“Chickee’s Dance World is full of caring, loving and encouraging staff members who treat their clients like family!”
Chickee Sacco – Owner/Director
Chickee has over 40 years of dance experience with an extensive background in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical and fitness. She is currently owner and director of Chickee’s Dance Word in Worcester, Massachusetts, and is celebrating her 39th season of dance. Chickee is extremely involved in her community. She has choreographed for various high schools, church organizations, and theater companies. Chickee and her studio participate in different charity events, fundraisers, regional and national competitions, conventions, and local performances. Chickee has received multiple citations and the key to the city for her work in the community. At CDW, Chickee presides over the front office and teaching faculty. She is highly involved in the classroom – observing and choreographing often. Chickee loves chatting and being involved with all of her dancers and dance families. She resides in Worcester, and is the proud mother of two children Ariana and Michael.
Ariana Sacco – Artistic Director/Manager
Ariana is a native of Worcester, where she began dancing at the age of 18 Months. Ariana began her training at Chickee’s Dance world and simultaneously began training as a gymnast. After over 15 years of training and 5 years of competing as a gymnast she began to strictly focus on her dancing. Ariana started student teaching at the age of 11 and won her first outstanding choreography award at the age of 15. Throughout her dance career, Ariana won many overall top score awards and scholarships, along with regional and national outstanding choreography awards. In 2014, Ariana had an award named after her at Starstruck Dance Challenge for positive messages in her choreography. She is a graduate from Stonehill College with a degree in dance technique and business administration and a minor in entrepreneurship. Ariana is Artistic Director and Manager of Chickee’s Dance World – her certifications include – Acrobatic Arts Module 1, Acrobatic Arts Module 2, AcroDance Pre – School, Alixa Flexiblity Module 1, Contortion and Flexibility Workshop, AcroDance Competition Adjudicator and UDA High School & College Adjudicator. She has worked as the Head Coach for Varsity Dance Team, Varsity Cheerleading Tumbling Coach, Fitness Instructor and currently an Adjudicator for Dance Competitions and Guest Teacher for various workshops, competitions and conventions. Ariana loves dance, loves teaching, judging and sharing her passion with dancers wherever she goes!
Claire Mullan – Instructor
Claire began her dance training at Chickee’s Dance World at the age of five. While a student at CDW Claire trained in the styles of jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop and improvisation. As a member of the team, Claire participated in regional and national competitions, conventions and workshops and took classes from top choreographers and dancers. Claire began assistant teaching at CDW at the age of 11 and became a Junior Instructor in 2014. As a student at Rhode Island College Claire enrolled in various dance courses along with joining the Rhode Island College Dance Company. Claire is a head instructor at CDW with a certification in YogaKids, the premiere kids yoga teacher training program for empowering children. Claire is recent graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in psychology and continues to be an integral part in the CDW family.
Stephanie Dery – Instructor
Stephanie Dery, born and raised in Massachusetts, started dancing when she was four years old, training in ballet and jazz until finding her passion within hip hop. During high school she was invited to join the senior hip hop competition team with Miss Tanya’s School of Dance, and competed throughout New England for two seasons where they were consistently top scorers. Stephanie enjoys sharing her love of dance and participated in her high school’s STEP program by interning as a student teacher, and has since substituted for the studio Director when needed. She has trained at the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio in Boston and has performed in their repertory show for several years.
Stephanie enjoys continuing her dance education by participating in conventions such as Monsters of Hip Hop. Stephanie is a graduate of Fitchburg State University with a major in Business Management and has choreographed and taught Street classes in the University’s Dance club. She has been invited to teach master classes and workshops at studios in Central Massachusetts and is excited to join the Chickee’s Dance World faculty!
Ashley Sanchez – Instructor
Ashley is graduate of Dean College where she received her Associate of Arts Degree. While attending Dean she trained in various styles of dance including jazz, ballet, tap, and modern. During her time at Dean College she was one of only five interns selected for a summer Teaching Assistant Internship at The Boston Ballet. While there she had the pleasure of learning from Luciana Aimar the head of the children’s curriculum. Ashley began her dance training in Worcester, MA and furthered her training at the Burncoat Middle and High School Fine Arts program. Ashley has a passion for working with the Senior Citizenship community during the daytime. Ashley has organized numerous performance opportunities at Senior Communities for dancers to share their love of dance and give back to the Senior community! Ashley is excited to continue teaching and sharing her love of dance with all her students.
