Dancers through the years.

​Etienne began his training in his native Puerto Rico at La Escuela Julian E. Blanco and at El Conservatorio de Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico (Where he has also performed with The Company of Ballet Concierto). He continued his studies at El Instituto Superior de Danza Alicia Alonso of The Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, where he graduated with a Masters in Performing Arts. He was a member of El Joven Ballet de la Camara de Madrid for five years, where he has performed throughout Spain. Subsequently, he has worked with Ballet Brio of Puerto Rico for two years and has guested and choreographed for many dance companies internationally. Presently he is a member of Forty Steps Dance and Danza Organica, with whom he has performed at Jacob’s Pillow last year. He presently resides in Massachusetts where he also teaches classical ballet around the Boston area. Etienne joined Forty Steps Dance in 2013.

Nicole is from Woburn, MA and received her dance training in ballet, jazz, and modern from Ballet Arts Centre in Winchester. As a BAC student, she was a member of the Performance Company, where she danced in the Mass Festival for the Arts and Dance for World Community, as well as receiving the annual student scholarship for commitment to dance. She is now pursuing a B.A. in English with a minor in Dance at Salem State University, where she has performed with the Repertory Dance Theatre and Salem Dance Ensemble. Beyond Salem State, she has performed with Sarah Slifer Swift’s dancers in several productions across the North Shore area. She now teaches ballet at Ballet Arts Centre and enjoys performing with Forty Steps Dance.

Darcy began dancing at 5 years old. She has studied classical ballet, pointe, character, modern dance, jazz, and contact improvisation. She has shared the stage with principals of American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada. Some of Darcy’s roles include Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, sylph soloist in Les Sylphides, Swanhilda in “Dance of the Wheat” from Giselle, lead soloist in Monsoon Winds and Five-One Progression by contemporary choreographers Sally Rousse and Lisa de Ribère. Darcy studied at St. Paul’s School, The School of American Ballet, and The New York State Summer School of the Arts, and has her B.A. from Lesley University. Additionally, Darcy trained in modern dance and improvisation with members of Graham, Humphrey, and Tharp dance companies, and Janet Craft at Ipswich Moving Company. She is currently teaching ballet and modern dance at Great Bay Academy of Dance in Kittery, ME, and loves her job as stay-at-home mom to daughter, Calista.

Devon grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and has been studying dance since she was four years old. She danced locally in a family owned studio until she graduated from high school. During high school she had the chance to perform on a cruise ship and in Walt Disney World. She also attended theater camp and was part of several musical productions in the Worcester area. Devon received her B.A. in dance with a minor in psychology from Dean College in 2012. While at Dean, Devon performed in dance and theater shows, including The Producers, and Dance Company. Devon had the opportunity to attend the American College Dance Festival in 2012, and the piece she was a part of was chosen to perform at the Kennedy Center in D.C. Devon began performing professionally in 2011 with Mill City Dance. Since graduation from college, Devon has had the opportunity to perform in the Silicon Valley International Dance Festival put on by The Lively Foundation, where she had the chance to perform in the San Francisco area. Currently, Devon is attending Lesley University in pursuit of her Master’s degree in Expressive Therapy, with a concentration on Dance Therapy. Devon joined Forty Steps Dance in 2013.

Elissa is a seacoast NH native and has been dancing for nineteen years. She started her training at Steppin’ Out Dance Academy, where she was able to perform in multiple venues across the country. Elissa continued her education at Franklin Pierce University and achieved a degree in Arts Management and Dance. While at Franklin Pierce she was given the opportunity to study abroad in Lyon, France to experience “La Biennale de la Danse”. She was also able to choreograph and perform for multiple events while teaching and studying the NHDI curriculum. Since graduating, Elissa has continued to share her passion and joy for dance by teaching and performing with local studios as well as serving as an administrative and production manager for the past four years. She is very excited to have this opportunity with Forty Steps Dance!

Erin grew up in Newton, Mass., and began her training in ballet, jazz, tap and modern at Paulette’s Ballet Studio. She also competed on the team at Gymnastics Academy of Boston as a child, and later on Newton South High School’s varsity team. She further refined her dance education at Emerson College, where she minored in Dance and received her Bachelor of Arts in New Media. Erin has danced with Boston’s Lady Panthers Dance Team, Jhumka Dance Company, Kelley Donovan & Dancers and Firelech Jewish Musical Theater. Other notable roles include swing dancing and tapping as Mother Ginger in Tony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker, and ensemble in “Hair” (Turtle Lane Playhouse), “Pippin” (Stage 284) and “Mamma Mia” (Marblehead Little Theatre), and co-producer of “Shrek The Musical Jr.” and “Frozen Jr.” Erin has taught all styles of dance to all ages and levels at Paulette’s Ballet Studio, Tony Williams Dance Center and Lucky Ten Young Talent Studio. Erin is also Graphic Designer for the JCC of the North Shore, a mom of twins, and was a teacher for Sallee Slagle’s Dance Dimensions. Erin joined Forty Steps Dance in 2009 as a dancer and was Assistant Director for a time. (2009-2020).