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| Designated Moms: Karlyn, Sheila, Jenn, Michelle, Neali. Front Row: Wanda, Colette, Jenn, Jenn & Melissa! Missing from picture: About 10 DM's that did not want their picture taken!!! |
| Miss Danielle Atcheson: Specialty in Ballet Miss Colleen DuPlissie: Specialty in Theatrical Miss Jessica Chapman: Head Junior Instructor Miss Clarann Flynn: Specialty in Highland |
Colleen DuPlissie is the owner and lead choreographer of The Maine Dance Academy. Founded in 1994, Colleen's vision was to
spark a new appreciation for dance in the County. Starting with 35 dancers in her first year, the academy has grown to over
300 with a growing Classical Pointe school as well. Colleen first received her love of dance from her mother and then competed
very successfully in her high school years with her brother, Jim. Colleen earned her major (bachelor's degree) from the
University of Maine in Chemistry/Medical Technology while taking every dance class she could to fulfill her minor. Colleen has
choreographed many musicals including Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get your Gun, Grease ,Footlooose, Cinderella
and Calamity Jane. She has earned several Outstanding Choreography awards for Maine State Show Choirs as well. She has
served as the State Chair for the Maine's Junior Miss Scholarship program where she and her staff have been nominated
numerous times for Outstanding State Program. She has also instructed students through the gifted and talented program
throughout Aroostook County. She and her colleague, Clarann Flynn choreographed the opening ceremonies for the 2006 World
Cup Biathlon and were honored by the President of the IBU where he stated, " These opening ceremonies were by far the best
I have seen in over 20 years". Colleen is the proud mom of three children, Jordyn (a graduate of TMDA, summer dance camp
instructor and a Senior at the University of Maine), Jarryd ( a Sophmore Pre-Med student at University of New England) and
Kjetil, a Sophmore at Caribou High School.
spark a new appreciation for dance in the County. Starting with 35 dancers in her first year, the academy has grown to over
300 with a growing Classical Pointe school as well. Colleen first received her love of dance from her mother and then competed
very successfully in her high school years with her brother, Jim. Colleen earned her major (bachelor's degree) from the
University of Maine in Chemistry/Medical Technology while taking every dance class she could to fulfill her minor. Colleen has
choreographed many musicals including Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get your Gun, Grease ,Footlooose, Cinderella
and Calamity Jane. She has earned several Outstanding Choreography awards for Maine State Show Choirs as well. She has
served as the State Chair for the Maine's Junior Miss Scholarship program where she and her staff have been nominated
numerous times for Outstanding State Program. She has also instructed students through the gifted and talented program
throughout Aroostook County. She and her colleague, Clarann Flynn choreographed the opening ceremonies for the 2006 World
Cup Biathlon and were honored by the President of the IBU where he stated, " These opening ceremonies were by far the best
I have seen in over 20 years". Colleen is the proud mom of three children, Jordyn (a graduate of TMDA, summer dance camp
instructor and a Senior at the University of Maine), Jarryd ( a Sophmore Pre-Med student at University of New England) and
Kjetil, a Sophmore at Caribou High School.
Clarann Flynn has been teaching at The Maine Dance Academy for 9 years. She grew up in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where she
graduated from St.F.X. University, with a Bachelor of Science. Clarann started dancing at the age of 5, competing for the next
17 years. Being chosen for the dance troupe, The Scotia Highland Dancers, she was able to tour Scotland and competed in the
World Highland Dancing Championships, where she placed sixth in the Sword Dance for her age group. On two separate occasions,
Clarann was also chosen to represent Nova Scotia in the Canadian Championships. As a junior in high school, Clarann got her
teachers certification. Clarann is the Celtic expert at TMDA, where all dancers are exposed to Celtic dance. There is a
separate portion of every annual recital that is reserved for Celtic dance and has grown to become the audience's favorite
performances. All dancers are exposed to the Celtic/Highland aspects of dance through Clarann's teachings. Clarann has also
teamed with Colleen to instruct students through the gifted and talented programs, and assisted Colleen in the direction of
Maine's junior miss program. Clarann is married to Dr. Carl Flynn and is the mother to 3 wonderful children: Duncan, a Junior at
Caribou High School, Adam, a Freshman at Presque isle High School and Jillian, a 6th grader at Caribou Middle School who is a
member of Mini Troupe.
graduated from St.F.X. University, with a Bachelor of Science. Clarann started dancing at the age of 5, competing for the next
17 years. Being chosen for the dance troupe, The Scotia Highland Dancers, she was able to tour Scotland and competed in the
World Highland Dancing Championships, where she placed sixth in the Sword Dance for her age group. On two separate occasions,
Clarann was also chosen to represent Nova Scotia in the Canadian Championships. As a junior in high school, Clarann got her
teachers certification. Clarann is the Celtic expert at TMDA, where all dancers are exposed to Celtic dance. There is a
separate portion of every annual recital that is reserved for Celtic dance and has grown to become the audience's favorite
performances. All dancers are exposed to the Celtic/Highland aspects of dance through Clarann's teachings. Clarann has also
teamed with Colleen to instruct students through the gifted and talented programs, and assisted Colleen in the direction of
Maine's junior miss program. Clarann is married to Dr. Carl Flynn and is the mother to 3 wonderful children: Duncan, a Junior at
Caribou High School, Adam, a Freshman at Presque isle High School and Jillian, a 6th grader at Caribou Middle School who is a
member of Mini Troupe.
