FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Grace Noyes, Artistic DirectorIn 1987, Grace turned her lifelong dream into reality by founding Needham Dance Theatre. What started with humble beinnings has grown into a joyful, welcoming community—built one dancer at a time.

With over 40 years of teaching experience, Grace has shared her vast knowledge and love of dance with students in the Weston Public Schools and at the Edra Toth School of Ballet, led by former Boston Ballet soloist Edra Toth. Her own training includes rigorous ballet coaching in New York City, studies at the Boston Conservatory as a BFA candidate, and further dance education at Smith College.

Grace is also the proud mom of four grown children and recently is a new grandmother. She brings her nurturing spirit into the studio every day. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: every child deserves the chance to grow, be challenged, and feel the emense joy that dance can bring.

At Needham Dance Theatre, Grace has created more than just a studio—she’s built a community where dancers feel safe, supported, and inspired to be themselves.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Jessica, our high energy, Assistant Director has studied ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap since she was a young child and is a graduate of Needham Dance Theatre.  She has earned a B.A. in dance at one of the Boston area’s most respected dance programs at Dean College. With a vivacious personality and excellent training, Jessica is a natural teacher. 

Along with her expertise in ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and tumble, Jessica is an awesome hip hop teacher who leaves a lasting impression on her students. Her classes are a happy, encouraging place for students to learn and develop their dance skills.  Our busy Jessica also coaches the Needham High School Varsity Dance Team, teaches Barre Method fitness classes and is Acro Arts certified. She is the proud mom of son, Theo who arrived in October 2024.

ADMIN ASSISTANT

Elaina currently performs as a contemporary dancer with DanceWorks Boston and is a professional cheerleader for the Massachusetts Pirates. She is also a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, where she specialized in supply chain management and served as President of the Pulse Dance Company.

Elaina has a strong background in hip hop and has trained and performed in a wide range of styles. Her dynamic stage presence and creaativity shine in her hip hop choreography, which is known for being high-energy, expressive, and fun.

Known for her bubbly personality and genuine  love for her students, Elaina creates a welcoming environment where dancers feel motivated and supported. She brings a wealth of dance knowledge, leadership, and positivity to every class she teaches.

Angela performs as a featured soloist Providence Ballet Theatre and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Roger Williams University, where she was the recipient of the Kelli Wicke Davis Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award. Upon graduating, Angela received the Young Artist in Residence Award and has performed as a freelance artist. 

She has danced for Natalie Johnson Dance in Cambridge, MA and is co-founder of ProviDANCE Project, a contemporary dance collaborative with her artistic partner, Ellen Oliver. Angela currently performs with Providence Ballet as a featured soloist. She is passionate about inspiring students to find joy and their own individual voice in dancing. We are pleased to have accomplished artist, Angela on our NDT staff.

With a sincere appreciation for the art of dance, Ariel has experienced a variety of dance styles throughout her career. She studied dance at Regis College in Weston, performing in Contemporary, Jazz, Haitian Folklore and Kizomba. She then went on to become Hip Hop Program Director and choreographer at Regis College. Since 2002 Ariel has trained and performed with Jam’nastics Inc. This is where her love for Hip Hop began.

In 2010 she was accepted into Boston University’s REACH program where she trained in Modern, Ballet, and Krump. More recently she has worked teaching dance and gymnastics to elementary age children. Ariel brings big energy, exciting choreography and fun to her classes. She is a fierce hip hop phenom!

Aura serves as Assistant Director at the Uptown Dance Center in Dorchester where she teaches Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Acro and Hip Hop. She has studied a variety of dance styles from a very young age at Boston Ballet School, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre and Tony William’s School of Dance.

She attended the renown high school, Boston Arts Academy, as a dance major studying with many talented instructors including Bill McLaughlin (a former NDT staff member).  She learned from the best in the dance world including Thai Jiminez, soloist of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She performed as a featured soloist in Urban Nutcracker. Choreographing for the NDT Dance Team, Aura received the Choreographers Award for excellence in innovative choreography. We are proud of Aura who holds several Acro Arts certifications. We are happy to have her on our staff bringing her expressive movement and strong knowledge of technique to our program. Aura is the loving mom of newborn daughter Aria and big brother Terrence.

