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OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our friendly and welcoming, small classroom environment is open to any student of
any age who wishes to study dance for fun, exercise, and to build a solid dance foundation. Our programs are safe, educationally
sound and approriate for each age and level and individually learning styles for all students.
We feel it is our job to help each dancer feel that he or she is successful in learning and in practicing
their skills. We hope to help each dancer feel good about himself or herself and his or her accomplishments,
becoming a more proficient mover, master a broad base of basic motor skills and begin to refine specific, progressive dance
skills. We will help the dancers become aware of the importance of improving and maintaining their own fitness. They will
see how participation in this program contributes to their current fitness level and helps to build a positive self-image
that can influence lifetime fitness. We hope to contribute in a positive way to the social and emotional growth and development of
each dancer.
Our students range from age one
through seventies, and in some of our families that dance with us, across three generations. Our curriculum is written for
recreational dancers as well as students aspiring to study dance at an intensive pre-professional level, all students developing
self-esteem and self-discipline. We strive to create a safe and professional classroom environment that balances education,
fitness, passion and fun, while developing a skill for a lifetime. Every student and family is a member of our community and
we strive to give all the best in dance education.
Our skilled, professional and high energy instructors constantly continue their own studies of dance
and dance education. We are proud to be affiliated with the prestigious Dance Masters of America organization. As one of the
few schools in the state of Maine that is affiliated and studies with Dance Masters of America, our instructors are certified
by test to teach their respective disciplines. Our instructors have danced professionally and have strong national dance creditentials.
Most importantly, we are educators.
All policies are communicated to our families and all
information is distributed to students and parents far in advance so that important dates and events can be planned for. Class
schedules are consistent, policies are clear. Should you have any questions about our dance center, events, performances and
policies, please do not hesitate to ask. We understand how busy daily life is and strive to exceed your expectations in
your dance experience with us.
FACULTY
Danielle Drouin
Owner & Director Danielle
studied locally under Carole Jordan, and Maine State School for the Performing Arts. After graduating from the University
of Southern Maine, Danielle continued her dance education in New York City, studying at Broadway Dance Center and continues
to study at Broadway Dance Center, Dance Masters of America Teacher’s Training School in Buffalo, New York and regionally.
Danielle has earned many awards regionally and nationally and performed professionally in 42nd Street and for Paramount
Productions. Local performances include various musicals at Portland Players, The Best of Broadway, and with Dance USM!, University
of Maine, and Dirigo Dance Troupe. She has been an instructor and choreographed for Unum Corporation, The Best of Broadway,
Portland Lyric Theater and area dance schools, cheering squads and high schools. Danielle’s students have won many awards,
including regional and national honors. Danielle is a member of Dance Masters of America and a graduate of Dance Masters of
America Teacher Training School and holds certification in Ballet, Tap and Jazz. In addition, Danielle is a founding member
of the Westbrook Arts and Culture Committee and on the Westbrook Performing Arts Center Committee.
Nina Alves Nina started tap dancing at the age of 3
and instantly fell in love with the fast tap style! Nina has always been involved in some type of activity aerobics
or dance and when she discovered Zumba back in 2004, she was immediately was hooked. Zumba combines the two things that she
loves to do- dance and an aerobic workout! Nina has been a certified Zumba instructor since 2006 and is also a Zumba
Gold instructor, for the active senior. Nina loves teaching the Zumba class as it is “all about having fun and
shaking off your daily stress!”
Morrigan Burns Morrigan began studying Irish dance at the age of six under the direction of Sheila Stevens
in West Hartford, CT. She competed on a local, regional and national level for 12 years, and now focuses on recreational
Irish dance. Morrigan is certified as a TMRF, Irish ceili dance instructor, by An Coimisiún le Rincí
Gaelacha in Dublin, Ireland. She has taught at the Performing Arts Connection in Hampton, VA, The Academy of Dance
in Biddeford, ME, and currently works with the local Irish American Club to promote Irish ceili dancing in the Portland area.
