Katherine Hooper, Owner, an Essex local, began her dance training at RDS Performing Arts in Dover, MA and continued her professional training at the University of North Carolina, then finished her BFA at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Five College Dance Program. As an undergraduate, she co-developed an Arts Collective and an Improvisation Group while producing, directing and choreographing 2 full-scale productions. Following graduation, Katherine moved to Colorado where she co-founded Performance Works, Ltd., a contemporary dance and theatre company. For five years, as the choreographer and co-artistic director of the company, she taught and performed throughout the area inspiring local dancers and non-dancers to achieve their personal best through movement. While in Colorado, Katherine also certified through Polestar Education in Pilates Matt Work, which has enhanced her passion for creating highly athletic and dynamic movement. In 2001, 2002, and 2013, Katherine was commissioned to choreograph original works for the Patricia Kenny Dance Collection, formerly of the David Parsons Dance Company. In 2004, she taught workshops at Peridance Center in Manhattan. In 2005, she was acknowledged by Boston Uncommon Magazine as ‘One to Watch’. Since 2005, Katherine has been commissioned to set work on the Lee Lund Dance Company, in Connecticut, for their annual pre-professional concert. On an annual basis, she teaches master classes at various New England area Universities, Colleges and Dance Studios, most recently at Plymouth State University, NH and Beth Walsh Dance Studio, MA. Katherine opened Mass Motion Dance North in Peabody in 2010. In 2014, she was awarded the ‘Support Your Studio’ grant by the Dizzy Feet Foundation for her commitment to bringing dance to the local community through teaching and performances and for her passionate teaching within her studio inspiring young dancers of all levels to achieve their best through dance. As the recipient of this award, the Mass Motion Dance faculty and students received a workshop and master class with Season 9 So You Think You Can Dance winner, Chehon Wespi-Tschopp. Katherine is also the Artistic Director and choreographer of the BoSoma Dance Company (BDC). Through the BDC Educational Outreach programs, Katherine works throughout the school year linking the arts and literacy, enhancing the public school curriculum and the teacher/student experience in the classroom. BoSoma is passionate about getting students active and excited about learning within a creative, physical and academic community both inside the studio and within the classroom. Inspiring the creative and athletic mind is key to our children's success.
Stephanie Boisvert, Director, received the bulk of her dance training at Melissa Hoffman Dance Center in Hudson, NH. As a teenager she had the opportunity to travel to Namibia, Africa on outreach missions, performing and teaching in schools throughout the country, which ignited her passion for community dance education. She graduated summa cum laude from Suffolk University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History. Stephanie danced professionally with BoSoma Dance Company from 2013-2023. With BDC she had the opportunity to perform in festivals around Boston, from Boston Common to Harvard Square, as well as Plymouth, NH and Brattleboro, VT. In 2015 she was cast in the lead role of Stravinsky’s Les Noces, performed alongside the prestigious Chorus pro Musica on the New England Conservatory stage in their live operatic performance, and in 2016 performed daily in the galleries of the Peabody Essex Museum as part of their exhibition Rodin: Transforming Sculpture. In addition to performing, Stephanie has worked alongside Hooper as part of the New England Arts for Literacy Project, conducting workshops in schools around the state, linking the arts and literacy, and giving both students and teachers the tools to use movement expression as a learning tool within the classroom. Stephanie also spent 4 years in the public school system, establishing the Dance Program at Salem Academy Charter School in Salem, MA. As a passionate performer and educator, Stephanie’s mission is to inspire her students to reach their fullest potential through hard work, dedication, and lots of laughter.
Courtney Costa, Assistant Director, has been an aspiring dancer since the age of three. She received the bulk of her training from local studios and summer programs such as Boston Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Boston Conservatory. Courtney has received many awards and recognitions at both regional and national dance competitions. During this time she was also performing with Ballet Arts Worcester in their production of the Nutcracker for 10 years. After graduating high school, Courtney followed her love for dance to be a full time student at the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance in 2017. During that time she had the opportunity to study and perform the classical forms of Ballet, Pointe, Limon, Graham and Contemporary directed by her professors and guest artists from all over the world. She currently dances professionally with BoSoma Dance Company. Courtney enjoys doing master classes and guest teaching around the New England area sharing her passion for dance.
