The Dance Place

Fontaine Dollas Dubus, Owner/Director (Modern, Luigi Jazz, Contemporary, ChoreoMotion,

Joppa Dance Co. Director)

Fontaine began teaching at The Dance Place soon after Irene Weiss established it in 1984. She studied Liberal Arts at Bradford College then went on to The Art Institute of Boston to study illustration. She taught and studied dance through college, concentrating on the Luigi Technique with Ms. Weiss. She attended classes in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, African and more with Luigi,

Francis Roach, Christien Polos, Diane Arvanites, Tommy Neblett, Denise Collins, Julia Boynton, Greg Coles, and Pam Smith. She taught dance at The Governor’s Academy for nearly 28 years, and directs Joppa Dance's Teen group. In addition to dance Ms. Dubus has a passion for theater- acting, directing, and writing. In 1987 she co-founded Exit Dance Theatre, a modern dance company based in Newburyport. Exit performs in Boston and the North Shore. Her piece, Kristallnacht was performed at the Auschwitz Museum in Poland. She hopes to encourage artists young and old to delve into their creativity, no matter what form it’s in. That is the philosophy of her studio, The Dance Place. Fontaine is married to author, Andre Dubus III.​

 

Susan Atwood (Ballet, Lyrical, Luigi Jazz)

Susan is a co-founder of Exit Dance Theatre. She began dancing in early childhood and has studied with numerous inspiring teachers. Over the years, she has performed and choreographed in many venues and companies including Karlins and Company and TurnPike Project. She has also been teaching throughout the area and directed the dance program at Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA from 1994 until 2003. She is currently back teaching at The Dance Place, Newburyport, MA and has a busy practice in Newburyport in Asian Bodywork and Craniosacral Therapy.

​​

Muriel Baillie (Teen HipHop, Summer Teen Lyrical) 

Muriel started her love for dance and choreography in middle school and continued to grow in a variety of styles throughout college at Fitchburg State University. She has experience in a variety of styles including jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and has choreographed dozens of numbers and productions in high school and college. She is also a choreographer for Theater Workshop, a local children's program. Originally from Reading, Massachusetts, Muriel is now a local to Newburyport.

​

Paige Bernstein (Ballet)

Paige began dancing as a young child and grew up at The Dance Place as a member of Joppa from junior to teen. She went on to earn her degree in dance from Dean College, studying with many wonderful teachers who motivated her to teach and choreograph in turn. Dance is her first love and has remained her biggest passion throughout her life. Paige also earned a horticulture degree from Umass Amherst and enjoys floral design, having spent several years working as a florist as well. After a break during the early childhood of her 2 children, she is excited to get back to teaching dance and thrilled to be home at the Dance Place.

 

Julie Pike Edmond (Creative Dance, Dance Mix, Joppa Jr. Director) 

Julie began her academic pursuits in Dance Education and Performance at Columbia College and completed her BFA from Bradford College. Julie has been lucky enough to immerse herself in the greater Boston dance community for over 21 years and has shown her own choreography in NY and Boston. She currently teaches at The Dance Place and Endicott College. Julie has creatively and continuously been able to do what she loves without too many injuries. When she is not dancing, teaching, performing, choreographing, massaging clients and being mom to Ruby and Dash she has morphed into an octopus. Like the octopus, her arms have extended into space while her center has spiraled, contracted, and expanded. Julie is always trying to implement newly refined ways of being and dancing. Exit Dance Theatre allows for that continuous navigation.

 

Jennifer Berube Grinnings (Tap, Jazz/Hiphop)

Jennifer began her study of dance at the age of four. She trained under the direction of Miss Helen Deane and Miss Cynthia Marnik at the Deane School of Dance in Salem, MA for 18 years. She has appeared in numerous performances with the Salem Ballet Company sharing the stage with such distinguished artists as Frank Ohman of the NYC Ballet as well as Laura Young, Tony Cantazaro and Stephanie Moi of the Boston Ballet. She taught dance for Dance Exclusive in Swampscott, MA both prior to and after college. During college she studied ballet under the direction of dance veteran Franco Jelincic. After taking a break to start a family here in Newburyport, she is very excited about teaching and dancing again.​

​

Nicole Chabot (Creative Dance, Ballet-all levels, all ages)

Nicole is a passionate dream-builder who thrives on inspiring others to reach their fullest potential. She discovered the beauty of ballet during her training as an elite gymnast, and has dedicated her life to teaching and sharing her love for the art with young beginners and adults alike. Her Creative Movement classes, (for age 3 & 4), are full of wonder and discovery. She has been labeled the “fairy godmother”. She brings out the best in every student, encouraging endless learning and instilling confidence. Nicole is a firm believer that age is just a number and discovering new passions is a lifelong adventure. When she’s not teaching, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her family.

