Chantal Kelleher
Chantal (Doucett) Kelleher is a choreographer and dance educator in the Boston area. She holds her BFA in dance performance from the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Performing Arts under the direction of Stephen Pier. She began her professional career with Urbanity Dance company where she had numerous opportunities to perform in both Boston and New York City. In 2013 she stepped into the inaugural role as choreography fellow and upheld the position for ten years. Among the many opportunities she had to show her works at shows and festivals in the city, she also had the opportunity to work with the Liberty Hotel in Boston as the choreographer for their annual Halloween and New Years Eve events. Currently, Chantal is an adjunct professor of dance at Endicott College and a freelance choreographer.
Stephanie Avgtis
Stephanie graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was the recipient of the four-year Helen Forman Special Talent Arts Scholarship at Rhode Island College. She is currently pursuing both her passions: educating young minds in the dance studio as well as helping patients in the hospital setting. Over the years, Stephanie has been given the opportunity to work with many talented choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald, Adrienne Hawkins, Larry Keigwin, Tommy Neblett, Jessica Pearson, and Jaclyn Walsh. Stephanie is blessed to be able to continue sharing her knowledge and passion to the dancers at Walker’s.
Stephanie Silva
Stephanie trained at Walker’s Dance for 15 years in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, musical theatre and tap. She received additional training in the Walker’s Summer Intensive having the opportunity to work with master teachers such as Jason Luks, Brandon Koepsell, Alana Isiguen, Hollis Bartlett and Jaclyn Walsh. As a member of Walker’s Dance Troupe, Stephanie won numerous solo and group, high score awards as well as many special awards for technique and performance. Stephanie has had the honor of performing at the Joyce Theatre for Dancin’ Downtown at the Joyce, SummerStages in Central Park NY, and the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival.
As a faculty member for Walker’s Dance, Stephanie is proud to have her dancers continue along the path she enjoyed. Her choreography for WDT’s Future Stars, has brought her dancers recognition and success at competitions.
Cassie Laurin
Cassie has 15 years of competitive dance experience while training in Walkers Dance Troupe with experience in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, musical theater, and tap. Cassie had the opportunity to perform at the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival in 2017 as well as study under many professional artists throughout the years such as Jaclyn Walsh, Brandon Koepsell, Jackie Knowicki, Betsy Graves, Ellenore Scott, and many more. Cassie is currently pursuing her bachelors in Business Management as well as teaching fitness classes at Xtend Barre. As a current member of the faculty, she continues to express her passion and love for dance by passing on her knowledge to her younger students.
Alana Paine-Masters
Coach Alana is a junior at UMass Lowell studying Mechanical Engineering and while she is a new addition to Walker’s Gymnastics she brings over 6 years of experience. She began gymnastics at the age of 4 and quickly rose through the levels to compete USAG levels 4 and 5. Shortly after Alana retired, she began coaching and has been ever since with experience ranging from preschool to Excel Gold. She is currently coaching the Excel Bronze as well as Hot Shots
Athena Nol-Mao
Athena is a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts of Lowell with a major in General Biology. When not at school, she spends my time doing CrossFit, enjoying concerts, and coaching. Athena started her very own gymnastics journey here at Walker's and has been coaching for 6 years now. She finds it rewarding to not only see how far the kids have come skill-wise but to see them fall in love with the sport.
Alanna Palladino
Alanna Palladino has been a dancer for 15 years, and graduated from Nancy Chippendales dance studios. Alanna has competed in dance competitions since the age of 8, and throughout that time earned both regional and national titles. Alanna began her dance teaching career while she started her college education at Merrimack College. Her favorite styles of dance are tap, jazz, and musical theatre!
Zackery received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College with a concentration in Jazz. Zackery is the Artistic Director for NSquared Dance, a New Hampshire based contemporary dance company. NSquared Dance was founded in New York City in 2014 & Zackery has toured to Seattle, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh & Baltimore with the company. NSquared has now established a home in Manchester, NH where he and Co-founder Nick Neagle reside. He has choreographed various works for the company as well as taught in various cities with NSquared. Zackery was also a seasoned dancer with Keigwin & Company from 2015-2018. Keigwin & Co. has provided Zackery with many performing & teaching opportunities throughout the United States and Abroad. He was fortunate enough to embark on a month-long exchange tour to Africa thanks to The US State Department and Brooklyn Academy of Music. He has performed on stages such as The Joyce Theater, Symphony Space, and New York City Center. Mr. Betty’s choreography credits include Lindenwood University, Portland Youth Dance, Bedford Dance Center’s Performance Ensemble, Boston Arts Academy, Thornton Academy’s Dance Department, and he’s served as an artist in residence at Berwick Academy. He has also been a member and guest dancer with Tami Stronach Dance, Project 44, New Hampshire Dance Collective, Ballet Misha, & City Ballet of Boston. Zackery is also a regional representative for the New Hampshire Dance Alliance and is currently pursuing his MFA in Choreography at Wilson College!
Zachery Betty
Jess Cardone
Jess started gymnastics at Walker’s when she was 6 and competed for 15 years. She competed through JO Level 9 and then went on to compete in Prep-Op Superior (now known as Xcel Diamond). She also competed for Lowell High Varsity Gymnastics. She attended Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell for Business Management.She has taught recreational gymnastics classes of all levels as well as coached Compulsory JO Levels 2-6 and Xcel Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Jess currently coaches Xcel Silver and Gold.In addition to coaching, Jess works full time as a Sales Operations Data Analyst at Curriculum Associates. In her free time, Jess loves to spend time with her two Godsons.
Leanne Reardon
Leanne grow up dancing in Burlington, MA and has been teaching in the New England area for over 15 years. She has also been the resident choreographer for the Burlington, MA Music Department, choreographing many musicals such as “Hairspray”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Music Man”, as well as choreographing for the Burlington Educational Summer Theater, which gives young students the opportunity to perform in a full scale musical production. Leanne loves sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages and abilities. She feels that through dance students learn creativity, self-expression, determination, discipline and many more life lessons that help them reach their goals and guide them towards successful futures.
Shannon Zgonis
Shannon started gymnastics at Walker’s when she was 4 and competed for 14 years. She competed through JO Level 9. She also competed for Lowell High Varsity Gymnastics and was four time MVP. She attended Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell for Criminal Justice which she received a Master’s degree with a minor in sociology.
She has taught recreational gymnastics classes of all levels for 18 years and still going strong, as well as coached Compulsory JO Levels 2-4 and Xcel Silver, Platinum, and Diamond. Shannon was the Head Coach for Lowell High Varsity and Junior varsity gymnastics for 8 years and was named lowell sun coach of the year and MVC and DCL coach of the year. Shannon currently coaches Xcel Platinum.
In addition to coaching, works full time at Lowell High School in the Special Education department with the adjustment students.
In her free time, Shannon loves to travel, spend time with her son Cullen, her husband Nick, and her dog Maggie.