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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 students range from age one through seventies, and across three generations in some of our families
that dance with us. 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 drouindancecenter@yahoo.comDanielle 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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