Our Staff
Creative. Caring. Incredible.
Alpha Dance Studio is growing by the day! As we add new Instructors and Choreographers check back and see all the wonderful things they bring to our table.
Tiffany Jacquier
Owner/Creative Director
With a passion for dance since age 4, Tiffany has been in the competitive and professional dance world throughout her life. As a young dancer and actress in NYC, she was seen in TV commercials (Hess Gas, Crayola, and Mug-a-noodles to name a few), shows (Saturday Night Live), and in print (various costume catalogs) at a young age. Tiffany trained for decades in all styles, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, acro, and ballet through local studios and master classes at Broadway Dance Center. Tiffany has toured with dance competition Starpower, and has trained with dance icons like Frank Hatchett. During her under graduate studies at WNEU, she re-discovered her passion for teaching and creating dance. Tiffany has been a national choreography award winner for the last 16 years. She has taught all levels and ages over the last two decades, and cannot wait to take this journey with her next group of dancers.
Brianne Cannady
Instructor/TEAM Choreographer
From a young age, Brianne Cannady recognized she had a love for dance but found her passion through her feet. Brianne has been tapping since 1996. Brianne began dancing under Kelly Kennedy and later Tiffany Jacquier. She was a member of The Boston Tap Company, from 2009-2016, under the mentorship of the founder/director Sean C. Fielder. Alongside BTC, Brianne has studied under and shared the stage with dancers such as Jason Samuels Smith, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant, Chloe Arnold, Barbara Duffy, Khalid Hill, Bril Barrett, and many others. Not only has Brianne spent her years studying with BTC, but she has also extended her studies with Chicago-native, Ian Berg, in his company, Subject Matter, from 2012-2016. Brianne has performed at multiple tap festivals and events to include, The Beantown Tap Festival, DC Tapfest, NJ Tapfest, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the Institute for the Rhythmic Arts, and the Inside/ Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow. While building and growing her love for tap, Brianne also received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Westfield State University and now works with individuals of the Autism Spectrum as a Behavior Specialist for the May Institute. Other hobbies include cats, anything Lisa Frank, and wrestling; catch her wrestling all around New England as Big Juicy!
Peace, Love, and Tap!
Grace Cannady
Instructor/TEAM Choreographer
Grace has the distinction of being the youngest dancer (at age 10) allowed to audition for and join The Boston Tap Company in 2011 under the direction of her mentor Sean Fielder (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk). Throughout the New England region, Grace has won numerous regional/national solo dance titles over her competitive years, with her own choreography, and now creates award winning solo/duo/trio and group choreography for others. Her dedication to tap dance, one of the oldest forms of American dance, stresses the unique approach that Tap Dancers are musicians in their own right. She has trained with Sean Fielder, Derick Grant, Jason Samuels-Smith, Michelle Dorrance, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Corey Hutchins, Dianne Walker and many others. Her stage performances include Beantown Tapfest, DC Tapfest, North Carolina Rhythm Tap Festival, Rhythm in Motion (NYC), Soul Walk (NJ), Rhythm Stories (CT), The Urban Nutcracker (Boston), the Northampton Jazz Workshop, and MGM Springfield’s Opening VIP Gala Event. Most notably, Grace was selected to perform in “Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life” as a featured soloist for over 60 shows at The Cutler Majestic Theater, Boston and The Allen Theater, Cleveland, OH. Additionally, Grace was cast as a featured tap dancer in the movie “Breaking Brooklyn” starring Louis Gossett Jr.
Stephanie Waite
Instructor
Stephanie has been dancing since the age of 5 starting with a love for tap and jazz that soon transitioned into lyrical, ballet, acro, jazz, and hiphop. Stephanie has been a student of Miss Tiffany’s throughout at All Stars Dance Center. Stephanie was also a gymnast, competing in both dance competitions and gymnastics meets for Roots Gymnastics and Westfield High School. Not only has dance been a passion for Stephanie, but she has furthered her career and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in psychology and clinical mental health counseling from Springfield College. Stephanie works as a licensed therapist specializing in SMI.
Hobbies include: petting dogs, eating good food, cooking, yoga, rock climbing, and crafting.
Velouria Joyner
Instructor/TEAM Assistant Choreographer
Velouria Joyner danced both recreationally and competitively at The Dancer's Edge in East Lyme CT for 15 years. She attended many competitions, both regional and national, as well as workshops and conventions across New England. She studied dance theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, NY, where she worked under dance professionals such as Casey Colgan and Billy Johnstone. During her time in New York, she participated in many school activities, including being a member of the Tap Workshop, where she performed many tap numbers for AMDA's workshop showcase. She returned to East Lyme after school to teach at The Dancer's Edge for 3 years, before stepping into a role of owner and director at Studio 22 Dance Center, still in East Lyme. She now teaches classes at AMA Dance Theatre, a pre-professional studio in Mystic, CT, and is happy to be joining the Alpha Dance Studio team!
Jane Levin
TEAM Ballet Trainer
After a professional dancing career in New York City, Jane has gone on to teach hundreds of dancers of all ages with a diverse set of goals. Her philosophy is to always bring out the best in each student regardless of whether they are dancing for fun and enjoyment or they have aspirations of becoming a professional dancer.
Some of her past students have appeared on Broadway in "Cinderella", "Newsies" and "Cats" as well as starring in Nickelodeon's hit television show "Lazy Town", "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" and "Dance Moms". Former students have danced with American Ballet Theater after starring as Clara in Radio City's " Christmas Spectacular " and as soloists with The Royal Ballet in London.
Many others have received numerous scholarships through their dance training to colleges throughout the country.
She is most proud of the many other students who have gone on to live wonderful, happy and fulfilling lives and who still contact her.
Naomi Holkeboer
TEAM Ballet Trainer
Naomi began her dance training at Jean Lanphier Dance studio in her home state of Nebraska and continued to train more seriously at Motion 41 Dance, where she also danced with Ballet Nebraska II and Motion 41/Ballet Nebraska Repertory Ensemble as a soloist. After per forming numerous accomplished roles, Naomi moved to Kansas City to pursue her dance dreams and career. She began as an apprentice with Dramatic Truth Dance Theatre, and then after completing the two-year Störling’s Artist Development Program she was accepted in to Störling Dance Theatre. While with Störling Naomi had the opportunity to perform and work behind the scenes in Störling Dance Theater ’s Underground, Child of Hope, Road Home, along with several other works directed and choreographed by Mona Störling Enna and Tobin James. Naomi also toured with Störling Moves to Germany and Paris. Then she spent some time volunteering with Youth With A Mission in France teaching dance and planning Project Dance Paris. In most of those locations she has also taught dance and designed skill-specific choreography for a variety of age groups and levels of ability. She is looking forward to teaching here in Connecticut.
Madison DeGrandpre
Instructor
We are excited to announce Miss Madison to the Alpha Dance Studio family! Growing up in Western Massachusetts she spent her childhood training at Hackworth’s School of Performing Arts, and dance has been a consistent passion of hers. Throughout the last few years, she has been attending the University of Hartford to pursue a double teaching certification and a degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. We congradulate her on her graduation this May! She would like to add that "The opportunity to teach here at Alpha has gifted me the chance to connect with students through the art of dance, facilitate a positive, encouraging, and inclusive dance room, and most of all help to inspire the next generation of kind humans. I can’t wait to start dancing with you all so soon!" We are very excited to have her with us on Saturdays this Season!