Academy students have the unique opportunity to study with professional artists from national and international companies and
institutions in all classes and levels. All instructors have a comprehensive knowledge of tradional techniques as well as a shared understanding of
the latest, most effective methods of training. As accomplished, experienced artists themselves,
they bring a caring and and up-to-date perspective to the classroom experience.
LISA J. BIBEAU
- Founder and Artistic Director, Ms. Bibeau is a native of Westport, MA and is a graduate of the Hartford Ballet's Teacher Training Program,
one of the most highly respected programs to train and certify teachers of the Vaganova style in this country. In addition to her ballet
training she has studied jazz, tap and modern dance with nationally recognized instructors. Ms. Bibeau is affiliated with and has performed
for several companies including the Hyannis Ballet, Island Moving Company and the Cape Ballet. She has performed a wide variety of roles
from classical to contemporary. In 1995, she founded the Spindle City Ballet, Fall River's only non-profit professional ballet company.
DANIELLE DRAGON
- Children's Division, Ballet - Ms. Dragon received her training at The Dance Academy, Ballet Theatre of Boston, Nutmeg Ballet, New York School of
Classical Dance and the American Repertory Ballet. Ms. Dragon is a founding member of the Spindle City Ballet. She looks forward to passing
her love of ballet down to her students and helping to train the next generation of Spindle City Ballet.
JAN PIERI-O'SHAUGHNESSEY
- Musical Theatre - Ms. O'Shaughnessey has a BA in Speech and Theater from Bridgewater State College where she won their prestigious actress of the
year for two consecutive years which has never been achieved since. Jan has taught, directed and acted for over 30 years. She is also experienced in
Stage Make-up, Stage Managing and Technical Theatre.
PIOTR OSTALSTOV
- Ballet & Character - Piotr received his formal training at the Vaganova Choreographic Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia.
He has performed with several prestigious companies in Europe and in the States including the Kirov Ballet and Boston Ballet.
In addition to being on the Academy faculty, he is currently production manager and performs with Festival Ballet of RI.
CHRISTINE SANDORFI
Children's Division, Ballet- Ms. Sandorfi is originally from Port Jefferson, NY where she began her training with Harbor Ballet Theatre. She continued
training at the Joffrey Ballet School, School of the Cleveland-San Jose Ballet, and School of the Richmond Ballet. She has a BFA in
Ballet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She danced with the Kentucky Ballet Theatre for
four seasons, during which time she taught in the ballet's academy, as well as at several other studios in the area. She has returned
to NY the past three summer to teach in Harbor Ballet Theatre's summer intensive. She is currently dancing with Island Moving
Company in Newport, RI and is a guest artist with Spindle City Ballet. This will be her second season instructing at the Academy.
BRITNEY LECOMTE
- Children's Division, Ballet, Jazz - Began her early training with Claudia Creason and Cynthia Walbasht at the Dance Center in Fall River, MA.
Ms. Lecomte has trained and performed with numerous studios and companies throughout the New England area. She has worked with young
students in the art of dance for the past 10 years and loves working with children. Britney is a company member with Spindle City Ballet.
Her most recent role was the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Britney is excited to be a part of the Academy faculty
and to pass on her love of dance to young and aspiring dancers.
KATIE CORR
- Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Children's Division - Katie Corr began her training with Kolleen Carchio in Lakeville, MA. She is
currently a senior majoring in Dance Performance and Elementary Education at Roger Williams University. She has trained with such artists
as Neta Pulvermacher, Sean Curran, Michael Bolger, Jenny Rocha, and Tiffany Mills. Katie is also a member of The Dance Theatre, a modern-based
company, in Bristol, RI. She enjoys teaching and sharing her love of dance with her students. Katie is excited to join The Dance Academy staff.
ANNE GEHMAN
- Modern, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz - Anne is a native of Florida and has received her BFA in Dance from Jacksonville University. She
has studied ballet with National Ballet of Cuba, Florida Ballet & Alabama Ballet. Anne possesses a variety of Modern/Contemporary training including;
Horton/Ailey, Cunningham technique, Ethnic-African and Jazz, Wigman/Jooss and Laban & Forsythe methods and techniques. Anne has extensively taught
and choreographed throughout the Flordia area and looks forward to working with the students of the Academy.