Stephanie Merriman discovered dance at the age of three. During her competition career Stephanie won numerous titles, overalls, and special awards both as a soloist and as a group dance. After twenty years of performances and competitions, she moved into the role of choreographer, coach, instructor, and dance mom. While at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI, Stephanie was the secretary of the RWU Dance Club, choreographing and participating in numerous hip hop, jazz, tap, and contemporary performances. After college, she helped to coach and choreograph Branford’s nationally-ranked Walsh Intermediate School Dance Team’s hip hop, jazz, and kick routines. She expanded her coaching experience to gymnastics at the Connecticut Gymnastics Academy. Next, Stephanie spent almost 10 years living in Tennessee and coaching the Sequatchie County Middle School’s cheerleading squad, sending many of her cheerleaders to perform at Walt Disney World and the Citrus Bowl. She continued to spread her love of dance as a certified REFITⓇ instructor, a community-centered,value-posit
Faculty
Julie Reed-Russo
(Owner, Director, Choreographer, Teacher)
Julie Reed-Russo has been dancing since the age of three and teaching for over 25 years. She has trained with Sandee Juliano,Sharon DiCrosta, Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo, Savion Glover, Germaine Salsberg, Janice Barringer, Bryan Lewis and Jay Fagan just to name a few. She has performed regionally and across the country for fundraisers, commercials, industrials, and competitions. She has done performances in Las Vegas, New York and Epcot Center in Walt Disney World. She has been involved with many organizations such as Relay For Life, Muscular Dystrophy, Toys For Tots, and Breast Cancer Awareness. Julie has held several dance titles including National Miss Dance Educators Of America 2001. She is a Qualified Member of Dance Educators Of America, Inc. and National Association Of Dance And The Affiliated Arts and is certified by examination (level I and II) in the Dance Educators Of America Teacher Training and Certification Programs. Julie is Acrobatic Arts certified and has completed module one. She has taught for NADAA and many schools around Connecticut and Massachusetts. In addition, she has judged dance competitions. Her choreography has been recognized, garnering many overall awards both regionally and nationally. Her students have performed all over the country in ballets,competitions, musicals, industrials, benefits and have won national championships, overall awards, titles, pageants and scholarships. Julie continues to further her dance education by taking classes at Broadway Dance Center and participating in Dance Conventions.
Carissa Kee-Conyers
(Hip Hop, Acro)
Carissa Kee-Conyers has been dancing since the age of 3, and has been an instructor and choreographer for over 25 years. She received her training at Dee-Dee’s Dance Center (New Haven CT.), New Haven Ballet (New Haven, CT), Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center (New York, NY.). She has trained in ballet, pointé, jazz, hip-hop, african, contemporary, acro, and lyrical. During her time as a professional dancer she traveled and performed with many artists in music videos, plays, live shows. and concerts.
Carissa has been Head of the Dance Program at New Haven Academy High School (New Haven CT.) since 2015. She is also an award winning choreographer and Hip Hop Director. She is the Co-Founder and Master Choreographer of the Bethel A.M.E Church Visions of Praise for over 25 years, and the Co-Founder of Trinity of Gods Anointing praise dance ministry. Carissa is also a member of MegaHurtz Entertainment Hip Hop Company since 2013, and Assistant Director of MegaBytez Co. She also volunteers as a virtual dance instructor for the Special Olympics of Connecticut and is Co-Owner of the dance brand CaRizMa Body Alliance LLC.
Carissa has dedicated her life to performing, teaching and inspiring children and adults to love the art of dance as much as she does. ” I am blessed to inspire the stars and share my gift and passion for dance with the world”.
Stephanie Merriman
(Hip Hop, Acro)
Julia Moss
(Ballet, Pointe)
Julia Moss began her classical ballet training in Utah at the age of nine. Throughout her childhood, she studied classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz with dedication, while training at various respected ballet schools. During this time, she performed in both classical ballets and numerous original works.
She earned her degree in Dance Choreography and Performance from Brigham Young University, Idaho, where she was a member of the university’s premier performance company – Dance Alliance. With the company, she toured the eastern United States, performing a diverse range of styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and cultural dance. While at BYU, she also choreographed and directed several collegiate productions.
Julia has a strong interest in cross-training and conditioning for dancers. She believes that strength training enhances a dancer’s ability to fully express their technique and artistry. As a teacher, she is passionate about helping her students understand that strong technique is the foundation for creative expression. She strives to instill in them a lifelong love of learning that extends beyond the dance studio.
