Our Team

Kaylee is a proud Boss alumni. She attended from 2003 to 2020, where she trained in dance, acting, voice, and tumbling, and was a member of the competition team for 12 years.

Kaylee graduated from Whitman-Hanson High School in 2020 and went on to attend Studio School/AMDA College at Los Angeles Center Studios, where she earned her BFA in Acting. During her time in college, she performed in multiple short films, took on two lead roles in Macbeth, and originated two roles in student-written plays. In her junior year, she also wrote and produced her own short film. She later continued her training with The Groundlings improv troupe and graduated in the spring of 2024.

Since 2022, Kaylee has been working with Starpower International Dance Competition, where she enjoys traveling the country and watching young dancers grow and perform. She is currently in rehearsals to shoot her first TV pilot.

As a choreographer, Miss Kaylee’s work has earned multiple choreography awards, first overall placements, and numerous scholarships awarded to her students. She is passionate about pushing her students to grow and achieve more each year.

Victoria Yancy - Dance

Victoria is a proud alumna of Boss Academy of Performing Arts, where she trained for 13 years in ballet, jazz, pointe, tumbling, tap, hip hop, contemporary, technique, and lyrical. She was also a member of the studio’s competition team for 10 years. Victoria began dancing at Boss at the age of 4 and has grown alongside the studio since it opened in 2002. She is proud to call Boss her second home.

Victoria graduated from Bridgewater State University in December 2018 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry. She later pursued nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she completed an accelerated 12-month BSN program. She currently works full-time as a Registered Nurse at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth.

As a teacher and choreographer, Victoria strives to create a positive and supportive environment where dancers feel encouraged to express themselves while building strong technique. She is passionate about helping students grow both as dancers and individuals, and loves being part of their journey.

Olivia Leonard - Dance

Olivia has been part of Boss Academy of Performing Arts since it first opened its doors in 2002, and has had the joy of teaching there since 2015. As a student, Olivia explored everything Boss has to offer, from classical ballet to private vocal training. She was also a member of the first competition team and went on to earn regional titles for both her solo and group performances.

Her passion for performing led her to work at Walt Disney World, where she trained with the entertainment department and gained valuable performance experience. Today, Olivia primarily works with the Tiny Tots program, where she brings energy, warmth, and enthusiasm to her youngest dancers. She loves creating a fun and nurturing environment, and believes there is nothing quite like the joy and excitement young children bring to the studio.

Olivia graduated from Bridgewater State University with a BA in English Literature and is currently a 7th grade ELA teacher on the South Shore. Dance, teaching, and storytelling are the passions that keep her world full and joyful.

Hillary Baker - Dance

Hillary is proud to be a Boss Academy of Performing Arts alumna. As a former competitive dancer, teaching assistant, actor, and occasional singer, she understands the value of fully embracing the opportunities Boss has to offer. During her time as a student, she earned the title of Capeway Junior Miss 2008 (now Distinguished Young Women), along with awards for her talent performance and self-expression.

Hillary went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Video Production from Ithaca College, where she also served as Artistic Director of the On the Floor Dance Company. Her choreography was selected to be featured in the Locally Grown Dance Festival in Ithaca, New York. While living in Ithaca, she worked as a dance instructor and Assistant Director of the dance program at The Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts.

Hillary spent nearly a decade working in the television industry in both Los Angeles and New York City, gaining experience across a wide range of production roles, with a focus on editing and graphics. Her credits include the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, Hall of Game Awards (Cartoon Network), Conan (TBS), COPS (Fox), and VICELAND. Throughout her time in the industry, she continued to share her love of performance by teaching Broadway-style dance classes in both LA and NYC.

After returning to the South Shore, Hillary pursued her passion for working with children by earning her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College. As both a classroom educator and dance instructor, she is committed to creating a nurturing and supportive environment where students feel empowered to try new things, learn from mistakes, and grow. While maintaining high standards, she encourages each student to strive for their personal best.

Hillary is thrilled to be back at Boss Academy, where she can share her passion for dance and the entertainment industry. Outside of teaching, she enjoys working on home projects with her husband, Chris, and spending time with their three nephews and two nieces.

