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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 recently completed Acrobatic Arts Module 1teacher training. Erin is is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Lacey Sasso| Faculty
Lacey attended Missouri State University where she earned a B.F.A in Dance Performance with a minor in Psychology. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Sasso & Company, a Boston-based contemporary dance company. She has recently been on faculty at Boston University teaching contemporary jazz. Lacey spent six seasons with Undertoe Dance Project (NYC) where she served not only as the Jazz Captain but she was also the resident Jazz teaching artist. Her choreography was presented in the annual New York Season, Astoria Dance Festival, and Undertoe Dance Festival. In Boston, Lacey was a member and featured choreographer for Six One Seven Dance Collective for four seasons. In 2015 Lacey graduated from William James College with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts Therapy. Lacey spent two years living in the United Kingdom where she performed Akram Khan’s choreography and trained with Linda Dadd. She has been on staff with the Royal Academy of Dance’s Step into Dance, Montage Theatre Arts, Kew Dance Arts, and SOTO Dance. Since returning to Boston, Lacey has been on the faculty of South Shore Ballet Theatre and Raquelle's Dance Company. Lacey continues her work as Artistic Director of Sasso & Company. She a member of Colleen Roddy & Dancers and is in her fifth season with Project31. Lacey is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Jenn Mathien | Pilates & Wellness
Jenn Mathien has been professionally teaching Pilates for the past 14 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 (mini and junior team dancer) and son, Cooper. Jenn lives with her husband and kids in Hingham. Jenn is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Nikki Gagliano | Faculty
Nikki 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. She grew up in central Massachusetts, where she studied dance at Elite Academy of Dance, performing competitively in all styles. In her time at college, she choreographed numerous contemporary pieces in addition to performing in works by professional artists such as Randall Anthony Smith. She worked on other projects, such as fundraising for her jazz dance team and circus training and performances as lead of the acro-dance discipline her senior year. Since graduating, Nikki has moved back to Massachusetts and become a company member of Sasso & Company and Boston Community Dance Project. Both companies have provided her with numerous opportunities to perform in person and virtually as well as participate in multiple video projects and photoshoots in the Boston area. Nikki joins KAIROS dance theater as a trainee for the ‘22-‘23 season. She has also had her own choreography showcased at NACHMO Boston and Salem Arts festival. Nikki is a certified Acrobatic Arts Module 1 & 2.
Michaela Flaherty | Dance Team Technique & Pom
Michaela Flaherty began her dance career in her hometown of Quincy, Ma. She later graduated with her A.A from The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance at Dean College in 2012. Michaela has extensive training in modern, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and contemporary dance. She also studied dance composition, dance history, creative movement, anatomy, and kinesiology. Michaela is a former NBA Dancer for the Boston Celtics 2014-2016 under the direction of Marina Ortega. Her most memorable performance took place during the Celtics Dancer’s 10-year reunion halftime show at the TD garden. She has danced and choreographed for various events and shows in the Boston area. Michaela’s passion for dance leads her to a career in fitness. Michaela runs her own online health and fitness company and is the assistant coach of the Braintree High School Dance Team.
Gelsey White| Photographer | Project31 Dancer
Gelsey White began dancing at the age of 3 in her hometown of Taunton, MA. When she was 13 she joined the Project Moves Dance Company, competing regionally and performing across the Northeast including at the Joyce Theater in NYC and the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston. She attended Vassar College, where she received a B.A. in English in May 2019. While at Vassar, Gelsey was a member of the Vassar Repertory Dance Company, studying under former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer John Meehan and performing debut works by former Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham company dancer Stephen Rooks and independent choreographer/teaching artists Leslie Partridge Sachs and Kathy Wildberger. Her choreographic works were featured in the Vassar dance department annual spring showings. In addition, Gelsey trained in dance photography with Rose Eichenbaum at The School at Jacob’s Pillow and has photographed the Stars of American Ballet, ODC/Dance, Aurora Borealis Dance Company, and the Project Moves Dance Company. She currently works as a portrait photographer and teaches ballet, tap, and jazz/lyrical at Spotlight Dance Studio in Taunton.
