Miss Holli
Holli Faria is the founder and artistic director of Studio Life with nearly 25 years of dance experiance. She has taught and choreographed for over 17 years. Holli has been immersed in all styles and genres of dance throughout her lifetime. She received numerous choreography and high score awards from multiple regional and national dance competitions across the country. Holli is a certified dance educator and adjudicator in Acrobatic Arts and is a member of the National Dance Educators Organization of America where she continues her studies through the Professional Development Institute of Dance. Most recently, she has become a proud new member of the Professional Adjudicators Alliance. Holli has trained with master choreographers such as Steve Sirico, Jessica Rizzo, Aaron Turner, Tony Coppola, Mandy Yip and Liz Imperio. She strives to stay up to date and familiar with new dance techniques and choreographic trends and believes all good teachers never stop educating themselves. While working towards her BFA in Visual Design she involves herself in many community art and dance events and offers her time to multiple non profit organizations. Holli always puts forth her best effort in running a fun, friendly, and professional atmosphere at Studio Life Performing Art while maintaining a strict technical dance discipline & instilling dance and life skills in her students. She believes in the value of dance as a source of inspiration, self-discovery, expression, and fulfillment for everyone who studies it. “Every dance student deserves the respect of being given quality training and the integrity of a dance education.” |
Mr. Martin
Martin Nikolov is the founder and artistic director of M Dance. The first time Martin stepped on the dance floor he was 9 years old. He started as a competitor representing Bulgaria, before relocating to the United Kingdom. He made his first appearance in the UK at the famous Blackpool Dance Festival. Martin then began training in St. Petersburg, Russia where he and his partner, Liana Churilova (current World American Rhythm Champion), took over the podiums and were one of the top 3 couples in Russia. After returning home, Martin opened his own studio “M Dance Studio” in Bulgaria where he coached many successful couples that had much success in several competitions throughout Europe. His students have been seen internationally on VIP Dance and Dancing With The Stars. In May 2010, Martin received an invitation from Igor and Irina Suvorov to be a part of a show program in one of the biggest and global events organized in USA – The Desert Classic DanceSport Championships. This opportunity lead him to permanently move to USA. Martin has certifications from World Dance Council (WDC) for Professional Dance Teacher in Latin-American/Ballroom Dance Branch as well as his adjudicator certification. Martin has taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studios where he received the highest score certification and has lead his students to win numerous national competitions. Martin is registered in the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) as a Professional Competitor and Certified Dance Teacher. Martin is excited to start his ballroom program at Studio Life Performing Art in Fall River , MA and is happy to share his talent, experience and knowledge of ballroom technique with all his students. |
Miss Duscia
Ballet Director
Dušica received her Master degree Physical Education at the University of Belgrade, Serbia along with a degree in classical ballet. She started her teaching career at her home town Pancevo, Serbia in physical education and classical/modern ballet. Thereafter she traveled to Cairo, Egypt and continued teaching. Since 2020 Dušica has been a substitute teacher for Highlander Charter School. She believes all students can achieve anything with motivation and inspiration. She always encourages them to set their goals high.
Ballet Director
Dušica received her Master degree Physical Education at the University of Belgrade, Serbia along with a degree in classical ballet. She started her teaching career at her home town Pancevo, Serbia in physical education and classical/modern ballet. Thereafter she traveled to Cairo, Egypt and continued teaching. Since 2020 Dušica has been a substitute teacher for Highlander Charter School. She believes all students can achieve anything with motivation and inspiration. She always encourages them to set their goals high.
Miss Tammy Silva
Tammy started dancing at the age of 6 and immediately fell in love with dance. She danced through high school in Fall River, MA and then attended Stonehill College in Easton, MA where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop while majoring in Biology. Tammy has been teaching in Fall River since 2008 and continues to attend workshops and conventions such as Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston and Dance Teacher Web Live. Several of her routines and dancers have placed at local and national dance competitions and have been recipients of special awards. Though dance was her first love, Tammy found a second passion – the ocean. While teaching at Studio Life Performing Art, Tammy is also pursuing a PhD in Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Tammy hopes to inspire her students to break boundaries in dance and in life. Her goals are to push students outside of their comfort zones, while fostering the belief that they can accomplish anything they set their minds (and bodies) to and to encourage cultivation and pursuit of multiple, diverse passions!
