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Erin Saunders|Assistant to The Director| Faculty
Erin Saunders recently earned degrees in Dance and Performance Studies and Arts Administration at Roger Williams University, where she trained with artists such as Christina Robson, Netta Yerushalmy, Ephrat Asherie, David Parker & The Bang Group, Hilary Easton, Sydney Skybetter, K.J. Holmes, Gary Shore, France Hunter, Cathy Nicoli, and Michael Bolger. In 2018, Erin performed at Tisch School of the Arts for choreographer Christina Robson, in a concert of works by the dancers of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. Erin has also performed at the Dance Complex, Green Street Studios, the Somerville Theatre, BU Dance Theater, Onstage Dance Company, and more. Her own choreography has been featured at Boston University during the American College Dance Conference as well as many performance venues throughout Boston. Erin spent a semester abroad training in London with Katie Lusby, Stephen Pelton, and Jorge Cercis and participated in training intensives of the Trisha Brown Dance Company, Pantos Project, and Urbanity Dance. Erin serves as rehearsal director for Project31's professional dance company. Erin is a certified teacher of Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and AcroDance Preschool Curriculum. Erin is also a certified instructor of Alex Flexibility Module 1, and Ready Set Dance, and Ready Set Acro. Erin is is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Lacey Sasso| Faculty
Lacey Sasso is the founder and Artistic Director of Sasso & Company, a Boston-based modern dance company. She attended Missouri State University where she earned a B.F.A in Dance Performance and a minor in Psychology. She earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy from William James College. Lacey spent six seasons with Undertoe Dance Project (NYC) as the Jazz Captain and Resident Jazz Teaching Artist. Lacey joined Project31’s professional company at its inception in 2017 and continues to perform, guest choreograph and work as a rehearsal assistant. Lacey is NGCP certified in the Basic-Professional levels of Giordano Jazz Technique, is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, has completed the Dance for PD Introductory Dance Teacher Training Course, Martha Graham School Intensive Teacher Workshop (NYC), and Kaelyn Gray’s Tap Basics with a Twist Workshop, and Alex Flexibility Modules 1 & 2.. She has served on the faculty at Boston University, the Royal Academy of Dance (London), and Montage Theatre Arts (London). She currently teaches on faculty at Project31 Dance Studio, Urbanity Dance, and South Shore Ballet Theatre, where she is the Head of the Classical Ballet and Modern Dance Programs. Lacey is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Catrina Kubek| Faculty
Catrina Kubek graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Adelphi University. At Adelphi, she performed works by Paul Taylor, Adelheid B. Strelick, Orion Duckstein, William Briscoe, and Jennifer Kreichman. During her junior year, she was nominated for and awarded the Lois Betts Scholarship Award for Dance 2016-2017. She has attended and performed at the American College Dance Association Northeast Conferences in 2017 and 2018. To further supplement her dance training, Catrina has attended the Boston Conservatory Dance Summer Intensive and Urbanity Summer Dance Intensive. Catrina joined Project31 Dance Company in 2018 and has since been promoted to dance captain. In addition to Project31 Dance Company, she has performed professionally with the Julia Kane Dance Collective (New York), Douglas & Co. (New York), and Sasso & Company (Boston). She has formerly held the position of Company Director at KC Dance Expressions. Catrina is CPR & First Aid Certified and has completed Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2 and Aerial Arts Silks teacher certification. Catrina is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Avery Pelosi | Faculty
Avery Pelosi earned a BA in psychology with a minor in dance from Boston University. During her time at BU, she performed and choreographed works mentored by Micki Taylor-Pinney, William McLaughlin, Liz Roncka and Ann Brown-Allen with Boston University’s Dance Theatre Group while serving as the group’s Concert Coordinator. Avery’s choreography was selected to represent BU at the American College Dance Association regional conference in March of 2022. Avery joined Project31 dance company in 2021 and since then she has performed in 2 evening length works with the company. Currently, Avery is on faculty at Project31 Dance Studio and Center for Performing Arts Dance Studio & Acting School as a dance teacher and choreographer. She is the founder and director of an annual dance workshop and student choreography showcase, Day of Dance. Avery looks forward to her third season with Project31 Dance Company and second season with Project31 Dance Studio! Avery is an Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certified teacher. Avery is certified in Progressing Contemporary Technique and the Ready Set Dance Curriculum. Avery is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Jenn Mathien | Office Manager | Faculty
