Our Philosophy
WE BELIEVE...
- The value of fair treatment of all people.
- Teaching the art of dance is an honor.
- Each student is an individual and should be treated with respect and encouragement.
- Bringing out the best in each dancer is important.
- Each child has different talents and it's our job to develop them to the fullest.
- Dance is an instrument which can develop a positive self-image.
- Children deserve to have teachers who are capable and caring and whose values enable them to be excellent role models.
- Children are always accepted to our studio regardless of race, creed,national origin or sex.
On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined!
About Our Faculty
Pamela Polo Moscatelli
Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Stretch, Children & Adult Program
Pamela Moscatelli Is the owner/artistic director of the PZDA. She began her dance training as a 14 year old at the PZDA in 1977. Within a year, she earned her place on the Senior Competition Team. During these competition years she was recognized for her talent with many honors, including "Best in Ballet", "Best Technical Execution", "Miss Dance of Connecticut", 2nd runner up to "Miss Dance of America", and numerous scholarships to attend prestigious Dance Centers. As her love for teaching grew, Pam began to assist at the studio and study in New York with well-known instructors David Howard, Douglas Wassell, Starr Danias, Christine Neubert, Luigi, Ronnie DeMarco, Frank Hatchett, Chuck Kelley, Michael Owens and Judy Bassing.
While studying dance, Pam earned her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. For several years she was pre-school teacher by day and dance instructor by night. Pam eventually made her mark in the competition circuit as a choreographer by creating pieces that have earned top awards such as "Best Choreography" and "Overall High Score" both on the Regional and National levels. Her performance credits include local Ballet Theatre, Repertory Concerts and performances with ACE Entertainment of Boston involving the legendary Gregory Hines and Cher. Throughout her successful years of competing, performing, judging and teaching, "Teaching is by far the most rewarding." Presently, Pam continues to study and teach (and lovin' it!) in Boston to all ages and levels and here at the PZDA where she recently became the new owner! She is affectionately known as "Miss Pam".
Meghan Anderson
Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Contemporary
Meghan Anderson has been a student at the Paula Zawalich Dance Academy since the age of two. Meghan now attends Dean College in Franklin, MA as a dance major and is a member of the honors program. She has studied with choreographers such as Missy Lay Zimmer, Andrew Hubbard, Tracie Stanfield, Sonya Tayeh and many more. She studied and continues to study Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Lyrical/Contemporary.
Meghan has received numerous awards over the years including the title of Teen Miss Superstar 2003 and the Mr. and Mrs. Z award 2003-2004 at the PZDA. She has choreographed many shows such as Quabbin Regional High School's Productions of "Beauty and the Beast" in 2007 and "Little Shop of Horrors" in 2008. She has also choreographed for Ware Middle School and their production of "The Wizard of Oz." Meghan has taught beginner jazz and ballet at Rutland Recreation Center and has assisted for many years at the PZDA. She looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge for the art of dance with the students of the PZDA.
Devon L.Tyrrell
Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary
Devon L.Tremblay is a native of Massachusetts where she began her love and passion for the art of dance at the young age of 8.
Devon has gone on to contuniue her studies at Dean College in Franklin, Ma. She graduated with her B.A. in Dance in 2008 with a focus in modern and pedagogy. Devon has worked with many choreographers and teachers along the way such as Nialah Randal Bellengerm Jill Silverman, Kelly Peters, Michelle DeSilva Ball, AC Ciulla, Maurice Hines and many more. Devon's performance credit's include "Anything Goes" a lead dancer and choreographer, "Guys and Dolls" a choreographer and the lead character "Adelaide", "Dance Extravaganza" in 2004 and as a soloist in "Dean Dance Company" 2005-2008. Devon worked as the Vice President of the Dean College Dance Team 2006-2008. Devon's main focus has become her passion for choreography.
Devon has choreographed for the Worcester State College Dance Team as well as other local studios. Her dances have won many awards such as "Over All" titles, "Judges" and "High Score" awards on both the regional and national levels. In 2007, Devon's piece won the National Title at "Dance Ovations". Her work has also been recognized with a perfect score and was placed in the "Dance Off". Most recently, two of her pieces she did for the PZDA won 1st runner-up and the "Best Choreography" award at the Access Broadway National Competition in Las Vegas. They also placed in the top three for "Overall High Score". Devon's goal is to show everyone the beauty and joy of dance through all of her classes and choreography!
Karen Driscoll
Vocal
Karen Driscoll has attracted considerable interest from her appearances throughout North America during past numerous seasons, including the title role in Massenet's Manon for Florida Grand Opera and Florentine Opera, Mimi in La Bohème for L'Opéra de Montréal, Virginia Opera, and Baltimore Opera, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin for the Seattle Opera and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the title role in Susannah for L'Opéra de Montréal, Juliette for Vancouver Opera and Opera Saskatchewan, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte for the Baltimore Opera, L'Opéra de Montréal, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Musetta in La Bohème for Florida Grand Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Columbus, Toledo Opera and Opera Carolina. Additional performances have included Nedda in I Pagliacci for Hawaii Opera Theater, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro for Michigan Opera Theater, L'Opéra de Montréal and Fresno Grand Opera, Despina in Cosi fan tutte for L'Opéra de Montréal, Micaëla in Carmen for Hawaii Opera Theater and the New Jersey State Opera, and Antonia in Les Contes d'Hoffman for Palm Beach Opera.
Ms. Driscoll has also been a winner of many prestigious awards including winning the Grand Prize in the Lee Schaenen Foundation competition and receiving the Gilbert Artist of the Year Award from the Florida Grand Opera. In addition, she was a competition winner with Opera Columbus, Connecticut Opera, Young Patronesses of the Opera in Miami, Florida, and a regional runner-up in the National Society of Arts and Letters competition. Ms. Driscoll is a graduate of The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and completed her course work for a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance. She currently is on the faculty at Clark University where she teaches private voice lessons.
Guest Instructors:
Kaila St. George
Erica Toedt
Elizabeth Hepp
Nikki Sell
Bryan Steele
Lisa Heath
Paula St. George
Paula St. George is the original founder and owner of the Paula Zawalich Dance Academy. She opened the PZDA in September of 1976.
A respected and successful teacher and choreographer through the years, Paula has seen her students go on to pursue professional dance careers as performers and teachers. Her expertise and techniques continue to be taught throughout the academy.