Brianne Taber - Acting

Brianne has been part of the Boss Academy of Performing Arts family since the age of seven, training extensively in acting, voice, and dance. After graduating in 2014, she returned to Boss as a teacher and has been proudly leading acting classes ever since. Throughout her career, Brianne has performed in numerous productions both at Boss and beyond. As a former competitive dancer, she earned several top honors—including the prestigious title of Miss Starpower. She brings that same passion, focus, and dedication to every class she teaches.

Brianne’s goal is to help students tap into their authentic selves, develop strong technique, and gain the confidence to take creative risks. She draws from a variety of acting methods to meet each student where they are—whether they are just starting out or preparing for the stage. Boss has shaped who Brianne is, and now she is honored to help shape the next generation of performers.

Colleen McDonough - Voice

Colleen is a graduate of Bridgewater State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Vocal Performance and Music Education.

As an instructor, Colleen specializes in musical theatre and classical styles, focusing on relaxed and healthy singing. Her students have been accepted to a variety of prestigious musical theatre, music and summer intensive programs including Emerson College, Boston Conservatory, Syracuse University, Marymount Manhattan College, Fordham University, and Penn State. 

As a vocalist, Colleen has performed across New England and New York. Highlights include Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), 25th…Spelling Bee (Olive Ostrovsky), Avenue Q (Kate Monster/ Lucy), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), The Music Man (Marian Paroo), and Children of Eden (Yonah). In 2018, Colleen had the privilege of performing under composer and conductor Eric Whitacre at Carnegie Hall. 

When not singing or teaching, Colleen enjoys spending time at home with her husband Christopher and their orange cat O’Malley, playing the ukulele, and planning trips to Disney!

Norah Flanders - Voice

Norah is a proud Boss Academy alumna who began her journey at the studio 17 years ago. During her time as a student, she trained in dance, acting, and vocal performance, building a strong foundation and lifelong appreciation for the performing arts. Through her years at Boss, she not only developed her technical abilities, but also learned the importance of dedication, discipline, and perseverance.

After graduating in 2022, Norah continued her education at Bridgewater State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Returning to Boss Academy as a teacher is a true full-circle moment for Norah. She is passionate about guiding the next generation of performers with the same encouragement and support she received as a student. Norah believes the arts have the power to positively shape lives, and she has experienced firsthand the impact Boss Academy can have both personally and professionally.

As an instructor, she is dedicated to helping her students build confidence, creativity, and a strong work ethic while fostering the discipline and passion that will help them succeed both on and off the stage.

Skye Jafferian - Voice

Skye is a proud alumna of Boss Academy and is endlessly grateful for everything she gained during her nine years as a voice and acting student. During her time at the studio, she developed a deep love for performance and built a strong foundation in both vocal technique and storytelling. She continued her training at Studio School/Hussian College, where she studied under professional performers including Jeremy Kent Jackson and Kathy Deitch. Skye also studied Complete Vocal Technique (CVT), a vocal method developed in Denmark that is rooted in the belief that everyone can learn to sing.

Now returning to Boss Academy as a vocal instructor, Skye is excited to share her passion for music and performance with the next generation of students. She approaches teaching as a guide and supporter, believing that students should be at the center of their own creative journey. Her goal is to encourage confidence, creativity, and healthy vocal development while helping students discover the endless possibilities their voices can achieve.

Shawna Gonthier - Tumbling

Shawna’s passion for athletics began at just three years old when she started gymnastics training. She competed in gymnastics at 1,2,3 Gymnastics and joined her first cheer team at the age of five. Alongside gymnastics and cheer, Shawna also trained in dance throughout her childhood and was a member of a competitive dance team, giving her a strong foundation in performance, technique, and teamwork.

Shawna continued her cheerleading career through both youth and high school programs, earning a State Championship title in 2005. After graduating, she remained deeply involved in the cheer community by giving back to the Whitman Youth Cheer program through tumbling instruction and choreography. Today, she proudly serves as the Director of Whitman Youth Cheer. In addition, Shawna participated in All Star Cheerleading through age 20, competing at The Cheerleading Worlds.

Shawna is thrilled to be part of Boss Academy, where she began teaching in September 2022. She is passionate about helping each athlete enjoy the tumbling process while learning skills safely and appropriately. Through positive encouragement and supportive instruction, Shawna strives to help students build confidence, have fun, and continue growing both as athletes and individuals.