Jenn Mathien has been professionally teaching Pilates for the past 15 years. Originally earning her full mat & equipment certification through Unity Pilates in Sydney, Australia, Jenn further completed her full STOTT Pilates training in Sydney, Los Angeles, & New York, including specialty training for cross-training athletes, pre- and post-natal women and other special populations. Jenn is also fully Barre-certified through Boston Body Barre. While Jenn's teaching approach is rooted in classical Pilates, she prides herself on creating workouts that cater to the individual's needs. Jenn is passionate about ensuring that our dancers learn correct posture, body awareness & muscle activation in order to control their bodies in space, not only to help them reach their dance potential, but to cultivate healthy movement habits that will stay with them through life. When not teaching, she's a busy mom of daughter, Grace (Junior team dancer) and son, Cooper (Petite team dancer). Jenn lives with her husband and kids in Hingham. Jenn isa certified Acrobatic Arts Module 1 and Aerial Arts Instructor. Jenn is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Nikki Gagliano | Faculty
Nikki is a Boston based Dance artist and educator who earned her Bachelors of Arts in both Dance and Business Administration from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania with concentrations in Choreography, Performance & Education, and Marketing respectfully. In her time at college, she choreographed numerous contemporary pieces in addition to performing in works by professional artists such as Randall Anthony Smith. Since moving back to Massachusetts, Nikki has joined Sasso & Company and Boston Community Dance Project as a company member. She has also presented her own work locally at NACHMO Boston and Salem Arts Festival. Nikki joined KAIROS Dance Theater as a trainee in the fall of 2022. Nikki is certified inAcrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2.
Kimberly Jordan| Office Manager
Kim joined the Project31 team full-time for the 2025–2026 season after stepping away from a corporate career in forecasting and planning. She brings a passion for organization, problem-solving, and keeping all the moving pieces behind the scenes running seamlessly. From scheduling and onboarding new families to answering questions and supporting day-to-day operations, Kim loves helping create a welcoming and positive experience for every family who walks through the studio doors. In addition to being part of the Project31 staff, Kim is also a proud dance mom. With two daughters training at the studio, she understands firsthand the excitement, commitment, and occasional chaos that comes with dance life, allowing her to connect with families from both a professional and personal perspective.
Kim is grateful to be part of the Project31 community and is passionate about helping families feel supported from their very first interaction with the studio. Whether she's answering questions, solving scheduling puzzles, or celebrating dancers' milestones, she loves being part of the team that helps make Project31 feel like home.
Tigran Mkrtchyan| Ballet & Contemporary Faculty
Tigran Mkrtchyan is an internationally acclaimed ballet dancer, choreographer, and educator whose
career has taken him from his native Yerevan, Armenia, to some of Europe and the United States' most
distinguished ballet stages. Born on August 29, 1991, in Yerevan, Mkrtchyan began his formal ballet training at the Armenian Ballet School in 2000. In 2008, he was awarded a scholarship to continue his studies at the Zurich Dance Academy under the direction of Oliver Matz. A year later, he gained international recognition as a finalist at the 2009 Prix de Lausanne, one of the world's most prestigious competitions for young dancers. Following his training, Mkrtchyan spent two seasons with the Junior Ballet before joining Ballett Zurich for the 2011/12 season. During his years with the company, he developed a remarkably diverse repertoire, performing works by many of the most influential choreographers of classical and contemporary dance, including Heinz Spoerli, Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, George Balanchine, Hans van Manen, Sol Leon and Paul Lightfoot, Marco Goecke, Crystal Pite, Patrice Bart, Edward Clug, Eric Gauthier, and Christian Spuck. His featured and leading roles included Tybalt in Christian Spuck's Romeo and Juliet, Stiva in Anna Karenina, the Moor in Marco Goecke's Petrushka, the Prince in Alexei Ratmansky's Swan Lake, as well as a featured role in Jiri Kylian's Stepping Stones. Through these performances, Mkrtchyan distinguished himself as a versatile artist equally at home in classical and contemporary repertoire. Beyond performing, Mkrtchyan has also explored his artistic voice as a choreographer. His work, The Rose That Grew from Concrete, was presented as part of the Young Choreographers series, reflecting his interest in expanding his creative expression beyond the stage as a dancer. In recognition of his artistic achievements, Mkrtchyan received the Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zurich in 2017. In 2019, he joined Boston Ballet as a Soloist and was promoted to Principal Dancer shortly thereafter. With Boston Ballet, Mkrtchyan expanded his repertoire further, performing major roles including the Prince in The Nutcracker and Albrecht in Giselle, alongside a wide range of contemporary works by internationally celebrated choreographers. Throughout his career, Mkrtchyan has been recognized for his technical strength, dramatic presence, musicality, and versatility. His journey from Yerevan to Zurich and Boston reflects a lifelong dedication to classical ballet while embracing the innovation and expressive possibilities of contemporary dance. Today, his experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator continues to shape his artistic vision and his commitment to passing the traditions, discipline, and artistry of ballet on to the next generation.