​

Lizzy Keery (Joppa 2 Director)

Lizzy feels fortunate to teach at the studio that nurtured her love of dance. Her experience as a member of the Joppa Dance company instilled in her a passion for self expression that she strives to pass on to her students. Lizzy received a BA in Communication and English and a certificate in Film Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. During her undergraduate career she led the UMass Dance Club through its early and formative years. She worked to create a non competitive and joyful atmosphere that prioritized inclusivity and self expression. In addition to choreographing and performing in biannual showcases, she taught open classes to dancers of all abilities. Lizzy has lived in Barcelona and Rome, where she taught English and art and studied filmmaking, respectively. She currently teaches Arts Integration at the River Valley Charter School Middle School in Newburyport.

​

Tracey Kimball (Zumba)

Dance and fitness have been a part of Tracey's life since the age of four. With a background in competitive baton twirling and modern, ballet and jazz dance, Tracey has always made fitness and movement classes a part of her life and relishes the opportunity to inspire and encourage others to enjoy its many benefits. A certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer for over a decade, Tracey holds certifications from the American Fitness Association of America, Les Mills International, Resist-a-Ball, Balletone, Zumba, and the American Aerobic Association International. Tracey is also a certified mat pilates instructor through AAAI and has completed Level 1 mat and equipment (reformer, cadillac, barrels) based pilates through STOTT PILATES. Tracey enjoys helping individuals find their inner dancer through her Zumba and Barre classes.

​​

Erin Newhall (Ballet) Erin graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Dance from Salem State University, where she was honored as a Presidential Arts Scholar and twice received the Creativity Award. Her dynamic career began with performances and tours with the modern company The Move Shop and hip hop company Unyted Stylz. She has taught a variety of dance styles to students of all ages, both at numerous dance studios in the New England area and as a faculty member at Dana Hall School. As the Competition Director for Elite Performance Challenge and Excel in Motion, Erin traveled across the United States, running regional and national dance competitions and conventions, collaborating with talent from 'So You Think You Can Dance'. Her journey then took her to Sydney, Australia, where she toured as a featured tap dancer with the dixieland band The Low Down Riders. She continued her international career in New Zealand, teaching with the company Full Swing in Wellington. Returning to Boston in 2017, Erin became the head coach of the Harvard University Dance Team, leading them to compete at UDA nationals at the ESPN Center in Orlando, Florida, for two seasons. Most recently, Erin appeared as a principal dancer in the film Hocus Pocus 2.

​

Rebecca Maikels (Ballet III, IV, V, Ballet Repertoire, Pointe)

Rebecca began her ballet training at the age of three and spent 13 years with the Adams School of Dance, where she also performed as a principal dancer with the Vermont Chamber Ballet Company. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University before pursuing graduate studies at Simmons College and Northeastern University, where she earned a master’s degree in Severe Special Needs Education and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. After many years of dancing sporadically while raising twins, Rebecca is thrilled to have rediscovered her love for ballet and to have found a home at The Dance Place. She is passionate about helping students build strong ballet technique while fostering confidence, discipline, and a life long appreciation for dance. 

​​​

Erin Staffiere (Modern, Joppa 3 & Joppa T2 Director)

Erin would rather be dancing than anything else in the world, and she feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this passion for movement and expression as a teacher at The Dance Place. Erin began dancing at the Dance Place in 1992 as a student and member of Joppa (back when it was called Joppa Jazz!) under Irene Weiss. Erin has learned from many wonderful teachers and mentors, including Fontaine Dubus, Cheryl Fisher, Susan Atwood, Pam Smith, and Dr. Stephen Haley. She is Co-Direcror of Exit Dance Theater and also performs with Theater in the Open. She loves how dance blends art and athleticism, amplifying feeling beyond what words can express.

​

Jennifer Steeves, Studio Manager (Former Joppa Director, Visiting Choreographer)

Jen grew up and trained in Calgary, Alberta Canada. During her studio years she competed in many dance competitions in Western Canada. While she was in college she was a professional cheerleader for the Calgary Stampeders which is part of the Canadian Football League (CFL). She received a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary. After graduation Jen danced professionally for Carnival Cruise Lines in their main production shows. Jen has been teaching locally for the past 10 years and began teaching for the Dance Place in Newburyport in 2008. She has danced locally with both Forty Steps Dance and Green Glass Dance Companies and is a current member of Exit Dance Theatre. Jen moved to Bonita Springs, FLA, and continues to manage remotely!

​​

Carole Wagan (Intro to Luigi Jazz)

Carole started dancing the Luigi technique with Irene Weiss in 1979. She worked with Irene to create the Joppa Jazz Dance Company in 1982 and went on to be the President of the Board of Directors for about 10 years, and a member of the Company. She performed with the company until 1993. She also helped Irene create The Dance Place in 1984. She has studied dance at The Dance Place continuously since it began. Carole made numerous trips to New York City to take class with Luigi. She now teaches the Luigi Style class at the studio.

