Teacher Bios

BETTIJANE GREY-ROBINSON, Director

Bettijane graduated with High Honors from Northeastern University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She also holds a Masters Degree in Literature.

She began dancing at the age of three, and her love of dance has never diminished. When she was a senior in high school she was offered a place in Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. It was the same day that she received a notice of an almost full scholarship to Northeastern University. The decision to accept the scholarship is one that she has never regretted.

While in college she danced professionally in a Regional Ballet Company and studied dance extensively in New York, California and Europe. Bettijane is Past President of Dance Masters of America New England Chapter and the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. She is also a member of Dance Educators of America. She has taught Master Classes for the major dance organizations. She started her dance school while she was a freshman in college. When she graduated she became a Boston Public School teacher, but continued to teach dance. She founded Commonwealth Dance Academy when she moved to Walpole in 1984.

Over the past 41 years she has seen the school grow. Many students have been awarded scholarships to ballet seminars and to study dance in New York City. Her students have won Platinum and Elite awards at regional competitions. Former students have become professional dancers and certified dance teachers.

When Bettijane reflects on her accomplishments in dance, her greatest joy is in sharing her love of dance with all her students.

 

ELAINE MANNIX

Elaine was a student at Commonwealth Dance Academy since the age of three, training in dance for 16 years until she left to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. While at MCLA she participated in the school’s dance program and their Dance Company as a dancer as well as principal choreographer.

This will be Elaine’s 21st year being on the faculty at CDA. Elaine is a graduate of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston Dance Education Training Course and she is also a certified member of that organization. She has been on the DETC board of advisors for the last 14 years and loves giving back to the program.

Elaine has received teacher certifications through Dance Educators of America, Dance Teachers Club of Boston and Dance Masters of America. She enhances her dance knowledge by attending conventions sponsored by those organizations as well as those presented by Dance Teacher Magazine and Rhee Gold’s Dance Studio Life.

Elaine’s innovative choreography has been consistently recognized at competitions on an elite level.

 

SOPHIE CONOVER

Sophie Conover has been a student Commonwealth Dance Academy since the age of three. Last summer Sophie attended the Dance Teachers Club of Boston Dance Education Training Course, and this summer she will complete the course and graduate. Sophie is a member of our competitive dance team and has won numerous awards for solo, trio, and group dances.

She was a studio assistant for six years. Last year Sophie became a member of the faculty and is looking forward to continuing to teach dance.

 

OLIVIA CONNOR

Olivia Connor is a CDA alumna who danced with us for 16 years. She is a recent graduate of Curry College with a degree in forensic science and a minor in dance. Olivia was a member of the Curry Dance Team.  Olivia was part of our administrative team while she was studying at Curry College, but this year she will be able to rejoin the faculty.