Our final Summer Intensive Guest Artist announcement is here! Please join us in welcoming back Erika Haydon to SSDE’s Summer Intensive! We are thrilled to have Erika in the studio teaching Tap and Lyrical! July 30, 2026 12:30-1:15 Tap (Ages 13 & up) 1:15-2:00 Lyrical (Ages 13 & up) 2:00-3:00 Tap (Ages 8-12) Visit our website to register now! Drop ins welcome! Erika Haydon has many years of teaching experience and extensive knowledge in all forms of dance at both recreational and competitive levels. She holds a B.A. in Dance from Dean College, where she was a member of the Dean Dance Company for four years. She has also been certified by the prestigious Acrobatics Arts. Her choreography has been recognized and awarded on both regional and national levels. Most recently, she was awarded the Al Gilbert Tap Award. Erika brings high energy, passion and creativity to all of her classes. Students of hers have gone on to achieve great success in many different facets of performing. She hopes through her love and knowledge of dance to motivate and inspire all of her students.

Exciting Announcement! 🤩🩵 Meet the newest member of the SSDE family! We are so excited to welcome Claudia Casper to our teaching staff for the 2026–2027 season! Please join us in giving Claudia a warm SSDE welcome! We can’t wait for our dancers to learn, grow, and be inspired by her this upcoming season! Claudia is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She began her dance journey at the age of three at Dance Workshop of Hanover and continued to pursue her passion for dance throughout her collegiate career. During her time at Alabama, Claudia performed in numerous productions with both the Department of Dance and Dance Alabama!, where she proudly served as Historian during her senior year. Claudia is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and is excited to share her love of dance with her students. She looks forward to an amazing season ahead!

Ending our Senior Spotlight series with one final shining star, Alana! Thank you for sharing your talent and heart with the SSDE family. Your future is bright, and we know this is only the beginning of amazing things ahead! Favorite style: Contemporary Favorite costume: Dew Drop Fairy Favorite dance: Dew Drop Fairy/Waltz of the Flowers Favorite SSDE memory: Performing with Sutton Foster Favorite performance day snack: Goldfish Class/Teacher that impacted me the most: Summer contemporary with Tess Advice to younger dancers: Always dance for yourself, put the effort in because you love what you do 🤍

The countdown to graduation is on, and today we’re celebrating one very special senior! Addie, your hard work and passion have led to this moment! Enjoy every minute. Favorite style of dance: Jazz 
Favorite costume you’ve ever worn: My solo costume from junior year (circus). 
Favorite dance you’ve ever performed: When We’re Older 
Favorite SSDE memory: Either my last nutcracker or competing my trio with Gabby and Ava all season. A class or teacher that impacted you most: Wednesday night contemporary with Miss D
 Advice for younger dancers: Remember it’s supposed to be fun!! It goes by way faster than you know so don’t take anything for granted.

SSDE is beyond excited to welcome back the incredible Catherine Piazza to our Summer Intensive! Catherine will be joining us on July 28th & 29th to teach Ballet and PBT, and we can’t wait for our dancers to learn from her again! July 28th 12:30-2:00 Ballet/Pointe (Ages 13 and up) 2:00-3:00 PBT (Ages 8-12) July 29th 12:30-2:00 Ballet (Ages 8-12) 2:00-3:00 PBT (Ages 13 and up) Visit our website to register today! Drop in welcome. Catherine trained at Northern Ballet School in Manchester, England, before embarking on a global performing career as Dance Captain and Lead Dancer on Carnival Cruise Lines under the direction of George Reich, Joan Palethorpe, and Minnie Madden. After an extensive career in performance, Catherine utilised her associate in pedagogy and transitioned into teaching in New York before spending the past decade instructing at multiple studios on the South Shore. She currently serves as the Chair of the Dance Department at South Shore Conservatory, passionate about dance education, and specializing in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) and pointe work. Catherine also teaches literacy through movement and music in the Brockton and Rockland school districts and is a registered Music Together Instructor.

