TEACHERS & STAFF

Joanne has been sharing her love and passion for teaching dance for 34 years. Under the direction of Debi Hanley, she started her career as one of the youngest ensemble members to perform all around New England and continued her training in the Boston area under various dance masters and artists. Her choreography has won many awards and recognition in the competitive circuit, and her alumni have went on to become professional dancers, choreographers and inspiring dance and yoga instructors out in the community. In addition to dance, Joanne has an extensive fitness and nutrition background as a nationally certified fitness leader, nutrition counselor, and personal trainer through the AFAA certification program and certified Hatha Yoga instructor. She combines her passion of the arts, connection, and wellness in all her classes with her students and with her dance family to provide the wholesome atmosphere that is, Planet Dance.

Kelly has been dancing and performing in the Greater Boston area for over 23 years. She began her training at the age of 2 with the Donna Miceli Dance Center and continued with Planet Dance in 2005. In addition to being a Planet Dance Alumni, she has studied Dance Education at Lowell High School and Northern Essex. She is a former member of the LHS Dance Ensemble, The Boston Tap Co, Drumatix, and recently had the opportunity to teach for the LHS Dance Program. Kelly's choreography has received many outstanding awards, overall high scores, and special judges awards at various regional competitions. She works tirelessly behind the scenes at the studio and also in her classes to challenge each of her students to strive to their fullest potential. 

Janet has been an innovative instructor of dance for over 40 years in the Merrimack Valley area. She owned and operated the Janet Gilday School of Dance in Dracut, MA for 17 years. She has shared exquisite ballet and pointe training with hundreds of students who have gone on to perform professionally as well as become wonderful choreographers and teachers. She attended Boston Conservatory as a dance major and continued to develop her own technique with some of the best in Boston. Miss Janet's most influential peers are Wayne Stuart of the Royal Academy of Ballet in England and her very own beloved instructor Miss Shirley Terrill of Lowell. Janet continues to share and enjoy the ballet experience with today's young dancers and is a major part of the Planet Dance family.

Jessica Rose recieved her early dance training at the North Reading School of Ballet in multiple styles under the direction of Lisa Pulver. She has trained with mentors & choreographers such as Betsi Graves, Ellenore Scott, Jackie Nowicki, and Tucker Knox who have all impacted her movement & way of teaching. In 2017, Jessica Rose joined Boston Community Dance Project under the direction of “SKooJ CorE-O”, trained in Fusion movement and has developed an even wider range of diversity and performance opportunities. Jessica Rose currently teaches in the styles of Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Jazz, and Ballet, and has taught and choreographed for various studios, teams, and companies including Urbanity Dance Company, Aurora Borealis Dance Company, BCDP Global, the Bosoma Youth Company, and the Bosoma Dance Company.

Justine has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching for 8. Justine has always had a passion for dancing and performing since she began at the age of two. She grew up training at Broadway Dance Academy under Cindy Conley. At the age of twelve she began assistant teaching, and by the age of sixteen she was teaching classes of her own. She continued her dance training in New York City at Broadway Dance Center in the Professional Semester program. There she trained under artists such as Shirlene Quigley, Dorit Koppel, Emily Greenwell, and more. Although her time in New York was invaluable, she has since moved back home to teach at local dance studios. Her love for teaching and sharing her passion with others is what is most important to her. She aims to challenge each student, and inspire them to become their best selves!

Alexis started her dance training in 2007 at the age of 3 here at Planet Dance. She is part of our senior competitive team and recently joined our teaching staff. She was an honor student at Lowell Catholic High School and has been on the dance team for 3 years, as well as a performance member of DanceVersity since 2017. She currently attends Merrimack College to study Psychology. Alexis has outstanding work ethic and is extremely driven. She loves working with her teammates and especially her students, and considers Planet Dance studio as her second family.

Mae, a Planet Dance Alum, has over 17 years of dance experience. She is a former PD comp team member and was a member of the Chelmsford High School dance team She currently attends Merrimack College and studies Health Science. She continues her love of dance as a member of the Merrimack College Dance team where she performs at half time shows, and cheers on the sports teams on the sidelines during games. Mae brings inspiration and encouragement to our students with her challenging choreography and energy.