meet the staff
TRISH MOULTON
Owner/InstructorTrish Moulton has been educating dancers for over 25 years. As the owner of Dance Studio of Maine, she thrives on seeing all dancers grow and succeed. Trish has trained with International Dance Teaching Standards and has coached for both the Sea Dogs Dance Team and the Lady Red Claws. She has built strong connections and lasting friendships within the greater dance community.
Trish is passionate about continued growth, regularly attending classes and seminars to stay current in the ever-evolving dance world. She believes deeply that “we can never stop learning,” and that “the student can be the teacher.”
Through her extensive network and experience, Trish has a unique ability to get dancers into the rooms they need to be in—opening doors to meaningful connections with industry leaders and decision-makers. Her work as a judge also expands her perspective and informs the guidance she provides her students.
ALEXIS HOLDEN
Marketing & Office ManagerLexi danced locally for 15 years. When she graduated high school she shifted her focus to academics and earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Maine in 2021. Her passion for dance, combined with her background in business and marketing, now fuels her commitment to creating an inspiring, inclusive space where every student feels seen, celebrated, and supported.
MEGAN KELLEY
Instructor
Born and raised in Concord, NH, Megan has been dancing since the age of 2. She competed throughout New England until the age of 18, alongside being a member of Speaking In Taps. She decided to solely focus on tap at the age of 14. She studied under Sue Harrington and her mentor Aaron Tolson, as well as traveling to many festivals and workshops including “Tap Kids” and “The Intensive”. Megan began teaching and choreographing at the age of 15 and never looked back. Her passion lies in getting kids excited about tap dance, its history, and all the joy it brings!
ryan CAUSEY
Instructor
Ryan will be teaching hip-hop at Dance studio of Maine. He’s been dancing for 13 years, and danced for 6 at DSM. He’s trained in all styles but hip hop is his favorite at the end of the day. When he’s not dancing, he like to stay active in other ways with going to the gym and running, as well as thrift shopping and spending time with my friends and family. Ryan is excited to get to work this season and kick my teaching journey off here at DSM.
jASMINE qUARLES
Instructor & The Artist Collective
Jasmine has been teaching at DSOM for over 10 years! She has been dancing since she was a little girl and continues to pass on her love of dance to the next generation. You’ll find Jasmine working with dancers of all ages — from our youngest students to our graduating seniors.
Jasmine graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She is an Acrobatic Arts–certified instructor, certified with Alixa Flexibility, and is currently completing her Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) training. Jasmine is also CPR & First Aid certified and has completed the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) training, along with the rest of our staff.
When Jasmine isn’t at the studio, you’ll probably catch her strolling the aisles of Target, sipping Starbucks, and entertaining her two little girls.
ASHLEY eARL
Instructor & The Artist Collective
Ashley has been with DSOM since 2nd grade. She grew up dancing here and has always consider it her second home. She has been teaching since 2012 with grown up and me, tiny tots, hip hop, jazz, contemporary and more. She is a mother of a 8 year old boy. As a teacher and mother, she values the nurturing of our young minds, emotions and bodies. Her hope is through movement, she can create a safe space for our kids (and adults!) to express themselves… and have some high energy, silly fun! She is currently finishing her Progressing Ballet Technique training and has completed the YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) training
mATILDA MCCOLL
Instructor & The Artist Collective
Matilda completed nine years of technical dance training and four years of assistant-teaching training at Dance Studio of Maine, beginning in 2012. She recently completed her sixth season as a DSOM instructor, and specializes in contemporary, lyrical, and jazz dance styles. Matilda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Honors Studies, at the University of Southern Maine in 2023. Her other relevant certifications include Progressing Ballet Technique (Level 1) and Maine Family Child Care Credential with Maine Roads to Quality.
Matilda has experience teaching dance to all ages, but has a soft spot for minis and seniors. Her favorite memory at DSOM was watching her senior jazz group, “Serving” absolutely nail their routine at a local competition, winning the highest scoring dance of the entire weekend! Matilda loves to see her dancers sparkle onstage after working hard in the studio for months on end. She strives to be a positive mentor and inspire her students to stay consistent and trust the process.
mAKENZIE WHITTEN
Instructor & The Artist Collective
Makenzie has been teaching at the Dance Studio of Maine for over ten years, and before that, danced competitively with DSOM for six. She loves all dance styles but specializes in jazz and contemporary. Makenzie has her degree in Early Childhood Education and when she is not teaching dance, she works as a private nanny caring for children of all ages. She also received her Dance Teacher certification through International Dance Teaching Standards (IDTS). Makenzie is incredibly passionate about working with children and tapping into their multitude of skills and talents, especially in dance. Helping children achieve their very own goals all while providing them with the tools to strive for greatness is one of her most favorite accomplishments. Makenzie also loves anything Disney related, dogs of any kind, and chocolate covered gummy bears!
