Lori Novella
Director, teacher, and choreographer, Lori celebrates 40 years in the art of dance, 26 years teaching, and the 20th anniversary of Lori's Center Stage Dance Studio. Lori has trained with top choreographers and master teachers throughout the United States. She is certified teacher through Dance Educators of America and she has completed teaching seminars with Florida Dance Festival, the Professional Dance Teachers Association, and Tremaine Dance Conventions.
Some of Lori's theatre credits include, "Bye, Bye Birdie", "42nd Street", "Mame" (starring Shani Wallis and Samantha Egard) and "A Chorus Line". Aside from her theatre engagements, Lori was the 2002 Fairfield County coordinator for The Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, where she also performed the Arabian dance.
Lori has been asked to judge and share her dance expertise with major competition circuits all over the US. She has also been sought out by Star Search and other organizations to send her dancers for upcoming auditions for shows and various performance opportunities. She is also founder of the Lori's Center Stage Dance Company, which competes throughout the New England States, as well as nationally. The company also performs locally for various events. Her company members are Regional and National Title Holders for several dance organizations, as well as, being a two time Walt Disney World Dance champion. Lori, herself, is the recipient of 36 choreography awards and 16 outstanding teacher awards.
Melissa Newsome has been a dance instructor for the past sixteen years. Her career began at Lori’s Center Stage Dance Studio and has branched into choreographing for community theater, becoming a certified Zumba instructor and the coach of WestConn's dance team. Newsome has been privileged to train with Kathryn Sullivan from the Joffrey Ballet, Mia Michaels of "So You Think You Can Dance" and Wade Robson. She received formal ballet training at the CT Conservatory and the Cheshire School of Ballet. Her childhood was spent dancing with several different companies that toured the United States; including spending a summer performing at the Galveston Outdoor Theater in Texas. The art of dance has brought many blessings to Melissa’s life, including her wonderful husband, Michael. Together they reside in Danbury, Connecticut, with their son, Jacob.
Caitlin Beaudry
Caitlin Beaudry has been dancing since the age of 4 and an instructor at Lori's Center Stage for 10 years. Her training began with Ona May Hancock and Lori Novella at Ona Mays School of Dance. While a student, She assisted Lori for 5 years in all styles of dance. For several years Caitlin performed in The Danbury Music Centre's The Nutcracker where she performed many roles her favorite being the toy soldier and the Arabian soloist. It was here that Caitlin met James Robey and studied modern under him at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Eastern Connecticut Ballet and at an intensive at the Ohio Dance Theater. Caitlin enjoys sharing her love for modern/contemporary dance with her students because it was this style that truly brought out her own passion for performance as a young dancer. In addition to dance experience, including many competitive awards, Caitlin was active in the local theatre community for many years performing as a lead dancer in Suessical: The Musical, Cabaret, Pippin and Once on This Island in which she played Asaka. Her experience on stage has only further fueled her dedication to teaching the art of performing to those willing to commit themselves to it!