Our next Senior Spotlight : Gabby A dancer who leads with poise, passion, and determination every single day. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things ahead for you, Gabby! Favorite style of dance: Lyrical 
Favorite costume you’ve ever worn: My senior solo costume (strange) 
Favorite dance you’ve ever performed: When we’re older 
Favorite SSDE memory: Being able to perform in my final nutcracker as sugar plum 
Favorite performance day snack: Strawberry açaí lemonade from Starbucks 
A class or teacher that impacted you most: Miss D and Miss Michelle have equally challenged and supported me all throughout my time dancing! Advice for younger dancers: Set goals for yourself so you can dance with confidence and pride!

Meet our next Senior Spotlight: Eve Graceful, hardworking, and full of heart 🤍 Eve has left such a special mark on our studio family, and we are so proud to celebrate her senior year! Favorite style of dance: Contemporary or Ballet 
Favorite costume you’ve ever worn: My tutu I wore for my Esmeralda solo at YAGP. 
Favorite dance you’ve ever performed: My contemporary solo Escape Artist choreographed by Ms. D. 
Favorite SSDE memory: Performing with Sutton Foster at Emerson Colonial Theatre. 
Favorite performance day snack: Nature Valley oats and honey granola bar. 
A class or teacher that impacted you most: Contemporary class with Ms. D. 
Advice for younger dancers: Never compare yourself to others, everyone is on their own path!

Senior Spotlight 🎓 Behind every senior is years of passion, perseverance, and love for dance. Today we are proud to celebrate one of our graduating seniors, Ava Puglia! Favorite style of dance: Contemporary Favorite costume you’ve ever worn: My solo costume from Freshman year (house of the rising son) Favorite dance you’ve ever performed: When Doves Cry Favorite SSDE memory: Performing my senior trio with Addie and Gabby Favorite performance day snack: Redbull A class or teacher that impacted you most: Ms D comp classes Advice for younger dancers: Make the most of it and live in the moment because it goes by fast!!

What a special opportunity for our dancers! SSDE is thrilled to announce another Summer Intensive guest artist, Mariana Lacusta! She’ll be bringing the exciting world of ballroom to our dancers this summer, and it’s an experience you won’t want to miss! Mariana will be at SSDE on Thursday July 30th. 9:30-10:30 (Ages 8-12) 10:30-12:00 (Ages 13 & Up) Visit our website to register now! Drop ins welcome. Mariana Lacusta is the co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Hanover and a passionate ballroom dance instructor who loves teaching students of all ages and experience levels. Her mission is to inspire confidence, connection, and joy through dance while creating a welcoming environment where every student feels encouraged to grow both personally and socially. Through her dedication, warmth, and love for teaching, Mariana helps people discover not only the art of dance, but also the confidence to express themselves freely on and off the dance floor.

Another exciting summer reveal! We’re thrilled to announce Meghan McCaffrey as an SSDE Summer Guest Artist! Her passion, creativity, and love for dance are truly inspiring, and we cannot wait for our dancers to experience her class this summer. Meghan will be at SSDE teaching Contemporary on Friday, July 31st 9:00-10:30 (Ages 8-12 ) 10:30-12:00 (Ages 13 and up) Visit our website to register today! Drop ins welcome! With 20 years of experience in dance education, choreography, and directing, Meghan McCaffrey has dedicated her career to inspiring and mentoring dancers across New England. She is the proud owner of Infinity Studios in Woburn MA  and Founder/Artistic Director of IMPACT Dance Company, a contemporary company rooted in using dance as a tool for social change and awareness, raising thousands for charity while creating meaningful performance opportunities. Meghan has taught in studios, public schools, and conservatories, including Boston Arts Academy, and holds certifications in Ballet and Jazz from the Dance Teachers Club of Boston, along with Horton Certification through the Ailey Extension. Her choreography has won numerous regional and national awards. She loves spending her summers traveling and teaching at studios across New England, continuing to connect, inspire, and grow within the dance community.