About Us
Staff
Paula Terenzi Byrne
Ms. Paula is Past President of Dance Masters of America New England Chapter #5 and "certified by test to teach" through this national organization. A member of Dance Teachers Club of Boston since 1981, she is also a graduate of their Teacher Training Program. She is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization. A former national dance champion and 1st dancer in the United States to complete all 18 levels of the National Medal Test Program. Ms. Paula is also a former pageant title holder and has choreographed and directed Jr. Miss and Miss America preliminaries. She has judged major dance competitions across the country and modeled professionally which she shares her knowledge through her Introduction to Modeling and Refresher Modeling Courses. Worked for 18 years in Boston Public School and holds a professional dance licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She believes students gain more than just a dance education at her school and this art form completes a person physically, emotionally, artistically, socially and intellectually. Her students have become national dance champions, scholarship recipients, pageant title holders, independent teachers and professional dancers having been seen on Broadway, Las Vegas, cruse ships, theme parks, NFL cheerleaders, and NBA dancers.
Lauri DiNapoli-Stickney
Lauri Di Napoli-Stickney has dedicated her life to the art of dance, beginning her journey at the age of four. As both a passionate performer and competitive dancer, she has spent decades developing her artistry, technique, and love for sharing dance with others.
Lauri attributes the foundation of her training and success to the exceptional mentorship of Eleanor Rubino, and Paula Terenzi. Their guidance, dedication, and commitment to excellence shaped not only her technical abilities but also her appreciation for the discipline, artistry, and lifelong joy that dance provides. Their influence continues to inspire her work today.
Throughout her dance career, Lauri has competed extensively, embracing every opportunity to grow as both an artist and performer. Her commitment to education and professional development is reflected in her achievement of becoming a certified member of Dance Masters of America DMA, as well as graduating from the prestigious Dance Teachers Club of Boston. These accomplishments represent her dedication to maintaining the highest standards of dance education and instruction.
Over the years, Lauri has shared her passion by inspiring dancers of all ages, choreographing award-winning routines, and encouraging students to pursue excellence both on and off the stage. She believes dance is more than movement—it is a way to build confidence, discipline, creativity, and lifelong friendships.
Keriann Skerry Gaudet
Keriann graduated from Salem State College cum laude with degrees in Elementary Education and Sociology and a minor in Dance. She was a dancer, choreographer, and President of SSC’s “Repertory Dance Theater”. Keriann started dancing at the age of 2 1/2 and for the last 24 years has been under the direction of Ms. Paula Terenzi. She was a competitive dancer for 13 years, as both a member of the competition team and as a soloist; during this time she enjoyed dancing in Las Vegas, Disney, and at numerous civic and social events. Keriann was an assistant at the Dance Complex for 7 years and has been teaching for 12 years (Yes, that’s 19 years of Saturdays spent at the studio!). In 2002 she completed the sixth and final level of the National Medal Testing Program in tap and the following summer she graduated from the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston's dance teacher training program. Keriann holds the titles of “Miss Commonwealth 2007” and “Miss Middlesex County 2008”. She placed in the Top-Ten in the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant, an official preliminary to Miss America. “Miss Keriann” has a special place in her heart for her Saturday classes and she enjoys working with the Mini and Preliminary Competition Teams. She looks forward to her daughter, Lia, joining the PTDC family as she begins classes this year!
Kristina Simopoulos
Kristina began her training and has been a student of the Dance Complex for over 20 years, being a studio assistant for over 10 years. She has studied many different styles of dance from the basics of ballet and tap to Hawaiian and ballroom, plus many more. She has completed an introduction and refresher modeling course where she has won titles such as Little Miss, Pre-Teen, and Miss Model and now she teaches that course. Kristina is also a national medalist and award winner where she has won many special awards and overall high scores at the national level. In 2007 she graduated from a 3 year program from the Dance Teachers Training Course from the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. She loves children and has a passion to teach and share her love of dance with others. Kristina is so excited to finally be a part of the Dance Complex Faculty!
Julie Simopoulos
Julie has been a member of the Dance Complex since she was 3 years old and have been lucky enough to grow up sharing a stage with her sister as well. From taking her first steps at the studio (literally!), her first dance class, to then becoming an assistant and now teaching, “I’m thrilled to still be so involved.” Julie has been trained in many different styles of dance from the classic ballet and tap to Bollywood, Hawaiian and Ballroom. She has won many national titles and while dancing at the Dance Complex and have taken classes from many well known choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, and Greg Russell. Julie also had the opportunity to dance in Disney Word and Hershey Park. “ I’ve been so fortunate to be part of the Dance Complex for the past 23 years and I am so happy to now say that I’m part of the faculty as well!”
Anna Witkowski Cipriani
Anna Witkowski Cipriani began her dance training at the young age of three, where she found her passion for dance. Growing up attending a local dance studio, she studied a variety of dance styles and was a competitive dancer, competing in Regional and National Competitions up and down the East Coast. She went on to study dance technique, production, theory, and composition at Stonehill College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance. There, Anna was a two-time finalist in Team Dance at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Competition with the Stonehill Dance Team, a dancer and choreographer for the Stoneworks Dance Company, an instructor of the Dance Outreach Program, as well as a two-year performer for the Mayfair Festival of Boston.
As a member of the Dance Masters of New England Chapter 5, she continues her dance education by attending dance classes and conferences instructed by some of the most outstanding names in the dance industry in cities like New York and Boston. Anna continues her dance career by choreographing and teaching at local dance studios for all ages and dance levels. Her choreography has been recognized in multiple dance competitions receiving high scores, special awards, and top placements.
As a dancer, instructor, and choreographer, Anna prides herself in creating a fun, enthusiastic, hard working atmosphere enriched with artistic expression in every class to build a memorable and positive experience for every dancer who walks in. She encourages all of her dancers to dream beyond the stars and is so excited to share her passion of dance with each and every one of them.
Jeana DelloRusso
Jeana DelloRusso is a passionate and accomplished dancer and aspiring educator from Boston, Massachusetts. At age three, she began her dance training at Paula Terenzi's Dance Complex, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, acro, pointe, musical theatre, contemporary, and hip-hop for 15 years. In addition to being a dance studio assistant for 6 years. Jeana continued her dance education at Boston Arts Academy, majoring in dance and studying ballet, modern, contemporary, African, hip-hop, pointe, ballroom, and jazz. She has also attended master classes with renowned faculty nationwide, including tWitch, Debbie Allen, E Laura Hausman, Tom Ralabate, Diane Gudat, Sandy Duncan, Sam Fiorello, Levi Marsman, and more.
Jeana's dedication to dance and teaching has earned her several awards and honors. She was named Miss Dance of Massachusetts for the United States Tournament of Dance in 2022 and is also a national dance champion. She has received high scores and special awards as a soloist and competition team dancer. She has completed the Dance Teachers Club of Boston's Dance Education Training Course and has received certification for her achievements. She has also performed in various venues such as Disney Performing Arts in Florida, Hershey Park in Pennsylvania, and Debbie Allen's off-broadway musical “Brothers of the Knight” in Boston.
Jeana is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education/Special Education at Salem State University, expected to graduate in May 2026. Jeana was also a dancer for the NBA G-League Maine Celtics during the 2022-2023 season and hopes to continue dancing and teaching professionally for years to come.
From L-R - Gigi, Brooklyn, Minerva, Emma, Ahnie, Rowan
2026
STUDIO ASSISTANTS