MK Dance Center is owned and operated by Moriah Kelly-Hildreth and Kelly (Charpentier) Pelkey, two friends, dancers and Leominster natives
who are excited to share their experience and love of dance with their community.
"Our friendship is a true testament to the lifelong, lasting impact dance has had on us.
We believe that all dancers deserve to share in the joy that we have experienced through dance."
Our goal is to become the area’s center for dance education! We aim to be the “go to” place for anyone looking to take a dance class.
Our classes cater to not only children of all ages, but also the 40 year-old looking to take his/her first tap class or the 30 year-old dance veteran who would love to get back to the studio because the gym is not as stimulating or inspiring as their memories of dance class.
At MK Dance Center, we value all of our dancers & believe that dance is an art form to be enjoyed by ALL,
regardless of age & previous dance experience!
MKDC Faculty
Moriah Kelly-Hildreth Studio Owner/Director/Instructor
Moriah Kelly-Hildreth has been teaching dance for over 20 years and began assisting with classes even earlier as a teenager. She began her teaching career at her childhood dance studio, Tami’s Dance Connection, and upon relocating to Boston, went on to head the Dance Department at Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park, MA. Along with teaching ballet, tap and jazz, Moriah choreographed for the vocal groups and several children’s musicals at the theater. She has also taught the summer Musical Theater classes at The Boston Ballet School. She graduated from Dance Teachers Club of Boston’s Teachers Training school in 1998 and is certified by test to teach ballet, tap, and jazz. Moriah has completed four years of Dance Masters of America’s Teachers Training School and is an associate of the program. While in Boston, Moriah had the pleasure of studying under several teachers including, Jeannette Neill, Adrienne Hawkins, Michelle Chasse, and Billy McLaughlin.
Moriah specializes in MK Dance Center's Preschool Dance Program along with Ballet, Pointe & Contemporary. She has worked to tailor each class level to the age and abilities of the students to ensure the continual progression of skills introduced and mastered. She enjoys working with all levels and believes that the youngest classes with dance games and prop use should be just as informative and educational as the older dancer's technique classes.
Moriah owned and operated Dance Evolution in Watertown, MA for six years before deciding to bring her knowledge and experience back to her hometown community with her friend, Kelly. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her love of dance with family and friends. Moriah resides in Ayer with her husband, Nic, son, Cormac and daughter Adalia.
Kelly Pelkey Studio Owner/Director/Instructor
Kelly (Charpentier) Pelkey began dancing as a child at Tami's Dance Connection in Leominster where she developed her love of dance and her friendship with Moriah Kelly-Hildreth. Kelly studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop & contemporary. As a member of the competition team, she received recognition locally & nationally as both a soloist & group member & attended numerous masters conventions to further her dance experience.
Kelly began assisting with classes as a teen & began teaching her own ballet, tap & jazz classes in high school. Kelly also enjoyed working at the studio when she wasn't teaching or dancing herself. Kelly attended Fitchburg State College and continued her dance education with their dance program. She graduated with a degree in Human Services & worked for many years as a Licensed Social Worker.
Kelly has always had a love for working with children & shared a dream of one day opening her own dance studio. She is thrilled to make this dream a reality with her friend & co-owner, Moriah Kelly-Hildreth. Kelly loves sharing her love of dance & creating a fun, supportive, enriching environment for her students of all ages! Kelly teaches many of the studio's jazz & tap classes among others, along with the studio's popular weekly adult tap class. She also enjoys volunteering at the Leominster Senior Center teaching a weekly tap class for local seniors. You can find Miss Kelly's Mom (Mimi Dolly) working at the studio's front desk! Kelly currently lives in Fitchburg with her husband Shawn, son Cole & 2 dogs.
Danny “Bboy Lissome” Guzmán Breaking Instructor
Since the age of 3, Danny was raised playing instruments and dancing to traditional Puerto Rican music. He began Breakin’ a.k.a. "Breakdancing" around 10yrs old. His older brother introduced him to the art-form and he fell in love with its abstract form of self-expression along with the historical context Latino Culture has in relation to Hip-Hop Culture.
