Encore Faculty
Erica Jamieson
Studio Director
Erica Jamieson began her dance training over 20 years ago, studying at numerous schools throughout New England. She went on to study dance and dance theory at Roger Williams University under the direction of Kelli Wicke-Davis. There she was a dance theater member, performing in numerous pieces commissioned by the college. She later graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Merrimack College. After college Erica began choreographing and teaching at local dance studios. Her choreography has been recognized at numerous regional and national level competitions. Erica continues her own dance education by attending classes taught by some of the most notable names in the dance industry in cities like New York and Boston. She also is an active member of IADMS (The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science), an organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of dancers through education and communication between dance and medicine. Erica’s own methodology centers itself on sharing her own teaching techniques with other teachers and choreographers, in hopes of creating an exchange of knowledge and ideas. This way, Erica hopes to keep the dance program at Encore always progressive, innovative and enriching for all of her students.
Jacklyn Tabor
Creative Director
Jacklyn Tabor has been teaching dance for almost a decade. She started her training at the age of three and went on to study Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop and Acrobatics. She has trained under some of the most prestigious dance educators including Sandi Duncan and Nailah Bellinger. She continues to expand her dance education through her involvement with such programs as; NYCDA teacher courses, the Dance Teacher Magazine Summer and Winter Conferences, and membership with IADMS (The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science).Her choreography has been recognized at numerous dance competitions throughout the area on both a regional and national level. As our studio’s Creative Director, Jacklyn combines her own dance knowledge and extensive training with imaginative and innovative techniques to bring out the best in all of her students.
Ruth Benson Levin
Ballet /Pointe/ Modern
After graduating with honors from the Adelphi University Dance Program, Ruth Benson Levin moved to Boston in 1976 and has been delighting audiences with her choreography ever since. She has received commissions for her work from Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Boston’s First Night Celebration and the Cambridge River Festival, and she is an Artist’s Foundation Grant Winner in Choreography. Her dances have been produced in collaboration with Massachusetts Dance Ensemble, Dance Umbrella, Choreographer’s Group, and Dance Collective. Ms. Levin’s full-evening work, Dance With Me, was praised by audiences and critics for its sensitive and moving portrayal of older dancers and the transitions they experience. Ms. Levin’s Three Ways to be Modern project was hailed by Boston Globe dance critic, Christine Temin, as the “most cleverly crafted commission” in the Dance Umbrella’s Boston Moves production. Her work has been described by Theodore Bale of the Boston Herald, as “rigorous, sophisticated, powerful, and poignant.” Ms. Levin is a highly regarded teacher of both ballet and modern dance. She was a member of the Performing Arts Faculty of Brookline High School for fourteen years as well as several area colleges. In 1997 Ms. Levin earned a Masters of Arts Degree from Lesley University in Choreography and Dance Education. Since 1999, Ms. Levin has been teaching ballet and period dance at Boston University and mentoring dance pedagogy students at Lesley University.
Kendra Hague
Acrobatics
Kendra has been teaching gymnastics and cheerleading to students for close to twelve years. She began her training at Walker’s Dance and Gymnastics where she was a dancer and gymnast for twelve years. She has made appearances on ESPN as a cheerleader. She has won numerous state, regional and national titles for both gymnastics and cheerleading. Since then, Kendra has been coaching cheerleading for Pop-Warner thru All- Star students and gymnastics for students at Wilkey’s Gym, 5-6-7-8 Dance Studio and Encore Dance Academy. Kendra’s one-on-one approach to teaching allows each individual to grow according to their ability.
