Cathy Richard – OWNER
Cathy Richard is the owner and director of GSDC. Dance has been a part of Cathy’s life since she was two years old. By the age of 14, she was teaching dance classes. After teaching and taking classes in New Hampshire, Cathy ventured to New York City and Boston and competed as a soloist. While there, Cathy had the opportunity to study under the late, great Gregory Hines. Cathy has been a dance teacher for over 30 years. With her passion for dance and extensive experience, Cathy strives to provide her students with the best possible dance environment!
Amy Maxwell
Amy Maxwell teaches the style of lyrical at GSDC. Amy has been dancing since she was three years old and trained at GSDC in a variety of styles for over 17 years! Amy’s goal is to provide all of her students with a positive dance environment where they are able to develop and expand their skills. Along with being a dance teacher, Amy received her degree in elementary education and special education from SNHU in 2018 and is currently an elementary school teacher. Teaching at GSDC allows her to combine her love of teaching with her passion for dance!
Emilia Morrissette
From being a 3-year old in pre-ballet to teaching, Emilia has come a long way. Even though she started with just ballet, she eventually broadened her horizons with taking classes such as lyrical, contemporary, and even hip hop. By taking all these different classes, Emilia has become very creative. She uses her creativity to choreograph some fun dances. Her bubbly personality makes for a fun environment.
Danielle Demers
Danielle began taking ballet classes at the age of three. While ballet is her passion, she has also had training in modern, jazz, and tap as well. Danielle is the Director for Granite State Dance Center’s Ballet Company. She has a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Southern New Hampshire University and is excited to be teaching for the Granite State Dance Center!
BellaMae Stanley
BellaMae Stanley teaches jazz and beginner ballet classes at GSDC. BellaMae has danced for over 17 years at GSDC, training in a variety of styles. It has always been her dream to become a dance teacher. BellaMae incorporates appropriate technique and terminology in her teaching to ensure her students’ success!
Michelle Tolson – Seasonal Guest Instructor
Michelle Tolson has been dancing since the age of 10 and choreographing since the age of 15. Her students hold many regional and national titles in both dance competitions and pageants including Regional Dancer of the Year for American Dance Awards, World Talent Winner for International Sunshine Girl, and World Showstopper. Former students have gone on to appear in regional and national tours, So You Think You Can Dance and on Broadway in Memphis, Chaplin, Mama Mia, West Side Story, Pippin, Rock of Ages, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Pretty Woman.
Michelle held the title of Miss New Hampshire 1996 and competed at the Miss America Pageant that fall.
Her performance credits include being a Radio City Rockette for six years, where she performed in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular as well as on the Today Show, the Isaac Mizrahi Show, and in the Macy’s Day Parade. She also performed in Tap Girls, 42nd Street and numerous television, video and print works.
