The Studio...

The possibilities are truly as diverse as the music at Dance Technics, the studio of all dance styles. For over 15 years Dance Technics has had the pleasure of serving the community with an acclaimed cultural performing arts center. Our highly professional staff continues to produce an excellent curriculum that motivates students to pursue the pleasure, discipline and creativity of dance.

The Staff

Valerie Cagnina - Director

Director Valerie Cagnina holds an Associate's Degree in Dance from Dean College, ans a Bachelor's 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 Girodano's Jazz Dance World Congress twice, the second time to compete. Valerie is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. Most recently, she has become the author of 2 novels under the pen name V.C. Ryanne. Valerie took over as director and owner of "Dance Technics" in the fall of 2004.

 

	Jennifer Buchanan tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Creative Dance Jennifer has been dancing since the age of three. At the age of eleven she auditioned and was chosen to perform in the Nutcracker with the Tulsa, OK Ballet Co. She has attended work shops taught by Debbie Allen from the 80ˇ¦s series Fame. Jennifer attended the Studio of Dance Arts, where she performed in competitions until graduating from high school. To stay true to her passion for dance Jennifer likes to take classes from Jeanette Neilˇ¦s in Boston. Jennifer has been with Dance Technics for over 6 years. Her styles of dance are Ballet, Contemporary, Irish Step, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, & Tap. Jennifer is also a licensed Esthetician & Make-up artist.		Nancy Murphy Ballroom, Swing, Salsa/Latin, and Tango Having began dancing at the age of 3, Nancy's early dance experience was in ballet, tap & jazz. She began teaching partnered dance in 1989 and can be found teaching at several Boston area studios, including Rugcutters Dance Studio, Wilmington Dance Academy, Marblehead School of Ballet, and Brookline Adult & Community Education. Her main focus is partnered dances, such as Salsa, Swing, Argentine Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Rumba and many others. Nancy has performed at many local events over the years, including CIABDA's Cape celebration of National Ballroom Dance Week and the annual Boston Tango Festival. She is also a guest instructor at various venues and events throughout New England.
	Megan O'Neil Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Irish Step, Hip Hop Megan O'Neil began dancing at the age of 3. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, and acro. Megan began studying at Dance Technics in 2007, and was promoted to an assistant in the fall of 2008. After graduation, Megan became a part of the Dance Technics staff, as well as continuing her education as a dance major at Northern Essex College. Megan has been a teacher with the studio for 3 years, and her goal is to share her passion of the art with all her students.		Jessica Sayers Jazz, Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, Creative Dance Jessica has been involved in dance since the age of five. Her dance style ranges from ballet to hip hop. Jess has experienced dance in locations such as New York, Australia, and Arizona. She is a graduate of The Dance Teacher's Club of Boston and an honors graduate from Plymouth State University. She is a certified elementary teacher who loves motivating students. She has experience in special education and works to differentiate instruction when needed. Jessica loves to attend dance trainings whenever possible and wants all her students to succeed.
	Kendra Donahue Kendra has been dancing since the age of 3. She studied and competed in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe and acro. She has been a dance teacher for 7 years, and loves to work with both younger and older students. Kendra holds a Bachelors degree in Elementary from Fitburg State University. Kendra teaching style is very technique-oriented, and her passion for dance shows in her work.

Directions to the Merrimac, MA Studio

The studio is located at 20 Merrimac Square in the heart of Merrimac, Massachusetts. Our facility has 2 studio rooms and and we are accessible to the area's major roadways. We are just off Interstate 495 (exit 53) on Route 110 (about 6 miles from I-95); and we are only 3 miles from Route 108 via Bear Hill Road or Merrimac Road in Newton.

From I-93, Take exit 44 to I-495 north. On I-495, take exit 53 (Broad Street/Merrimac). Take a left off the exit ramp. You'll come to a stop sign at a T intersection; take a left onto Route 110. Drive on into the square to park. The studio will be in the building on the left as you enter the square (at the intersection of Main Street/Route 110 and School Street); look for the pizza shop on the ground floor. There is ample parking behind the building (before you get into the square).

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