Gotta Dance is proud to have a faculty of dance industry professionals who are very passionate about the art of dance. Caring and engaging, the staff is dedicated to helping each child progress through their training and reach their highest potential.
Katrina Rotondi is excited to be taking on the role of Director and Owner of Gotta Dance as of June 2024. She has been dancing for over thirty years and is experienced in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Line Dancing and Musical Theater. She is also certified in Zumba and Zumba Gold. Katrina has been teaching for over twenty years at Gotta Dance as well as several senior centers and recreation departments in the area.
She has a Bachelors degree in Theater Arts with a concentration in Dance from Franklin Pierce College. Her other accomplishments include an on-stage appearance in the Concord Players productions of "West Side Story" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". She has also choreographed for the Carlisle Middle School productions of "Into the Woods" and "Bye Bye Birdie," and the Lexington Players production of "Spring Awakening" and "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown".
When she isn't dancing (which is hardly ever), Katrina enjoys spending time with her huskies, Duncan and Comet.
"I'm not sure if the happier I am, the more I dance, or the more I dance, the happier I am. Either way, I'll be dancing! Life will always throw obstacles and curves along the way. And no matter what happens, know that when you step onto that dance floor and stage everything will be just fine. Never stop doing what makes you happy!"
Heather began dancing over 45 years and has been dancing as a student of Gotta Dance since 2006 and started teaching the youngest of dancers since 2007. She also teaches Cardio classes and Line Dancing at the studio and several senior centers.
Heather is a Billerica native and took dance classes at Dance Unlimited, Patti Nichol’s Dance Center, and Donna Miceli Dance Center studying jazz, ballet, tap, and modern. She is a graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, where she holds a BA in Human Development and a minor in Dance. In college, she was a founding member of Co-Motion Dance Theater, spent a Winter Term studying theater in London, performed as Adriana in Shakespeare's "A Comedy of Errors," and performed in the dance ensemble in productions of "A Chorus Line" and "Grease."
Heather worked for many years as a Recreation Director at a retirement community and was certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant. She has taken classes towards a Dance Education Certificate through Northern Essex Community College and continues to take classes in the area. She is the wife of a Billerica Firefighter and proud mother to Kelly, Joseph, and Ryan, all alumni of Gotta Dance.
"Dance is part of who I am. It is my way of communicating without words. Of bringing others along a journey with me through movement and motion. To be able to share the art of dance with our youngest dancers is a privilege that I don't take for granted. The dancers I teach fill my cup to overflowing and I am forever grateful for the opportunity."
Jay has studied ballet at NYU, Juilliard/International Ballet of Caracas, Dancer's Studio, Boston Ballet, Granite State Ballet, and Boston Dance Company. He credits his teachers Hector Zaraspe for inspiration and Jimmy Reardon for technique. Jay has danced professionally with Opera Company of Boston, Bay State Ballet, Boston Dance Company, Northern Ballet Company (Granite State Ballet), Danny Sloan, Jeannette Neill's Jazzin', and Academy of Ballet Arts. He describes his style as Cecchetti derivation with some Balanchine. Jay has taught at BU, and the School of Ballet Arts. In addition to his excellent abilities in articulating the intricacies of the art of ballet both mechanically and aesthetically, his interests in advancing his students' ability in and understanding of ballet, he deeply appreciates their effort and desire to learn. He has been an integral part of Gotta Dance for over 18 years. Some lesser known facts about Mr. Jay are that he also holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in Kempo karate and has been actively involved in the Concord Players.
Cassey started her dance career in musical theater. While she attended Fitchburg State College, she was the choreographer for Lowell High School’s competing Show Choir as well as numerous local community theater productions. She also instructed lyrical classes for the FSC Dance Club and choreographed and performed in FSC’s productions of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Zorba!"" She graduated from Fitchburg State College with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a double major in Theater. She served as choreography adjudicator for the Mill City Show Choir Festival from 2008-2010. Currently, she is a first-grade teacher in Lowell Public Schools and shares her love of dance with her students by incorporating movement into their daily routine.
