Meet Our Team

Brieanna Pariseau

Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre

Brieanna teaches our intermediate and advanced jazz, tap, and lyrical classes, as well as our popular musical theater class. She is also the choreographer for J-DAPA’s musical productions. She has been dancing for over 25 years. Brieanna began as a dance teacher’s assistant around the age of 8 before moving on to take over her own classes around age 14. Brieanna is a graduate of Johnston Senior High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College in Elementary and Special Education. When she isn’t teaching or performing with J-DAPA you can find Brieanna working as a first grade teacher in Johnston, RI.

Holly Crider

Ballet, Jazz, My Grown-Up and Me, Pre-Peewee & Peewee Combo

Holly has been dancing for over 30 years, and teaching for over 20.   She has studied several styles of dance including Ballet technique, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballroom, Tap, and Acrobats, as well as Aerial. She has performed semi-professionally on a variety of cruise ships, Disney, and various places around the country including Las Vegas.  Holly has also performed professionally with the Edwards Twins, as well as Eddie’s solo endeavor of Diva’s.

Aubrey Dion

Acting

Aubrey is an acting teacher and director at J-DAPA! She is a proud Graduate of both Providence College and The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where she earned her BA and MFA in Acting respectively. Aubrey has performed across New England, in NYC, and in several J-DAPA productions, including Matilda and Radiant Vermin. In addition, she has co-directed The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong, Radiant Vermin, and The Bugs with her husband, Dave Sackal. Her favorite types of performance are interactive and children’s theater.

Danielle Grilli-Marzan

Voice, Music Director

Danielle is a Rhode Island native and graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she obtained her Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. Danielle has performed full operatic roles such as Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus,  Gianetta in The Gondoliers, and The First Lady in The Magic Flute and has performed many operatic scenes with roles such as Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore, Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Marie in Daughter of the Regiment. She has performed with the Warwick Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist in the Schubert’s Magnificat and Handel’s Messiah Part I. She has also performed as the soprano soloist for Faure’s Requiem, Haydn’s Missa Brevis, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Sparrow Mass, PDQ Bach’s The Seasonings and Rutter’s Magnificat in various choirs. When Danielle is not on stage, she is the music director for both J-DAPA and Arts Alive’s musical theater programs. She also teaches group voice classes and private voice lessons through J-DAPA.

Chelsea Paradis

Acro, Turns and Leaps

Chelsea, who began her dance journey at the tender age of two, is now a celebrated dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher. Throughout her dancing career, Chelsea has honed her skills in a wide variety of dance styles, including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Contemporary, making her a versatile artist in the world of dance.

As a dance teacher, Chelsea is firmly committed to creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for her students. Believing in the importance of confidence, motivation, and inspiration, she strives to ensure her students feel empowered and proud of their achievements.

Juliana Pires

Jazz & Lyrical

Juliana is a graduate of Johnston Senior High School and has a cosmetology license. She has been dancing with J-DAPA for 12 years, starting when she was in first grade, and has also appeared in many of our theatrical productions. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical/contemporary! Juliana also works as a hairdresser at Arete’ Salon in Johnston, RI.

Serena Roy

Acting

Serena is an alumna of Smithfield High School and a graduate of Hofstra University with a BA in Criminology. She has been performing since she was 4 years old with community theaters around Rhode Island. Some of her favorite roles include Rosalie in School of Rock (J-DAPA) and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Smithfield High School). She also has experience writing, directing, teaching, and stage managing with Kat’s Dance Centre and Performing Arts and J-DAPA. Serena currently teaches acting classes at J-DAPA and is excited to share her passion for performing with others!

Dave Sackal

Acting

Dave is thrilled to be back teaching acting at J-DAPA! He has performed in theaters around Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Florida, and New York. Dave starred in many of J-DAPA’s early productions and returned to the J-DAPA stage in 2022 in Matilda. Since then, he has appeared in The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong, School of Rock, and Radiant Vermin, as well as co-directing The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong, Radiant Vermin, and The Bugs alongside his wife, Aubrey Dion. Dave is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in Theatre Performance.

Kyle Weaver

Hip Hop

Kyle is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in Music. He has been teaching hip hop professionally throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts since 2004. Over the years he has coached hundreds of students that have gone to regional and national competitions, and Kyle’s choreography and his dancers have won many top awards including the Young Choreography award in 2005 at ADA, as well as numerous 1st and 2nd place highest overall score awards regionally and nationally. Kyle enjoys guest teaching master classes and dance intensives and is currently teaching hip hop at several studios where he shares his passion, unique perspective and intricate style with many aspiring dancers, teachers, and choreographers.

Matthew Eisemann

Technical Director

Matt holds Bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Computer Science from Rhode Island College and has worked with J-DAPA since 2015. He performed in several productions while in high school before moving to a more technical role. He has been our resident lighting designer since 2019 (designing all our theatrical shows since Shrek except for two) as well as stage managing Elf JR, School of Rock, and Radiant Vermin. Matt also oversees the technical aspects of other performances and recitals and is the lead web developer for J-DAPA.org, working alongside Aubrey to keep our website updated.

When he’s not working with J-DAPA, Matt works as a UI/UX Specialist for AAA Northeast and as a freelance lighting designer for organizations across Rhode Island. He also continues to perform whenever he can – most recently, he was seen as Chip in J-DAPA’s production of Spelling Bee!

Marla Tellier

Mascot

Marla is J-DAPA’s doggy mascot! She is a Standard Poodle who was born on March 29th, 2011. When she isn’t spending time at J-DAPA’s studio, Marla loves playing fetch with her tennis balls and frisbee!