Loralee Levesque - Owner/Instructor
She has been teaching dance & theatre for the last 22 years. She has worked as a choreographer/dance
instructor for Apponequet H.S., New Bedford H.S., Somerset School District, Freetown Elementary School, New Bedford Youth
Rep., Little Theatre of Fall River, Janalee Productions, Studio Theatre Co., Showbiz Kidz, Miss Janice’s Dance Studio,
Bodies in Motion, Ami’s School of Dance, Embrace the Arts and Raquelle’s Institute of Dance and Fitness. Here
she has been the director of Musical Theatre Classes. A student of Dean College, Boston Ballet, Sherry Gold Dance Studio,
On Stage Academy of Performing Arts, Steppin’ Out Dance Studio, Jeannette Neill, Festival Ballet, and Miss Janice’s
Dance Studio. Her repertoire includes the art of Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern and Musical Theater.
She has worked on and off stage of local community theatre being an actress, dancer, director and stage manager. Some of her
favorite on stage roles include Val in a Chorus Line, Maisie in The Boyfriend, Josie Cohan in George M, 1 of 2 ladies in Cabaret,
Bet in Oliver and Velma in West Side Story. She has danced for The Miss Fall River and Miss New Bedford Pageants and has danced
regularly for Fall River Celebrates America. She was Miss Olympic Miss and her choreography has won her numerous awards both
regional and national dance competitions. Loralee was the director & choreographer for Disney’s High School Musical
at Apponequet High School and Co-Director/Choreographer for Disney’s High School Musical for The Studio Theatre Company
and Choreograpgher for Disney’s Beauty And The Beast for The Little Theatre Of Fall River. She was the Co-Director/Choreographer
for Bugsy Malone Jr. for Marquee Productions Inc. As well as Peter Pan The Musical. Director/Choreographer
for CATS which she was nominated for Director of The Year & Musical Of the Year for Motif Awards. Also directing
and choreographed Annie Jr. in Aug 2011, And choreographer for Miss Saigon for Marquee. Her choreography has
won High Platinum awards, as well as being the highest judges scores within the competition.
Jennifer Jones - a native of Fall River, Ma, has been dancing since the age of 4. Jennifer
received her B.A. in Dance Performance from Rhode Island College in 2004. Prior to her graduation, Jenn was under the
instruction of Kim Bernier at Smith School of Dance in Westport, MA for 19 years as well as a student teacher, and later an
assistant teacher. While a student there, She received numerous awards for both regional and national dance competitions.
As an undergraduate at RIC, Jennifer studied under the direction of numerous professors, such as, Dante Del Giudice, Melody
Ruffin-Ward, Angelica Vessella, Kathy St. Jean, and many more. She was also fortunate enough to be chosen to participate in
professional choreographic residencies with renowned choreographers such as, Sean Lurran, Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer, Alexander
Beller, Liam Clancy, Daniel McCusker, Angelica Vessella, and Deb Meurnier. Since graduating from RIC, Jennifer has auditioned
for the Walt Disney Cruise Lines, Walt Disney World Theme Park, FL; Busch Gardens Theme Park, FL, where she was cast as an understudy; The Rainbow Tribe, Boston, MA; and began teaching and
choreographing: 3 years at the former Miss Janice’s Dance Studio, 1 year
at A Dance Place, and presently at Loralee’s Dance Studio.
She made her theatrical debut in Oct 2005 in the Little Theatre of Fall River’s production of “42nd
Street”. Her repertoire includes the art of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, toe tap, hip hop, ballroom,
and musical theater.
Kara E. Plant - is a graduate of Wagner College (Staten Island, NY) with a B.S. in Arts Administration
with a concentration in combined arts (music, theatre and art). While at Wagner, Kara was a member of the College Choir
and Stretto (a close harmony jazz ensemble) and also served as the choir’s Tour Manager. As a member of these choirs,
she performed at the renowned Carnegie Hall, along with many other locations along the east coast of the United States.
