Amanda Roberge
studio director & instructor
Amanda is a lifelong dancer and lover of all the arts. She danced at studios local to the Merrimack Valley and trained as a competitive gymnast. Throughout her time as a dancer, Amanda trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. Amanda continued her dance education at Merrimack College as a member of their dance team. In her senior year as captain, the Merrimack College Dance Team qualified for the NDA Finals at Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the first time in the school’s history. Amanda continued to dance post-college and studied in Latin rhythm ballroom dance. She loves incorporating her diverse dance background into her classes.
Amanda’s favorite part about teaching is creating a safe community and environment where students can learn, make friendships, and create lasting memories. When she’s not at the studio, Amanda is spending time with her husband Ben, daughter Charlotte, and puppy Quincy at home in Amesbury.
Jessica Tisbert
Early Childhood Coordinator, Instructor
Jessica graduated Summa Cum Laude from Dean College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a minor in business. She has studied dance for over 25 years - training in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Pointe, Modern and Irish Step. Jessica competed as well as performed in local community and charity events throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Jessica completed the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston’s Dance Education Training Course in 2005 and has been teaching ever since. Jessica has taught throughout the New England area including previous experiences as the Program Coordinator of a YMCA dance program and most recently the Assistant Dance Director of a studio in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Jessica has choreographed award winning competitive dance routines on a regional and national level. Her students have gone on to win regional titles, national titles, overall high score awards and top placements. Throughout her teaching career she has won numerous choreography awards and has been recognized for her creativity. Jessica hopes to pass down her love of dance and movement to each student in her class in a nurturing and safe environment. She loves watching the dancers have fun while learning and gaining confidence, focus and discipline.
Jessica lives in Atkinson with her husband, two daughters, and two huskies.
Marissa Masson
Instructor
Marissa Masson is a New England based dancer, choreographer, and educator. She graduated with her B.S. in Accounting with minors in Dance and Business Administration, as well as her MBA from Salve Regina University. While at Salve, Marissa was a member of Extensions Dance Company and the Business Manager of SRU Dance Club. She received the 2019 Salve Regina University Dance Award. She has since returned to Salve as a guest choreographer and alumna and has also set work at Providence College. Marissa’s choreography has been presented in festivals throughout the New England area and beyond. She is currently the Operations Manager and Co-Director of the Ensemble at Pantos Project Dance.
Mary Davis
Instructor
Mary has been dancing her entire life! Her training consists of ballet, pointe, tap, contemporary, jazz and hip hop. In high school, Mary began assisting dance classes and working with kids in her free time. She continued dancing through college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she helped to plan and organize the annual showcase in the spring, and presented her choreography at several of them. Post graduation in 2020, Mary began working as a full time engineer at a medical device company. She couldn’t imagine giving up dance after having danced her entire life, which is when she started her teaching journey at Above the Barre. In Mary’s classes, she wants to build an environment where students can have fun while also learning the foundations of dance.
Outside of her full time job and dance, you can usually find Mary cuddled up with her two cats reading a book, cooking with her sister, or exploring new hikes in the area!
Katie Carnovale
Instructor
Katie has been a dancer for 22 years, and found her love for dance when she was 4 years-old. Throughout most of grade school and high school, Katiewas part of a local competitive dance team where she grew up in Delaware. She has received training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater styles of dance. Throughout college and adulthood, Katie taught at another dance studio local to her in Maryland.
Katie has a Masters of Occupational Therapy, and graduated from The University of Scranton. Since moving to New England, Katie has become a pediatric occupational therapist. She has completed extensive training in inclusion courses, and is equipped to teach children of all abilities. Katie's favorite part of teaching dance classes is watching students ace a step they've been working on for weeks, and meeting life-long dance friends.