Faculty

The faculty at DANCE etc... is a diverse team of dedicated educators and performers who are well-trained and knowledgeable about the art of dance. The instructors work very hard to share their love for the art and encourage all dancers to express themselves through music and movement. The DANCE etc... faculty strives to instill passion in all the students while maintaining a fun, educational, happy and healthy learning environment.

Jen Brody, Director

Jen Brody began dancing at the age of 3 and studied under Kerry Smith at the Academy of Dance Arts in Norwood, MA. Performing on TV shows such as Community Auditions, Ready to Go, and Dave Maynard’s Talent Showcase, to name a few, was a sign at an early age that the stage was where she loved to be. Jen went on to perform in Disney World and locally at Boston’s Opera House. Her favorite performance included tap dancing on stage with Gregory Hines at the Apollo Theater in NYC in the “New Tap Generation” choreographed by Savion Glover (the man behind the “feet” in the movie Happy Feet). A former New England Patriots Cheerleader, Jen performed at Gillette Stadium, Fort Hood in Texas, on the JFK Aircraft Carrier in the Arabian Sea and at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. Jen has always loved to perform and passes on her love of dance and performance to all her students.

Over the years, Jen has received numerous 1st place awards at local and national competitions for her dancing/performing and for her choreography. Jen loves teaching students of all ages in a variety of different styles of dance. She encourages her students to embrace their talent and build confidence as they learn and find their greatest potential. She inspires her students to believe in themselves and never give up. Dance is an art that can be interpreted in so many different ways, and with Jen’s guidance and leadership the students learn to find within themselves their own personal expression and their own true desire to be the best they can be.

Jeffrey Jean-Philippe, Instructor

Jeffrey Jean-Phillipe is a dancer, actor, performer, singer, instructor and choreographer. He studied Hip Hop at an early age from Jen Brody at Dance Etc. in Billerica, MA. Jeff is the Artistic Director of The Expressive Movement Company, which he created in 2012. He has appeared in commercials for Normand Pictures, Inc. and Strong Paw Productions, Inc. He was a member of the “Street Hype” dance company, and is a current member of the Static Noyze Hip Hop Company, which has appeared on America’s Best Dance Crew. Among his many credits, Jeff has danced alongside of So You Think You Can Dance’s Stephen “TWITCH” Boss and was a member of his Protégé Company. Jeff has also been in numerous theatre productions with multiple starring roles such as Andy in 42nd Street, Seaweed in Hairspray, Hope For Haiti, Body of Faith, and The Tempest. Jeff was also a member of the original Billerica High School Co-Ed Cheerleading Team, where he was able to practice his partnering and stunting skills.

Jeff continues his dance education at Dean College where he is pursuing a Degree in Dance and also attends Middlesex Community College pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. Jeff is an MC with General Sound Entertainment performing at weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, graduations, birthdays, and special events.

Jeff has won numerous awards for his dancing and his choreography has been recognized at several Dance Competitions including American Dance Awards, Turn it Up Dance Challenge, Headliners Talent Competition, to name a few. Jeff continues to teach at many studios around the New England Area including master classes and workshops.

Jeff’s dance ability and teaching style, combined with his charisma, humor, and outstanding personality make him a favorite among his students.

Valerie Cagnina, Instructor

Valerie holds an Associates Degree in Dance from Dean College, and a Bachelors Degree in Dance from the University of New Hampshire.

During that time, Valerie was accepted and attended the Alvin Ailey intensive program in New York City. She was also one of 24 chosen to participate in Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. She attended the festival with a scholarship in Jazz Dance.

Valerie has traveled to Chicago to study under Gus Giordano, and she attended Giordano's Jazz Dance World Congress twice, the second time to compete. Valerie is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. Valerie began as director and owner of "Dance Technics" in the fall of 2004.

Shaniece Cooper, Instructor

Shaniece Cooper is a Dancer, Choreographer and aspiring Fashion Designer. Shaniece began dancing at the age of 7 and studied Hip-Hop, Color Guard, Gymnastics, Step, Contemporary, Tap, and African from Alexandra Ferdinand at Enmotion Inc. in Cambridge, MA. Shaniece became a member of Jam'Nastics Inc. shortly after and is now currently a Performer of The Expressive Movement Company where she trains in numerous styles of dance. Along with training, Shaniece has performed at Fundraisers, Weddings, Talent Shows, Sweet Sixteens, Carnivals, Community Events, Competitions, etc. Shaniece has choreographed and taught routines for her HighSchool Modern Dance Company, Summer Camps, Workshops, and Dance Teams.

Alongside Dance, Shaniece Cooper is furthering her Education at Lasell College, where she is pursuing a Degree in Fashion Design. Shaniece hopes to one day become a costume designer for a variety of performers. Shaniece has designed costumes for performers including sweat pants and shirts designed for The Expressive Movement and hopes to continue furthering that progress.

Creative and full of ideas, Shaniece views the Studio as not only a learning experience for the students, but also a learning experience for herself. Shaniece seeks to Inspire, Challenge and push each student past and beyond their limits.