Bekah teaches dance and musical theater at Charles River Creative Arts Program in Dover. She has choreographed award winning routines for our Needham Dance Theatre Competition Team including her forte - production numbers. She established and taught a wide variety of dance techniques at the Master’s Dance Academy and led the competition dance team at Dana Hall School in Wellesley.  Bekah double majored in dance and psychology.  She also holds a Master’s Degree in social work. She is the Artistic Director of Millis Dance.

Bekah, with her positive attitude, beautiful choreographic style and decades of dance experience is passionate about sharing her boundless creativity.

Jessi is a treasured alumni of Needham Dance Theatre and a graduate of UMass/Amherst where she performed extensively and choreographed as a Senior Board member of the Mass. Dance Company.  She also worked with IMPACT Dance Company and was a member of the Needham High School Dance Team for four years. She is currently pursuing a law degree at Suffolk University.

An exceptional teacher with movement that is rigorous and innovative, Jessi has studied and excelled in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. We are delighted to have Jessi on our staff.  With her warm personality, creative style and passion, she will offer a high quality and inspiring class for her students.

Lauren began dancing at the age of 5, studying at the Ballet Guild of Lehigh Valley and Kathleen Magyar School of Dance in Bethlehem, PA. At Ithaca College, Lauren studied ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and graduated with minor in dance education. She is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor and a member of Acro Dance Teachers Association. While living and performing in NYC and Los Angeles, she continued her studies at Edge Performing Arts Center. She has completed an intensive teacher training program at DanceLife under the direction of a well respected dance innovator, Rhee Gold.  

Lauren’s magical way with her students has made her a cherished member of the Needham Dance Theatre. Along with her teaching responsibilities at both our schools, Lauren and her husband are raising three active children.

Lexi is a cherished member of the Needham Dance Community.  She has a natural infinity toward children, inspiring and supporting them with her positive and enthusiastic approach. Lexi has trained in many dance styles at Needham Dance since she was a preschooler. She is an accomplished and dedicated dancer competing with great success as a soloist on the NDT Dance Team as well as the Varsity Dance Team at Needham High School.

Lexi has been teaching for several years in the NDT Summer Program. She has volunteered throughout Needham and finds herself running toward any opportunity to work with kids!

Lindsey has pursued her love of dance, inspired by 13 years of training at Needham Dance Theatre. Lindsey continued her journey and earned a degree in dance and creative advertising from James Madison University, where she performed with the Contemporary Ensembles.

Lindsey choreographed several modern based works and had the opportunity to study dance abroad in London under the direction of various European dance professionals. Lindsey continues her training with the dynamic DanceWorks Boston, where she choreographs and is a featured performer. We are thrilled to have her back at NDT as she guides her students to excel and achieve their full potential, while having fun along the way.

Meaghan Nyhan is a true force in the dance world-an unstoppable talent who's turning heads and raising the bar wherever she goes.

A proud Stonehill College graduate with a double major in Dance and Psychology, Meaghan led the Stonehill Dance Team to become 2023 Division 1 National Champions. Post-grad, she began dancing professionally and recently completed a season dancing for Celtics Entertainment.

From the stage to the studio, Meaghan brings unmatched energy, passion, and precision. She currently serves as Assistant Coach to the Needham High School Varsity Dance Team. When she is not in the studio or with her team, she travels the country with Dance Team Union instructing high school and college dancers, as well as working behind the scenes at national competitions.

Her dance classes are high-energy, empowering, and packed with inovative skills. Her students will push their technique, build confidence, and dance their hearts out.

We are thrilled to have Rose working with our students at Needham Dance Theatre. Rose studied education at Endicott College and has worked as an assistant teacher at the Chickering School in Dover. She is a skilled dancer who started dancing at age three at Erin’s School of Dance and grew to become an award winning competition dancer with Broadway Bound Dance Center.   

Her areas of expertise are ballet, jazz, contemporary, acro, hip hop and tap.  Our well rounded, Rose stands out with her warm demeanor and her true love of teaching. Along with her teaching, Rose explores her passion for photography, and of course, continues to enjoy every minute of working with her dance students.