LRD Teachers

Lea Gagon Owner/Teacher Artistic Director	Lea Gagnon is a graduate of Plymouth State University with a Bachelors of Science in Dance and Sociology. At Plymouth State University she was part of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble and the PSU Dance Team. Lea acted as Secretary, Vice President and President, of the dance team, her Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. While dancing at PSU, Lea danced under Joan Wiegers at places such as Suny Brockport in NYC, Marthas Vineyard, Boston University, University of Maine in Orono and other places all throughout New England. Lea was also a part of a piece that was put on five students chosen from PSU from the famous Amy Marshall Dance Company in New York. Lea is certified as a Latin and Ballroom Dance Instructor through the Melendrez Dance Studios in Miami, Florida and the Royale Palace Dance Studio in Manchester, NH. Currently, Lea is a paraprofessional at Parkside Middle School in Manchester, NH. She works with the Autism Program. Lea is also the coach of the “Step 2 One” Dance Team at Central High School located in Manchester. Lea Gagnon is the proud owner of Lakes Region Dance and has been teaching classes in the areas of jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, latin and ballroom. She looks forward to the future with Lakes Region Dance.
Mary Lyons Teacher	Mary Lyons is a graduate of Plymouth State University with a Bachelors of Science in Dance and Health. She was part of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble and the PSU Dance Team. Mary had been chosen to dance with quest artists from around the country such as Amy Marshall Dance Company and Battle Works. Before Plymouth , she was a member of Concord Dance Academy ’s first competition team. On the team she received many awards and competed in National competitions. Mary Lyons is a teacher at Lakes Region Dance in areas such as jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, hip hop and Creative Movement. Mary looks forward to her third year teaching at LRD.
Kristen Kesner Teacher	Kristen Kesner is currently a senior at Plymouth State University matriculating towards a Bachelors in Science in Dance and Health Education. At Plymouth Kristen is a part of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble. She received her Associates in Arts Degree from Dean College in Franklin MA. Kristen started dance at the age of 8 years old under the direction of Carolyn and Shantell Hanley at Rap ‘n Tap School of Dance in Amesbury MA for 10 years. During her time at Rap ‘n Tap she competed in several competitions receiving many awards including the high energy award! This summer Kristen plans to attend Marthas Vineyard dance intensive with PSU and can’t wait to start as a modern teacher in the fall for Lakes Region Dance.
Jillian Claridge Teacher	Jillian Claridge has been a part of Lakes Region Dance for the past 6 years. She attends Inter-Lakes High School as a Junior. As a high school student she is involved in Student Council and also has been Treasurer of her class for the past three years. She volunteers at the Goldenview Health Care Center with over 200 hours of experience. Jillian has experience in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Pointe and Modern. She has attended multiple dance intensives at Plymouth State University. Jillian looks forward to helping her students grow as dancers at Lakes Region Dance.
Eliza Berg Teacher	Eliza Berg has been dancing with Lakes Region Dance for 13 years. She attends Inter-Lakes High School as a Junior and has mentored young children at the elementary school. Ballet, Modern, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap make up her experience at Lakes Region Dance. She has also danced with the Amy Marshall Dance Company and attended many dance workshops at Plymouth State University. Eliza is overjoyed to be teaching the amazing girls at Lakes Region Dance!
Bridget Lyons Teacher	Bridget Lyons, a New Hampshire dancer and choreographer. Bridget first began her dance career at Concord Dance Academy and then continued to study with various artists and choreographers throughout college. While attending Plymouth State University, she was a member of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble and Plymouth State Dance Team, where she became Vice President and President of the team. During college she also had the opportunities to study Contemporary Jazz and Modern dance with companies Battleworks (Robert Battle, New York) and The Amy Marshall Dance Company (Amy Marshall, New York). Most recently, Bridget has performed with the Wagner Works Dance Company, directed and choreographed by Priscilla Wagner (2006-2008). This fall she will be a guest choreographer for the St. Paul's School Nutcracker and teacher for the Eastern Ballet Institute.