Dance Faculty at Andover School of Ballet, jazz, tap, & more

Contemporary, Ballet, Modern/Lyrical, Jazz & Tap, Primary Dance, Rhythm & Movement: Director of ASB Dance Company

Tabitha began her dance training at the Andover School of Ballet, participating in various ballet classes, and continued with the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio’s Boston Youth Moves pre-professional program. She received her BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she had the pleasure of performing works by renowned choreographers, including Bob Fosse, Louis Johnson, Merrian Soto, and Brian Sanders. Tabitha was also part of the first college group to perform Martha Graham’s “Panorama” within a Martha Graham Company program. She participated in the university’s Choreography Emphasis Program and received the Dance Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Dance. 

Additionally, Tabitha has attended esteemed dance workshops and festivals, including Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Windhover Spreads its Wings, and The Limon Summer Workshop. She was a member of the Windhover Dance Company in Rockport, MA, performing works by Doris Humphrey and Ina Hahn, and she also served as a guest artist with Dusan Tynek Dance Theater in QUARRY DANCE 1 and 3. Tabitha spent three years as a soloist with Urbanity Dance in Boston, where she also presented her own choreography, one year with Sokolow Now, seven years with Deadfall Dance (under Judy Wombwell), and ten years with Ipswich Moving Company, which included aerial dance. Her most recent performances have taken place with the company at High Street Studios in Ipswich, MA. 

In addition to her extensive dance instruction, Tabitha is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Grounded Aerial Bungee teacher. She founded the ASB Dance Company in 2013, where she serves as the director and main choreographer for these students. 

This year marks her sixteenth year of teaching at The Andover School of Ballet, and her first year as the Owner/Director.

Adult Ballet classes, Lyrical Dance, Stretch & Strengthen.

Michelle holds a BFA degree in dance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was a member of the U. Mass. Dance Company, where she performed and toured in the U.S.A. and England. She served as a ballet instructor for the U. Mass. Dance Department for 2 years, contributing significantly to the dance instruction in the program. Moreover, Michelle has performed with The Windhover Dance Company in Rockport, MA, showcasing original works by modern dance pioneers Doris Humphrey, Ina Hahn, and Carol Burnham. Previously, she was part of the dance faculty at Northern Essex Community College, where she taught Modern Dance, Modern Dance History, and Dance Composition. As a company member with Deadfall Dance, she performed original works and engaged in collaborative group improvisations directed by Judith Wombwell of Phillips Academy. Currently, Michelle is a member of the Deborah Abel Dance Company of Cambridge, MA, with whom she toured Northern and Southern India, performing and leading dance workshops for young women affiliated with SEWA (self-employed womens association). Michelle also performs with Boston Liturgical Dance Ensemble.  This is her 29th year teaching at Andover School of Ballet. 

Meredith received a B.A. in Dance with a dual minor in Business and Psychology from Dean College, graduating with highest honors. Throughout her four years at Dean, her focus was on Pedagogy, Composition, the Vaganova Method of ballet technique, and Horton Modern Dance Technique. Meredith has studied and worked with masters such as Jill Silverman, Nailah Randall-Bellinger, Wyatt Jackson, Lisa Pari, Josh Hilberman, Bob Thomas, Denise Jefferson, Jay T. Jenkins, Pilobolus, and the renowned NYC Rockettes. She has performed with the Dean Dance Company and the Dean College Dance Team. Currently, Meredith is part of the dance faculty, teaching dance instruction at several studios in the Boston area. She has received numerous high scores and special awards for her excellence in dance and choreography. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes proper technique, allowing her students to build strength and develop as dancers while minimizing the risk of injury. This marks her twentieth year of teaching at The Andover School of Ballet.

Kinderdance, Primary Dance, Ballet

Lissa Geggis began her dance training at Ipswich Moving Company School of Dance, where she developed her passion for ballet classes. While in high school, she created an independent study with Jenny Carlson to delve into dance pedagogy. Lissa continued her dance instruction in college under the guidance of Christine Bennett-Richard and Barbara Sholes, honing her skills in both choreography and performance. Throughout her college years, she choreographed and danced in multiple performances, earning recognition as a featured performer in her senior year. She graduated with a B.A. in Early Education and Care, complementing her education with minors in Dance and Psychology from Curry College. Notably, she received the Dance Department Award during her final year. Lissa is now proudly part of the dance faculty at The Andover School of Ballet, marking her sixth year of teaching.