Cassandra has been an instructor and choreographer at Gotta Dance for over 15 years. She teaches many styles, but she adores lyrical, contemporary, and tap. She enjoys working with serious dancers who want to grow their technique and is proud being a choreographer for the Gotta Dance Competition Team. Cassandra shares her love for dance with her daughter, Sophia.
"Unlike most dancers who start as a child, I hadn’t devoted myself to dance until my late teen years. I still love it every time I step onto a stage as much as the very first time I performed. The older I get, the more I appreciate the opportunity to call myself a dancer and an artist! Dance is a chance for me to share the creative ideas I have and see them come to fruition. I hope I keep dancing and sharing that love as long as I am able because it’s a gift I give myself!"
Elizabeth has been dancing since the age of 2. Grow up in the competitive dance world and now teaches students of all ages and levels while also continuing her dance education to this day. He unique visions and choreography have won numerous special awards and national title championships. She has also had the opportunity to give back to her community as well, choreographing for singers, show choirs, musicals and school dance teams. She has been featured in music videos and movies and has traveled as a backup dancer as well as getting the chance to adjudicate as a competition judge. She enjoys sharing her passion for dance and teaching and we are so happy she is with us at Gotta Dance!
"Dance is important to me because it has been the one constant in my life. It has given me the confidence as a woman and taught me so many life lessons. I have gained my best friends through dance, my career through dance, and my love for children. I would not be the person I am today without dance. Dance is, and will always be, my life and way to express myself!"
Alyssa was a student at Gotta Dance for 10 years. In addition to Karrie Stang Mason and the Gotta Dance staff, she has worked with several well-known instructors and choreographers and attended master classes and conventions throughout New England. Alyssa has experience in acrobatics, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and pointe. She is a long-time member of the Gotta Dance performance and competition teams and has achieved many awards over the years for her hard work and dedication. Alyssa has shared her talent and love for dance with the community, by performing at places such as nursing homes, senior centers, fairs and more.
Alyssa taught lessons at the Lowell YMCA and was substitute teaching and choreographing at Gotta Dance. She was also part of the teacher training program at Gotta Dance. She loves working with children who share the same passion and is very excited to be part of the Gotta Dance faculty.
"Dance is very important to my life as it allows to me put my emotions into movement. If I'm ever in a bad mood, dancing takes my mind right off it and brings me happiness. I am so lucky to have dance in my life, as it has also brought me life-long friends."
Hannah has been a student at Gotta Dance for 13 years. Along with her years of training from Karrie Garber and the Gotta Dance staff she has attended many master classes and conventions taught by many instructors and choreographers. Hannah has experience in pointe, ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical, contemporary, acro, and musical theatre. She is a member of the performance and competition teams and has received many awards and achievements throughout her years of performing and competing.
Along with dancing, Hannah has been a part of many of Billerica Memorial High School's musicals such as "Playing Favorites 2 & 3," "Sweeney Todd," and "Annie" for which she was Assistant Dance Captain. Hannah has performed at local shows with our dance teams including senior centers, nursing homes, and fairs. She is currently a member of the OnStagers, the theatre company at Merrimack College. She has also been an assistant for four years in Acro, Jazz, and Lyrical classes. She has choreographed for many theatre camps throughout the years and choreographed "Matilda Jr.", the 2023 spring musical at Marshall Middle School.
Hannah loves dancing and working with all our students who share the same passion and determination that she has for dance. She is beyond excited to be part of the Gotta Dance staff after being a student for so long.
"Dancing has always been a passion of mine. When I first started at six years old, I knew it was something I wanted to keep doing for the rest of my life. Because of dance, I have a passion to perform and tell a story to those watching. Dance has always been a safe space for me. If I am having a bad day, I go to the studio and have all my friends and instructors there that help me forget I was having a bad day in the first place. I am thankful for dance for giving me amazing friends, memories, and a second home."