Morrigan earned her B.A. in Special Education from Goucher College and her M.S.Ed. in Severe Disabilities with a Graduate
Certificate in Autism from The Johns Hopkins University. Morrigan is a certified Special Education teacher in the state of
Maine.
Rhonda
Cook Rhonda
Davis-Cook has taught dance in Southern Maine for 25 years. She began her dance training at the age of 5 at The Virginia
School of Dance in Gorham, Maine and continued her training under the fabulous Carole L. Jordan. Rhonda taken Master Classes
in all forms of dance in Portland, New York City, Philadelphia, and at Kent State University and with LaVaughn Robinson, Brenda
Bufalino, Josh Hilberman, Judy Ann Bassing, Tom Ralabate and Gus Giordano. She has attended Dance Masters of America Teacher
Training School in Buffalo, New York and is certified by test to teach by Dance Masters of America in the areas of tap and
jazz. Rhonda has received numerous choreography awards as well as regional and national high scores at competitions. Rhonda
loves teaching dance and believes that dance can improve self esteem, sharpen the mind and get people moving, young and old.
Lauren Donahue
Brittany Gereben Brittany
Gereben began dancing at the age of five. She danced with Victoria Studios and later, The Main Street Dancers, an international
dance troupe from Edmunston, New Brunswick, Canada. The Main Street Dancers are a highly recognized and respected dance troupe
throughout the Atlantic Provinces. With The Main Street Dancers, Brittany competed in Montreal, St. John, New Brunswick and
Maine, receiving numerous top honors. Brittany was named Dancer of the Year 2002, before moving to the Portland area to attend
college. She has taught dance throughout her high school years to groups of young, energetic students. Brittany’s specialties
are lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop. Brittany continues her dance education at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
Erin Hamblen-Morton Erin@drouindancecenter.com
Erin
Hamblen-Morton studied locally with Rhonda Cook and Carole Jordan, and has taken Master Classes with dance greats Stepp
Stewart, Kyme Sallid, Judine Richard, and Alan Arnet. Erin competed nationally and throughout New England, earning awards
at Showstopper, Starpower, Starbound, and The American Dance Awards.. In addition to competing, Erin has performed locally
in many charity benefits including those for the Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Miracle Network and Muscular Distrophy
Association. She is currently studying with Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School in Buffalo, New York and at Broadway
Dance Center in New York City. Erin is a graduate of Florida State University.
Jennifer Jones Jennifer
Jones is a professional dancer, currently entering her second season with Portland Ballet. Previous to moving to Maine,
Ms. Jones danced professionally with The Northwest Florida Ballet, Montgomery Ballet and Dance Connecticut (formerly Hartford
Ballet). She graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Hartford with a BFA in Ballet Pedagogy, and is excited
to be joining the Drouin Dance Center team!
Danielle Maurice Danielle
is a graduate of Elms College with a BA in Psychology and Education. While studying at Elms, Danielle studied at New
England Dance Conservatory. Danielle has earned her MA in Psychology from Brandeis University and is currently pursuing
her PhD in Social and Developmental Psychology at Brandeis. She has also performed with Brandeis University’s Adagio
dance group. Danielle has been a member of the Drouin Dance Center Company, has coached varsity and JV cheering for Southwick-Tolland
Regional High School, and has taught dance classes at Berwick Academy.
Tiffany Randall Tiffany
began dancing in her home state of Utah and moved to Maine in 2005. Tiffany has studied early childhood education at Elmira
College and Southern Maine Community College. Tiffany continues her dance education training with Dance Masters of America
Teacher Training School at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and further pursues her dance training in workshops
and classes throughout New England.