Catrina Kubek| Faculty
Catrina Kubek joined Project31 in 2018 after graduating magna cum laude from Adelphi University with her BFA in Dance. 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. In addition to Project31, she has performed professionally with the Julia Kane Dance Collective (New York), Douglas & Co. (New York), and Sasso & Company (Boston). Catrina is the Company Director at KC Dance Expressions, and a dance captain for Project31 Dance Company. Catrina is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Avery Pelosi | Faculty
Avery Pelosi began dancing at the age of 11 at Center for Performing Arts Dance Studio & Acting School located in Methuen MA. At age 13 she was invited to join their competitive team where she had the opportunity to further her training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary while performing regionally across the Northeast until the age of 18. In 2018 she directed and organized a dance workshop for kids ages 4-18 that became an annual dance event at Center for Performing Arts named ”Day of Dance”. Currently, Avery is a dance instructor at CPAM and choreographs high-scoring competitive routines for their dance team. Avery is in her final year of undergrad at Boston University where she is completing a minor in Dance and working as a Hip Hop instructor for BU Academy. She performs and choreographs works mentored by Micki Taylor-Pinney with Boston University’s Dance Theatre Group while serving as the group’s Concert Coordinator. Her most recent work has been selected to represent BU at the American College Dance Association regional conference in March of 2022. Avery is an Acrobatic Arts Module 1 certified teacher. Avery is excited to be dancing with Project31 for her first season! Avery is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Kendall Stout, Senior Assistant & Front Desk
Kendall is a senior at Scituate High School and a member of Project31's competition team. Prior to training with Project31, Kendall received excellent training at Carey Grove Performing Arts in Cary, Illinois. Kendall is CPR & First Aid Certified. When Kendall is not dancing, she is working as a certified life guard.
Emma Symonds, Junior Apprentice Teacher
Emma is a senior at Cardinal Spellman High School. Emma is an award winning competitive soloist and a member of Project31's competition team. Emma is also and apprentice dancer with Project31's professional company. Emma assists many classes and co-teaches the Petite & Teen Hip Hop Teams with Miss Erin & Miss Kenzie. Emma is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Avery Whyte, Junior Apprentice Teacher
Avery is a sophomore at Rising Tide Charter High School in Plymouth. Avery is an award winning competitive soloist and a member of Project31's competition team. Avery assists many classes and co-teaches the Petite & Teen Hip Hop Team with Miss Erin & Miss Kenzie. Avery is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Marie Marios, Junior Apprentice Teacher
Marie is sophomore at Hull High School. Marie is a captivating performer and has received many high placements and special awards for her solo performances. Marie is a member of Project31's competition team. Marie assists many classes and co-teaches the Teen Hip Hop Team with Miss Erin & Miss Kenzie. Marie is First Aid & CPR certified.
Madden Wosneski, Junior Assistant Teacher
Madden is a freshman at Cohasset High School. She is an accomplished acrobat and fantastic performer. Madden is a member of Project31's Competition Team. Madden assists Miss Nikki with Acro 4A. Madden is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Brooke Figueiredo, Junior Assistant Teacher
Brooke is a freshman at Cohasset High School. Brooke is a member of Project31's competition team. Brooke is an accomplished acrobat and attended Miss Kenzie & Miss Nikki's Acrobatic Arts teacher training as a demonstrator. Brooke assists Miss Nikki with Acro 4A. Brooke is CPR & First Aid Certified.
Meghan Sullivan, Junior Assistant Teacher
Meghan is a freshman at Cohasset High School. Meghan is a member of Project31's competition team. Meghan is an excellent turner and the best acro partner! Meghan assists Miss Nikki with Acro 4A. Meghan is CPR & First Aid Certified.