Alyssa stanley
Instructor
Alyssa Stanley has been dancing since the young age of three. She fell in love with dance in northern Maine and began studying ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, and much more.
Through dance, Alyssa discovered her true self as a performer, taking the stage by storm in numerous productions that combined singing, dancing, and acting. She is Acrobatic Arts certified and brings a strong foundation in safe, technique-based training to her students. She is currently finishing her Progressing Ballet Technique training and has completed the YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) training
In addition to her dance background, Alyssa graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Southern Maine in May 2025. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of New England, where she continues to merge her love of movement with a passion for helping others thrive.
Alyssa believes that the arts give children the space to think creatively, express themselves confidently, and discover their unique strengths in an environment that is both structured and joyful.
alex pinkham
Instructor & The Artist Collective
Alex started training as a dancer with DSOM at 6 years old! The studio has always been a second home, although taking all styles of dance Alex quickly found a love for tap. Dancing competitively and student teaching all levels of tap classes helped foster creativity and a confidence which he has used in all aspects of his life. After graduating highschool, Alex obtained his Bachelor's degree in Hotel & Lodging Management and his Masters degree in Global Tourism & Sustainable Economic Development from Johnson & Wales University. When not teaching, Alex works in Property & Project Management in Biddeford, Maine, where he also lives with his two cats Nala and Otis, the loves of his life. Alex hopes to inspire dancers of all ages by offering a safe space for all forms of self expression and building pride, self confidence and life long friendships with every class.
Rachel richards
Instructor
Rachel Ganteaume, born in Trinidad, first studied the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus at The Caribbean School of Dancing in Port of Spain. Her accomplishments there led her to being honored with a scholarship to American Ballet Center, now the Joffrey Ballet School, in New York City. While there, she also studied with David Howard and Maggie Black at their studios.
Rachel performed feature roles in Todd Bolendar’s The Still Point, Wlima Curley’s Mother’s Mozart ‘73, Stuart Sebastian’s Rush and And Ever More and others by Gerald Arpino, August Bournonville and Sir Frederick Ashton in the Joffrey II Company before joining the Joffrey Ballet in 1975. In the Joffrey Ballet, she performed principal roles in Oscar Ariaz’s Romeo and Juliet, Gerald Arpino’s. Scared Grove on Mount Tamalpais, Sir Frederick Ashton’s Jazz Calendar, Jose Limon’s The Moor’s Pavane, and others by Alvin Ailey, Ruthanna Boris, Agnes de Mille, Michel Fokine, Kurt Jooss, Vaslav Nijinsky, Gerome Robbins and Twyla Tharp. Her television performances include Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo, presented at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. at the request of the White House, marking the historic meeting of President Jimmy Carter and Deng Xiaoping, then Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China. Moreover, her national television broadcast histories have been “The Joffrey Company at Wolf Trap”, Vienna, Virginia and “An Evening with Agnes de Mille”, New York City Center and “Nureyev and The Joffrey Ballet on Broadway”, New York City, NY.
In 1982 she moved to Maine joining the faculty of the Ram Island Dance Center and later the Portland Ballet where in 1996, she performed “Tituba” in Sam Kurkjian’s The Witches of Salem. Rachel has now taught Ballet at Bates College, Lewiston, Maine since 2003, and with Dance Studio of Maine, Gorham, Maine since 2017. In addition, she has taught summer courses at Bates Dance Festival - Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, Greater Bay Academy of Dance - Kittery, Maine and Summer Stages Dance at Concord Academy - Concord, Massachusetts. She has also been invited on several occasions to teach at the Caribbean School of Dancing - Port of Spain, Trinidad.
grace koury
Instructor
Grace Koury earned a Bachelor's of Science in Ballet Performance from Indiana University‘s Jacobs School of Music on the Dean’s Scholarship in 2016. There she had the pleasure of performing many works by renowned choreographers ranging from Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies, Paul Taylor’s Musical Offering, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Emeralds, Western Symphony, Four Temperaments and Divertimento No. 15. As a part of Jacobs School of Music, Grace also had the opportunity to perform as a featured dancer in the operas La Traviata and The Last Savage. In addition to Indiana University Ballet Theater, Grace has received dance training from Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet SI, The School of American Ballet SI, Chautauqua School of Dance, and Allegheny Ballet Company.
Grace started teaching while attending IU in the music school’s pre-college program. In addition, she instructed non-major elective ballet classes. After graduating, Grace taught varying ages of ballet students in schools across the country while also dancing professionally for Rochester City Ballet and Georgia Dance Theater. In 2019, Grace moved to Portland, ME to dance professionally as a company member with Portland Ballet. Grace joined the faculty of DSOM in the summer of 2020. She is still dancing professionally for Portland Ballet while also teaching at several other dance schools in Southern Maine.