Lindsay Almquist /Owner and Studio Director
Lindsay Almquist is the current and proud owner and director of Caffery's Dance & Gymnastics Studio. Her passion for both dance and gymnastics has led her to share her knowledge and expertise through teaching for the past 25 years with her students in the Middlesex community and surrounding areas. Lindsay started dance and gymnastics of 3 right here, under the direction and guidance of her very own godmother, Maureen Aresco, the original owner and founder of Caffery's. From an early age it was apparent that Lindsay possessed a natural talent for movement which was matched by her instinctual drive to strive for excellence. Once her passion took hold, there was no stopping what she could achieve! She competed in both dance and gymnastics for many years through her childhood. Her competitive dance and gymnastics career then took her to NYC where she trained with some of the best professional dancers and choreographers and decided that she too had the desire to teach and create! At just 19, Lindsay launched her teaching and choreography career, showcasing her innovative methods and commitment to dance and gymnastics. Over the years, she has earned 7 national titles, been recognized as Choreographer of the Year twice, and received numerous choreography awards consistently within the industry. Lindsay instructs all dance genres and creates between 30 to 40 routines annually. Additionally, she has produced large national-winning production routines featuring over 60 students on stage each year. Throughout her career, she has trained hundreds of students, many of whom have pursued careers built on their love for dance and gymnastics. Lindsay is dedicated to refining her craft while fostering a safe, family-oriented environment for her students and their families. Caffery's began as a family-run business, maintaining a warm, familial atmosphere. As the director, Lindsay's primary goal has been to preserve that vision while encouraging her students to excel in an activity that brings joy to their lives!
instructors
Erica Rivera
Erica has been a part of the Caffery's family for the past 20 years. She began her dance journey at Caffery's when she was 3 years old and continued to dance there for the next 15 years under the education of Maureen Aresco and Lindsay Almquist. In those 15 years, Erica taught as a junior teacher and teacher's assistant and developed a passion for tap! After her time spent at Caffery's in her formative years, Erica moved on to dance for two semi-professional sports teams in Connecticut and train with master tap dancers Nicole Billow and Chloe Arnold of the Syncopated Ladies. When she wasn't dancing, Erica went on to become a case manager for a nonprofit organization for the state of Connecticut. Just a few short years later, Caffery's was lucky to have Erica return to us as a lead teacher and choreographer! She currently specializes in teaching her students tap, acro, gymnastics, and jazz and Erica's tap choreography has earned special judges awards along with showdown invitations at national competitions. Teaching her love of dance has allowed Erica to realize how much she enjoys watching the Caffery's dancers and gymnasts reach their individual goals and guide them in the importance of teamwork all while instilling hard work and life lessons along the way. When Erica is not helping others in her work as a case manager or teaching her students at the studio, she is spending her time with her beautiful family.
Ava LaBella
Ava cannot remember a time she wasn’t a part of the Caffery’s family! She began as a student, and after 16 years of dancing and assisting, she realized how much she loved teaching and for the past five years, has been sharing her love for dance with her students as a teacher at Caffery’s. Ava graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a B.A. in Psychological Science and a minor in Sociology. In 2022, Ava initiated and began to coach the Mercy High School, as well as began to choreograph the Mercy and Xavier High School Musicals. She recently joined Mercy High School’s Faculty full-time and is extremely happy to be working with such amazing students every day! In any extra spare time Ava has, you can find her teaching dance in elementary schools through the YMCA after-school programs or running hip-hop classes Park and Rec Programs throughout the county. She feels very blessed to be able to share her love and passion for dance with her incredible Caffery’s family!
Kaitlyn Tomer
Kaitlyn has been a part of the Caffery's family for the past 23 years. She spent her first 17 years at the school as a student, and then began teaching her skills for the next six years! Currently, she enjoys teaching our preschool dance and gymnastics students and specializes in teaching our littlest students new skills while having the most fun! When she isn't at Caffery's, Kaitlyn is a certified second grade teacher in Middletown, CT. She graduated in 2020 with a degree in Elementary and Special Education and will earn her Masters Degree in 2025. Getting to see her students in both the classroom and studio environments brings her so much joy! Kaitlyn is very proud to be sharing her love of dance with every student she is lucky enough to teach!
