KELLY CANNONE

Kelly Cannone has been an arts educator for more than 25 years. She served on The Arts Advocate of RI, and is a Board Member of the Warwick Consortium of the Arts and Humanities. In 1981 she founded Dance Artistry, Inc. in Warwick, RI and became owner of the studio Dancer Magazine called "One of the four most successful studios in America." She started her own dance company, a non-profit organization, who performed internationally visiting Copenhagen, Denmark, and Minsk and Moscow, Russia. In order to expand her teaching opportunities to the martial arts, she earned her black belt in American Kenpo Karate.

Kelly has numerous career highlights, these include choreographing numerous corporate events, commercials, and music videos including the Miss R.I. pageant, Koch Eye Associates Promotional Video, Market America’s Regional Convention and many more. Kelly has appeared in several televisions commercials and theater productions. She has been on staff with Dance Olympus and Candance conventions. Kelly’s latest venture is writing motivational articles for children. Her work has been published in Dancer Magazine, The Gold Rush, Cheerleading Dance and Drill Magazine and Dance Studio Life. Kelly has been traveling around the country teaching dancers and dance teachers how to set goals in her Aspiring Dreamz Workshop.

This past year Kelly has published a book titled, "Aspiring Dreamz, Goal Setting For Dancers." Kelly has also written a children’s book titled "The Broken Doll" which is being considered for a ballet production in Rhode Island.

HOPE SPECHT

Hope Specht has an impeccable reputation in the New England dance world. She is known nationwide for her teaching and choreography, and is in constant demand as a teacher and adjudicator for dance competitions and conventions across the country. Having owned and operated her own dance school for over 15 years, Hope’s students have performed in commercials, Disney, The Macy’s Day Parade, Madison Square Garden, Times Square in New York, and the Broadway musicals: "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN" and touring with "FOSSE", also achieving 10 National Acro titles, 3 World Champions in Show Dance, GOLD & 2-TIME WORLD Silver medalists in Tap 2005-2006 in Riesa, Germany. Hope had the prestigious honor of being nominated and to perform her choreographed Acro-Gym production, "GLORY," for President Bush.

Hope has been teaching and choreographing at McKeon’s for the past 6 years. Her Acro – Gym routine “Battle Warriors” won the Xcalibur Award (the highest scoring routine in all categories of the competition) at Dance Xplosion Nationals this past summer.

DANIELLE BUHARALI

Danielle Buharali is an accomplished dancer, teacher and choreographer. She started at the McKeon School at age 3 and has never left. A National Dance Champion herself, Danielle was also a member of the McKeon Team Chosen to be part of the first United States delegation sent to participate in the “10th World Gymnaestrada” in Berlin Germany in 1995.This past summer her students received recognition at the Dance Xplosion National Championships winning the prestigious Xcalibur award in the Novice division along with several other Top Score and High Point awards.

As well as being an accomplished competition instructor, Danielle is one of the top recreational dance teachers in the area. She takes the same creative approach to all her classes, beginners through advanced.

CASEY LeBLANC

Casey LeBlanc was a member of the nationally-ranked McKeon Competitive Dance Team for 13 years. During her time, she won numerous regional titles as well as being crowned the 2011 Senior Miss Beyond The Stars for her performance at their national competition. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Business from Arizona State University, Class of 2015. In her junior and senior years she was awarded full scholarships to the American College Dance Festival where she became a finalist in her category both years.

Casey was an active member of the National Dance Education Organization and acted as their social marketing manager. Upon graduation, she returned to McKeon and has quickly become a valuable member of our staff. She is certified in Acrobatic Arts and is now a member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter 5.

Casey’s choreography has won many awards at regional and national competitions and her encouraging, positive attitude with all the dancers is a wonderful asset for our recreational and competitive programs! Casey continues to choreograph as a guest artist at the college level as well at Stonehill College and UMass Amherst.