Tammy started dancing at the age of 6 and immediately fell in love with dance. She danced through high school in Fall River, MA and then attended Stonehill College in Easton, MA where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop while majoring in Biology. Tammy has been teaching in Fall River since 2008 and continues to attend workshops and conventions such as Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston and Dance Teacher Web Live. Several of her routines and dancers have placed at local and national dance competitions and have been recipients of special awards. Though dance was her first love, Tammy found a second passion – the ocean. While teaching at Studio Life Performing Art, Tammy is also pursuing a PhD in Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Tammy hopes to inspire her students to break boundaries in dance and in life. Her goals are to push students outside of their comfort zones, while fostering the belief that they can accomplish anything they set their minds (and bodies) to and to encourage cultivation and pursuit of multiple, diverse passions!
Miss Jen Ferreira
Jen has been living in Fall River her entire life. She has been dancing Hip Hop for 20 years and teaching for 14 years now. Jen has competed in multiple competitions as well as choreographing a competition team. She has taken classes from Tap, Jazz, Modern and even Ballroom. She loves to teach girls and boys of all ages and she teaches adults as well. Jennifer is also Bilingual, Portuguese is her second language. Besides teaching Jen loves to sing, dance, read, draw, watch movies, spend time with friends and family and taking care of her pets.
Jen works at an office as a full time position and she is also currently working towards a Bachelor’s in Psychology at Bridgewater State University.
Jen has been living in Fall River her entire life. She has been dancing Hip Hop for 20 years and teaching for 14 years now. Jen has competed in multiple competitions as well as choreographing a competition team. She has taken classes from Tap, Jazz, Modern and even Ballroom. She loves to teach girls and boys of all ages and she teaches adults as well. Jennifer is also Bilingual, Portuguese is her second language. Besides teaching Jen loves to sing, dance, read, draw, watch movies, spend time with friends and family and taking care of her pets.
Jen works at an office as a full time position and she is also currently working towards a Bachelor’s in Psychology at Bridgewater State University.
Miss Hazel Mc Govern
Hazel was born in Manila, Philippines. At 18, she worked as a back-up dancer and choreographer for Billy Crawford, Apl de Ap (Black Eyed Peas), Sarah Geronimo and Gary Valenciano in a television show called ASAP Live on ABS-CBN Channel 2. She also performed as a dancer for the Jabbawockeez, Flo-Rida, Lenka, Snoop Dogg, Melissa Reyes of Pussycat Dolls and the legendary Hip Hop group Wreckx-N-Effect in several Rumple Minze commercials.
She has trained at the top dance studios in North Hollywood, California namely, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios, International Dance Academy and Playground LA. Her training includes Hip Hop, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Ballet, Bboying, Waacking, Locking, Popping, Contemporary, Tap, Gymnastics and West African Dance. In 2010, she was hired by Disney to perform as a parade dancer at Hong Kong Disneyland for the show called "Flights of Fantasy" and shortly after, she choreographed their Hip Hop shows "Tomorrowland Street Jam" and "Tron City Dance Crew" wherein she performed as a dancer too. She also became a resident choreographer and dance teacher at Red Shoe Dance Company, one of the biggest dance studios in Hong Kong. She taught Hip Hop, Lyrical Jazz and Acro Dance to children ages 6 and above. She was the very first dance teacher to introduce Acro Dance in Hong Kong after she completed her certification in Sydney, Australia.
After Hong Kong, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she performed as a back-up dancer for Solid Gold Soul at Bally's Hotel & Casino. She has also performed in many corporate events and shows all over Las Vegas and has taught in 5 different dance studios. She has now moved to the East Coast and very excited to teach at Studio Life to inspire young dancers to reach for their dreams!
