MARISSA COLANTUONI • DANCE EDUCATOR
ANNELIESE DAY • DANCE EDUCATOR
Anneliese Day is a choreographer and dancer from Folsom, California, now based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Dean College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, graduating Cum Laude. She has performed works by Robert Battle, Lauren Lovette, Stephan Koplowitz, Alexander Davis, and Katie Pustizzi. She has also trained with David Dorfman and at The Paul Taylor Dance Company. Anneliese is a proud member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and the National Honors Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). As an educator, she strives to create an environment that develops dancers as whole individuals; athletes and artists with kinesthetic awareness, critical thinking skills, and the confidence to care for their bodies and express themselves authentically.
WILL FAFARD• DANCE EDUCATOR
Will Fafard has had a strong connection and love for dance since he was born. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a lifelong career in teaching, choreography, and performance. Will first started at LeAnne Leslie’s School of Theatrical Dance in Lynn at four years old and began teaching shortly after graduating from Saugus High School in 2019. With seven years of experience teaching at multiple schools across New England, where his choreography has been awarded at many competitions and festivals, He has grown passionate about inspiring dancers of all ages to build confidence, develop strong technique, and find true joy in movement. His training spans classic jazz and tap essentials, Hip-Hop and Acrobatics, and a strong emphasis on ballet and contemporary foundations. In addition to his teaching, Will is an active performer in numerous professional regional theatre Companies throughout New England and absolutely never stops dancing, He has choreographed a wide range of musicals as well, for community theatres and schools across the Greater Boston area, and is known for his dynamic storytelling and engaging, musical-driven choreography. As a proud Saugus native, he is especially excited to join the faculty at Dance Junction and give back to the community that first sparked his love for dance. Will Fafard is so grateful for the opportunity to share his passion with the next generation here, and looks forward to helping each student grow in their love for performance and creativity!
LINDSAY HUSAK• DANCE EDUCATOR
Lindsay did gymnastics for 15 years as an all around competitive gymnast. She danced for 10 years and was also a cheerleader in high school. She is now a licensed cosmetologist working at Salon 77 in North Reading. On her days off she enjoys being with her golden retriever Sadie and hanging out with friends and family!
CARLY LUCAS • DANCE EDUCATOR
Carly Lucas is a multi-disciplinary movement artist, educator, and creative administrator based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Born and raised in the midwest, she began her professional career in St. Louis, Missouri, where her work was focused on creating meaningful arts experiences through performance, education, and community outreach. She has performed with Alive Dance Collective, Pack Dance Company, Space Station Dance Residency, Karlovsky & Company, Anheuser-Busch, and more. Carly is a proud graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance, a Minor in Business Administration, and Academic Honors in Writing. As an educator, Carly prioritizes bringing the joy and healing of movement arts to her students while building solid technical foundations and providing anatomical and historical knowledge. She is excited to join the team at The Dance Junction for the 2026-27 season!
MELISSA PERRIN• DANCE EDUCATOR
Dancing has been a passion of mine since the age of 3. Over the years, dance has given me the opportunity to grow as a performer, teacher, and artist. I studied dance as a major at Northern Essex Community College (NECC), where I continued to develop my technique and explore different styles. My favorite style of dance is contemporary because I love the freedom of movement and the ability to express emotion through dance. Dance has always been a huge part of my life, and I love sharing that passion with others. I am so excited to join the Dance Junction family and look forward to creating, learning, and sharing my love of dance with all of the dancers!
CHRISTINE PROIA •DANCE EDUCATOR
Christine began her dance training with The Boston Ballet School of Dance for over 15 years, studying Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. Early in her career, she moved to NYC and studied theatre, dance and voice at the prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts. She worked on many films during this time as well as a spot in a national commercial. After leaving NYC, her journey led her to LA , while there she continued to study dance with Joe Tremaine and Jackie Sleight. The travel bug was instilled as she then moved to Orlando, Florida. While there Christine worked for Disney World and pursued her love of acting and dance. After returning home to Mass, she continued to teach at several dance studios, working with many intensive dance teams, until ultimately opening Christine Proias Dance Academy in 1995 and has continued to own her studio over three decades until recently, ending her ownership just this past June after 29 wonderful years. Her dancers have danced in Disney World, as well as in NYC. Her intensive team dancers have won many awards, special Choreography Awards, High scores and more throughout her 29 years with CPDA.Christine is excited to continue teaching her love of dance with all the students at Dance Junction!
KAITLYN SULLIVAN • DANCE EDUCATOR
Kaitlyn is a mom of twin girls, Ava and Layla, who have been dancing for 11 years, 3 years at Dance Junction. They are both also on the Dance Junction competition team. Kaitlyn started dancing at 3 years old at Agnes Strecker’s Dance Studio in Revere and is now assisting Ms. Lauren with younger age groups as well as taking adult dance classes. She is excited to be back this season working with the Dance Junction family.
SARA TIRRELL • DANCE EDUCATOR • DANCE TEAM CHOREOGRAPHER
