and inspiring teaching style to our students of all levels and ages.
