Tricia's Dance School

Tricia's Dance School, home of Tricia's Tots, has spent three decades building a programme rooted in child development and injury prevention. Owner and Artistic Director Trish Bourne studied at the Judith Clark Academy of Dance in Melrose and earned a dance degree from UMASS Amherst in 1986. She completed training through the Dance Teachers Club of Boston's Teacher Training Program and remains an active member. The school's philosophy centres on developing each dancer into the best dancer and person they can be, with teachers and parents working as teammates.

The studio specialises in teaching the youngest dancers while building an exceptional programme for older students. Every class emphasises healthy technique, core strength, alignment, foot and ankle conditioning, and injury prevention. Trish has trained holistically since 1996, and the mission is simple: help each child and family have a positive first experience with dance in a comfortable, friendly environment. The studio promises fair, age-appropriate, and ethical teaching.

Classes span from Toddler Steps for 2-year-olds (with parent participation for the first six weeks) through adult ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. Intermediate and advanced offerings include pre-pointe and pointe training, Irish step (soft and hard shoe), contemporary, modern, musical theater, acrobatic dance, and leaps and turns. A competition team competes at nationals. All students perform in an end-of-year recital or show.

The faculty includes Kaitlyn Carbone (acro and hip hop, trained at The Dance Company with over a decade of competitive experience), Audrey Casey (musical theater, former student who began at Tricia's Tots at age 2 and studied at Emmanuel College), Isabella Cerretani (contemporary, Stonehill College graduate with degrees in Psychology and Dance), Taylor Eriksen (ballet, pointe, modern and tap, Point Park University Conservatory graduate with a Master's in Education from Merrimack College), Sammie Florino (competition team co-director, ballet, tap and jazz, 15-year competitive dancer and Framingham State University graduate), Kristen Laquidara (contemporary and jazz, 18-year dancer trained at Sally Gould Dance Center), and Tessa Murphy (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, trained in Irish step and cast in productions including Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast). Ben Bourne handles office operations and has been on staff for over 10 years.

The studio runs summer camps for ages 4–6 and 7–10, hosts community service events, and organises Friday Fun activities. Registration for 2026–2027 opens 1 August for current students and shortly after for new students.

Drop in during business hours to visit in person. First visits can be arranged by calling the studio. Young dancers typically start in age-appropriate classes (toddlers with a parent present for six weeks) and progress through structured curricula; you'll see an emphasis on technique, musicality and fun.

Owner Trish Bourne, trained at UMASS Amherst and through the Dance Teachers Club of Boston, leads a faculty of eight. Instructors include Kaitlyn Carbone (acro, hip hop), Audrey Casey (musical theater), Isabella Cerretani (contemporary), Taylor Eriksen (ballet, pointe, modern, tap), Sammie Florino (competition, ballet, tap, jazz), Kristen Laquidara (contemporary, jazz), and Tessa Murphy (ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater).

The school welcomes children from age 2 and adults who are returning to dance or have never danced before.