​

Greg Coles (African, Latin)

Between his sophomore and junior years in high school Greg spent a summer on scholarship at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater School in New York and returned in the spring to study with, among others, Pearl Lang of the original Martha Graham Company. From his learning at the Ailey school and at Taft, Greg choreographed a production for which he won the school’s award for the Most Outstanding Independent Studies Project. Greg continued his dance career throughout college (Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT) where he studied technique, movement analysis, kinesiology, anatomy, choreography and instruction. Combining dance with his academic aspirations, Greg continued his dance training in African and Latin dance and drum during his graduate work in Boston (Harvard Business School, Boston, MA). Greg studied with every African and Latin instructor in the Cambridge and Boston areas about everyday for over five years. He performed as a member of professional dance troupes, dance teams, and performance companies; and, assisted with the instruction of Latin dance classes. Greg eventually developed his own style (blending most recent, and past learning), and stayed true to the authentic patterns through his on-going study of the history of African and Latin Dance. He has traveled to Mali, West Africa, to Costa Rica, to Puerto Rico. Greg currently teaches Street Latin Dance classes for course credit at Salem State College. He offers public classes in Newburyport, Rowley, Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Marblehead and offers private instruction to individuals, small groups and couples at his home studio in Marblehead. He regularly hosts private and public parties either at his home or at his clients’ locations and hosts weekly dance parties at Rockafellas in Salem. ​

​

Former, Substitute, and Seasonal Instructors:

​

Pam Smith (Ballet/Modern/Pointe)

Pam began her training in Ballet at the age of three. She has studied at the Joffrey School of Ballet and with the members and directors of the Royal Ballet and The Pennsylvania Ballet. She trained in Modern Dance with company members and directors of the Graham, Cunningham, Paul Taylor, Dan Wagoner, Viola Farber and Twyla Tharp dance companies. Pam has performed in both ballet and modern concerts in New York City, Washington D.C., and throughout New England, including concerts with her own company. She is a recipient of an Individual Artist Grant from the Connecticut Commission of the Arts. She appeared in the casts of James Lapines’ off-Broadway productions of Twelve Dreams and his Obie Award wining play, Photograph. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Pam has taught at Albertus Magnus College, has been an artist in residence at the University of Bridgeport and has been a faculty member at Bradford College. She has been Department Head of Dance at Interarts and at the Education Center for the Arts, high schools for the Performing Arts in Connecticut. She also headed the dance department at the Center for Creative Youth, a summer residency program at Wesleyan University for high school students talented in the arts. In Los Angeles, she was the head of the children’s school at Stanley Holden’s Dance Center. Locally she has taught at Ballet New England and The Dance Place in Newburyport and has been a guest teacher and choreographer for many studios in the North Shore area, as well as at Phillips Exeter Academy.

​​​​

Elisa Kennedy (Contemporary/Modern/Lyrical/Dance Mix)

Elisa got an early start at The Dance Place in Newburyport, MA. She recently graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A in Dance and American Studies. While at Conn, Elisa studied numerous styles of dance including modern, post-modern, ballet, and contemporary. She has worked with and performed in pieces choreographed by faculty members David Dorfman, Heidi Henderson, Lisa Race, and Ellie Goudie-Averill, in addition to master classes with companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem, BalletX, David Dorfman Dance, and former Cunningham dancers Rashaun Mitchell and Silas Riener. In early 2020, Elisa performed in New York City, debuting a piece choreographed by a Conn graduate. While in college, she choreographed multiple Dance Club pieces and performed in several senior projects. As the culmination of her dance major this past semester, Elisa choreographed “Home Before Dark” for her Senior Capstone project. She has worked as an administrative intern for David Dorfman Dance and a tech intern at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, and plans to pursue a career in arts administration while continuing her love for teaching. 

​

Nicole Francois (Luigi Style Jazz)

Nicole considers herself fortunate to have taught for and with LUIGI in his studio @ 62nd @ Broadway for 8 wonderful years. She also taught his technique at Broadway Dance Center for 7 years. “He is my mentor and I strongly believe in his technique. She has been at The Dance Place since 2002.

​

Victoria Grinnings (Ballet/Pointe/Modern)

Victoria has studied a wide range of techniques from her pre-professional ballet training at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts to her comprehensive modern technique  from the School of Theater and Dance at James Madison University, where she has just obtained her BA in Dance. She has been lucky enough to study with some of the most up and coming choreographers not only in the United States but also in the UK and Europe. This includes Kyle Abraham, Julie Nakagawa, Luke Birch, Thomas McManus, Doug Varone, the DASH Ensemble, Riley Watts, Anne Marie Holmes, Levi Marsman, Ryan Corriston, Cynthis Thompson, Ruben Garaciani, Denise Lewis, Micheal Owen, Diane Arvanities, and Tommy Neblett. She has worked and performed with the Abraham in Motion Company, Danceworks Chicago, DASH, the Trinity Laban Center in London England, as well as Student Dance Concerts at JMU.

​

April MacDonald (Zumba)- April has been teaching Zumba at The Dance Place since 2012. She has developed a large and devoted following due to her creative choreography incorporating Latin and pop music and dance styles. She has an extremely upbeat approach and celebrates students mastering new moves, and achieving fitness goals. She has been inspired by how students use the positive effects of dancing to battle illness, and has been moved by stories of how skills and strength gained in class have empowered students to grow stronger in other areas of their lives. Her class philosophy is all about moving and smiling, and getting results that reach beyond just the physical. 

​