FACULTY BIOS
ASHLEY RICH
Ashley Rich, Dance educator, Choreographer, and Mentor has been in the dance industry for fifteen years and has taught and Choreographed nationally. Her professional training includes Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Horton, and Hip-Hop. Some of her achievements include being a finalist on the 8th Season of So You Think You Can Dance and attending the prestigious Ailey School in NYC, home of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Some highlights of her Teaching, Adjudicating, and Touring engagements have included: Ingredients Dance Training Program and Company (Dallas, TX), Dance Revolution Conventions that tours nationally, Turn It Up Dance Challenge, and Earthshakers National Dance Competition. She helped develop the Contemporary program at Downtown Dance Factory(NYC), and served as the Head of their Contemporary program for many years. Ashley also served as the Director of the dance program at the School of Creative and Performing Arts (Los Angeles) for 6 years, which is an international Contemporary-Jazz dance intensive for teens, to which she attributes much of her growth as a teacher. Since 2014, Ashley has developed programs and dance companies focused on helping dancers find their Purpose in dance. Rich dance project, formally Ashley’s NYC-based dance company, has performed all throughout NYC in the New York Jazz Choreography Project, Brooklyn Dance Festival Youth Ensemble show, Brooklyn Summer Stage, Tracie Stanfield’s Synthesis Too Apprentice show, and Brooklyn Museum’s Target 1st Saturday’s Series, among others. RDP’s successes catalyzed a professional branch, called Rich Dance Company. RDC consists of a group of multi-cultural professional dancers who use their dancing to bring impactful change to communities.
In addition to Rich Dance Co., Ashley launched A. Rich Dance in 2020. A. Rich Dance is the umbrella for her many programs, classes, and performing companies. Ashley most recently added choreography and teaching at Universities to her list of achievements. Some of these Universities include Roger William’s University, Salve Regina University, and Sacred Heart University. With these experiences igniting even more excitement for her future as a Dance Educator and Mentor, Ashley is set to launch more programs that serve the next generation of dancers. Ashley’s goals are to help the Dance community find Purpose in Dance, develop authentic artistry, thrive in technical excellence, and provide a dance community where ALL Dancers are welcomed. With these goals in mind, Ashley is dedicated to creating programs and opportunities for dancers to grow and find their purpose in dance!
LINDSEY KLEIN
Lindsey Klein was born and raised outside of Boston, MA. She attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she received her B.F.A in Jazz Performance. After graduation, Lindsey spent the majority of her career in the commercial world, dancing for Walt Disney World, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Norwegian Cruise Lines- where she served as dance captain. After ending her performing career, Lindsey taught at Dean College (Franklin, MA) for seven years, where she was an Assistant Professor of Jazz dance. Currently, Lindsey is an audition choreographer for Norwegian Cruise Lines, and most recently has joined The Boston Conservatory at Berklee where she is an Associate Professor of Dance. There, she specializes in Jazz Technique for their Commercial Dance Program. Lindsey resides in Massachusetts where she is on faculty at the Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center, and lives with her husband and three beautiful children.
ROSHNI PECORA
Roshni Pecora, born and raised in Chelmsford, MA, began dancing at a very young age. She received her training under very notable instructors such as Assaf Messer, Jill Silverman and Roseann Ridings. As a dance student she was recognized often for her potential and was awarded numerous awards and scholarships. She has performed leading roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker”, Aurora in “The Sleeping Beauty”, Cinderella in “Cinderella” and Lucille Grahn in “The Grand Pas de Quatre”. She is a graduate of Dean College in Franklin MA, where she won several dance scholarships and awards. She graduated with High Honors as a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Currently, Roshni is an adjunct ballet professor at Dean college as well as on staff at studios in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. Roshni is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique a program she teaches throughout New England. Previously Roshni was the director at New England Civic Ballet Company and School (Lawrence, MA and the owner and director of Northeast Dance Center (Lawrence, MA) from 2014-4018. Roshni’s energetic and creative classroom presence and her eye for detail and precision in ballet technique allow her to provide individualized instruction that helps her students master ballet techniques. Many of her students have gone on to work as professional ballet dancers.
ALICIA MONACO
Alicia began dancing at the age of 2 at The Dancer’s Studio in North Haven, CT. Her early training comes from Sharon DiCrosta, and she has continued her studies in NYC with teachers such as Andrew J. Nemr and Derick Grant. Cited for her talents at the age of 9 by Gregory Hines, his words of praise and encouragement continue to motivate Alicia even today. A former Petite Miss Dance of America, she has been recognized for her performances, as well as her choreography on the national and international levels. As a member of the World Tap Dance Champion Team in 96 and 97, she placed 3rd highest among female soloists and captured the bronze medal in the duo division. Alicia has taken her students to Riesa, Germany as part of the USA Tap Team and they were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2014, 2017 and 2019 World Tap Dance Championship events.
