Faculty
Faculty
MEET OUR TEACHERS!
Director, Brandi Rae Lochiatto
graduated in 1992 with a BFA in Dance from UMASS Amherst, where she also began teaching dance for the Performing Arts Division at UMASS during her junior year in 1990. She has taught and choreographed throughout Massachusetts
for multiple dance studios; public, private and performing arts schools; non-profit organizations; camps and daycare centers; dance companies; community theaters and also for fundraising events. She has choreographed many musicals for children; was a guest choreographer at Brandeis University; and her choreography reached the stage at Disney World in 2002 via the FSPA Dance Company. Brandi has performed throughout New England with a variety of dance groups and several dance companies, including “Moving West Repertory Dance Theatre” which she was a member of for over 20 years. Turtle Lane Playhouse, Reagle Players, Milford Theater Guild, Boston Cyclorama, and Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport are just a few of the many venues she's performed at. With great pride, she's happy to say that some of her students continue on to pursue dance; return to dance as adults; bring their children to dance; volunteer at recitals and events; become videographers and photographers of dance: and some have returned to join our staff as teachers. June 2023 was her dance school's 20th year Anniversary! DANCE IS SIMPLY AMAZING!
Allison Helberg
was a former student for 13 years at The School of Dance Arts. She studied ballet, tap, jazz and pointe, taught pre-school ballet, and choreographed and performed hip-hop routines. She graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Mathematics from UMass Amherst where she continued her studies in ballet and jazz. Allison has taught dance at the Performing Arts Center in Framingham, Center Stage Dance Studio in Hudson and through the Winter Scene program at Hemingway Elementary School. Allison also previously performed and choreographed for “Shadows Dance Art Experience” and “Stylized Movement” dance companies.
She has been teaching at Brandi Rae's School of Dance
since 2005.
Sue Karloff graduated Cum Laude from UMASS Amherst in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Psychology. She taught dance at UMASS and developed and choreographed the dance group “Jazz Hot”. She has taught at many local dance studios: Metrowest Ballet, Dancer's Workshop, Dance It Up and Whimzaria. With over 30 years of experience, she has taught the art of dance to students 2 ½-18 yrs old. She receives special joy helping the youngest students build their dance skills through Creative Movement, Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. Sue's #1 objective is to provide a nurturing environment for her students.
Eileen Michaud is a former student of 10 years at Brandi Rae’s School of Dance where she performed jazz, modern, lyrical, and – closest to her heart – tap! She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairfield University in May 2020 with a B.A. in Art History, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy at Northeastern University. During college, Eileen combined her love for dance and women’s fitness and received her barre instructor certification from Barre Above, a nationally renowned barre teaching platform. She taught weekly barre classes at her university’s gym for women of all ages and abilities, and is looking forward to sharing her passion for all-things-barre at Brandi Rae’s!
Olivia Powell
was a former student at Brandi Rae School of Dance. She has been dancing since the age of 10 years old. She is currently studying Modern and Contemporary at Keene State College in New Hampshire and will be graduating with her BFA in Dance in 2024. Olivia has taken part in a bunch of student and faculty dance pieces throughout her time at Keene State as well as choreographing pieces of her own. She has also trained at places such as Dean College and Urbanity Dance Studio in Boston.
She taught modern and contemporary at Brandi Rae's during 2023 Summer Session.
