Our Owner and Artistic Director, Sheena, grew up in Mashpee and danced at the Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth under the direction of Irene Merrill. Ms. Harper is a graduate of the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts. She has also received scholarships for summer programs at Milwaukee Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Her teachers include Jose Mateo, Virginia Zango, Joan Simone, Katrina Killian, Melissa Hayden, Fanchon Cordell, and Frank Smith.
Sheena danced professionally with Atlanta Festival Ballet, Kentucky Ballet Theater, Spindle City Ballet and with Pioneer Valley Ballet in Easthampton, Ma. Sheena decided to retired from performing professionally so she could focus on Harper Dance Center and her students.
Sheena has also taught at many different dance schools throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia. Receiving many awards and scholarships at dance competitions throughout the United States, for her performances and choreography. Before opening HDC Sheena was the Director of Dance at the Cape Cod Conservatory in Falmouth for four years.
Sheena is also the proud mother of two beautiful girls!
Bryce Harper is a photographer, artist, teacher, adn technology professinoal. He has photographed events, weddings, and sports professionally for more than twenty years. He has taught courses on the university level ranging from introductory photography to studio lighting and web design. His fine art has shown in solo and group exhibitions at The Tuska Gallery of Contemporary Art, The Barnhart Gallery, Plant Zero, Gallery 5, and The Anderson Gallery, among others. He has explored mediums ranging from hand-made and alternative processes to interactive virtual installations. He received a BFA from the University of Kentucky in Photography and Digital Imaging, and a MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in Photography and Filmmaking. He currently works full time as Director of Technology for Sandwich Public Schools.
Jenna Antoncecchi grew up in Sandwich and began dancing at age 4 at Sandwich Dance Academy under the direction of Patricia Loring, Kara Vose, Jennifer Walsh, Karen Piette and Janene Chilson. Jenna came to Harper Dance Center in 2013 to perform in "The Nutcracker Twist" and joined the HDC Competition Team. Jenna has been teaching at HDC since 2016. Jenna is also currently a hairstylist in Centerville at Instyle Designs. She loves all aspects of dance and working with children. She is very excited to be teaching and performing at HDC!
Dawn Marie Nee began her dance training at the age of 5. She received an Associate Degree in Dance from Dean College in 2012 and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education. Dawn was a graduate of the Teacher Training program at Center Stage in 2008 and was Dance Captain of the Senior Company and Outreach Team. She has been awarded top soloist titles in several competitions, performed while at Dean College and was the Captain of the Plymouth South High School Dance Team. Dawn received the Junior Division Top Choreography Award for her collaboration on the modern piece “Breathing.” Dawn has been trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Modern, Lyrical, and Hip hop at Dean College. She has attended many classes at the Boston Ballet School, Jeanette Neil’s, and workshop with dancers from Rainbow Tribe Boston. Dawn has danced with her outreach team on the Norwegian Dawn cruise ships 2006, 2008, 2015. She has taught children from 3 years old to adults and including many private lessons. Dawn’s love for dance shows in her passion for teaching her students.
Lilly Kallinich grew up in Falmouth and started dance at Harper Dance Center at age 9. She attended the American Academy Ballet summer of 2017. Lilly graduated from Cape Cod Academy in 2018 and went to Hawaii Pacific University where she joined the dance team. Since then she has graduated from Salem State University with a B.S. in Criminology: Investigation and Profiling. We are so excited to have Lilly back at HDC!
Alexis Grew up in Falmouth MA, where she began her ballet training with Irene Merrill at the Cape Cod Conservatory. She then continued her dance and art education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she received a BFA in Fine Arts and a certificate in Dance. She studied under prestigious dance teachers and choreographers such as Roni Koresh with Koresh Dance Company, Kim Bears-Bailey with Philadanco, and Brian Sanders with Momix. After graduating she opened a children's art and dance center where she taught and directed, called Palmer Pond Art Center in Fishtown, Philadelphia. Recently, Alexis has moved back to Falmouth to raise her daughter Lilou in her hometown, where she now studies at Harper Dance Center going on her 3rd year. Alexis is so happy to be back on Cape Cod and to get back in the studio dancing and teaching with Sheena again!
Victoria is a dance teacher/choreographer from Boston who grew up dancing starting at the age of 5. She got her B.A. in dance from Brigham Young University where she was a part of many companies including “Dance Ensemble.” She is very passionate about teaching dance and spreading her love for it with the younger generation. Since moving back home after college she has taught at many local dance studios, camps, and drama programs. As a performer she has worked for the Walt Disney Company at Walt Disney World for about 4 years and Disney Cruise Line for two contracts(Magic and Fantasy) where she performed in parades and stage shows. She has also performed in a few local musicals including “A Christmas Carol” with Emerald City Theatricals where she played the Ghost of Christmas Future, and has also been a part of local dance companies such as “DanceWorks Boston” and “Boston Community Dance Project.”
Professionally, Brent Tracy is an ASL interpreter and professional development expert with over 25 years of experience.
For the past 10 years, he has given ASL interpretation performances on some of the biggest stages in Boston including Citizens Bank Opera House, Emerson Colonial Theatre, and the Huntington Theatre.
Off the clock, he is an artist. Musically, he is a trained singer, D.J., and bboy. His breaking journey started in his teens. The combination of artistry, power, technicality, and improvisation moved him to want to invest even more in the artform and train with a professional. During his training, his bboy mentor instilled in him the fundamentals and honoring the rich history of breakdancing. Brent is excited to share this knowledge with the next generation!
Emma Kelley, a rising senior at Mashpee High School, discovered her passion for dance at Harper Dance Center at the age of 3. Her talent has earned her scholarships, special awards, and a Diamond for self-choreographed solos. Emma attended the No Boundaries summer camp at Stonehill College in 2023 to further her dance education. For three years, she has assisted classes at HDC while maintaining High Honor Roll status and membership in the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society. Emma is also an active member of the mental health awareness club, Active Minds.
Grace Mahoney, poised to enter her senior year at Falmouth High School, is a seasoned dancer at Harper Dance Center since the age of 3 and now a key member of the Level Gray competition team. She attended the Dean College Summer Arts Institute, enhancing her skills and passion for dance. Grace has earned prestigious awards for both her self-choreographed routines and standout performances. Additionally, she has dedicated three years to assisting classes for young dancers aged 3 to 9 at HDC. Grace's commitment, talent, and contributions make her a standout figure in the local dance community.
Trinh is a senior at Sturgis East Charter School and has been dancing in all styles since the age of 3 and has been a prominent member of the HDC Competition Team for the last five years. Her dancing and choreography has been recognized and awarded at the competition level and has contributed to her acceptances to prestigious programs at the José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Boston Conservatory, Cincinnati Conservatory, and Rider University. Trinh has been assisting class at HDC for the past 3 years, she is beyond excited to be teaching again (and to be teaching tap!) as she loves to share her love of dance with everyone around her.