Bailee Columber
(Ballet)
Bailee has been dancing since the age of three. She grew up in Henderson, Nevada where she trained in many different styles of dance and competed. When Bailee was 9 years old, she moved to Connecticut where she began training Pre-Professionally at Eastern Connecticut Ballet. After graduating High School and ECB, Bailee received a contract with Grand Rapids Ballet Company. She danced with the company for one year, before suffering an injury. While working through her injury, Bailee committed to Eastern Connecticut State University, where she recently graduated earning her Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. In addition to her graduate educational studies, Bailee continues to dance professionally. With DFX, Bailee does many professional performances. Bailee is currently back in school, attending University of Connecticut for her Master’s in Nutritional Sciences. Following graduation, she would like to combine both her undergraduate and graduate degree, to work in Sports Nutrition with dancers. She is excited to be teaching Ballet at Westbrook Dance Academy!
Zoie Murphy
(Pre School)
Zoie Murphy has been dancing since the age of eight. She was trained at Westbrook Dance Academy under the direction of Julie Reed-Russo. At the age of 10, Zoie joined the Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Team and participated in competitions across New England and Pennsylvania. For six years Zoie was a class assistant. Also, while at Westbrook Dance Academy, Zoie performed at Walt Disney World multiple times. After graduating Westbrook High School, Zoie attended Frankin Pierce University. While at Franklin Pierce, Zoie majored in Educational Studies and was a member of the Raven Thunder Dance team. At Franklin Pierce she was able to find her passion – teaching and working with kids. And while on the dance team, Zoie was able to perform many different styles of dance. Zoie currently works in the Westbrook School system with preschool students as well as special needs students. Zoie has volunteered at Westbrook Dance Academy recitals ever since she has graduated college and has performed in its alumni dances. Zoie is excited to bring her passion for teaching and dance back to Westbrook Dance Academy.
Morgan Campbell
(Summer Intensives, Workshops)
Morgan (Mo) Campbell started dancing at four years old, and since discovering her passion for dance at a young age has trained and performed all across New England with Aaron Tolson, Anthony LoCasio, Todd Shanks, Charles Renato and Julie Reed-Russo. Performance Credits include #TapLife Company featured soloist, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing (Long Wharf Theater), 50th Anniversary Gala (Millie Dilmount, College Light Opera Company). Favorite choreography credits include Pippin, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Cabaret (College Light Opera Company), and Urinetown (Dean College). Most recently, Mo has choreographed and directed Mamma Mia! on the Barn Stage at the Priscilla Beach Theatre Company in Plymouth, Mass. Mo is a freelance choreographer, director and dance teacher.
Mara Kelley
(Summer Intensives, Workshops)
Mara Kelley has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching, both as a teacher and assistant, for the over 15. Mara has trained under Julie Reed-Russo, Casey Krane, Aria Presley, and has attended numerous conventions as well as taken classes at Broadway Dance Center with some of the best dancers and choreographers. During her time as a competitive dancer at Westbrook Dance Academy, Mara won numerous championships and overall awards for her solos, duos, and groups at both the regional and national level as well as titles, pageants and scholarships. In 2019 Mara was a national champion soloist at Imagine Dance Challenge. Mara was also a member of Westbrook Dance Academy’s World Dance Championship Competition Teams. In 2015, 2017, and 2019 the teams finished in the top five at the World Dance Championship. During her time as a student at Old Saybrook High School she choreographed and performed in the productions for the Old Saybrook High School Drama Department, including the 2019 production of On the Town and the 2020 production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, in which she won a HALO award for her choreography. Mara currently attends Smith College where she majors in both Education and Child Studies and Dance. At Smith College she has trained under names such as Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Lester Tomé, Rodger Blum, Erin Kouwe, Sarah Konner, Onalie Arts, Chrissy Martin, Victoria Lawrence, Balinda Craig-Quijada, Vanessa Anspaugh, Sha Harrell, and Maia Claire Garrison. Additionally, she has performed in the restaging of the MacArthur fellow Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s Urban Bush Women piece Batty Moves and Vanessa Anspaugh’s repertory piece Early Mournings.