Kelsey Blanchette, Community Outreach Director, received her early training from Dance Progressions of Londonderry, NH studying ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance. After graduating high school Kelsey went on to Salem State University where she studied Modern dance under the direction of Meghan McLyman, Caitlin Corbett, Betsy Miller, and James Morrow. During her time at Salem State dance grew into a lifelong passion for the arts. Kelsey attended several American College Dance Festivals in New England where her work was represented twice, assisted in the direction and choreography of The Drowsy Chaperone, and was awarded the 2017 Creativity Award, the highest honor of the arts from Salem State University. Kelsey has also had the opportunity to dance in summer programs and intensives with the Amy Marshall Dance Company and BoSoma Dance Company as well as perform professionally with Saving Grace Dance Ensemble. Today, Kelsey is working towards her PnL1 Nutrition Certification and is a co-founder of Vitality Dance Project, a duet project that can be found performing in local events such as the Salem Arts Festival, NACHMO Boston, and more. Kelsey began performing with BoSoma Dance Company in 2023.
Dana Mazurowski, Curriculum Director, began her dance training at the New Hampshire School of Ballet where she remained enrolled for ten years. There, she trained in numerous styles, including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, tumbling, and danced competitively around the country. In May of 2016 Dana graduated from the Hartt School Conservatory with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Pedagogy. While attending the Hartt School she expanded her training in other genres including Limón, Graham, character, and contemporary dance forms. She had the good fortune to train with renowned teachers and choreographers including Stephen Pier, Nina Watt, Hilda Morales, Jackie Nowicki, Miki Orihara, Betsy McMillan, Doug Varone, Gregory Dolbashian, and Katie Stevinson-Nollet. During her time at the Hartt School she also had the opportunity to study abroad for a period in Amsterdam, Netherlands at the Henny Jurriens Foundation. In June of 2016 Dana was nominated by the American College Dance Association to perform at their national showcase at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. After moving to New York City in 2016 she began working as a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She participated in many showcases and projects including Queensboro Dance Festival, solo work for Nancy Meehan company member Frances Rosario-Puelo, guest performer for Vivid Ballet at Alvin Ailey, Shifting Tides performance at The Actors Fund Arts Center, and danced as a company member with One Day Dance for two seasons. Presently, Dana performs with BoSoma Dance Company and Nsquared Dance Company. She also is a Ballet instructor for Elite Feet Artists Company.
Pattie Hunter (Irish Step) grew up in Boston and began Irish Step Dancing at the age of five. Pattie is an award winning championship dancer who has successfully competed both nationally and internationally, including the All World Championships held in Galway, Ireland. Pattie is a certified T.C.R.G. and a member of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of New England, the Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America and An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. Pattie is currently the Irish Step Program Director for BoSoma School of Dance as well as Mass Motion Dance Metrowest and Sturbridge.
Erica Lane (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Irish Step) received the bulk of her dance training from Mass Motion Dance North in Peabody, MA, under the direction of Katherine Hooper, graduating from the Intensive Dance program in 2016. She then earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Education and Care and a minor in Dance at Salem State University. Erica was a dancer and choreographer for Repertory Dance Theater, one of Salem State’s dance teams. She also worked as an intern for BoSoma School of Dance in 2017-2018 before joining the faculty as an Office Assistant. Outside of BSD, Erica works as a Pre-School teacher.
Alyssa Sullivan (Irish Step, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary/Improv) received her dance training at Mass Motion Dance North under the direction of Katherine Hooper. Throughout high school, Alyssa was member of Aurora Borealis Dance Company, a pre-professional contemporary dance company under the direction of Katie Pustizzi, where she studied dance improvisation. After graduating high school in 2017, she attended Adelphi University where she studied Modern and Ballet for two years. Alyssa is currently a Certified Toddler Teacher with the YMCA daycare programs. Alyssa’s goal as a teacher is to allow her students to feel comfortable using dance as a way to think creatively and to leave class feeling better than when they walked in the door. She is very excited to share her passion for dance with the students of BSD!
