We are proud of our faculty and the dediction each has to her students!

Faculty of the Carlene Nazarian Dance Center

* Carlene Nazarian

Carlene has received numerous awards for her dancing and outstanding choreography throughout the Northeast.  A 1978 recipient of the Elsa-Kemp’ Award, she was honored by the Dance Teachers Club of Boston for her talents as a teacher.  With the “Sherry Gold Dancers” of Boston, and as a dance captain of the “Jazz Connection,” Carlene has performed professionally throughout New England.  In 1984 she founded her own school, “The Dance Center of New England,” and her students received top honors regionally and nationally.  She has experience as a judge in both modeling and dance competitions.  Her students have performed in Walt Disney World, Florida and were the 1998 national dance champions at American Dance Awards, Arlington, VA.  Her students continue to excel in all of the competitions they perform in.

* Janet Armstrong

Janet has studied with Boston Ballet, The Boston Conservatory and also many ballet masters including: David Howard, Joseph Giocobbi and Fred Knecht to name a few. She previously owned a school in the New England area for 18 years and since selling the business, has been sharing her extensive knowledge with students in the local area. Janet was invited and chosen on 2 occasions to dance in the Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Moscow in the former Soviet Union, Copenhagen, Denmark and Warsaw Poland as part of an International Dance Festival. She has also taught ballet workshops at DCTB Boston. Because of her technical training, many of her dancers have gone to win such titles as, Miss Dance, Jr.. Miss and Petite Miss with the New England Chapter of DMA. Her students have also won numerous titles, high scores and best technique awards at prestigious competitions such as ADA and IDC. She also has numerous students dancing on cruse ships, some of whom are dance captains, in national touring productions of White Christmas, Chorus Line, Moving Up as well as other regional theatre productions. One former student has just been hired as a Rockette in NYC.

* Mary Doherty

Mary has been teaching dance for 25 years, and is a long standing member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. Mary has studied with some of the most renowned teachers in New England and New York. She trained and performed with the Boston based Copley Square Ballet, the Jeannette Neil Jazz Studio, Leon Collin's Tap Ensemble, and Luigi Style Jazz based in New York City. Mary's students have received numerous Gold Medals, High Score, and Special Awards. She is a recipient of the American Dance Awards Diamond Choreography Award. Mary is committed to instilling a love of dance and building self-esteem in all her students. She has delighted in seeing many of her students continue on performing, teaching and celebrating the art of dance.

* Tina Fosman

Tina has been a dance educator for over 20 years. She has always been acknowledged for her versatility and technical aspects in all genres of dance. She has taken most pride in the accomplishments of her students. They have gone on to lead very successful careers through the art of dance. Many of Tina’s students have gone on to dance in NYC, on cruise ships and in theme parks. Some of her students have also opened up their very own studios, so they too can share their love and passion for dance. Tina is looking forward to doing the same with many more and can’t wait to instill the love of dance to a new generation.

* Ashley Moniz

Ashley has been dancing since age 3 with the Carlene Nazarian Dance Center. She continued her dance studies in Boston at the Jeanette Neill Dance Studio and Dance Complex. Ashley started teaching at CNDC in 2002, and has also done choreography work for Timberlane High School's cheerleading team and Central Catholic High School's dance team. She has taught master classes at UNH's Summer Dance Intensive in Durham as well as Hampstead Health & Fitness in Hampstead. She performed in artist, D.One's music video "The Wait is Over" in 2007 and has recently performed a hip hop piece with the Jeanette Neill Dance Studio in their repertory show "Moving Pictures". Ashley has taken teqnique and master classes in the area as well as New York City and continues her dance training to keep growing as a dancer and a teacher.

* Angie Conte

Angie has been a part of CNDC for most of her life, starting as a student at age 6 and now as an instructor. She attended Roger Williams University and earned a BA in Dance Performance Studies and Visual Arts.  She recently had her choreography performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC for the American College Dance Festival’s National Gala, one of just 30 pieces selected from around the country.  She was also selected to participate in the Emerging Artists concert at Green Street Studios in Cambridge MA in 2009.  She has been a guest artist at Roger Williams University and Colby Sawyer College to create pieces for their dance concerts.  She is currently a part of the NADINE (New Artists Dance In New England) Project, led by dance writer and former Julliard/Barnard Choreography Professor Janet Mansfield Soares and former Limon dancer Libby Nye.  She has taught at various studios in New England and at the UNH Summer Dance Intensive Program. She has received many choreography awards, including a Diamond Choreography for CNDC in 2009. 

* Jennifer K. Burpee

Jennifer has been involved in dance since 1993, when she was enrolled in the Concord Dance Academy of Concord, NH. At the age of thirteen, after her parents and teachers realized her innate dance talent, she was enrolled at the Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts in Natick, MA. There, she was technically trained under Michel Owen, Elizabeth Rising-Musgrave and Samuel Kurkjian in classical ballet. Jennifer later attended the University of New Hampshire with a Major in Theatre and Dance and a Minor in the French Language. At UNH, she created and held the position of Rehearsal Assistant for her four-year tenure; on top of which, she performed in and choreographed many of the University Dance Showcases. While earning her degree at UNH, Jennifer taught Dance locally for three years, spending time as a choreographer and attending dance conferences in Boston, MA. In 2007 she moved to NYC to get back into being the student. After moving to the Boston area she joined the CNDC team.

* Mindy Fabiano

Mindy began dance at the age of four at the Melissa Hoffman Dance Center, becoming a member of their competitive team and pre-professional company, Subtle Intuition. During her time there she acquired many accolades including scholarships from Dance Masters of America (tap, pointe), winning national titles, a spot on the 2002 world dance team and the opportunity to appear in the opening ceremony of the Woman’s World Cup in Australia.  After graduating second in her high school class, Mindy began her professional career with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines, touring the world as a featured soloist and aerial artist.  With her feet back on dry land she enjoys picking up where she left off, teaching all subjects and choreographing competitive routines.