Ballet, Pointe & Demi-pointe

Elizabeth St. Germain began her ballet training at the New England School of Dance, where she studied the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus under the direction of Susan Smith. After high school, Elizabeth attended St. Anselm College, graduating with a BA in History. During her time at St. Anselm, she joined the Abbey Players, performing leading roles in productions such as Company, Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods, and Grease. Following her undergraduate studies, Elizabeth earned her MA in history at the University of New Hampshire. She then became a history teacher at Londonderry High School in NH, where she utilized her theater and dance experience in her role as Drama Club Assistant Director and Choreographer. 

Elizabeth has taught ballet classes and pointe at Dimensions in Dance and has also substituted at various ballet schools across New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Currently, she is a company dancer with the New Hampshire-based ballet company, Ballet Misha, where she has performed corps de ballet, soloist, and lead roles. Notable performances include her role as 'Queen Meroud' in Ballet Misha’s The Wild Swans, 'Queen Hippolyta' in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and featured roles such as Hot Chocolate, Marzipan, Waltz of the Snowflakes, and Rosebud soloist in The Nutcracker.

This is her fifth year of teaching at ASB

Jazz, Tap

Lisa Sanchez has been a dedicated dance educator in the New England area for over 35 years. As a versatile performer and passionate teacher, Lisa began her dance journey in Massachusetts, training in multiple styles. She is a proud graduate of the Dance Teacher's Club of Boston, where she received both the New Images Scholarship and the Elsa Kemp Award for Teaching Aptitude.

Her professional training includes studies at the Alvin Ailey programs, Broadway Dance Center, Steps, and the Jeannette Neil Dance Center in Boston. Her impressive performance credits include collaborations with Ace Entertainment, appearing alongside renowned artists such as Harry Connick Jr., The B-52's, and JT (formerly of Kool & the Gang), along with shows for brands like Puma and Jordan's Furniture.

Locally, Lisa has contributed as an adjudicator, guest teacher, and co-director for the Dance Collective Summer Outreach Programs. She has been part of the dance faculty at several esteemed institutions, including the Jeannette Neil Dance Center, BYM Teen and Children's program, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Northern Ballet Theatre, Dance Images Dance Center, and Ballet Arts Center of Winchester.

Her work with recreational programs for Burlington and Billerica, School Moves, and Preschool Moves has provided her with invaluable experience to adapt her dance instruction, allowing her to effectively structure and organize her classes to meet the needs of each child. 

Lisa's choreography, particularly in tap, has earned her numerous high-scoring and specialty awards. She teaches ballet classes, tap, jazz, musical theater, and Horton technique. More importantly, her mentorship has inspired students who have pursued professional careers in New York and Los Angeles, as well as those who have successfully opened their own studios.

Dance has taken Lisa on a remarkable journey, and she is deeply passionate about sharing that love with students of all ages and abilities. 

This is her second year of teaching at The Andover School of Ballet.

Ballet, Pointe

Lorraine Chapman’s professional dance career spans 39 years, during which she has been a vital part of the dance faculty for various ballet classes. She has performed with several international companies, including Ballet British Columbia and Eliot Feld Ballets/NY, as well as locally with Spencer/Colton, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Prometheus Dance, and Marcus Schulkind. Her formal training includes prestigious institutions such as The Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet, Boston Repertory Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and École Supérieure De Ballet Du Québec, where she studied under esteemed instructors like Frances Kotelly, Shauna Bereska, Samuel Kurkjian, and more. As a professional dancer, she has worked alongside notable figures such as Camilla Malashenko and Patricia Neary. 

As a choreographer, Lorraine has been recognized with numerous awards, including the LEF Foundation New England’s Contemporary Work Fund Grant and the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Artist Grant for Choreography. She has also been involved in various programs such as the Choreographer’s Project Fellowship at Summer Stages Dance and the Boston Dance Alliance Rehearsal & Retreat Fellowship. In addition to her impressive choreography accolades, she has received the 2013 Brother Thomas Fellowship and was featured in Dance Magazine’s list of “25 To Watch.” Lorraine has been dedicated to dance instruction for 30 years, teaching at institutions like the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Emerson College, and Urbanity Dance. Currently, she is teaching ballet classes for City Ballet of Boston and Acton School of Ballet while working towards becoming a fully certified Pilates instructor.

