Our Faculty
Lisa Kaplan Barbash
Artistic Director Since 1980
Lisa 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 two years. Lisa is a certified life-time member of Dance Educators of America and TDS is a certified Acrobatic Arts studio. TDS Dance Company is the recipient of the 2023 ADCC Studio Excellence Award and the home of 2023 National Grand Champions at Showstoppers Nationals in Mashantucket, CT.
Beginning her 44th 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 on 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 last 16 years. Kellie is the Assistant Director of our Show Star and Mini Companies and is excited to begin her sixth season with TDS Dance Company.
ISABella Burnham
Bella is passionate about dance and is a talented dancer, performer and teacher. She has studied and trained with TDS Dance Company for many years where she received many Title Awards, overall awards and special recognition as a soloist and Company Dancer. Bella is currently a Dance Major and a Senior at Dean College and is proficient in all genres of dance and loves to work with all age students. Isabella is an Assistant Competition Director and can't wait to begin the brand-new season to share her love and passion for dance with all of her students.
Alyssa Sterling
Alyssa is excited to begin her second season teaching at TDS Dance Company, where she received her formal dance training studying all genres. Alyssa has received many prestigious awards during her time as a competitive dancer at TDS, and is currently a dance major at Dean College and on the path to a professional dance and teaching career. Alyssa is not only a beautiful dancer but is also very caring and nurturing and is a fantastic teacher and role model. Alyssa cannot wait to meet her new students for the new season!
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 second 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 to Leane as she joins our faculty this season where you will find her working with our
younger students helping to nurture them and share her love of dance!
KATHARINE SUYEMATSU
Katie grew up in Wellesley, MA where she began dancing at the age of three. Her training includes Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop and Acrobatics Katie attended Roger Williams University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2014, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance and Performance Studies and a minor in Biology. During her time at RWU, she collaborated with choreographers from across New England, New York, Europe, and Asia. Upon graduating, Katie began teaching at dance studios in the Greater-Boston area as well as the South Shore area and was also dancing professionally. Katie is the Artistic Director and founder of the Mosaic Dance Company. Katie also teaches dance classes in public schools in the Boston area. One such after-school dance program is the DEA Educational Foundation Youth Dance Program. Katie can blend both worlds seamlessly through her versatility, passion, and creativity. As a dance educator, Katie hopes to instill the same love for dance that her teachers instilled in her at an incredibly early age. We welcome Katie to TDS Dance Company!
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 spent four wonderful years as a New Patriots Cheerleader including Captain of the team during the 2022 Season. Emily has been studying all genres of Dance since childhood and is excited to begin her fifth season with TDS Dance Company. Emily is Assistant Director of our Petite Company and is passionate about working with young children and teens and spreading her love of dance!
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 second season with Norwegian cruise lines as well as his fourth season with TDS Dance Company as choreographer and teacher.
Alexis Pungitore
We welcome Alexis back for her fourth 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.