Tracy Mattison – Instructor
Tracy Mattison grew up dancing for 15 years in Worcester, beginning with Mindy K McGovern, then dancing and assisting for Diane Kelly when Mindy retired. She grew up studying jazz, ballet, musical theater, and her true passion, tap. Upon graduating from Anna Maria College with a bachelor’s degree in Early Education, Tracy worked towards her Masters Degree working in many schools in the surrounding areas. After starting a family, Tracy began instructing dance in a local dance studio, where her daughters danced competitively for 15 years. Instructing dance for 15 years in the Worcester area, Tracy is passionate about teaching young dancers, ensuring correct foundations of dance, encouraging dancers to always try their personal best, and most importantly, having fun as they work as a team.
Sarah Mattison- Instructor
Sarah began her dance career at the age of two at a local studio in Worcester, and joined their competition team at the age of four. She has won six regional titles, competed in several national competitions, and danced for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Walt Disney World several times. In addition, she found her love of teaching dance through eight years of assisting and choreographing. Sarah graduated from Assumption University this past spring where she majored in English and double minored in education and human services & rehabilitation studies. While at Assumption, Sarah was part of the Assumption University Dance Team where she placed 3rd in the nation for DII Pom Division and 2nd in the nation for DII Team Performance. Currently, she is working towards her M.A. in School Counseling at Assumption University. She is excited to join CDW this season, and to share her passion for dance with others.
Analis Rozo – Instructor
Analis has had a passion for dance since the age of 2.5 when she began her dance career. She studied various styles of dance along with competitively dancing for 10 years. Through out her competitive years Analis won multiple top score and special awards both regionally and nationally. After her time in studio, Analis attended Dean College where she studied Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Tap, and Modern. After graduation, Analis continued to share her passion for dance by teaching young dancers both competitively and recreationally. Analis is also a teacher for the Southbridge School System and has 10+ years of teaching experience. Analis is so excited to be joining us for our Classic Program and to join the CDW Family!
Cara Nuzzetti – Instructor
Cara is a dedicated mother of two wonderful girls. Her journey into the world of dance began at the tender age of 3 when she took her very first steps onto the dance floor at CDW. Little did anyone know at that time that this would mark the beginning of a lifelong passion and commitment.
From those early days, Cara’s love for dance only grew stronger with each passing year. She honed her skills and dedication to the art of dance and by the age of 11, she was already making an impact as an assistant at CDW, sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with younger dancers.
Cara’s dance repertoire is as diverse as it is impressive. Her training encompasses ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical styles, showcasing her versatility as a dancer. Her dedication and passion for the art have not only enriched her life but have also inspired her own family.
Today, Cara’s legacy lives on as her children have become part of the CDW family, with her oldest daughter even joining the competition team, following in her mother’s footsteps. Cara’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of dance, family, and the joy of sharing one’s passion with the next generation. She is very excited to be back teaching!
Dena Porter – Instructor
Meet Dena, a passionate dance enthusiast who transitioned from being a dedicated dance mom to a nurturing dance teacher. With a heart full of love for the art of movement, Dena, a CDW alumni pursued her dreams of becoming a dance instructor and became certified in Acro Arts Preschool Certificate.
As a mother, she witnessed the transformative power of dance in her child’s life and was inspired to share that magic with others. Today, Dena brings her unique blend of parental understanding and professional training to her dance classes, creating a safe and joyful environment for young dancers to learn and grow. Her journey from mom to teacher exemplifies the beauty of following one’s heart and making dreams a reality.
Kelsey Bitzas – Instructor
From the age of 5, Kelsey found her rhythm in the world of dance. What began as a fun activity blossomed into a passion. At the age of 9, Kelsey took her first steps towards becoming an Instructor at CDW by serving as a teacher’s assistant. Today, a senior in high school, Kelsey is more the ready for her own classroom! Her journey from Junior Assistant, to Assistant to Junior Instructor to this pivotal role of Instructor is a testament to her dedication to her dancing and her CDW Community!
As a competitive dancer, Kelsey has been recognized regionally and nationally a collection of awards both regionally and nationally at dance competitions and conventions. Her contributions aren’t confined to the studio – she’s also an integral member of the Burncoat High School dance department and dance team, where she brings her infectious energy and willingness to learn.
Above all, Kelsey is known for her nurturing approach towards young dancers. Her love for guiding and shaping her students is palpable, creating an environment where children flourish not only as dancers but as confident individuals!
Additional CDW Staff
