Bravo School of Dance

Bravo! School of Dance is a studio in Dracut, Massachusetts offering classes for ages 2.5 and up. The school was founded by Lisa DiPerri-Smith, the Owner and Artistic Director, who trained for over 25 years under premier dance instructors including Donna Miceli and Jeannine Martin at the Donna Miceli Dance Center. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied with renowned choreographer Jan Van Dyke. She has performed professionally with Dance Prism under the direction of Mary Demaso, with credits including The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella. She also performed as a guest soloist with Arts United, a Modern Dance company in Washington, D.C. that the Washington Post recognised as "a company with obvious potential and something new to offer." Lisa began teaching in 1992 and continues to update her skills through master classes and annual dance conventions.

The studio's mission is to provide each student with a great dance experience in a positive and friendly environment through well-planned, age-appropriate classes. The professional staff focuses on educating dancers with proper terminology and music selections, with the goal that every dancer learns, grows and discovers a love and appreciation for every genre of dance while building confidence and self-respect.

The Mini Dance Program (ages 2.5–7) introduces dance through creative movement exercises designed to build coordination, balance and flexibility, develop listening and rhythmic skills, and inspire a love for dance. Classes at this level include Mini Ballet/Tap (ages 3–5, alternating weekly, 45 minutes), Petite Hip Hop/Tap (ages 5–7, 45 minutes) and Combo Dance (ages 5–7, combining Ballet, Tap and Jazz, 45 minutes). There is also a Mini Ballet option for ages 2.5–5.

For ages 7 and up, the studio teaches Ballet (with barre work, centre work and across-the-floor exercises), Pointe (for intermediate and above with faculty approval, requiring 2 Ballet classes), Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, Tap, and Modern Dance. All classes range from beginner to advanced levels. The studio notes that class placement is at the discretion of the Director, based on age, ability, maturity and regular attendance.

The studio runs a 4-week Summer Dance Program with classes for ages 2.5 and up taught by experienced and friendly staff. Summer offerings include Mini Ballet (ages 2.5–5), Summer Dance Party (Ballet/Hip Hop Combo, ages 5–8), Jr/Int Lyrical (ages 8–14) and Int/Adv Leaps & Turns (ages 10+). Registration for the 2026/2027 season opens with classes beginning Thursday, September 10th; class sizes are limited.

The teaching staff includes Ms. Katelyn Caldwell, who began dancing at age 2 at Dance Productions in Woburn, Massachusetts, joined the competitive team at age 9 and competed across New England through high school and college. She earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Studies with a Dance Education focus from Bridgewater State University, where she was active in the BSU Dance Team, BSU Dance Company, BSU Dance Ensemble and was the founding President of the National Dance Education Organization Student Chapter. She completed the Disney College Program and is currently a 6th Grade Science teacher in Woburn, the Dance Team Coach at Woburn Memorial High School and Choreographer for the Woburn High Stage Company. Ms. Ryleigh Gagnon is a graduate of Merrimack College with a degree in Early Childhood Education who has danced at Bravo! since age seven. As a student she studied Ballet & Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern and Contemporary and was a long-time member of the studio's Performing Groups. Ms. Nicole Zwirek began dancing at age 3 at the Donna Miceli Dance Center where she was a member of the Kidsdance Company and Youth Dance Company. She earned a B.F.A in Dance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master's in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. She has taught in Tewksbury, Massachusetts for over ten years and is the choreographer for the Bulldogs on Broadway Drama Club. She joined the staff in 2013 and is currently on leave but visits throughout the season as a substitute instructor.

You'll find a friendly, positive environment focused on age-appropriate learning. Class sizes are limited, so arrive early to settle in. Expect structured technique work combined with creative movement and fun.

The studio is led by Lisa DiPerri-Smith, Owner and Artistic Director, with over 25 years of training and professional performance experience. The teaching team includes Ms. Katelyn Caldwell (competitive dancer and high school dance coach), Ms. Ryleigh Gagnon (Merrimack College graduate in Early Childhood Education who trained in-house), and Ms. Nicole Zwirek (B.F.A in Dance from UMass Amherst, current K–12 choreographer and substitute instructor).

The studio explicitly welcomes new dancers and offers age-appropriate introductory classes from ages 2.5 up, with all levels from beginner to advanced.