Teaching Staff

Cheryl A. Sullivan - Artistic Director/Choreographer

Miss Cheryl has studied dance for over 55 years. Her training began in Somerville, MA with Barbara T. Murphy and continued with Jody Palange/Roffi. Miss Cheryl attended the Dance Teacher's Club of Boston's teacher training course for three years and graduated in 1984. That year she opened her first studio as a certified dance teacher and member of DTCB and Dance Masters of America.

Miss Cheryl has continued her dance education through many conventions and seminars as well as Master Classes. Her choreography experience ranges from children's programs with various organizations to the Artistic Director of professional show-quality recitals which are performed each year in December and June. Miss Cheryl has always believed that a child should be allowed to express themselves and truly love what they are doing. She takes great pride in having the chance to make dance a special part of every student's life.

Jenna Sullivan - Tap Instructor/Choreographer

Jenna has been studying dance for the past 18 years at Cheryl A. Sullivan's School of Dance and is a former member of the CASSOD Elite Dance Company. Jenna has been an instructor/ choreographer with CASSOD for the past 7 years. She is a 2015 graduate and pending member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston with the American Society.

Jenna is in her junior year at Salem State University with a double-major in Elementary Education and Psychology. Jenna is a member of SSU's Repertory Dance Theater and is beginning her term as Treasurer on RDT's Executive Board.

Meghan Simcox - Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Pointe Instructor/Choreographer

Meghan has been studying dance for over 30 years at Cheryl A. Sullivan's School of Dance and has been teaching at CASSOD for the past 15 years. She is a 2005 graduate and current member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston with the American Society. Meghan has taught ages 7 -16 year olds, beginner to advanced classes as well as our Jr. Dance Company. She graduated from UMass Lowell where she received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and has also earned her Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College. Meghan is a kindergarten teacher in Medford and continues to share her love of dance while teaching at CASSOD.

Jennifer Kuhnberg - Ballet/Jazz/Contemporary Instructor/Choreographer

Jen was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where she trained at Horizons Dance Center, Brooklyn Dance Center and the Mark Twain School.

She is the Executive Director of OnStage Dance Company, Artistic Director of OnStage | Repertory, a dance choreographer and instructor. In addition to creating dozens of works for OnStage performances, she choreographed two feature-length productions: What Is Love? (Green Street Studios, Cambridge) and Heartbeat: A Modern Dance Rock Concert (OBERON, Cambridge), a music video for recording artist Jamie Lynn Hart, and had work featured in festivals across New York, Massachusetts and Vermont.

Jen has previously taught and choreographed for studios and companies, both local and abroad, including: MADSOC at The University of Sydney (Australia), The Jeannette Neill Dance Studio, Arlington Dance Place, Brookline Adult & Community Education Program, Miss Maria's School of Dance, The Atrium School, Hill House, Northeastern University Dance Company and No Limits Dance Crew.

Mark Alker-Sweeney Instructor/Choreographer

Mark started studying the art of dance at the age of three at Cheryl A. Sullivan's School of Dance. He competed in many competitions with the CASSOD dance team and later became an instructor, teaching tap, jazz, hip hop and musical theater.

Mark attended Salem State University, where he participated with the Repertory Dance Theater as a Dancer, Choreographer, and Vice President.

Mark graduated from the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston, Inc. with The American Society’s, Dance Education Training Course in 2005. He is a very active member of DTCB/AS, where he has served on the nominating committee, a former DETC Advisor, and is currently the Immediate Past President of the organization. He is also a member of Dance Masters of New England, Chapter 5 and has served as a dance competition judge in the New England area.

Mark’s Dance Team Routines have competed and won titles of National Grand Champions as well as multiple years of being the Recipient of the Creative Concept Award at Regional and National Dance Competitions.

Mark enjoys sharing his love and passion for dance with all his students. He continues to further his dance education and training by attending dance classes and workshops regularly.

Briana McLellan - Contemporary and Level 1 Ballet ~ Tap ~ Jazz Instructor/Choreographer

Briana has been studying dance for 22 years. She graduated from High School while dancing with CASSOD in 2012 and went on to dance competitively in college for one year. She is a graduate of the Dance Teachers' Club of Boston's Dance Education Training Course. Briana has taught a variety of styles at CASSOD including contemporary, hip-hop, and Ballet/Jazz. This will be her 4th year teaching at CASSOD!

Kristin Nelson - Teen Tap and Ballet Instructor/Choreographer

Kristin began her journey with the CASSOD family at the age of five. She also studied at the The Dancer’s Studio under Beverly Marra for five years and began assisting at the age of 14. Kristin completed the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston’s Dance Education Training Course in 2002 and is certified by the DTCB in Ballet and Tap.

Kristin earned her Bachelors in Catholic Studies with a minor in Psychology from Emmanuel College and a Masters degree in Ministry from Saint John’s Seminary. She is married with two beautiful children and is a full-time high school teacher. Kristin has been teaching dance to all ages (pre-ballet through adult) for the past 17 years and is thrilled to be teaching at CASSOD once again!

Gianna Pizziferri - Competition/Tap and Jazz Instructor/Choreographer

Gianna has been studying dance at CASSOD for the past 19 years. She is a former member of our competition team, which she participated in for four years! She is currently enrolled in school to become a Dental Hygienist while working at a Dental office. Gianna has taught a variety of ages and classes at CASSOD, but has recently switched her role to Competition coach in the 2018-2019 season!

Logan Luongo - Hip-Hop Instructor/Choreographer

Logan has been studying dance since the age of 4 and has a background in all styles. She fell in love with hip hop at the age of 15 and has made that her focus ever since. Logan graduated from Endicott College with a degree in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Events Management. She now works as a Marketing and Events coordinator for the corporate office of a nationwide franchised hair salon brand. Logan was also on the Endicott College Dance Team where her team competed at UDA’s National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, FL in the Jazz and Pom categories, winning national titles. Logan attended Dance Teachers’ Club of Boston and has been teaching for 5 years. Logan loves dance conventions and received a scholarship from Monsters of Hip Hop to train in Los Angeles at Millennium Dance Complex in 2013 where she trained with the industry’s leading hip hop choreographers. She has choreographed for college dance teams as well as local dance competitions.