We believe that while providing a fun atmosphere for learning, that it is also imperative to train and prepare the serious dancer who aspires to reach their individual goals whether recreational or professional.
This is a place for all who have the simple desire to dance and learn to dance no matter what level they wish to take their dance education. There are no limits to the belief we have in our students as long as they believe in themselves. Our teaching methods are sound and based on progressive learning.
Why choose The Dance Haven?
Instructors have over 20-30 years of dance experience and over 15 -25 years of teaching experience.
Instructors are constantly educating themselves to provide a better education for their students.
Instructors are dedicated to making each and every students experience a positive one.
We believe to be mentors in the community and are committed to enriching the lives of our students through a proper dance and performing arts education. |
Our Dance Faculty |
| About the Director:
Rachele Kakles founded The Dance Haven for one reason: her passion to teach and share her knowledge with anyone who has the desire to dance. She opened “this dance haven” so that students could be properly educated and gain appreciation for the performing arts.
Rachele has been dancing for over 30 years. She studied dance with retired instructor Anne Marie Ciampa Pace for 15 years where she assisted and taught for five years. In her early years she spent summers training at conventions such as Dance Olympus. In addition to her dance experience, Rachele has training in gymnastics, theatre, and voice. In 1991 she won 3rd place in the North East Conference for the Winthrop High School Gymnastics team. In 1995 she received an honorary award for the direction of a One Act Play for Winthrop Middle School.
In 1995 She continued her dance education at Salem State College where she performed for the Presidential Art Scholarships and was an active board of director and choreographer for their Repertory Dance Theatre. She has a certification in physical fitness and training, a Business Associates Degree in Marketing and completed her dance minor at Salem State College. Rachele has participated in various master conventions and is involved in a variety of entertainment groups. She has recieved training from many renowned dance professionals such as Caitlin Corbett, Jennifer Uhl, Daniel Swain, Densil Adams, Debbie Dee, Diane Walker, Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo, Greg Russell, Pat-y-o and the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble to name a few. She has attended the Master Dance Teacher Summer Conference in New York City where she attended classes given by the top master dance teachers in the industry.
She is committed to continuing her education in both dance and fitness and attends master classes and workshops in both dance and fitness regularly . Just like dance, she feels that group fitness is a way to improve your quality and life and has developed the ability to integrate her passion for both. Rachele is a licensed Zumba, Zumba Gold Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Sculpt Instructor and Certified Power Yoga Instructor (200hr PYTT).
Rachele's teaching methods are fueled by her passion, her training and creativity. Rather than adhering to one style of training, she draws the best from many styles. Primary emphasis is always placed on correct alignment, positive attitude, and on a graded approach to material so that students extend their skills in a balanced way and without injury. She has the ability to not only educate her students but help students to appreciate the art of dance and music. They are prepared to go on in their training in many forms of dance.
Rachele encourages her students to take dance and fitness to the level that is fun and rewarding for them individually and believes that by doing so positively improves quality of life. Rachele has taught locally for other dance studios, non profit organizations, public schools, recreation centers, pre-schools, gyms and corporations and has been involved teaching and performing in the theatre, entertainment and fitness industry for over 25 years.
“ Dance, it is a constant in my mind, it’s all I ever wanted to do. Now I get to share it with others.” Rachele R. Kakles |
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| Christine Daly, Dance Instructor
Christine has been dancing for over 25 years and has been teaching for over 15 years. Her love for dance started at the age of 5 with her first ballet class and it was enough to get her hooked! She studied and performed many styles of dance part time in college and really wanted to continue her passion and share it with others; she is excited to be part of the faculty at The Dance Haven!
Her diverse training background includes: tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, modern and salsa. Christine has studied with professional instructors and choreographers and is always continuing her training and furthering her dance education. She really enjoys teaching classes of all ages and her biggest reward is waching her students grow throughout the year and demonstrate that growth each recital. She believes dance is a great way to build confidence, to stay healthy and to be happy.
In 2000 Christine graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness/Physical Education and works as a full time Personal Trainer. Before breaking into the Personal Training field she worked in the corporate fitness industry for 5 years as an Exercise Physiologist and Center Manager. Throughout her childhood and adult life she has been active in playing sports and outdoor activities. She always knew that sitting behind a desk would not be for her; therefore she decided to transform this energetic and passionate belief in excersise and fitness into a career. Christine loves Personal Training because of the one on one interaction and the joy she gains by helping people make healthy positive changes in their lives everyday. She enjoys working with people of all ages! The American Red Cross certifies Christine in Heartsaver AED. Christine is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
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| Jillian Anderson - Dance & Fitness Instructor
Jillian has been dancing for over 20 years and has been teaching for over five years. She has studied a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, musical theater and hip-hop. She was enrolled in The Dance Haven’s pre-professional program from 2006-2009 where she developed a complete love for dance.
