2024-2025 Staff

 Jen has been teaching the art of dance for 16 years. She began her dance training at the age of 5 with Frances Stevenson, and then with Sandra Baker's Studio of Dance. She finished her dance training at Kathy Medina's Studio of Dance where she trained for 6 years and was part of an award winning national team, qualifying for Team USA for the International Dance Organization. As a teacher, she has taught all ages and enjoys passing on her passion for dance to her students. Her routines have been recognized for her choreography at competition, and one of her solo routines even qualified and competed for Team USA in Germany at the IDO. Jen is happy to share her love of dance with all of the Erica's Dance Academy family. 

 Shannon began dancing at the age of 2 and at age 5 was competing with Hope Specht's School of Dance. When Shannon was 10 she began training at The Gold School, where she became a member of their award winning competition team. While there she performed in numerous benefit shows and at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. She was also a member of the 2000 World Champion US Tap Dance Team. While attending Bridgewater State University she was a member of the dance company and competitive ensemble. She holds a degree in early childhood education and psychology. She has been teaching dance for 14 years in various studios in MA and RI.  Miss Shannon is very excited to teach the eager new generation of dancers.

 Marissa Hill grew up in Kingston, MA and is currently studying at Northeastern University. She has been dancing since the age of three and received her dance education at The Gold School as part of the nationally-recognized Project Moves Dance Company under the direction of Rennie Gold. There, she studied ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, and musical theater with Kathy Kozul, Nailah Bellinger, Kellie Grant, and Larry Sousa. Marissa was part of the original cast of The Gold School’s …Accept ME, which won critical acclaim after performing at several high schools across Massachusetts as well as the Joyce Theater in New York City. She currently dances with Urbanity, a professional contemporary company in Boston, MA, as well as the Northeastern University Dance Company (NUDANCO). Her solo choreography and performance has won several high score awards at national competitions and her group choreography has been featured annually in NUDANCO performances.  

Marissa is very excited to be working with the Competition Team more and helping grow the program to new levels.

Marissa began dancing at an early age and is a graduate of Erica's Dance Academy in 2017.  Marissa's love for dance led her to Dean College where she is entering her Sophomore year as a Dance Major and looking forward to receiving her Associates Degree at the end of 2019.  

In 2018, Marissa had the pleasure of being a dancer for an up and coming dance company called Expressive Movement based out of Boston and was lucky enough to tour the New England area in its first Tour.

Marissa is very excited to be back in her Home studio teaching Hip Hop and lyrical and looking forward to sharing her passion and love for dance with the younger dancers.

Marissa is very excited to continue working with her home studio dancers and inspiring them to grow.

Matthew Hooper started his professional career at the age of 12 and his numerous credits include stage, print and radio.  Matthew received a B.F.A in Ballet from the University of the Arts in 2008 and performed as a Soloist of Brandywine Ballet as well as a guest artist for numerous companies across the United States.  Matthew is currently a faculty member at the Cambridge School of Weston and has been teaching a variety of dance forms in Massachusetts for the last eight years.  Matthew is very excited to continue with the EDA and looks forward to getting back to the studio!  

Candace Mitchell is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Boston, MA. Her early training focused in The Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus and has continued on into her current teaching and performing career. She has received a BA in dance and business from Dean college Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance. While there, she was Vice President of the Step Team, placing 1st in UDA competitions in both step and hip hop. Some of the choreographers she has worked with include, James Morrow, Kristina Berger, and Bill Evans. She has also performed in festivals with companies such as Urbanity Dace, and Koresh Dance Company. Candace is currently judging for Headliners while performing across the United States and focusing on the education of her students.

Candace is very excited to continue with the EDA family and share her love for dance with her students.

 Grace began dance classes at the age of 4 at Erica’s Dance Academy. She now attends Bridgewater state University where she competes for the BSU Jazz and POM College Dance team in Orlando Florida. Grace has worked with high schools, teaching and setting choreography for their dance programs. Grace is very excited to continue to work and train with dancers at EDA and watch them grow as dancers and people! 

 Alec Galavotti is a dancer, choreographer, and artist based in Taunton, MA. They began their dance training at Erica’s Dance Academy, where they were a member of the competition team for 7 years, getting the opportunity to work with established professionals such as Rory Freeman, Derek Piquette, Olivia Cece, Michael Susten, and Evan Lacombe. They then attended UMass Amherst, earning a BFA in Dance and finding new appreciation for the mundane and extravagant possibilities within the art form. During this time, they performed works by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Thomas Vacanti, Lauren Cox, Aston McCullough, and Molly Fletcher Lynch-Clark, as well as many student choreographed works. The works they produced include “…”, Material Positions, and Tableau: C’est La Vie. Alongside teaching at EDA, Alec is a currently company member with North Atlantic Ballet and is the lighting designer at The District Center for the Arts. Alec is thrilled to be back home at EDA can’t wait to share all they’ve learned since they were in their students shoes!  

 Kaitlynn has a passion for working with young dancers. She graduated with a BA in Dance Education from Bridgewater State University in 2013 where she was on both the Bridgewater State Dance Team and Company. With a love of dance that started at the age of 3, she has been working in the dance industry for over 17 years. “Great educators never stop learning.” In addition to her degree and experience, she continues to do professional development with certifications in Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, Acrobatic Arts Module 1, Intro to Preschool Dance, Once Upon A Ballet Preschool Dance, and Choreography and Composition certified. Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, creative movement, and acro are the styles that she has experience teaching in. Kaitlynn recently created a program that fuses preschool objectives with literacy and dance. Her choreography has received awards and recognition on a regional, national, and international level. With a passion for working with both recreational and competitive dancers, her mission is to show that dance is for everybody! 

 Tristan Marshall, originally from Massachusetts, received his Bachelor of the Arts in Dance from Hofstra University in 2019. Throughout his time at Hofstra, Tristan received many accolades for his choreography. Since graduating, he has found a love for teaching & working with young students. Tristan strives to create a safe space to learn, grow & challenge each student he works with. He fuses athleticism & technique, with artistry & passion, and loves instilling this in the next generation. He has gotten to share his knowledge with many studios along the East Coast, ranging from one-day workshops & intensives, to choreographing around 15-30 competition dances per year. Aside from teaching, he performed with DanceWorks New York City for four seasons and had choreographed three pieces for their company; one virtual & two main stage. This past Spring was Tristan’s third season working in the competition industry, as well! He has worked with numerous competition companies; most recently, he traveled with Sheer Elite International working as an Awards Manager, Emcee, and Events Director. Having recently moved back to Massachusetts, Tristan is excited to continue growing as an Artist & Educator, and continue expanding his network of whom to share his love of dance with! Tristan is very excited to join the EDA family and share his knowledge and love for dance with his students.