Marlaina Rallo (Tiny Tots, Ballet, Tap, Jazz) started dancing at the age of 4, training at Miss Tina’s Studio of Dance in Gloucester, MA. She went on to study at Dean College, graduating in 2020 with a Bachelors in Dance with a concentration in Studio Management and a minor in Business. Marlaina choreographed and performed in a number of shows while studying at Dean. She also spent the summer of 2018 as an intern with BoSoma School of Dance and presently works as the Administrative Assistant for the company. In addition to teaching at BSD, Marlaina teaches creative movement classes at local pre-schools.
Vanessa Raftery (Tiny Tots, Ballet, Tap, Jazz) started dance at the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio in Revere, MA at the age of 3 and continued to dance and teach at her studios (Revere, and Groveland) until Agnes retired in June 2014. In September 2014 Vanessa was thrilled to become Artistic Director of Georgetown/Groveland Dance Studio. Vanessa is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, and participated in Dance Education Training from the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston. She has performed in places such as Disney, the Danmark Tall Ship, numerous community parades and other local events. She is a certified Kindermusik Educator and also a Zumba Instructor. Vanessa continues to further her dance knowledge by attending master classes and participating in conventions such as Pulse and Jump. She attended Marian Court College, where she graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management. Vanessa has taught all ages and skill levels, but has a special passion for teaching the younger ones. She loves to see how excited they are for class and watch their growth throughout the year.
Kristin Tims (Hip Hop) Kristin grew up dancing in Burlington MA, at Suzanne’s Dance Connection. She studied in a classical BFA undergraduate program at the Boston Conservatory for a year before moving to California. In May of 2020, Kristin completed her BFA in dance at California Institute of the Arts, with a semester exchange at Zurich University of the Arts. She is deeply grateful for all of her teachers & choreographers who have inspired her: Spenser Theberge, Nadav Zelner, Arianna Hyatt, Charlie Hodges, Julie Bour, Leanne Reardon, Kaleigh Natale, Channing Cooke, and many more. During her time in California, Kristin managed a mobile dance company and studio for 6 years in Los Angeles, serving over 450 students and 12+ locations. Kristin continues to choreograph dance content for Tippi Toes Inc.’s corporate office, for 35 franchises world-wide. She is humbled for the opportunity to teach at BoSoma Dance School and perform in BoSoma Dance Company. Her teaching focuses on the whole identity of each student. Kristin’s goal is that every person who steps into the studio with her will feel accepted, understood, challenged, and empowered through dance during their time together.
Heather MacBeath (Tiny Tots, Ballet, Tap, Jazz) trained at the Dance Place in Arlington and Mass Motion Dance North, which then became BoSoma School of Dance under the direction of Katherine Hooper. While attending BoSoma School of Dance, she volunteered as an assistant for Tiny Tots and Level classes. She graduated from BSD & the BoSoma Youth Company in 2019. Since then, Heather has been pursuing her BFA in Studio Art with a minor in dance at Endicott College, graduating in May of 2023. She has participated in the Repertory Dance Ensemble every semester at Endicott College and has worked with many faculty and guest choreographers. Heather has also taken multiple choreography classes under the instruction of Nicole Sao Pedro-Welch and her choreography has been showcased in the annual Student Invitational Exhibition twice. Heather loves kids and hopes to spread her love of the arts to her students!
Janelle Holmes (Adult Dance) earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts from University of Hartford in May of 2020, with a focus in ballet pedagogy. While attending The Hartt School, she performed in many main stage shows, and danced as a guest artist with Ballet Hartford. Janelle has also held various internships focused on teaching dance in the Hartford area. Additionally, Janelle is involved with artistic outreach programs such as Spectrum in Motion and The Prism Project, practicing movement and music therapy with students with exceptionalities. Currently, Janelle is pursuing her Masters of Business Administration at the University of Hartford while working as a freelance dancer in Southern New England. She joined BoSoma Dance Company in 2023.