| Our accomplished dancers also assist with the younger dance groups. The 2009-2010 Instructors and Junior Instructors are: Jessica Chapman, Hannah Hebert, Hannah Nelson, Colleen DuPlissie, Erin Buck, Kaitlyn Kinsey, Clarann Flynn, Haley Hunter, Brianna Gorence, Emma Jandreau, Danielle Atcheson-Peterson, Delaney Williams. |
Want to be a Junior Instructor? You must have all of the
following in order to apply:
1- Practice ethic must be perfect
2- You must be in a Troupe class or be asked by an instructor
to junior instruct.
3- You must be able to learn choreography quickly.
4- Your dance ability must be of the highest caliber, great flex-
ibility, able to handle a class on your own.
following in order to apply:
1- Practice ethic must be perfect
2- You must be in a Troupe class or be asked by an instructor
to junior instruct.
3- You must be able to learn choreography quickly.
4- Your dance ability must be of the highest caliber, great flex-
ibility, able to handle a class on your own.
| Meet the Instructors |
| The Ladies of The Maine Dance Academy |
| 2009-The Instructors and Junior Instructors of The Maine Dance Academy-2010 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Danielle Atcheson-Peterson has been involved in dance for 16 years. Her passion began in 1994 when the Maine Dance
Academy was founded. She has studied jazz, tap, Celtic, Ballet, theatrical and Pointe Ballet. She began junior instructing at
TMDA at the age of 11, one of their very first junior instructors. Danielle studied gymnastics for 11 years and was a member
of the Aroostook Gymnastics Performance team. She was a member of the award winning Union 122 Show Choir from 1998-2001
and has won numerous awards in gymnastics and dance. She was Little Miss Caribou, Little Miss Potato Blossom and Junior Miss
Caribou. Danielle graduated from Caribou High School in 2005 and from TMDA that same year. She is a member of TMDA's
Wall of Fame. She was part of the elite Troupe dancers and established herself as one of the most talented dancers that
TMDA has ever had the pleasure of producing. Danielle began teaching Pointe Ballet classes at The Maine Dance Academy in
2007. She is married to Kurt Peterson and is employed at TD Bank.
Academy was founded. She has studied jazz, tap, Celtic, Ballet, theatrical and Pointe Ballet. She began junior instructing at
TMDA at the age of 11, one of their very first junior instructors. Danielle studied gymnastics for 11 years and was a member
of the Aroostook Gymnastics Performance team. She was a member of the award winning Union 122 Show Choir from 1998-2001
and has won numerous awards in gymnastics and dance. She was Little Miss Caribou, Little Miss Potato Blossom and Junior Miss
Caribou. Danielle graduated from Caribou High School in 2005 and from TMDA that same year. She is a member of TMDA's
Wall of Fame. She was part of the elite Troupe dancers and established herself as one of the most talented dancers that
TMDA has ever had the pleasure of producing. Danielle began teaching Pointe Ballet classes at The Maine Dance Academy in
2007. She is married to Kurt Peterson and is employed at TD Bank.
Jessica Chapman began dancing at TMDA in the 6th grade and rapidly became a member of our elite troupe dancers. She begn
teaching with us in 2005 and she manages all of the junior instructors as well as keeping Clarann and Colleen organized. She
specializes in hip-hop, tap and theatrical dance. Jessica provides private lessons at TMDA to students who need extra help or
need choreography for pageants/talent shows. Jessica can be hired for private lessons by contacting TMDA to set up an
appointment. Jessica's younger sister, Jennifer is a member of Mini Troupe so talent definitely runs in the Chapman family.
Jessica is engaged to be married to Ryan on September 4, 2010 and she is also employed at D-FAS. . TMDA is very proud to
have Jessica on our TMDA staff!
teaching with us in 2005 and she manages all of the junior instructors as well as keeping Clarann and Colleen organized. She
specializes in hip-hop, tap and theatrical dance. Jessica provides private lessons at TMDA to students who need extra help or
need choreography for pageants/talent shows. Jessica can be hired for private lessons by contacting TMDA to set up an
appointment. Jessica's younger sister, Jennifer is a member of Mini Troupe so talent definitely runs in the Chapman family.
Jessica is engaged to be married to Ryan on September 4, 2010 and she is also employed at D-FAS. . TMDA is very proud to
have Jessica on our TMDA staff!
| The Maine Dance Academy Secretaries!! Deana Williams, Vicki Keaton, Michelle Hanson. |
| The ladies of TMDA: Michelle, Deana, Jessica, Clarann, Colleen, Vicki & Danielle. |