BREA PERDUE

Brea Perdue has trained with and assisted some of the top teachers and choreographers in the country including Mia Michaels, Stacey Tookey, and Doug Caldwell. Brea’s credits include Kelly Clarkson, Teen Beach Movie, High School Musical, and Shake it Up. She has danced in numerous commercials and industrials, and was also a semi-finalist on Season 2 of FOX's hit television show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” In addition, Brea has performed in numerous shows at Walt Disney World. Her unique choreography keeps Brea in high demand throughout the country where she teaches at studio workshops and choreographs for college dance teams. Currently, Brea is in her fifth season on faculty at Revel Dance Convention.

KARA PENDLEBURY

Kara Pendlebury's love for movement started on the mats in acro class then transitioned into the world of competitive dance. Upon moving to New York City she began dancing professionally, performing mainly in the styles of contemporary and jazz. Along with that, Kara trained, assisted and traveled with many companies and choreographers. Most recently, you can find her judging on the east coast or in the studio, creating movement while encouraging dancers to believe in themselves.

HANNAH LEBEAU

Hannah is an Auburn, MA native, who has trained extensively in many different styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, and acro. Throughout her youth, she was a successful competitive dancer where she was awarded many prestigious local/national awards, titles, and scholarships. Some of the dance studios/establishments she has studied under include Broadway Dance Center, Worcester Ballet Arts, Janette Neil Studio, and Hackworth School of Performing Arts directed by Alison Forance. She was an original member of the Boston Tap Company under the direction of Sean Fielder where she performed in shows such as the Radio City Rockettes, Jacob’s Pillow, The Dance Complex Showcase, and Rhythm in the Night at the Riverside Theatre in Hyde Park. She also specializes in Pro Dance/Dance Team style, as she is most well known for her former title as an NFL Cheerleader where she obtained the titles of a Line Captain, 2X Super Bowl Champion, and 2017 Pro Bowl Representative. She has trained under notable choreographers including Teddy Forance and members of the Shaping Sound Company, Jason Samuels Smith, KellyKaleta, Gregory King, Hope Specht, and many more. Hannah still teaches all styles of dance, and choreographs for National winning solos, duos, and groups

MARINA

Marina comes to us with many years of experience. She is the founder of Bolshoi Summer Intensive Russian-American Ballet in NYC and CT. From 1974-1989 she performed for the Classical Dance Ensemble Kiev, Ukraine. She danced principal classical and character roles from Classical ballet productions including Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Paquita, and Sleeping Beauty. She is a Doctorate Candidate for Physical Therapy Program focusing on Sports and Dance Therapy, University of RI. We are very excited to have her join us!

LAURA

Laura grew up in Medway, Ma. She started dancing at the age of 4 at Mckeon Dance & Gymnastics and continued her training there until she graduated high school. She is trained in contemporary, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics and hip hop. Through her years of dancing, she has won numerous titles and top placement awards at various competitions. Laura was chosen with her studio team to participate in the “10th World Gymnaestrada” in Berlin Germany in 1995, where she was the youngest dancer. After graduating high school, Laura continued to further her education by taking master classes all over New England.

Along with being an accomplished dancer, Laura is, also, being recognized as an accomplished dance teacher and choreographer. While teaching at studios within Massachusetts she has won numerous choreography awards for her contemporary, jazz, and lyrical pieces. Her students have received amazing recognition, winning top placement awards, and receiving scholarships to dance in Hollywood & New York. Laura is well-known for her unique style and innovative choreography. Laura takes pride in passing along her love and knowledge for dance to each and every one of her students. She is incredibly honored to be back at her home studio and is looking forward to many years to come.

MEGHAN

Meghan was a competitive dancer from Cranston Rhode Island and danced on her high school Falconette dance team. She danced for Roger Williams University, where She served for several years as a captain, President, and Vice President of several dance groups. Meg became a mental health therapist in 2023, acheiving a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling. She currently works for several agencies as a clinician inspiring, advocating, and helping individuals with their mental health. As a dance teacher, She integrates her mental health background into the dance studio to encourage young athletes to be confident and kind in every room they enter!

LAINA CLEAVES

Bio coming soon!