In the Fall of 2009, Danny’s journey as a dancer, instructor, mentor and educator officially started. Since then, he’s received a Community Builders Award from the United Way of Central Massachusetts, performed for NASA, several local parades, multi-cultural festivals, and state representatives in New England. He even made a cameo in the music video “Just Let Go” by Joyner Lucas & Chris Brown.
Danny has traveled all across North America competing against and learning from some of the best dancers in the world as well as guest teaching, lecturing, and presenting his work at various schools, colleges, and universities in Massachusetts. What was once a hobby turned into an outlet that became a successful career working with individuals and groups of all ages, levels, and backgrounds.
Michelle Luongo Instructor
A lifelong dancer, Michelle discovered her love of dance when she took her first class at the age of 3. She is a graduate of the Dance Teacher’s Training Program and has been a dance instructor for over 26 years with experience in many genres including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and ballroom.
Before becoming a mother, she was an elementary school teacher and after having children, she opened her own daycare center so she could take her kids to work with her. Her love of children & warm nature, make her a perfect fit for working with children of all ages. In her free time (once her 3 kids go to bed) she loves to read, listen to podcasts and play on her Xbox.
Amy Mellors Acro Instructor
Amy began her dance training at the age of 3 at Creative Dance and Performing Arts Center in Tiverton, RI and Steppin’ Out Dance Studio in Portsmouth, RI. She is highly trained in Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Acrobatics. It was at Steppin’ Out Dance Studio that Amy found her passion for teaching dance under the direction of Lisa Mailloux, Leslie Zeile, and Tracey Alvanas. She has continued teaching for over 20 years.
Amy attended Worcester State University and was a member and choreographer for the Worcester State Dance Company. During those years, she also was on the teaching staff at Judy A. Hermans School of Dance in Shrewsbury, MA where she developed her expertise in all ages of dance education (from toddlers to adults!). In 2012, she joined the staff at Premier Dance Academy in Auburn, MA teaching ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and acro.
In August 2018, Amy became an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor (Module 1). Amy has taken many masters classes and is continually working to expand her dance training and acrobatics expertise. She has also choreographed a 30 dancer production to perform at Walt Disney World’s Performing Arts Program.
After completing her Masters' Degree in Occupational Therapy with a focus in Pediatrics, Amy has worked with children of all ages and abilities and has always set her sights on the importance of movement for everyone. When she’s not dancing, Amy is an occupational therapist working for Early Intervention in Leominster and the surrounding areas. She lives in Leominster with her husband and 2 kiddos, Addison and Jacob. She is thrilled to be a part of the MK family!
Blanche Waguespack Ballet Instructor
Blanche began her dancing career at 19 and soon became a company dancer with the Lake Charles Civic Ballet Company in Lake Charles, LA. She later went on to teach and choreograph for the Louisiana Ballet in Baton Rouge, LA.
Upon moving to New England, she studied under Eleanor Thompson, a teacher of teachers. She continued her dance education studying with and teaching for Edra Toth, a former principal with Boston Ballet.
She went on to run her own ballet school for 10 years. After retiring for some time, she decided to resume her teaching career. MKDC is so happy to have her teaching expertise join our faculty.
Luana Dias Instructor
Luana began her dance training at the age of 7 at Darcy's Dance Academy in Malden, MA and later on, at The Studio Dance Complex in Revere, MA where she joined the competition team at 15 years old.
She attended Fitchburg State University studying Human Services. At the University she was part of the Dance Club where she taught for the University's Performance Team. Throughout her college career, she also performed & choreographed for Worcester Bravehearts Game performances. While at FSU, she took on leadership roles within the Dance Club, serving as club secretary and president. She also taught jazz, contemporary and hip-hop classes on campus and played an active role in FSU's showcase productions each semester.
Upon graduating, she began her dance teaching career outside of FSU working with children teaching tap, ballet, jazz & hip hop.
She is excited to be a part of the MK Dance Center family, joining us for our 2022-2023 season as our newest faculty member teaching Hip Hop.