Faculty

Agnes Strecker - Director

Patrice Cowhig

Patrice Cowhig is the ASDS yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for a number of years. In addition to teaching yoga at the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio, Patrice participates in weekly classes and yearly conventions. Patrice says that ãyoga is the fusion of movement and breathe, stretching and strengthening, and energy and relaxation. Yoga is a wonderful way to stay fit, flexible, and relaxed. It helps both the body and mind by introducing breathing techniques, concentration and carefully guided poses to achieve relaxation. Patrice works with each individualâs flexibility level because yoga teaches you not to push yourself. Patrice graduated from North Shore Community College with a Physical Therapy Assistant degree. Patrice now works at Laura Lanes Skin Care in Salem, MA as a licensed massage therapist.

Rachel Ferrante

Rachel Ferrante has 10 years of dance experience and has taught for 3 years. She recently attained her hairdressing license from the Beauty Creator's Academy and currently works at Skin For All Seasons in Revere, MA.

Rachel successfully completed the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston's three-year training program. She was part of the ASDS performances aboard the Norwegian Majesty Cruise Line, where she won first place in the cruise's talent show for her vocal talent. Rachel sings and dances for the MSPCC for Bova Productions.

Nichole Ferrante

Nichole completed her dance education training through the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston. With ASDS, she has performed at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL., and aboard the Norwegian Majesty Cruise Line. She also danced for the MSPCC for Bova Productions.

Chad Flahive

Chad has a master's degree in creative arts education, and currently serves as president of The Winthrop Playmakers. He has choreographed productions of "Nunsense", "Footloose", "Company," and "A Chorus Line". His work on "A Chorus Line" won him the DASH Award for Best Choreographer in Eastern Massachusetts local community theater.

He choreographed a cast of forty-seven in "Seussical the Musical" for an October 2005 production. In addition to his work as a choreographer, Chad has also performed in many local and regional productions including "Godspell", "Cabaret", "Chicago", "Annie", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", and "Rocky Horror-Live!"

Chad brings his varied experiences in theater to the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio teaching theater-style jazz classes to teens and adults.

Denise Goddard

Denise Goddard has been a teacher at the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio for three years and has been a dancer at ASDS for over 20 years. Denise has training in all types of dance offered at the studio. She has performed in various exhibitions and has taken part in workshops locally and in New York City to further her knowledge in dance.

Denise also has experience in competitive gymnastics. She trained for five years with the Winthrop Gymnastics Academy, and has placed in both statewide and national competitions.

Denise graduated from Revere High School in 1999 and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeastern University 2004.

Alicia Januario

Alicia Januario has been dancing for fifteen years and has been teaching for 3 years. She is a graduate of Northeast Vocational High School where she studied Cosmetology and was captain of the cheerleading squad.

Alicia completed the Dance Teachers Club of Boston Teacher Training Program and received the tap scholarship her second year. She continues to study dance by taking classes and participating at various conventions.

Alex Kelly

Alex has been studying dance for a number of years at the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio. Alex has been teaching at the studio for three years.

Alex's competitive dance experience includes winning a Grand National Champion title at the National Dance Alliance Competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Also, Alex has graduated from the Dance Teacher's Club of Boston Teacher Training Program.

Alex attends Suffolk University where she majors in Public Relations. She is the Arts & Entertainment Editor of The student newspaper there as well.

Alex is interning at Ideas Associates on Newbury St. It is a publicity agency that does media relations, audience development and promotional programs for theatres and theatrical groups in and around Boston.

Melyssa Misci

Melyssa has been teaching dance for twelve years at the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio. Melyssa also is in her sixth year teaching for Happy Feet, a company that brings dance education to many preschools throughout Massachusetts.

Melyssa has been dancing for the past twenty-six years and is trained in all forms of dance. She completed the Dance Teacher's Club of Boston Teacher Training Program and continues to study by taking classes and participating in conventions.

Melyssa graduated from Revere High School in 1995. She received a B.A. degree in Elementary Education with a second major in Multidisciplinary Studies Surrounding the Visual and Performing Arts from Stonehill College in 1999.

Tiffany Picardi

Dancing is a major part of Tiffany's life. She began dancing at the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio in 1996. For the past 10 years she has gained not only technique, but has also learned to love dance. Tiffany will attend Salem State College in the fall to study Childhood Education. Tiffany will continue her second year of Dance Teacher Training this summer and will graduate in 2007.

Vanessa Raftery

Vanessa has 24 years of dance experience. Twenty-one of those years have been with the Agnes Strecker Dance Studio. She has served as our substitute teacher and enjoys the teaching aspect - especially now that she recently became a mom to a beautiful baby girl, Selena (a future ASDS dancer).

When Vanessa is not dancing, she manages Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Boston. She not only danced aboard the Norwegian Majesty, but also organized the travelling arrangements for the entire staff and guests (a total of 49 passengers). Vanessa also performs in the many other ASDS yearly events and actively takes part in Master Classes.

Jessie-Sierra Roman

Jessie-Sierra Roman holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in dance, with a focus in ballet, from Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA, awarded Summa Cum Laude. Ms. Roman began her training with Anna Myer and Patricia Adelmann in the Legat Style at the Ana Roje School of Ballet in Boston, MA. She continued her training in the Balanchine Method with James Reardon and Clyde Nantais of the Boston Dance Company in Cambridge, MA. Ms. Roman has also studied and performed the Duncan technique with Patricia Adams, director of Dances by Isadora.

She later joined the Boston Dance Company as a company member in her early teens and performed principal and soloit roles in such ballets as "The Nutcracker Suite," Agnes DeMille's "Three Virgins and the Devil," and George Balanchine's "Valse Fantasie." During the summers, she performed with the Boston Dance Company in the Boston Park Arts program, entertaining children around the Boston area in such classics as Reardon's "Peter and the Wolf" and "Pie Jesu."

She continued her performing career with Festival Ballet Providence, under the direction of Mihalo Djuric. There she performed corps de ballet and soloist roles with an international ensemble of dancers and choreographers in such pieces as "The Nutcracker Suite," "Esmeralda," and "Les Sylphides."