Amanda Leigh-Lupacchino
(Musical Theater, Summer Intensives, Workshops)
Amanda’s dance training began in her home town of Tolland, CT at the age of two where she studied all genres of dance while specializing in jazz, tap, hip-hop and musical theater. She danced competitively in the tri-state area winning many awards including Dance America Best Young Choreographer 2009. Amanda is a true triple threat, a musical theater performer and has performed in many shows locally and nationally. Amanda has many notable theater credits including: Annie (National Tour), A Chorus Line (Ivoryton Playhouse), Memphis (Ivoryton Playhouse), Cabaret (Ivoryton Playhouse), Angelina Ballerina the Very Merry Holiday Musical (New York City and National Tour), Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE! (National Tour), South Pacific (Ivoryton Playhouse), Wine Lovers The Musical (Norwegian Cruise Line) and Mamma Mia (Ivoryton Playhouse). She has worked alongside some of Broadway’s greats on pre-production for the Broadway shows Jekyll and Hyde, Prince on Broadway, and Chasing Rainbows. Amanda received her Bachelors of Science in Liberal Arts from The New School with a concentration in Creative Arts Therapy. Amanda has been teaching dance in Connecticut and New York City since 2007. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with young performers.
Tammy Johnson Lepisto
(Receptionist)
Tammy has been dancing since the age of two, owned her own studio for twelve years – Miss Tammy’s School of Dance – and taught for The Village School of Dance in Guilford for two years. She also taught the creative movement program for Pumpkin Patch in Westbrook and Cromwell. Tammy has studied under Debbie Lynn Van Epps, Rosemary Lafo Eastwood, Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo, and Gregory Hines. She and her past students performed regionally for competitions and fundraisers. Tammy’s students performed in Six Flags New Jersey, Starship Dance Theatre, Clinton Bluefish Festival, and many school musicals. Tammy has been involved in Toys for Tots, Relay for Life, and the Multiple Sclerosis Walk. Tammy is certified through Dance Masters of America and is a past member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists where she served as Vice
President for ten years
Alissa Mattern
(Pre School, Adaptive Dance)
Alissa has been dancing since the age of two and teaching for over 20 years. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyric, and Pointe under the direction of Julie Reed-Russo. Alissa has competed at the regional and national level earning several titles, overalls, and special awards for her solos, duos, and groups. One of her proudest accomplishments was earning the title of Miss Power of Dance CT 2014, where money was donated in her name to an autism charity. Also in 2014 Alissa was a member of the Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Team which won the National Championship.
In August of 2019, Alissa attended Boston Ballet’s adaptive dance training program and is certified in adaptive dance. Alissa is currently a Special Education Teacher in Connecticut and currently holds Connecticut teacher certifications in Special Education and Elementary Education.
Angelia Gaskin
(Ballet, Pointe)
Angelia started ballet at the age of eight and studied at the Indianapolis Youth Ballet Company under Ms. Yu Qin Hao, former principal of the National Ballet of China. She then rose from soloist to principal of her company with leading roles in Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella. Alongside ballet, Angelia was a member of a competitive dance team: Releve Dance Ensemble, winning nationals and receiving high scores as a soloist.
Upon moving to the east coast Angelia began training at Yale under Ann Cowlin. She take classes multiple times a week at Yale as well as at New Haven Ballet under Ruth Barker. Angelia is passionate about Ballet. She loves teaching new and experienced dancers the art of Ballet in an encouraging environment that facilitates proper technique. Angelia is excited to bring her passion to Westbrook Dance Academy and join the staff.
In her free time Angelia is likely cuddling her big fluffy puppy Lily, listening to Lizzo, or doing a jigsaw puzzle.
Brandi Andrade
Brandi began dancing at the age of five under the instruction of Julie Reed-Russo She has been assisting and teaching for over 20 years. After her senior year in 2017, she dove deeper into her passion -pursuing a double degree in Dance and Photography at Hofstra University. There she learned from professors who worked closely with Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Eleo Pomare and other dance icons. As a freshman, Brandi performed in the Spring 2018 Faculty show in Anita Feldman’s tap piece, “Monkey Mind”. In her sophomore year, Brandi danced in Alicia Brantigan’s tap piece, “Prosody,” which was selected to perform at the American College Dance Association conference in March 2019. Additionally, she was casted in the Spring 2019 Faculty Show in Robin Becker’s modern piece, “Into Sunlight”. Brandi’s original tap choreography, “Breaking Free,” was chosen to be in the MoVoM Student Rep show in May 2019.
While at Westbrook Dance Academy Brandi began competing at the age of seven, and during her competition career, Brandi won numerous championships and overall awards for her solos, duos, and groups at both the regional and national level as well as titles, pageants and scholarships. In 2014 Brandi was crowned Elite National Overall Model winner. Brandi was a member of Westbrook Dance Academy’s World Dance Championship Competition Teams. In 2015, 2017, and 2019 the teams finished in the top five at the World Dance Championship.