She attended the University of Massachusetts, Boston and continued her education at Bridgewater State University majoiring in Dance Education. It was while studying dance education in college that her passion for teaching blossomed.
In 2009, Jillian began working as a teacher at the Francis Wyman After School Program in Burlington, MA. She continued her work there for over seven years and it was there that her love for children and for helping them stay healthy and active became a focus. She continued her goal of seeing people achieve a healthy lifestyle and became a Licensed Zumba and Zumba Gold instructor. She wants her Zumba students to always leave class with a smile on their face knowing that they got an amazing workout and had fun doing it! Jillian is also CPR/AED and First Aid Certified from the American Heart Association.
Jillian always wants her dance students to leave class feeling happy and knowing that they have learned something. She is always taking the time to make sure each and every one of her students feels completely comfortable and is getting the necessary attention that they need in order to achieve their goals. Jillian loves seeing her students build confidence throughout the year as they grow and develop their individual passion for dance.
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| Liz Donnellan - Dance & Group Fitness Instructor
Liz danced for 15 years at the Winthrop School of Performing Arts and Winthrop Dance Academy, training in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe and lyrical. She is a licensed Zumba Instructor, Tabata Instructor and teaches Group Fitness Classes at various clubs including The Dance Haven! Liz has a BA in Art Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State University, and has recently obtained an additional teaching license in Special Education. Liz is currently a special education teacher in Arlington, MA.
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| Vanessa Cesario, Acro Instructor
Vanessa has recently joined The Dance Haven team to help instruct and coach the Acro team. Vanessa has always had a strong passion for sports and fitness. She has been heavily involved in recreational and competitive gymnastics for over 10 years, competing in all four woman’s gymnastic events (floor, bars, balance beam and vault). She was also an avid softball player and is currently an assistant coach in the Medford Youth Girls Softball league during the spring season. Vanessa looks forward to joining The Dance Haven team and sharing her passion while working with the students as they develop their skills.
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| Jenna Lossio: Dance Instructor
Jenna started dancing at the age of 8 years old, but became deeply passionate about it when she became a student at The Dance Haven in 2006. She enrolled in their pre-professional program in 2009, where she immersed herself in many styles of dance such as jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, musical theater, and hip-hop. While dancing regularly at The Dance Haven, Jenna also performed in Medford High School’s drama club, and choreographed for their Spring Musicals. In May of 2018, Jenna graduated from Dean College with her Bachelor’s degree in Dance and her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Currently, Jenna teaches dance to all ages ranging from 4 years old - 18 years old and has a children’s yoga certification. She is continuing to audition and perform and will be dancing for DanceWorks Boston in their upcoming season.
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| Amani Taha - Dance Instructor
Amani danced at The Dance Haven for 9 years. She studied a wide range of styles including ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, hip hop, acro, musical theater, contemporary, modern, and lyrical. She was also a captain of her high school dance team. Amani graduated from Lesley University in 2020 with degrees in Elementary Education and Mathematics and is now an elementary school teacher. She continues to perform as a member of OnStage Dance Company. Growing up, Amani looked up to all her teachers at The Dance Haven and she is very excited to now have a positive influence on the next generation. |
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| Lynn Combs -Dance Instructor
Miss Lynn started studying dance at age 3 under the instruction of Marian T. Miller & Susan Miller-Barton at Dance Arts Studio in Somerville, MA. She was trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern/Contemporary and Lyrical. She spent many years on the competitive circuit winning numerous awards and titles. Lynn was also a member of Horizons Unlimited Dance Company.
She started her teaching career at age 13 with the Junior Teacher Program in MA. Lynn has spent more over 30 years teaching at numerous studios in the Boston area. She continues to advance her training with many Master teaching programs from Dance Teacher Life to ballet with Finis Jhung. Lynn is thrilled to be a new member of the DH family.
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Meagan McGinley: Instructor
Meagan started dancing at The Dance Haven when she was five years old. She danced at The Dance Haven for 12 years studying many genres including ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, hip hop, musical theater, contemporary, modern, and lyrical. While in college, she was on the Umass Lowell dance team for four years performing pom, jazz and hip hop and competed at NDA Nationals in Daytona, Florida. She graduated from Umass Lowell in 2022 with a B.S in Exercise Science clinical option and a Minor in Psychology. She is CPR/AED and First Aid certified and has experience with personal training. Meagan will be applying this fall to grad school to become a physical therapist. She’s excited to be teaching with us this season. |
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Jasmine Schena - Instructor
Jasmine has been dancing at The Dance Haven since she was three years old. While at The Dance Haven she studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and lyrical/contemporary. Over the years she has taken master classes and competed with our competitive teams. Jasmine has received her cosmetology license and is now on her way to getting her early childhood education certification. She is very excited to be apart of faculty. |
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