FABULOUS FACULTY
JENNIFER COUGHLIN
Creative Director & Choreographer | 23 years
FAVORITE: JAZZ
Jennifer has been sharing her love and passion for dance since she opened her doors in 1999. She has performed professionally all over the world but found that her true calling was nurturing and inspiring young dancers here in Dracut, Massachusetts. Over the years, her students have won hundreds of awards for technique, choreography, expression, and sportsmanship and have placed in over-alls and title awards. Many of her alumni have become professional dancers and teachers/choreographers. Jens love for dance is proven daily through her teaching, faculty, and students and she always means it when she says you are part of her "Dance Family."
CHRISTINA DECKER
Choreographer | Tap Manager | 19 years
FAVORITE: TAP
Christina has been with 5-6-7-8 for many years as a student and teacher. She is our most advanced tap instructor and choreographer, and it's no surprise since she ventures to New York to update her training monthly. She has even choreographed multiple Acapella pieces where the only music was the sounds made by her students tapping. Her bright and beautiful smile lights up her elementary classroom during the day, and our studio at night during her classes!
NICOLE DIGIORGIO
Choreographer | Team Manager | 12 years
FAVORITE: JAZZ
Nicole is an extremely detail oriented dancer and choreographer and it is showcased in her award-winning pieces. She comes to 5-6-7-8 with an expansive background in many styles and a 4-year Certification from the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. As an educator Nicole strives to provide a positive learning environment for her students.
SAMANTHA CHARETTE
Choreographer & Marketing Manager | 16 years
FAVORITE: JAZZ
'Miss Sam' started her career with 5-6-7-8 as an Assistant and quickly moved into a Teacher and Dance Team Choreographer role. She has taught all over New England, has appeared in movies, was the President of her college dance club, and walked in Boston Fashion Week. Sam is also a skilled Marketing Professional and has helped bring the business side of 5-6-7-8 to the next level.
Instructor | Ballet Coordinator | 2 yearS
FAVORITE: BALLET
Marilyn started her dance career as a competitive dancer. From a young age she excelled in ballet, later going on to train at major ballet schools. She graduated with her BA in dance at The University of Alabama where she received the Gage Bush England award for her outstanding achievements in classical ballet and choreography. She has a passion for teaching and choreography, and hopes to continue to inspire the next generation of dancers.
ASHLEY DESMARAIS
Choreographer | 11 years
FAVORITE: LYRICAL
Get ready to be dazzled by the grace and flawless movements of Ashley. She specializes in Lyrical, but can teach every style to any age student. Ashley was also the captain of the UMASS Lowell Dance Team and as well as the Spinners Dance Team.
ELIZABETH L'HEUREUX
Choreographer | 16 years
FAVORITE: CONTEMPORARY
Elizabeth is one of the founding students of 5-6-7-8 Dance Studio. She has been a part of every show, performance and competition since our doors opened in 1999. Her uniquely styled choreography has won numerous awards and she is constantly impressing others with her creative concepts. Elizabeth has also been a featured dancer in many movies and music videos, as well as modeling for large brands and fashion shows.
Choreographer | 2 yearS
FAVORITE: JAZZ
Kailey Doukszewicz, born and raised just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, began her experience with dance at a very young age. For fifteen dedicated years, she trained in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, acro, and ballroom. After graduating high school in 2018 she went on to continue her dance training and education at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she graduated summa cum laude with her BFA in contemporary dance performance. Post- graduation, Kailey is now a Radio City Rockette performing in the world famous Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Kailey is also working as co- director of the professional assistant program on tour with West Coast Dance Explosion.
MELISSA JOHNSON
Instructor | 2 years
FAVORITE: LYRICAL
Melissa started her dance career at the young age of 2 and has continued dancing into the college level. Joining the 5678 Dance team at the age of 14 she has won several regional and national placements, along with titles. She was honored the title of Elite Dancer at Excel in Motion, assisting SYTYCD winner Lauren Froderman and Aaron Turner. Melissa was also a member of the UMass Lowell Dance Team and dance team choreographer.
SAMMI BLADES
Instructor | 1 year
FAVORITE: LYRICAL
More about Miss Sammi to come soon!
JULIE COUGHLIN
Choreographer | 3 years
FAVORITE: CONTEMPORARY
Julie has been dancing since the age of 2. She was inspired to be a teacher after growing up at 5-6-7-8 with so many role models around. Julie is also a competitive dancer and has trained with professionals from all over the world. She has won numerous awards at competitions including 1st place overall, title, special judge's awards and most photogenic!
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS
Rae-Ann Thomas
Craig Dionne
Impavido
Liam Fitzpatrick
Sadie Winer
Flora Dickenson
Alexa Luke
Kai Holmes
APPRENTICE TEACHERS
Jada Coughlin
Kiera Andre
ASSISTANTS
We believe in the power of passing our love for dance on to others. Our Assistant Program allows our advanced dancers to learn the process of becoming a dance teacher and choreographer.
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Lily Blades
Ainsley Campbell
Chloe Collins
Kelsey Coger
Carly Collett
Allison Fuller
Grave Hovey
Bayleigh Nugent
Isabella O'Connor
Kailey Rego
Bella Torres
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Grace Hovey