As a student of Ms. Dora Ohrenstein, Kara was a finalist at the National Association of Teachers of Singing vocal competition
at Columbia University. Prior to college, Kara graduated from NBHS (New Bedford, MA), and was a part of various choirs
and show choirs, performing and winning numerous competitions throughout Massachusetts; including the International Association
for Jazz Educators Competition. She was also chosen to participate in the American Choral Directors Association All Eastern
Choir in Pennsylvania. She also excelled in the school's drama club. She portrayed Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly which won
the Moss Hart Award (Outstanding Theatrical Production) at the New England Theatre Conference. In 2008 Kara returned to New
Bedford High School and served as the Vocal Director for the Drama Club’s production of High School Musical. Kara's
vocal training began as a 9 year old, where she first became a student of Debra Perry and would continue her lessons for 12
years. Kara is currently a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus.
Kate Monast - Kate Monast has been dancing for 18 years. In her dance
career she has earned many first place awards at dance competitions for solos in hip hop, tap and contemporary. One of those
included "Top Score of The Night" by So You Think You Can Dance judge Sonya Tayeh? She also received a scholarship
for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at Monsters of Hip Hop, also a scholarship at The Pluse dance convention. Kate has
taught at several dance schools and is glad to call Loralee's Dance Studio her new home!
Elizabeth Tobiaz - has studied for 22 years.
She started young at Eva Morais Dance Studio with ballet and tap and by age 13 had added jazz, modern, hip hop, contemporary,
pointe, and Irish step to her studies. Her main focus is now tap, contemporary jazz, and Irish Step. Beth has
also been in competitions throughout New England, such as, American Dance Awards, International Dance Challenge, and Rhea
Gold’s Dance Competition. She was involved in the BMC Durfee High School Theater Company from 1998 to 2001and
in the marching band from 1998 to 2002. Beth is currently a student at Bristol Community College studying English and
photography and in involved in the performing arts at the college and has recently joined the
Nicole Chagnon-A Senior at Somerset High School. Nicole
has been dancing since the age of 3. She studies ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theatre, modern, toe-tap, Irish Step.
Nicole is a member of The Dance Company. In November 2010 Nicole won Senior Contemporary Most Outstanding Dancer for the Turn
It Up Dance Challenge and Sr 1st place outstanding Jazz Dancer. Nicole was asked to Join the Turn It Up National Dance Team
for the 2011 Season! Nicole has recently won A one year dance scholarship to Rhode Island College, where she will be studying
dance.
Maeve
Donnelly- has been dancing for the past 18 years. She has studied the art of ballet,
tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip-hop, musical theatre and modern. She first started at Pauline Parker's School of Dance in
Dartmouth, MA. At age 12 she then switched to Miss Janice's Dance Studio, now Loralee's Dance Studio. She also taught lyrical
and musical theatre for 2 years at A & M Dance Academy of New Bedford, MA. Maeve is also very involved with community
theatre, including Little Theatre of Fall River, Studio Theatre Company, and of course Marquee Theatre Productions. Some of
her favorite roles include "Kristine" in A Chorus Line (Studio Theatre Co.), "Frenchy" in Grease (LTFR)
and just recently Bombalurina in CATS (Marquee Theatre). Maeve would like to thank Loralee for the opportunity to work with
some of the most amazing dancers and kids around!
Rachelle Dubois- Loralee welcomes Rachelle to the list of Student Instructors. Rachelle has been
dancing since the age of nine. She studies ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, Irish step, modern and toe-tap and is a dancer
for The Studio Dance Company. She has been involved in The Little Theater performing in the first "Show Biz Kidz"
in 2006 and Disney's "High School Musical" in February of 2008. She is very excited to be a student teacher here
at Loralee's assisting Beth in Irish step.
Christy Raposa- Kristi has been dancing
with Loralee since the age of 4 starting at Bodies in Motion. She studies ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, modern,
african, toe-tap and hip-hop. She has also been involved with community theater since the age of 7 where she performed in
and worked on musicals and plays for The Studio Theatre Company, Janalee, The Friends of St. Anne's Hospital and Little Theatre
of Fall River. She has been in several cabarets and musical reviews as a soloist and dancer. Loralee is very proud to have
one of her original students as a student instructor.
OFFICE/BUSINESS STAFF
Marlene Brabant - Office Manager
Scott Levesque - Business Manager