Alicia has worked with artists such as Ayodele Casel, Sarah Savelli, Danny Wallace and Derick Grant and was a member Cats Paying Dues, a NYC based tap company under the direction of Andrew J. Nemr. As the artistic director of Tap Into the Soul, Alicia's choreography has been featured in NYC's Dumbo Dance Festival, Symphony Space on Broadway in NYC, NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and she directed and choreographed the production of 'TAPOGRAPHY.....A Tap Dancer's Journey, One Step At A Time.' She was a featured tap dancer and choreographer at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) along side artists Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino of 'A Great Big World.' In addition to performing, Alicia has been on the faculty for American Dance Awards, Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, Syn.co.pate, Tap It Up, Generation IV Dance and continues to travel throughout the country as a teacher, choreographer and adjudicator.
SARI THALER
Sari Thaler has been involved with gymnastics and dance for over 15 years. She recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ball State University with a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Analysis. At Ball State she was also part of the Division 1 gymnastics program. During her dance career Sari won numerous national and regional overall championships and titles. Some of these include National Miss Dance America, National Elite Miss Dance, National Teen Miss Dance and National Teen Elite Dance. Her Acro solos have also received Highest Scoring Solo, Duo or Trio at two national championships. Sari is excited to bring her passion for education and dance to Carolyn Dutra Dance Studios.
ASHLEY PICARD
Ashley Picard began her dance career at Cheryl’s School of Dance when she was four years old and danced competitively at her studio for twelve years. She is trained in various genres, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyric, contemporary, hip-hop, musical theatre, modern, and acrobatics. Throughout her time at CSD, Ashley has had the opportunity to train with renowned choreographers and performers such as Emily Brown, Billy Griffin, Michael Susten, Andrew Burleson, Travis Wall, and many more. During her competitive years, Ashley was awarded numerous high-score awards, special awards, and prestigious scholarships from Power Pak and the World Dance Pageant. Additionally, she received the Elizabeth Reilly Donabedian Dance Award when she competed in the Miss Rhode Island Teen Scholarship Competition. Ashley has also received title awards as a soloist and was crowned Miss Imagine and Miss Believe at the regional level through the Star Dance Alliance. She even had the opportunity to compete at the World Dance Championship against nine countries and placed Top 10 in the world.
During her college years, Ashley was a member of the University of Rhode Island’s dance team, the Ramettes. As a Ramette, Ashley performed pom, jazz, and hip-hop style routines at the men’s and women’s basketball games as well as football games. She also received annual training by attending UDA summer camp, a one-week intensive that strengthens dancers’ technique, team-building skills, performance and entertainment quality, and ability to master dynamic routines quickly. Her time as a Ramette has developed her dedication towards providing necessary life skills to her students through dance that can be implemented in every aspect of life.
Ashley graduated summa cum laude from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and plans to pursue a career as a physician associate in the near future!
DEE TOMASETTA
Dee Tomasetta is a Massachusetts native where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of Michigan. She was honored in 2018 receiving the Emerging Artist Alumni Award from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Dee was awarded Dancer of the Decade in 2021 for her principal role in the original production of Those Dancing Feet at Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma, CA.
Dee played the role of Peter Pan in the Broadway First National Tour of Finding Neverland and was also the Associate Choreographer of the Broadway National Tour. She most recently was a part of the Broadway Labs and Pre Productions of Mrs. Doubtfire Broadway, Bliss the Musical, Kalevala the Musical, and The Storm the musical. Dee currently serves as one of the US Associate Choreographers for the 8 time Tony nominated Broadway production of SIX the Musical.
Dee was featured on So You Think You Can Dance as a Top 15 female finalist in Season 10 where she met choreographer Mia Michaels. Dee worked as an assistant choreographer on numerous projects with Ms. Michaels including So You Think You Can Dance, the Joffrey Ballet, Mia Michaels LIVE, and performed Mia Michael’s original works at the Geffen Playhouse Los Angeles honoring Lin Manuel Miranda, Dick Van Dyke, and Diane Keaton.
Dee has been seen dancing and singing in The SpongeBob Movie, Disney’s Freaky Friday Movie Musical, the NBC Upfronts, REEBOK, New York Fashion Week, AUDI Global Launch Events in Shanghai, with Grammy Nominee Aloe Blacc, Musical Artist DUMBLONDE, and Gillette Venus commercials. In addition to dancing, Dee has modeled for MAC Cosmetics, Enbrel Print, Beachbody and Openfit Pilates subscriptions, Capezio Dance wear and Hasbro Products USA.
Her favorite credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the MET Gala 2021, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 3-5, The Gilded Age Season 1 & 2, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Radio City New York Spectacular, Saturday Night Live, New Years Eve Ball Drop with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, Americas Got Talent, Transcendence Theatre, Mystic India: The World Tour, Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre, and iKADA Dance Company.
In addition to performing, Dee is currently on the Dance Faculty at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) located in New York City. She continues to share her knowledge, love, and passion for the arts teaching at various dance institutions and conventions throughout the country.
