OPEN SPACE STAFF
The Best in the Business
NICOLE
PURTELL
Studio Director, Founder
Nicole Purtell has been dancing since the age of 3 and began dancing competitively at the age of 8. She always knew she wanted to be a dance teacher and began student teaching at the age of 12. Nicole studied dance in the Renaissance Arts Program at North Quincy High School. She has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Musical theatre. Nicole holds certifications through CLI Studios, as well as USA Gymnastics Preschool Program and Acrobatique. She is currently a member of the accessibility committee for Liberate Artists ensuring inclusive, accessible dance experiences regardless of economic boundaries. In addition, she holds several certifications working with children with special needs. Nicole has experience working at the Bridge Center and Home for Little Wanderers. She has been teaching dance for the Town of Plymouth Recreation Department for 11 years. Nicole has a wonderful reputation for building long-lasting relationships with her dance families and offering unique opportunities to her students. Nicole is excited to begin her 13th season as one of the most affordable and accepting studios in Plymouth, MA.
BRITTANY
PURTELL
Director of Operations
Brittany has been dancing since the age of 2, receiving training from Lisa’s Dance Studio in Quincy MA, and Paula Coffey Dance Center in Bridgewater MA. Brittany has competed in hip-hop, tap, pom, and jazz, as well as learned skills in ballet, lyrical, and pointe. Brittany joined the OSS team in 2014 and instructs elite teams, holds technique workshops throughout the year, teaches adult drop-in classes, manages social media, and other day-to-day tasks for the studio. When she’s not at the studio, Brittany is a social worker and therapist. Through this education, she applies a trauma-informed approach to each of her classes. Brittany has choreographed a viral concept video on Buzzfeed, received a a grant to teach hip-hop to underprivileged children, and was featured in the July 2018 issue of Dance Teacher Magazine for her work. Brittany has received choreography awards for her concept pieces and is CLI Certified.
AMY
BOUCHER
Assistant Director
Amy is beginning her 10th season with Open Space Studio! Amy has been singing, acting, and dancing most of her life. She has a unique background as she is the lead singer of a local band and interpreter at the Plymouth Plantation. She has been the AFAA Certified Group Exercise instructor since 2013 and enjoys teaching dance fitness and strength training. Amy has been instructing at Open Space Studio for 5 years with experience teaching preschool, kinderdance, musical theater, and hip-hop for all ages. Both of Amy’s beautiful daughters dance at Open Space as well. In addition to her dance technique, Amy is in the process of becoming CLI Certified. She brings a positive attitude to each of her classes and the students and staff love her!
PATRICIA LORING
Ballet Technique Instructor
Patricia Hall Loring studied as a scholarship student with Boston Ballet under the direction of E Virginia Williams and also performed many musical theatre kids roles in summer stock and on early Boston television. Ms. Loring studied early childhood education and special needs at Cazenovia College and Lesley University. She was the Associate Director of the Children’s Ballet Workshop in Hingham MA (Nan Cogswell Keating, Director) from 1982 -1998 which later merged with the Boston Ballet School at its Norwell location. Ms. Loring became a full time faculty member of the Boston Ballet School from to 1999 -2011, specializing in Elementary Technique, Summer Intensives , Children’s Program, Citidance, and Adaptive Dance with yearly onstage choreography. Ms. Loring partnered with acclaimed ballet pianist, Steven Mitchell to produce a CD/DVD, “On You Mark, Get Set, Dance!” that is geared for teachers introducing dance to new students. It is distributed though Danceables.com and iTunes."Ms. Loring has been instructing ballet at the studio for the last 4 years and our students have benefited greatly! She is excited for the upcoming season and we are so grateful for her expertise and guidance at Open Space!
DANIELLE SAVOY
Youth Instructor
Danielle is beginning her fifth year of teaching at Open Space Studio! She began performing at the age of six, going on to perform in local productions of The Nutcracker. Danielle earned an Associates degree in dance education from Deans College in Franklin, MA. She also has a minor in dance from Bridgewater State University. Danielle’s wonderful daughters also dance at the studio. She instructs the preschool and Kinderdance students. Danielle’s students adore her and we are so lucky to have her educating the littles!
ALYSSA DORE
Acro Instructor/Team Coach
Alyssa is so excited for her second year with Open Space! She has a Bachelors degree from Bridgewater State University specializing in Dance education and Musical Theatre Performance. She has been dancing since the age of 2 and was lucky enough to begin competitive dance at the age of 9. At the age of 15, Alyssa had begun teaching dance in the public and private sector and has even choreographed for Whitman-Hanson’s High Frequency show choir and the Medway high school production of Anything Goes! She has been in numerous productions such as Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Newsies, Fame!, and more.Alyssa has taught numerous master classes over the years and is an active member of the National Dance Education Organization. She was even invited to teach an integrated dance curriculum at The Sage School for gifted children. Although she is well versed in genres such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Lyrical, and Contemporary, she specializes in acrobatics, and is acrobatic arts certified. She is so excited to be taking on a larger role at the studio, and can not wait to get back into the studio for the new dance season!
CHRIS PURTELL
Office Director
Chris has been the office manager for Open Space for over a decade. Chris designs the website to be easy to use while capturing the important highlights of the day-to-day happenings and major events at the studio. Additionally, Chris creatively designs the programs and recital tickets each year without fail! He also assists with important tasks in and out of the studio and on show days. Chris’ hilarious sense of humor and friendly demeanor make our dance families feel comfortable! We are so lucky to have him on our team, there is no better fit in our studio!
HANNAH MCINTOSH
Alumni/Instructor
Hannah graduated from Plymouth South High School and will be a sophomore this year at Springfield College in the Physician Assistant program. Hannah has been dancing since she was 2 years old and competed for 7 years on the studio’s Senior Elite team. Hannah has won many awards for her talent over the years and is a fabulous role model for our students. Hannah was a member of her high school’s dance team for 4 years and was captain her senior year.
MADDIE MCWHIRK
Alumni/Instructor
Maddie has been part of the Open Space family for many years. She was a member of the senior elite competition team, during which time she won numerous awards for her technique and skills. She additionally assisted in the teaching of other classes before graduating from Plymouth South High School in 2020. Before graduating, she was a member of the Plymouth South Dance Team, and had the opportunity of being a captain for both the fall and winter season of her senior year. Maddie is now a sophomore attending Bridgewater State University studying Elementary Education and Sociology, and is continuing dancing on the BSU dance team. She is so excited to be back at Open Space Studio to hopefully give the students the same love for dance that the teachers she had gave to her.
HANNAH DUQUETTE
Instructor
Hannah Duquette is very excited to join the Open Space Studio family! She majored in Musical Theatre and Technical Theatre in college, as well as kept up her dance education. She is grateful for being so involved with local community theatres as collaborating with multiple directors and choreographers from the area really helped her broaden her spectrum in performance art. She has a couple of years of dance teaching experience under her belt, but she is happy to continue to grow and learn more as she continues her career in the dance world. We are very excited to add this talented dancer to our staff
LAUREN GILBERT
Alumni/Instructor
Lauren has been a part of the Open Space family for 5 years and danced with us for 3 years on the Senior Elite Team. During that time she was also a part of the Plymouth South Dance Team. Lauren assisted with the Intermediate Team for 2 years and has choreographed numerous solos. Lauren has taken part in organizing fun studio fundraisers and is very creative with her choreo. Lauren is a fantastic role model in and out of the studio with her amazing flexibility and positive attitude! We are so excited to have her choreographing for our dancers!