Maddie Tanasi
Maddie is incredibly excited to start teaching at Caffery’s this year! She began dancing 16 years ago and has been competing for the past 12. She began teaching five years ago at her previous studio with her focus work in lyrical/contemporary, jazz, and tap along with strength and conditioning. When Maddie isn’t teaching, she spends her free time furthering her dance training by taking classes at The Lab so she can provide her best possible self for her students. She is excited to work with Caffery’s amazing students and help guide their love for dance!
Jacob Shoup
Jacob Shoup is a dance teacher who is passionate about instilling the joy of movement into his students holistically: brain, body and soul. He specializes in ballet, which he has danced in various places for over twenty years. He has also studied and taught modern, contemporary and improv techniques. Currently he dances at New England Ballet Theatre in Avon where he had performed leading roles in The Long Black Veil and Midsummer Night's Dream. He previously danced with Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet performing works such as Ahavah and The Curve. He has also guested and choreographed for choreographer Ruth Lewis in the biblical Story of Ruth and other performances. Jacob started his education in a small studio in Ohio, and in his high school years he attended Interlochen, an arts boarding school in Michigan and he gained valuable performance and training experience. He then attended Butler University where he graduated with a BA in Dance Pedagogy after receiving specialty training in teaching ballet and modern dance. He continues to push himself in every area of his life in an effort to learn and grow into a better teacher and dancer.
Nichelle Amenta
Nichelle came to Caffery’s with over 15 years of recreational and competitive dance and gymnastics experience with a focus and passion for acro and tumbling! She began assistant teaching at a young age working under her acro teacher at her hometown studio in Thomaston, Connecticut. Early on, Nichelle began working with students of a variety of ages and differing experience levels which helped her learn how to assist each of her students achieve their individual skill goals. After life led her away from teaching for a while, Nichelle never lost her love for dance and tumbling and stayed active in her practice whenever she could! A few years later, Nichelle married and became a mom to three amazing girls. As soon as her two youngest were old enough, Nichelle was on the hunt for a studio that would assist her in being able to share her love and passion for dance and gymnastics with her daughters. Caffery’s Dance and Gymnastics came highly recommended, and she fell in love with the family oriented and supportive atmosphere of the studio. After her first year being a “dance mom” to her own family, she was thrilled when the opportunity came from Caffery’s to begin teaching gymnastics again. For Nichelle, teaching at Caffery’s and watching the hard work and dedication of each of her students reach their goals is a dream come true! As a teacher, Nichelle has reconnected with her passion and continues to educate herself in different drills and new methods to benefit her students. Dance and gymnastics are ever learning sports and she enjoys updating her skills whenever she can! Nichelle wants everyone to know that Caffery’s has become a second home and family to her and her daughters and is so happy having found this studio.
Juliana Girgenti
Juliana has been a part of the Caffery’s family since she was two years old. For as long as she can remember Juliana has loved assisting in various dance and gymnastics classes so when the opportunity came five years ago for her to teach, she was thrilled! When she is not at Caffery's teaching, she is working hard towards getting her Bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. Juliana feels grateful every day to not only be a part of a team of talented, passionate, and loving teachers but a family, that truly cares about every student that walks through Caffery's doors.
Ashley Rodriguez
Ashley is thrilled to be joining Caffery’s as a first-year instructor! Her journey started as a dancer and gymnast at two years old and continued as a competitive gymnast for eight years. Ashley gained experience coaching gymnastics at the YMCA, which gave her a solid foundation in teaching. She then used her gymnastics background to transition into cheerleading during high school and continued her passion at the collegiate level with the UConn cheerleading team. Ashley graduated from UConn with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration at UConn. She is excited to be a part of the Caffery’s family and work with all of you!
Katie Pelletier
Katie started dancing at Caffery’s at age three! She was apart of a competitive team for the past 11 years which has filled her with amazing moments and memories including dancing in FOUR national title-winning routines! She is currently a freshman at Central Connecticut State University, majoring in exercise science. She was the captain of the Mercy High School Dance Team, and currently a member of Rise All Stars. Katie loves working with kids, whether it’s in the classroom or the studio, and is thrilled to share her passion for dance with young students.
Assistant Teachers
Kayla Carey
Kayla is a junior at Middletown High School and has been a part of the Caffery’s family for 14 years! Kayla has shined on Caffery's competitive team for the past 10 years and has experienced the thrill of dancing in TWO national title-winning routines! She currently trains in college dance team prep classes and has made a point to study early childhood development at school. This background helps Kayla connect and work effectively with young kids in the classroom and at the studio!