Nashoba Valley Dance Academy

Nashoba Valley Dance Academy is celebrating its 22nd season, teaching dance to students from Pepperell and surrounding communities including Dunstable, Groton, Townsend, Westford, Lunenburg, Shirley, Ashby, Ayer, MA and Hollis and New Ipswich, NH. All classes are taught by professionally trained adults.

The academy offers all levels and styles of dance for ages 2.5 and up. Pre-Dance (ages 2.5–4) and Pre-Ballet (ages 3–5) introduce young children to dance basics in a warm environment, building confidence, agility, coordination and self-expression through creative movement. Ballet classes for kindergarten and up focus on classical technique, proper body alignment, coordination and flexibility. The studio teaches Modern (levels 4 and up), structured around the styles of Martha Graham, Lester Horton and Alvin Ailey; Jazz (levels 4 and up); Hip Hop (levels 4 and up); Jazz/Hip Hop blend (ages 4 and up); Lyrical/Contemporary (levels 1 and up); Acro (levels 2 and up); Tap (ages 4 and up); Musical Theater Dance (levels 4 and up); and Pointe/Pre-Pointe for students who have reached technical and physical readiness, typically age 13 and above. Level 7/8 students take a Rotating Style class that changes throughout the year, covering Yoga, Variations, Partnering, Turns & Leaps and Choreography.

The faculty includes Caitlin Brandt, Artistic Director, trained at the Studio School of Dance, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Granite State Ballet, and Spectrum Dance Theatre. She has performed with Granite State Ballet Company, Northern Ballet Theatre, and the Boston Dance Company, and has choreographed for Northern Ballet Theatre Youth Ensemble, Groton School, the University of New England and Pepperell Community Arts. Jennie Membrino-Nano holds a B.F.A. in dance from Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and is artistic director and founder of Company Three Nine. Julianne DeRouin holds a BFA in Dance, cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has studied with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in Israel, Eyas Dance Project in Berlin, and with Gaga/Dancers. Laura-Jean Murphy received her degree in Dance Education from Northern Essex Community College and is certified to teach Module One of Acrobatic Arts. Emily Waite is an NVDA alumna and company member with Company Three Nine. Guest teachers include Jill Krysil (trained at The Dance Center for thirteen years, certified in yoga and mindfulness); Amanda Couturier (who has won the Young Choreographer's Award twice at the American Dance Awards); and Robyn Goulette (BFA from Boston Conservatory, former director of Spectrum Dance Theatre in Townsend, MA).

The school year runs in three sessions: Session 1 (13 weeks, September 6 to December 13), Session 2 (10 weeks, January 5 to March 21), and Session 3 (10 weeks, March 23 to June 6). The studio holds a Holiday Performance in December and a Recital in June. Birthday parties are available for ages 3 and up, with themes including Ballerina, Princess, Fairies, Fish, Butterflies, Jungle and Horses; Elsa and Anna are also available for photo opportunities. The studio is located at Fitzpatrick Collaborative, 45 Main Street, Pepperell, MA.

Classes are age and level-appropriate, taught by professionally trained instructors in a supportive environment. You'll learn proper technique and body alignment while developing strength, grace and confidence. Pre-Dance and Pre-Ballet classes emphasise creative movement and self-expression, while higher levels progress to longer combinations and performance skills.

The faculty includes Caitlin Brandt (Artistic Director, trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Granite State Ballet, performed with Northern Ballet Theatre and Boston Dance Company), Jennie Membrino-Nano (B.F.A. from Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, founder of Company Three Nine), Julianne DeRouin (BFA from UMass Amherst, studied internationally), Laura-Jean Murphy (Dance Education degree from Northern Essex Community College, certified in Acrobatic Arts), Emily Waite (NVDA alumna, Company Three Nine member), and guest teachers including Jill Krysil, Amanda Couturier (two-time Young Choreographer's Award winner) and Robyn Goulette (BFA Boston Conservatory, former director of Spectrum Dance Theatre).

Pre-Dance and Pre-Ballet classes welcome children ages 2.5–5 into a warm environment; all levels and styles are taught for ages 2.5 and up.