Hazel was born in Manila, Philippines. At 18, she worked as a back-up dancer and choreographer for Billy Crawford, Apl de Ap (Black Eyed Peas), Sarah Geronimo and Gary Valenciano in a television show called ASAP Live on ABS-CBN Channel 2. She also performed as a dancer for the Jabbawockeez, Flo-Rida, Lenka, Snoop Dogg, Melissa Reyes of Pussycat Dolls and the legendary Hip Hop group Wreckx-N-Effect in several Rumple Minze commercials.
She has trained at the top dance studios in North Hollywood, California namely, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios, International Dance Academy and Playground LA. Her training includes Hip Hop, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Ballet, Bboying, Waacking, Locking, Popping, Contemporary, Tap, Gymnastics and West African Dance. In 2010, she was hired by Disney to perform as a parade dancer at Hong Kong Disneyland for the show called "Flights of Fantasy" and shortly after, she choreographed their Hip Hop shows "Tomorrowland Street Jam" and "Tron City Dance Crew" wherein she performed as a dancer too. She also became a resident choreographer and dance teacher at Red Shoe Dance Company, one of the biggest dance studios in Hong Kong. She taught Hip Hop, Lyrical Jazz and Acro Dance to children ages 6 and above. She was the very first dance teacher to introduce Acro Dance in Hong Kong after she completed her certification in Sydney, Australia.
After Hong Kong, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she performed as a back-up dancer for Solid Gold Soul at Bally's Hotel & Casino. She has also performed in many corporate events and shows all over Las Vegas and has taught in 5 different dance studios. She has now moved to the East Coast and very excited to teach at Studio Life to inspire young dancers to reach for their dreams!
Miss Malin Mayo
Malin has been dancing since the age of 3. During her time as a student, she enjoyed learning many forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop and acro! She is an original member of Studio Life’s competition group, and enjoyed winning many awards and titles alongside her fellow teammates. Malin began assistant teaching for Studio Life while in high school, where she was captain of her dance team and is now teaching classes throughout college. She attends Bridgewater State University where she is studying elementary education and film. While attending BSU, Malin continues her dance education with the BSU Hip Hop team. This past spring, they came in 2nd at the NDA Nationals in Daytona Beach Florida. Malin has always grown up with a love and passion for working with young children and is so excited to be teaching with her Studio Life family. She looks forward to sharing her gift and love of dance with the next generation of dancers!
Malin has been dancing since the age of 3. During her time as a student, she enjoyed learning many forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop and acro! She is an original member of Studio Life’s competition group, and enjoyed winning many awards and titles alongside her fellow teammates. Malin began assistant teaching for Studio Life while in high school, where she was captain of her dance team and is now teaching classes throughout college. She attends Bridgewater State University where she is studying elementary education and film. While attending BSU, Malin continues her dance education with the BSU Hip Hop team. This past spring, they came in 2nd at the NDA Nationals in Daytona Beach Florida. Malin has always grown up with a love and passion for working with young children and is so excited to be teaching with her Studio Life family. She looks forward to sharing her gift and love of dance with the next generation of dancers!
Mr. Brian Bigelow
Theater & Music Director
Brian is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Performance. He currently is the Facilitator of Visual and Performing Arts for South Coast Educational Collaborative, (A school district that specializes in socially and emotionally challenged students.) He also holds a Massachusetts Teachers Licence in Vocal and Instrumentation for all levels. Brian has over thirty-five years of teaching and performance experience.
Theater & Music Director
Brian is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Performance. He currently is the Facilitator of Visual and Performing Arts for South Coast Educational Collaborative, (A school district that specializes in socially and emotionally challenged students.) He also holds a Massachusetts Teachers Licence in Vocal and Instrumentation for all levels. Brian has over thirty-five years of teaching and performance experience.
