JUST DANCE
Academy
Our staff of trained dance professionals truly cares about every student. They make sure each dancer is properly placed and is reaching their full potential. Take a few minutes to get acquainted with our wonderful faculty!
Kayla Pacheco
Owner &
Director
Kayla is a New England native and has been dancing since the age of three. She was the first student to attend Just Dance and competed in regional and national competitions until she graduated in 2010. Kayla went on to Bridgewater State University to pursue a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Dance Education.
Kayla was an active member of the Bridgewater State University Dance Team. In 2014, the team was named 10th in the Nation at the Universal Dance Association Nationals in Disney World. Kayla also interned with the Boston Ballet working with their large network of supporters.
After completing her undergraduate degree Kayla was accepted to the prestigious Merrimack College Fellowship Program where she earned her Masters Degree in Elementary Education. While completing her Masters Degree, Kayla was also working as a first grade teacher in North Andover. During the 2015-2016 school year Kayla worked as a Dance Education Specialist in the Lawrence Public Schools system.
This year Kayla took home numerous choreography awards from multiple competitions including the Odyssey Award at Starquest. Kayla was recognized as a "Top Choreographer" and received a variety of special awards and overall high scores.
Melissa Lloyd
Melissa Lloyd is a certified member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and has trained with legends such as: Diane Walker, Cathy Roe, Bob Rizzo and Brenda Buffalino. “Lloyd’s” choreography has been seen throughout the Northeast. Some of her works include: Crazy For You, The Wiz, One Touch of Venus and Jekyl and Hyde.
Not only is Melissa Lloyd a first grade teacher for the state of New Hampshire, she is also the Assistant Director at Just Dance. “Lloyd’s” competitive choreography has received numerous special awards and overall high scores at competitions such as Starquest, Showstoppers, Headliners, IDC, ADA and many more.
Melissa has a significant track record for her heart warming lyrical choreography. Every year from 2009-2014, she has received awards such as “Most Emotional Choreography” and “Strong Emotional Execution”. This season, Melissa Lloyd received the high honor of the “Apogee” award from Starquest for her choreography entitled “Ellis Island”.
Lexie Crafts
Lexie is a New England native and has been dancing since the age of three. She trained at Just Dance and graduated with a degree in dance from Dean College.
Lexie has recently returned to Massachusetts from NYC where she completed the Professional Semester at the Broadway Dance Center. Lexie was able to train with renowned choreographers such as Rhapsody James and Sheryl Murakami. While living and working in NYC, Lexie performed in a flashmob for the Fashion Night Out choreographed by Jamie Jackson. Lexie’s television credits include: Featured dancer on the Good Morning America Halloween Show and the music video entitled “Smile”, starring Shaggy and Tamer Posny.
Lexie’s most recent and proud accomplishment, has been her beautiful daughters Sadie Nicolette and Claire Elizabeth.
Katie Palmeira
Maddie Baptiste
Katie is a Boston Based Dancer and Choreographer. She graduated from Dean College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Katie’s stage credits include performing in; Martha Graham’s original work, “Steps in the Street”, Pioneer Valley Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”, Jazz Inc. Dance Company’s original musical “Blink”, and Afro-Haitian dance company Arc-En-Ciel Dance Troupe.
Aside from the stage, Katie has branched into television and film working in HGTV’s, “Spontaneous Construction” as a featured dancer and choreographer, performing a main role in a nationwide commercial for Subway, and recently appearing in the movie, “Grown Ups 2” starring Adam Sandler.
Katie currently performs with Urbanity Dance Company in addition to teaching world dance for Urbanity at Excel High School in South Boston.
Maddie is a New England Native and discovered her passion for dance at the age of 8. She is a Just Dance Academy Alum who trained until she graduated in 2017. Maddie continued her dance training at Dean College and has recently graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Dance from Dean! During her time at Dean, Maddie served as a Student Ambassador and was a 2-year member of the Dean College Loose Screws Tap Team.
Maddie is so excited to be stepping into a new chapter of her life as a JDA faculty member and continue to dance, teach, and share her passion with the next generation.