Jamie has been dancing for over 25 years. She found her passion for dance once she started taking classes at Gotta Dance over 18 years ago. Jamie has also been a a substitute teacher for many classes throughout the studio over the past several years. She has participated in various dance conventions and was on the competition team for approximately five years. One of her favorite styles of dance is Jazz but she definitely enjoys all forms of dance.
Jamie is very passionate and hardworking when it comes to her work and dance. She has been a preschool teacher for 9 years and has such a big heart for small children and seeing them grow and smile. Jamie is beyond excited to be part of the Gotta Dance family.
Jamie attends Middlesex Community College where she is earning her Director certification in Early Education. Once she finishes her degree she plans on earning her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Once she earns her director certification she plans to work as an assistant director or a director of an early childhood center and furthering her education and knowledge.
Alexis Bucci has been dancing off and on for 15 years between dance class and theatre settings. Though she didn't seriously devote herself to dance until high school when she started classes at Gotta Dance. Alexis has experience in tap, musical theatre, jazz, lyrical, ballet, modern, and has also been on the Gotta Dance Competition Team. Before teaching, she had subbed and assisted classes at the studio.
Alexis has an Associates Degree in Theatre and a Certificate in Arts Administration from Middlesex Community College. She is working towards finishing a Bachelors Degree in Theatre with a minor in Dance from the University of New Hampshire. Her time in theatre has focused on improv, stage lighting, and choreography. She has choreographed children's productions of Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, and Annie. One of her greatest passions is working with children, especially in arts education settings. In addition to teaching at Gotta Dance, Alexis teaches improv and drama and works with infants, toddlers and preschoolers at a daycare. Teaching at Gotta Dance is such a special way for Alexis to combine her love of dance and working with children, and she is grateful to be a part of Gotta Dance!
Caroline was a student at Gotta Dance for 15 years. In addition to Karrie Mason and the Gotta Dance staff, she has worked with several well-known instructors and choreographers and attended master classes and conventions throughout New England. Caroline has experience in ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop and jazz. She was a long-time member of the performance and competition teams. Caroline has performed at local shows with our dance teams including senior centers, nursing homes, and fairs, and enjoys sharing her passion for dance with others.
Caroline graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Early Childhood and Special Education and a minor in dance. She is a special education teacher at The New England Center for Children and pursuing her Masters in Special Education at Simmons University. She loves working with children and sharing her passion for dance. She can’t wait to be back teaching at the studio she calls a second home.
Elaina started her dance education as a toddler and have continued for 20 years and counting. She has studied a variety of styles including ballet, pointé, jazz, Broadway jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop. Her education has come from a variety of different choreographers and teachers from across the world. She performed with Dance Prism Ballet for 8 years as a cast member and 2 years as an apprentice. During her time with Dance Prism Ballet, she was a part of their pointé core for 6 years. After graduating high school, she continued studies at the University of Maine where she was heavily involved in their dance department. Elaina completed credits in dance composition and choreography. She choreographed pieces independently and for UMaine Hip Hip club throughout her 4 years and had pieces in the semester showcases. While at school she taught ballet and pointe at Releve Dance Center for 2 years and choreographed 10 dances in her time there. As a former Gotta Dance student, she's so excited to be back!
Karina Mejia is excited to be starting her first year as a dance instructor. She has over 10 years of dance experience. Karina was a student at Gotta Dance for several years and a longtime member on the Gotta Dance Competition Team. Karina graduated from Westfield State University, where she was part of the Hip Hop Competitive Dance Team. During her time there, the team won 1st overall at the New England Regional Championship and placed 4th overall in the Nation for Open Hip Hop in 2022. While Karina works in Business Marketing by day, she has such a love for dance and is excited to share that passion with our Gotta Dance dancers.