KADS Faculty
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KARA ANDERSON
Kara Anderson is a Southbridge native who began her dance training at Debbie Sichol's Dance Center at the age of three. As a competitive dancer for many years, she had the unique opportunity to travel to the former Soviet Union to perform with the Debbie Sichol Dance Com pany, an experience that helped shape her passion for dance and performance. Kara is a graduate of Dean College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Dance. During her time at Dean, she was a member of the Dean Dance Company, inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and awarded the prestigious Joan Phelps Palladino Dance Scholarship. With over 35 years of teaching experience, Kara has instructed dancers of all ages and ability levels at studios throughout New England. Her students have earned numerous high score awards, titles, scholarships, and special recognitions at both regional and national dance compe titions. She has also received multiple choreography awards in recognition of her innovative and creative work. In addition to directing Kara Anderson's Dance Studio, Kara is an adjudicator for dance competitions who travels throughout the United States judging regional and national dance competitions for several competition organizations. She is also a Certified Progressing Ballet Tech nique (PBT) Instructor and is passionate about continuing her own education while sharing her knowledge and experience with the next gen eration of dancers. Beyond the studio, Kara enjoys giving back to her community, she has volunteered time to choreograph routines for local cheerleading teams. She is deeply committed to helping every dancer grow—not only in technique but also in confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of dance. Above all, Kara is most proud of being the mother of her two adult sons, Antonio and Brandon.
Miranda Desplaines
Miranda is from North Brookfield, Ma, who now resides in Sturbridge, Ma. She started dancing at a young age and then began assisting at the age of 12, which then turned her into a choreographer at Kara Anderson's Dance Studio in North Brookfield, ma and Southbridge, Ma. Miranda has won several titles and overall high scores throughout her dancing career. She was the 2006 Ronnie Belanger memorial scholarship recipient. She's performed in the Nutcracker and many other community performances. She's studied with many well-known choreographers such as Joe Tremaine, Marty Dew, Laurie Johnson, Step Stewart and Jeff Amsden. She was the winner of the Tremaine Dance Scholarship in NYC multiple times. She is a competitive team choreographer and has won awards for her choreography. She has choreographed for cheer teams, has adjudicated at dance competitions and national competitions for the past 7 years on the east coast as well as teaching convention classes. Along with teaching, Miss Miranda is a proud mom of 3 little ones, 2 daughters, Aubriella and Layla and then her son Liam.
SAMANTHA PUELO
Samantha is a native of Sturbridge, MA and has been dancing since the age of 3. She began her training in North Brookfield at KADS. Samantha was a member of the KADS competition team throughout her high school years, and won many awards for her performances. She was also a member of the Tantasqua Regional High School Dance Team. After high school, she attended Bay State College in Boston where she received an Associate Degree in Entertainment Management. While at Bay State, Samantha was a talent recruiter for “Operation Paradise” which was a benefit concert for the veterans at the Palace in Boston. She has also travelled all over the USA judging regional and national dance competitions. Samantha has been judging dance competitions across the country for 10 years. Along with two other students , Samantha started the Nichols College Dance team as well as coaching them for two years . Samantha’s well rounded background in all genres of dance gives her the pleasure of providing dancers with the knowledge they need to further their dance education. Miss Sam is a proud mom of 3 little ones, Grayson, Ava and Isabella.
LYNDA BAKER
Lynda Baker began her dance studies at Debbie Sichol’s Dance Center in Southbridge, MA where solid technique and the love of performing were the focus of each class. She went on to study with David Howard, Gus Giordano, Luigi, Charles Kelley, Maurice Hines and Frank Hatchett, and was awarded scholarships to Joe Tremaine’s and Steps on Broadway where she studied with Joe Lanteri and Zena Rommett.
Lynda has performed professionally in productions of Evita, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, A Chorus Line and many more. She was a member of a modern company called “Joan Karff’s New Dance Group” in Houston. She has appeared on PBS, Lifetime, and on NBC as an adagio dancer in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Lynda’s performance and choreography strengths lie in musical theatre, although she is an incredibly well rounded dancer/teacher/choreographer with a very strong ballet, jazz, tap and acrobat background. Lynda has taught classes and master classes at Steps in NYC, for several chapters of Dance Masters of America, and at many studios across the country.