Sasha Randall
Sasha graduated magna cum laude from Long Island University's Honors program
earning her B.F.A. in Dance Studies with a concentration in Psychology. Her early training began with Rhonda Davis-Cook in
Gorham, ME and Kathy Nolan through the Southern Maine Regional Fine Arts Program. While in college she was introduced to a
diversity of dance styles from cultures all over the world. She studied Asian dance with Uttara Asha-Coorlawala, African dance
with Kemoko Sano (founder of Les Merveilles de Africains), Modern with Cheryl Halliburton-Beatty and Beth Trimm, Ballet with
Dr. Cara Gargano, and Jazz and Musical Theater with Donna Scheer. She continued her post-graduate studies at Mills College
in Oakland, CA where she trained extensively in modern dance composition and performance with Mary Cochran, Anne Westwick,
Mary Anne Kinkead, and Kathleen McClintock. Upon her return to New York, she worked as a freelance dancer and with Circle
of Dance Repertory Company, performing in notable venues such as the Duke Theater, P.S. 122, and Clark Theater in Lincoln
Center. She has worked as a performer, teacher, choreographer, and researcher of dance throughout the northeast and California.
She continues to train and choreograph locally and in the New York metro area. Sasha is also the Director of the Dance Program
at Berwick Academy.
Chelsea
Rondeau Chelsea started her dance training locally with Carole Jordan, Rhonda Cook, and Victoria Perreault.
Continuing her love of dance she graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Business Marketing and a minor in Dance.
At UMaine, Chelsea was involved in several different dance organizations. She was captain of the Dance Team, President
of Dance Club and Tap Club, and Coordinator for the American College Dance Festival. She has had the opportunity to perform
all along the East Coast with the Rockettes and Knicks City Dancers in New York City, and at competitions across New England;
she has had the privilege of working with several different choreographers. Chelsea is eager to learn and loves to share
her creativity.
Maryann
Saulle Maryann@drouindancecenter.com
Maryann
Saulle has been dancing since the age of seven. She has studied locally at Dorothy Ruel School of Dance, the Maine Summer
Arts Program, The Virginia Dorr School of Dance and The Dance Studio of Maine. Maryann has taken Master Classes with such
dance greats as Bob Rizzo, Stepp Stewart and Laura Hausmann. She has been a member and performed with Dirigo Dance Troupe,
The Front Page Dancers and Gorham Community Ballet Company. Maryann has also performed at the Maine Summer Arts Festival,
with Portland Players and for charity benefits including those for the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Miracle
Network. She began teaching dance at the age of sixteen was an instructor for many years at The Dance Studio of Maine as well
as at the Schoolhouse Center for the Arts. Maryann is a graduate of the prestigious Dance Masters of America’s Teacher’s
Training School in Buffalo, New York and holds certification in Ballet, Tap and Jazz. Maryann also works at Unum Corporation.
Maryann continues her dance education at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
Jamie Schwellenbach
Meghan Tracy Meghan Tracy has been dancing in Maine for
20 years, and teaching dance for the last 10 years at dance schools in Southern Maine and has been an instructor here at DDC
since its opening in 2005. Meghan has received Dance Education training with Dance Masters of America Teacher’s Training
School in Buffalo, New York and has studied with Master Teachers such as Kyme, Judine Richard, and Stepp Stewart. In addition
to competing at the Showstopper National Dance Championships, Meghan has earned numerous medals competing at Northeast Regional
danced competitions. Meghan also appeared as a dancer in the 2006 Best of Broadway at Merrill Auditorium. Meghan also
works as a teacher at Step By Step Developmental Preschool in Westbrook and completed the Child Development Associates Credentialing
Training Program in June of 2008. Meghan was awarded her CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington,
D.C. in July. Meghan is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Maine Association
for the Education of Young Children (MEAEYC).
Heidi Tranchemontagne Heidi studied under Terri Glidden, who directed a small and very disciplined dancing
school in Fairfield, Maine. Heidi started competing with Dance America at the age of eleven. Through Dance America,
she competed in dozens of regional competitions and three national competitions. Heidi has studied through Dance Olympus
workshops with many well known dancers/instructors such as Bob Rizzo, Debbie Dee, Frank Hatchett, Bill Dericco, Sarah Jo Fazio,
Patricia Dickenson and Densil Adams, to name a few. She also has participated in Maine Dance Teachers Club. Heidi's
strengths are in jazz and lyrical, and she continues her dance education at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
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