Madison Plummer, Instructor & Videographer
Madison graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Studio Art with a concentration in Digital Media and a double-minor in Dance and Media & Film Studies. Prior to becoming a dancer, Madison was a gymnast and circus acrobat. She studied circus partner acrobatics at Esh Circus Arts, Pitch Catch Circus, and the National Centre for Circus Arts in London. After college Madison moved to Boulder, CO and joined the Cindy Brandle Dance Company where she was both a company member and videographer. She then moved to San Francisco where she found a passion for ballroom and social dance. Eventually Madison made her way back to the East Coast and couldn’t be happier. Everyday she combines her love of partner acrobatics, contemporary dance, ballroom dance, and filmmaking. Madison is a professional company member for the Project31 Dance Company. She also dances with the Rumba y Timbal Salsa Company and is the head of their “Lifts and Tricks” program. Madison is the Founder of the Boston Dance Film Festival and excited to host the inaugural festival this fall.
Kristy Dubois, Director of Ballet
Kristy DuBois began studying ballet and other forms of dance at an early age in southern New Jersey, and upon graduating highschool entered the Ailey School/Fordham University joint BFA program to expand her dance knowledge. During her 15 year career as a professional dancer, Ms. DuBois danced with the Richmond Ballet, Island Moving Company, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, Providence Ballet Theatre, and Festival Ballet Providence. Kristy has originated roles in many ballets including “Lucy” for Miki Ohlsen’s critically-acclaimed “Dracula” while with Island Moving Company and other original works by Colin Conner, Scott Putman, Kelly Ann Sloan, Mary Ellen Beaudreau, Colleen Cavanaugh, and Eva Marie Pacheco. She has performed Principal and Soloist roles in many classical ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, and her Balanchine repertoire includes Valse Fantasie, Allegro Brilliante, Rubies, and Serenade. Ms. DuBois competed in and was named a finalist at the 2011 Sibiu International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition in Sibiu, Romania with her Husband, David DuBois.
Ms. DuBois served as the first Co-Director and later Executive Director of Choreography Project from 2019 through the end of 2025. Currently, she is passionate about teaching the next generation of young dancers, and is on faculty at Project31 Dance Studio in Rockland, MA and Dancing Arts Center in Holliston, MA and is a sought-after guest teacher throughout the New England area..
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Avery Whyte, Instructor
Avery is a student at CLI Conservatory where she is studying commercial dance performance. Avery is an award winning competitive soloist and a member of Project31's Protege competition team. Avery assists many classes and co-teaches the Petite & Junior Hip Hop Teams. Avery started a sis Acrobatic Arts Certified Assistant Teacher and is certifying in Acrobatic Arts Module 1 this August. Avery is also CPR & First Aid Certified.
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Marie Marios, Instructor
​Marie is headed into her sophomore year as a dance major at UMass Amherst. SMarie is a captivating performer and has received many high placements and special awards for her solo performances. Marie was a founding member of Project31's Protege program. Marie is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Assistant and is also CPR & First Aid Certified.
Avree Dolan, Senior Assistant Teacher
Avree is a sophomore at Cohasset High School. She is an accomplished acrobat and fan favorite performer. Avree is a member of Project31'sProtege Competition Team. In Avree' free time she loves to read! Avree is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Assistant and is CPR & First Aid Certified.