She has been on the faculty of the Charlotte Klein Dance Centers since 1994. Lynda is certified by Dance Masters of America, Acrobatic Arts, and Alixa Flexibility. She not only choreographs for dancers, but also for competitive gymnasts. Lynda is a member and former President of Dance Master of New England.
As an adjudicator, Ms. Cadarette has served on judging panels for StarQuest, Dance Masters of America, OnStage America, Headliners, Sophisticated Productions, Dance Ovations, World Class Talent Experience and more. Lynda Cadarette is also a licensed massage therapist who works with dancers and gymnasts to overcome limitations by manual manipulation and assisted stretching techniques.
Candilize Santa
We are excited to have Candilize Santa back again this year!
Miss Candi is from Southbridge and is a recent graduate from Shepherd Hill High School. Candi has been dancing since she was very young, she joined KADS in junior high school and instantly found her passion for dance. Candi has competed for the last 5 years, and has won many awards for her performances. She also performed in Disney World with the KADS competition team. Candi is also a student at Worcester State University. Candi's competitive dances last year won many high score awards at various competition in New England. Candi is excited to continue as a KADS faculty member this year, and hopes to pass on her passion for dance to her students.
MAIA APPLING
Maia is a graduate from Tantasqua. Mai started dancing at a very young age at a dance studio in Auburn, MA. Maia instantly fell in love with dance. Maia joined the KADS family 3 years ago,. She was asked to join the competition Team when she began at KADS. Maia has been a class assistant and fell in love with dance all over again. Maia has won several awards and high scores for her performances at competitions throughout New England. She is a well-rounded dancer who is always willing and eager to learn more. Maia will be attending Quinsigamond College in the fall where she will study early childhood education. Maia truly enjoys working with the little dancers and is extremely excited to join the KADS faculty this year.
MADISON GRAY
Madison is a graduate of Quaboag High school. She has been dancing at KADS since she was 2 years old. Madi joined to competition team at a very young age and has always shined on the stage! She has won many awards and high scores throughout the years for her performances. Madi has been a class assistant at KADS since she was 12 years old. She loves working with the younger dancers and has been an amazing role model to them. Madi is very excited to make the transition from Madi to Miss Madi. She is thrilled she can now share her love of dance with her students at KADS.
Liz started singing when she could make noise, began dance training at age 9, started teaching and choreographing at 13, and began performing professionally at age 15. With nearly 30 years of teaching and performing arts experience, she has been fortunate to perform and work in Television and on Broadway. Throughout her career, Liz has earned recognition for her choreography and taught dancers at conventions from coast to coast. Currently, Liz enjoys judging performing arts competitions & teaching pop-up classes. While her journey has evolved to include becoming a wife, a mom raising three daughters (Dakota, Irelyn, & Mina), and building a successful business alongside her husband, Justin and their business partner, her greatest passion has always remained the same: mentoring, teaching, and giving back to others. Liz is grateful and excited to share that passion with Kara Anderson's Dance Studio. A note from Liz: I believe the lessons we learn in the studio extend far beyond the stage. Dance builds confidence, resilience, discipline, teamwork, and self-belief. Skills that carry into every aspect of life. My goal is to create an environment where every dancer feels empowered, encouraged, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves. In my classes, it's never just about learning the steps. It's about who you become along the journey.
Ashley started dancing at the age of 2 and joined the KADS family when she was 6 years old. She spent 12 years as a member of the KADS Competition Team, where she earned multiple regional titles and High Score Overall awards.
While attending Worcester State University, Ashley continued her journey at KADS as a faculty member for four years. During that time, she became certified in Preschool Acrobatic Arts, Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), and Progressing Contemporary Technique (PCT). She had the opportunity to teach Tiny Tots, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Acro, and our KADS Competition Team—experiences that brought her so much joy and helped shape Ashley as both a dancer and instructor.
Ashley has remained a part of the KADS family throughout college while earning her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics.
Ashley is beyond excited to be back at KADS for this incredible milestone—Season 30!
"It feels so special to return to the studio that has been such a meaningful part of my life, and I can't wait to share my love of dance with the next generation of dancers."
Jenna Dupell is excited to return to Kara Anderson's Dance Studio as a choreographer this season. She began dancing at KADS at the age of two and was a member of the competition team for many years. Jenna is a recent graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience with a minor in Dance. During college, she was a member of the Holy Cross Dance Ensemble and Dance Team and continued her training while studying abroad in Australia. Jenna is grateful to return to her home studio and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance while inspiring the next generation of KADS dancers.