Meet Our Amazing Teachers!

Miss Tonie began dancing at six years old at Hampden Performing Arts Center in Hampden, Massachusetts, where her love for dance first began. Knowing from a young age that she wanted to build a career in dance, she went on to train in the pre-professional ballet program at New England Dance Conservatory under Kenneth Lipitz and Shelley Ziebel. There, she studied classical ballet, modern, and jazz while furthering her training through summer intensive programs at the Joffrey Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre.

Miss Tonie continued her dance education at Ohio University, where she received a talent scholarship to study in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Performance and Choreography program. She later continued her undergraduate studies at Bridgewater State University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2018.

Throughout her college career, Miss Tonie developed a passion not only for performing, but also for choreography, teaching, and dance education. Her choreography was selected to be presented at the American College Dance Association Conference in Boston, and she presented her research, Career Counseling Program in Dance for High School Students, at the National Dance Education Organization Conference in San Diego, California. Following graduation, she was invited back to Bridgewater State University as a guest choreographer, creating work with undergraduate dancers that was presented at the American College Dance Association Conference in Middlebury, Vermont.

Miss Tonie also spent three seasons as a dancer and choreographer with the DanceWorks Boston community and taught throughout Massachusetts before moving to Marlborough in 2019. Shortly after moving, she joined Stage Door Dance Theatre as an instructor under longtime owner Kathy Cobb. In 2020, during one of the most uncertain times for the dance industry, Miss Tonie was given the opportunity to take ownership of the studio and begin a new chapter for Stage Door Dance.

Now entering her seventh year as Owner and Artistic Director, Miss Tonie has continued to grow Stage Door while preserving the sense of family and community that has made the studio special for generations of dancers. Under her direction, Stage Door has expanded its programs, introduced new performance opportunities, welcomed new faculty, and established a Competition Team that gives dancers the opportunity to challenge themselves, strengthen their technique, and experience dance at a higher level.

At the heart of Miss Tonie’s teaching philosophy is progress. She believes that success in dance is not about being the best dancer in the room—it is about becoming a stronger, more confident, and more capable dancer than you were yesterday. She encourages her students to understand that progress comes from consistency, discipline, determination, and a willingness to work hard.

Miss Tonie believes every dancer deserves high-quality training, individual attention, and teachers who recognize their potential. Whether a student dances recreationally or dreams of competing, performing, or pursuing dance beyond high school, she believes they deserve to be challenged, supported, and given the tools necessary to reach their personal goals. She strives to create an environment where dancers learn that talent is only the beginning; their work ethic, resilience, and commitment to growth are what allow them to truly succeed.

Through both Stage Door’s recreational and competitive programs, Miss Tonie continues to push her dancers to set goals, celebrate their accomplishments, learn from their challenges, and never stop working toward the next level. While awards, performances, and competition achievements are exciting, she believes the greatest accomplishment is watching a dancer recognize their own growth and become proud of what they have earned through hard work.

Six years into studio ownership, Miss Tonie remains committed to continuing Stage Door’s legacy while building toward its future—a studio where dancers are known as individuals, progress is celebrated, hard work matters, and every student is given the training and encouragement they deserve.

Abbie is so excited to be joining the amazing teaching staff at Stagedoor! Raised in Southborough, she has danced from the age of 2 and graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with her degree in Musical Theatre in May 2025. She assisted her dance professors, assistant choreographed/dance captained 3 mainstage shows, and choreographed for her school's student dance showcase throughout her 4 years of college. Outside of school she's been in a number of professional productions including The Sound of Music (Liesl), Grease (Frenchie), and Little Women (Amy). Most recently she teaches modern, tap, and musical theatre, nannies the cutest 10 month old baby girl, and is about to start choreographing her first professional musical this summer! She can't wait to dance with all of you!