Our Faculty

Lisa Kaplan Barbash

Artistic Director Since 1980

Lisa Kaplan Barbash is the Artistic Director of TDS Dance Company and has had the honor of teaching, choreographing, directing and owning her studio for the past forty-four years. Lisa is a Certified life-time member of Dance Educators of America, and is certified with high honors to teach all genres on all levels. TDS is a certified Acrobatic Arts studio, and the recipient of the ADCC Studio Excellence Award and the home of 2025 National Grand Champions and recipients of the 2025 Stand Out Studio.

Beginning her 45th Season as owner and Artistic Director, Lisa has been a leader in the dance industry for many years and is the recipient of numerous Outstanding Choreography Excellence Awards and Excellence in Technique awards. TDS Dance Company has been named one of the TOP 50 Dance Studios in the Country for three consecutive years. Many of her dance students have been accepted to various prestigious colleges and have gone on to be successful in many aspects of dance, teaching, owning studios and performing in the entertainment industry.

Whether dancing for the fun of it or with a career of dance in mind, the love and joy of dance is always at the fore front and creating an environment for young artists to grow and succeed is one of Lisa’s greatest and most important accomplishments.

Meet the team

Kellie Brito

Kellie graduated Summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dean College School of Dance. While at Dean, she performed as a featured dancer under the direction of tap great Maurice Hines as well as performing in the school’s modern and tap company. Kellie is both a Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor excelling in proper Acrobatic teachings as well as a Certified PBT Progressive Ballet Technique Instructor. She has been living her dream of teaching and choreographing for both recreational and competitive level dancers for the past 17 years. Kellie is the Assistant Director of our Mini Company and is excited to begin her seventh season with TDS Dance Company.

ALISON WRIGHT

BIO COMING SOON!

Lana Vogler

Originally from the Bay Area, California, Lana has studied dance for over 15 years in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, and Acro, competing nationally at various conventions and competitions. She is currently in her Senior year at Northeastern University studying Behavioral Neuroscience and Philosophy, with a minor in Writing,. Lana has just finished her second season as a New England Patriots Cheerleader. She is excited to bring her passion to TDS and cannot wait to share her love of dance as teacher and choreographer of TDS Dance Company's all new Pom Teams!

Juliet Brown

Juliet is from Norwell, MA and began her training at the Boston Ballet School and the South Shore Ballet Theatre. Upon graduating, Juliet danced professionally with the Columbia Classical Ballet in South Carolina where she danced for two wonderful seasons. In 2019 she danced in City Ballet Boston’s Urban Nutcracker and in 2020 she danced with the Paris Opera Ballet as an understudy for Concerto Barocco and La Bayadere. Her repertoire includes the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen from The Nutcracker, Shades Pas De Trois from La Bayadere, Cinderella in Cinderella, and Four Little Swans from Swan Lake. Juliet is very excited to continue to share her knowledge and passion for Ballet. Welcome Back for your third season, Juliet!

LEANE BARBOSA

Leane holds both her bachelor’s and her master’s degree in early childhood education from Bridgewater State University. She is currently an elementary school teacher in the town of Avon for the past 17 years teaching first and second grade and enrichment classes for students in grades K-5. Leane’s love for dance began at an early age when she joined the TDS Family in 1990 where she studied Jazz, Lyric, Ballet and Tap for the next decade. Her daughters have brought her back to TDS for the past 12 years as an involved dance mom; helping at the studio, competitions, recitals, and participating in the adult classes offered at the studio. Leane is excited to share her knowledge of dance and her expertise in working with young children in the studio she loved as a child and where her own children learn and thrive. We extend a warm welcome back to Leane as she begins her second season at TDS and where you will find her working with our younger students helping to nurture them and share her love of dance!

EMILY YEO

Miss Emily is a graduate of Dean College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Emily won the pageant title of Miss Freetown 2019 and most recently was welcomed back for her sixth season as a New Patriots Cheerleader. Emily has been studying all genres of Dance since childhood and is excited to begin her sixth season with TDS Dance Company. Emily is passionate about working with young children and teens and spreading her love of dance!

TRAVIS ATWOOD

Travis Atwood is a dancer, teacher and choreographer who grew up dancing from a young age. Travis has been honored with many prestigious awards such as NYCDA and The Dance Awards Best Male National Dancer. Travis signed with Clear Talent Group at the age of eleven, dancing professionally on television and overseas. Most recently Travis attended college in NYC at Pace University studying Commercial Dance. Currently Travis teaches Dance and Acro in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts area. Travis is excited to join our faculty this Summer and Fall with classes and choreography followed by our brand-new 2026-27 Season! Welcome Travis!

Ricky Carbonara

Ricky received his formal training and was a competitive dancer at TDS Dance Company for many years. As a competitive dancer, and has earned many regional and National Titles and Top Overall score awards throughout his years at TDS. His passion, motivation and talent surrounds him and everyone he comes in contact with. He is a multi-talented dancer and loves to teach dancers who are share his passion for learning and performing. Ricky graduated from Dean College Receiving his bachelor of arts degree in dance. Ricky has a professional career as a dancer and will begin his third season with Norwegian cruise lines as well as his fifth season with TDS Dance Company as choreographer and teacher.

Alexis Pungitore

We welcome Alexis back for her fifth season of teaching at TDS Dance Company. Alexis has been training in dance since a young age and was a competitive dancer at TDS. She has won many regional awards for both solo and group performances and has been recognized for her movement quality, musicality, strength, and stage presence, as well as receiving many high score and stand-out awards. She is trained in Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Tap, and Lyrical. Alexis has graduated from Dean College with her Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Alexis is currently in graduate school, working towards becoming a dance therapist for children with disabilities in her future. She is a loving, caring, and knowledgeable teacher who finds a true passion in teaching children how to express themselves through dance as their creative outlet. Alexis is so excited to share her lifelong passion of dance with the students at TDS.

Start Dancing With Us Today!

We offer a variety of classes for dancers ages 3 to 19 and have something to offer dancers of all skill levels. Young dancers will be able to build a robust foundation for their core skills while being challenged to hone their technique.