This is her second year of contributing her expertise to The Andover School of Ballet.

Ballet, Pointe

Jeremy Ruth Howes is a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator in the Boston area. She graduated from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Dance with a BFA in Dance Performance and received her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College. While at Hartt, she performed soloist roles in La Bayadere, Guernsey Fields, Martha Graham’s Steps in the Street, and numerous other classical and contemporary works. She has danced professionally with Northern Ballet Theatre and Virginia Ballet Theatre, taking on soloist roles in The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and George Balanchine’s Serenade.

Currently, she is a principal dancer with Anna Myer and Dancers, creating roles in Myer’s original choreography. Jeremy Ruth is also part of the dance faculty at Dean College, where she provides dance instruction in ballet and dance composition. Additionally, she teaches ballet classes at the Northeast School of Ballet and Walker’s Dance. Her choreography has been set on several schools and companies in the Boston area and abroad.

This is her second year of teaching at The Andover School of Ballet.

Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary

Growing up near Dallas, Bri began her dance training at Tuzer Dance School in Richardson, Texas, under the direction of Patricia and Tanju Tuzer. Over the course of 13 years, she devoted herself to the study of classical ballet, building a strong technical foundation through various ballet classes. She furthered her pre-professional training at Texas Ballet Theater, where she focused on classical ballet and Horton technique in modern dance.

From 2018 to 2020, Bri attended Collin College, where she was selected to perform with the Collin Dance Ensemble, guided by Tiffanee Arnold. During her time there, she showcased her talents in works choreographed by renowned guest artists like Shate’ Edwards, Melissa Bjork, Shannon Watters, Darby Wilde, and Jamie Perrin.

In 2020, Bri transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. As a dedicated member of the Kaleidoscope Dance Company, she expanded her training with a focus on modern and contemporary dance, while also enriching her skills in ballet. During her studies at UCO, she had the unique opportunity to collaborate with distinguished guest artists including Christian Von Howard, Jesse Zaritt, Tiffanie Carson, George Staib, Andrew Wass, Alexander Olivieri, and Mike Esperanza.

After earning her B.F.A. in 2023, Bri began her journey in dance instruction, teaching at studios throughout the Oklahoma City and Dallas–Fort Worth metroplexes. She is particularly honored to teach at Tuzer Dance School, where her own dance journey began, sharing her passion for ballet and inspiring the next generation of dancers. 

Bri is thrilled to embark on the next chapter of her career in Massachusetts and is excited to join the dance faculty at Andover School of Ballet. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students, continuing to grow as an educator and artist, and being part of the vibrant dance community in New England.

This is her first year of teaching at The Andover School of Ballet.

Ballet, Modern/Lyrical

Josephine Ferrante is an alum of the Andover School of Ballet, where she began her training in ballet classes at the age of 13. At 16, she joined the Aurora Borealis Dance Company, a preprofessional contemporary dance and improvisation company directed by Katie Pustizzi. After graduating high school, Josephine attended Hofstra University and earned her BFA in Dance in 2026, performing works by renowned choreographers such as Amanda Selwyn, Earl Mosley, Heather Waldon, Amy Marshall, Rachel List, Maiya Redding, and Robert Cook. She has also choreographed pieces for Hofstra's Student Rep Festival, Miscellaneous Works Show, and BFA Capstone Concert, along with contributing to Move for The Movement, Expressive Arts Dance Company, and an independent dance film titled “PENDULUM.” While at Hofstra, Josephine held leadership roles as Vice President and NDEO Planning Chair of the university’s Dance Education club, as well as Treasurer and Secretary for Hofstra’s chapter of NHSDA. Additionally, she gained valuable experience through Arts Administration internships with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Artichoke Dance Company, and BodyStories Dance. Currently, Josephine is collaborating with BoSoma Dance Company while completing her Masters in Secondary Education with an English Concentration at Merrimack College. She is thrilled to join the dance faculty at Andover School of Ballet this year, where she is eager to provide dance instruction and help cultivate passion in the next generation of dancers! 

This is her first year of teaching at The Andover School of Ballet.