Our teachers are highly dedicated in helping each child reach their potential for both those just starting their dance training to those with exceptional technique and ability. Our innovative staff provides training to young dancers, athletes and those preparing for college and professional levels.

Faculty

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Christine Howshan Belanger

Owner/Director

  • Owner/Director of The DCU since 1992

  • Trained by Mary Jane Strondak, from age 3

  • Began Dancing Competitively at age 7 

  • Debut at age 10 - New England Life Hall, Boston

  • Graduate of Dance Teachers Club of Boston

  • Began teaching at age 18

  • Performed in Disney World - October 1994

  • 30 + years of teaching & choreographing, received countless top awards and scholarships for choreography & technique

  • Judged numerous competitions throughout New England

  • Inspired by those she teaches

  • AS in Paralegal at Northern Essex

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Lauren Arpino

  • Teaching at DCU since 2021

  • Began dancing at the DCU at age 4 

  • Competing at age 8 winning many awards with her team. 

  • Graduated from Stonehill College with a major in Psychology and a double minor in Speech Language Pathology and Dance. 

  • Choreographed and danced with the Stonehill Dance Company.

  • Currently working as a Speech Pathology Assistant at two elementary schools in Leominster. 

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Kendall Belanger

  • Teaching at DCU since 2020

  • Began dancing at DCU at the age of 2. 

  • Began competing at the age of 7.

  • Currently a senior at Endicott College, where she is a member of the Endicott College Dance Team

  • 2x captain of the Endicott College Dance Team

  • 2x UDA national champion with the Endicott College Dance Team (Open Pom and open Gameday)

  • Studying exercise science at Endicott college in which she will obtain her bachelors degree in the spring of 2024.

  • Choreographer for DCU. 

  • Choreographed for all star cheer teams.

  • 4x varsity cheerleader at Haverhill High School. Captain Sr. Year

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Rachel Buffer

  • Began teaching at the DCU in 2016

  • Grew up in North Brunswick, NJ and began her dance training at the School of the Arts Dance Education Center. 

  • Degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing

  • Performs with Boston-based Tribe the Dance Company since 2008

  • Rehearsal director for the female Hip-Hop company under Tribe’s umbrella, Linx. 

  • Choreographed full-length pieces for Tribe as well as various youth troupes throughout New England and in the tri-state area. 

  • Passionate teacher and has instructed master classes all over Massachusetts

  • Worked with fellow New England musicians and artists serving as a choreographer and backup dancer for shows and music videos.

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MaryCate Cassidy

  • Teaching at the DCU since 2018 

  • Began dancing at the DCU at age 3

  • Began competing with DCU at the age of 8

  • Graduated from Sacred Heart University, member of their Professional Track Dance Company. 

  • Choreographed for Sacred Heart’s dance company and currently choreographing at the DCU 

  • Current J.D. Candidate at New England Law Boston

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Shelagh Gallagher

  • Teaching at DCU since 2009

  • Began dancing at The DCU at the age of 3. By the age of 7, she began her competitive training with Chris and the rest is history!

  • During her time at the DCU she was also given the opportunity to perform in Disney World in both 2003 & 2007.  

  • Holds a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching and is licensed as an Early Childhood educator in Massachusetts. 

  • Currently working as a Kindergarten teacher for a nearby city, while choreographing and training dancers at the DCU on nights and weekends! 

  • Awarded multiple top score awards for choreography at both regional and national competitions.

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Leanne Hicks

  • Began teaching at the DCU in 2016

  • Grew up dancing at The Dancing Center Unlimited. 

  • Graduated with a BA in Dance and Performance Art from Roger Williams University in 2012. 

  • Worked with artists A'Keitha Carey, Elizabeth Spatz, Lida Winfield, Hilary Easton, Jenny Rocha, and Kelley Donovan. 

  • Honored with the KWD award as well as a dance scholarship her sophomore year. 

  • Performed at the Kennedy Center, Built on Stilts at Martha's Vineyard, the Dragons Egg CT and many others. 

  • Received a grant to co-create and perform a physical-comedy show, performing in various locations across New England. The same piece was accepted and performed in the NYC Fringe Festival summer of 2014. 

  • Moved to New York City and began dancing with choreographers Jenny Rocha, Emily Carver, and Shawn T Bible. 

  • Earned a certification in Musculosystematic Engineering, a rehabilitation and injury prevention method that she actively uses during all her teachings.

  • Certified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) and loves sharing this new technique with the DCU students.

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Justine Long

  • Teaching at DCU since 2022

  • Grew up dancing and competing at the DCU! Learned from the best, trained by most of the current faculty here at the studio. 

  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stonehill College in 2022 with a BA in Communications/Media Studies with a minor in Journalism. 

  • Performed with Stoneworks Dance Company, Stonehill Dance Club, and Stonehill Musical Theatre Club, where she was a choreographer and member of production staff. 

  • Helps out with social media for the studio and is currently looking for writing jobs in Boston. 

  • Currently continuing her dance career with Danceworks Boston.

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Jacquelyn MacKinnon

  • Teaching at DCU since 2003

  • Studied a variety of dance styles and techniques as well as performed and competed throughout New England. 

  • BA in Dance & Performance from Roger Williams University 

  • Traveled to Italy for an intensive dance program with choreographers and dancers from around the world.

  • Certified to become one of the first T A G (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance) teachers in the country and was part of the filmed documentary.

  • Teaching style places a high priority on skill development and technique as well as developing her students’ appreciation for the art of dance.

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Maggie Sabella

  • Teaching at DCU since 2018

  • Grew up dancing at The DCU.

  • Attended Roger Williams University, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Performance Studies with a concentration in Anthropology and Sociology

  • Trained under Gary Shore, Cathy Nicoli, France Hunter, Kathy Gordon-Smith, Christina Robson and Sayer Mansfield.

  • Traveled and studied during a semester abroad in London working with many artists including Jorge Cresis, Katie Lusby, Malgorzata Dzierzon, and Stephen Pelton. 

  • Performs and creates work during the Built On Stilts Dance Festival under the direction of Abby Bender on Martha’s Vineyard.

Life Lessons

Learn what skills enable The DCU students to excel in every aspect of their lives.

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Experienced Faculty

With over 150 years of combined experience, we've set a new bar of quality and we keep it there.

World-class Facility

A second to none 3K sq ft state-of-the-art space, located on Rte. 110 on the Chelmsford/Westford line.

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