Lisa Carissimi is the director and owner of Danceworks, and has been operating the studio since September of 1998. She was born and raised in Weirton, West Virginia. Lisa started dancing at the age of five, and has held a love for the art of dance ever since putting on her first pair of tap shoes. Lisa studied dance at the Casey Sister’s School of Dance in her hometown, where she studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, adagio, acrobat, and precision line dancing. She has performed and competed at various locations in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia.  She also studied jazz in Dallas, Texas with a teacher who was a former June Taylor Dancer on the Jackie Gleason Show. Lisa has a BS Degree in Medical Technology, and also has experience as a substitute teacher in the Bristol/Warren Regional school district. Lisa graduated in 1993 from the Dance Teacher’s Club of Boston Teacher Certification Program, and has taught dance classes to children of all ages since 1990. 

Jennifer (Jen) Mello has danced since the age of 7, studying ballet and pointe at the Rhode Island Ballet Arts Academy for 7 years, and also was a student at Danceworks since 1999, taking classes in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, and tap. Jen is a 2001 graduate of Mt Hope High School where she was a member and captain of the dance squad, and was responsible for choreographing for competitions and parades.  She also was involved in the high school theatre program where she danced in and choreographed Godspell Bye Bye Birdie.  Jen graduated from RIC in 2008 with a BS in Elementary Education and Special Education. Jen received her Dance Teacher Certification from the Dance Teachers Club of Boston in 2004. Jen started the Modern dance program at Danceworks, and has also choreographed for competitions, placing silver, gold, and high gold medals.  Jen also has taught dance at the Barrington YMCA.

Michelle McWilliams has danced since the age of 3, studying tap, jazz, and ballet, and graduated from Dean College in 2005 with a BA in Dance. and has taught dance in Rumford, and also choreographed for Tollman High School. Michelle has performed and competed in many areas, including Walt Disney World and the Winter Festival at Carnegie Hall. She was also a member of the Hip Hop Company and Tap Company while studying at Dean College. 

Dayna Carissimi is the daughter of Lisa and is currently a sophmore at Roger Williams University.  Dayna has studied all forms of dance with her mother since the age of 2 and has taught at Danceworks for the past five years. She has competed at both regional and national events.

Amanda Perry has danced at Danceworks since its opening and is currently a sophmore at Rhode Island College.  Amanda has taught at Danceworks for the past five years and has competed at the regional leve for several years.

Jodi Neves is a former Danceworks student. She is currently a teacher at Mt. Hope High School.  Jodi was an assistant teacher at Danceworks during her high school years and has taught numerous classes, including competition level, while a student at Quinnepiac University.  She was also a member of the dance team at the university and choreographed many of the pieces performed on campus.