Liesl Lupoli, Instructor

Liesl Lupoli started dancing at age 5 at New England Ballet school in Great Barrington MA. She also trained at Terpsichore Dance Center in Pittsfield MA, and later at Olga Dunn Dance School where she assistant taught and performed with the company. She attended many master classes and workshops including master classes with Gregory Aaron artistic director of Atlantic Festival Ballet and with Chad Levy and Amy Marshall directors of Amy Marshall Dance Company. She also attended Berkshire Pulse where she studied under Ruby Aver.

Liesl also enjoys choreographing and has choreographed and performed her own works.

After moving to the Boston area she continued her dance training mainly at Jose Mateo.

Liesl enjoys teaching ballet and has been teaching for many years. She has taught all age groups, young children through high school as well as adults, and teaches beginner through advanced levels as well as pointe.

Doug Kolakowski, Instructor

Doug Kolakowski is an actor, dancer and choreographer who trained and performed in Sarasota, Florida prior to moving to Massachusetts to attend The Boston Conservatory. While in Florida, Doug worked as an apprentice with the Moving Ethos Dance Company and performed in Cinderella with the West Coast Civic Ballet. Since moving to Boston, Doug has performed in various roles with Project Movement, Luminarium Dance Company, and Speakeasy; he has also worked behind the scenes as a choreographer with Emerson College Theatre Company and Stage Door studios. While attending school, Doug has instructed at Mysticals Dance Company(Sarasota, FL) and West Coast Civic Ballet(Sarasota, FL), Urbanity Dance (Boston, MA) and the New England Movement Arts(Burlington, MA) Currently, Doug is a recurring performer with the American Repertory Theater.

A BFA candidate at The Boston Conservatory, Doug is engaging students with a light-hearted yet focused teaching style, and in addition to being a certified Acro instructor, he brings the pure joy of jazz and contemporary into the classroom. His recent performance credits include working with Mark Morris. Doug has an Associates in Arts Degree from the State College of Florida, and is presently studying as a BFA candidate for Contemporary Dance with an emphasis in Ballet and Partnering at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee(Class of 2019).

Michaela Duffy, Instructor

Michaela began dancing at the age of 2 at a studio in Burlington, MA. She continued her education there until the age of 12, where she began training at DANCE etc... in North Billerica, MA. Under the instruction of Jen Brody and other talented teachers, Michaela trained in multiple disciplines of dance including tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, and contemporary. During her prime years, she received many awards at various dance competitions.

Following her time at Dance Etc.., Michaela has gone on to dance at Stonehill College as a member of the pre-professional Stonehill College Dance Company. She is a senior choreographer and member of the executive board on this Company and the college’s Dance Club. Michaela has also trained with and learned from many prestigious teachers and choreographers throughout the years. She has trained with the Expressive Movement, a high-intensity hip hop company based in Massachusetts. She traveled to Ireland in 2018, where she participated in a week-long intensive at the Fragolini School of Dance in Cork. In the spring of 2019, she traveled to Los Angeles where she took multiple classes at Millennium Dance Complex. While in Los Angeles, Michaela attended a live taping of the Ellen DeGeneres show, where she won a dance battle on the stage!

Michaela is extremely excited to come back to DANCE etc... to share her unique style and passion with all of her students!

Camryn Brothers, Instructor

Camryn Brothers is a professional dancer and choreographer originally from Billerica,
MA. She grew up dancing at DANCE etc..., and also trained and performed with Aurora Borealis
Dance Company throughout high school. Immediately after graduating high school, she moved
to New York City to complete Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program where
she trained closely with their world renowned faculty. She has worked closely and assisted
artists such as Kenichi Kasamatsu, Theresa Stone, Hayden J Frederick and Cat Cogliandro to
name a few. Camryn has had the amazing opportunity to be involved in a few of their
choreographic projects, including Hayden J’s piece at Carnival Choreographer’s Ball. Camryn is
also a member of CATASTROPHE! Dance, a company directed by Cat Cogliandro.

Camryn has choreographed multiple works for studios and companies across
Massachusetts including DANCE etc..., Sereda Dance Works, and Aurora Borealis Dance
Company. She has won several Young Choreographer’s Awards for her solos and group
numbers. Upon moving to New York, Camryn has also presented work at Broadway Dance
Center’s Performance Project and has created a few new choreographic projects. Camryn has
always wanted to create a safe space for her students to explore their artistic voice, since her
teachers allowed her to do that from a young age. She provides a class atmosphere that pushes
students to their fullest potential, while nurturing their raw talent and ability.

Shaelyn LeLievre, Instructor

Shaelyn LeLievre earned her BA from Roger Williams University in Dance/Performance Studies and Public Relations. While at Roger Williams she was a company member of the RWU Dance Theatre and was able to work with several guest artists including Christina Robson, Sean Curran, and Tiffany Mills. In March of 2020, her work “despair;detach” was selected to be performed at the American College Dance Association Conference.

From 2013-2014 Shaelyn was a company member for Expressive Movement, a hip-hop based company under the direction of Jeff Jean-Philippe. In August of 2014, she became a company member for Aurora Borealis Dance Company, a contemporary improvisation company under the direction of Katie Pustizzi. With Aurora Borealis she performed at the Brooklyn Dance Festival and worked with renowned choreographers such as Dusty Button and Ellenore Scott. Early in Shaelyn’s dance career she received a Young Choreographers Award, and has since continued to pursue her passion for choreography at a studio level and in an academic setting.