Impressions 2024-2025 Staff

Melissa Landry - Director
Miss Melissa has been the director of Impressions Academy of Dance for the past 21 years. She began dancing at the age of 8 under the direction of Cindy Williams in Springfield, MA where she fell in love with dance! Melissa was active in dance competitions, modeling, pageants and was even Springfield's Junior Miss in 1997 (now called Distinguished Young Women Program). Melissa received an AA in Dance from Dean College in 1999 and a BA in Psychology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2002. After college Melissa taught for various dance studios in Western Mass before opening Impressions in 2004. She was also a nanny in Longmeadow for a wonderful family for 15 years. Over the past 21 years Melissa has had her choreography featured at Disney three times, has had her competition team win numerous overall awards including Impressions 2018 Production number It's A Jungle Out There, and has had eight numbers perform at the invite only World Dance Championships in NJ. Melissa is certified to teach pre-school acro classes through Acrobatic Arts as well as certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique. She is a member of Studio Owner Alliance and Team Julie Kay and keeps current with her dance training as well as business training to run Impressions. Miss Melissa spends her free time with her boyfriend, niece and nephew, family, friends and her two furry babies Nala and Sebastian. 

Miss Melissa's Teaching Schedule:
Jr/Teen, Petite & Mini Jazz Teams, Jr & Mini Lyrical Teams, Beg/Int Lyrical, Ready Set Let's DANCE!, Beg/Int Hip Hop, Hippity Hip Hoppers, Buddin' Ballerina's, Mini Ballet Tech, Jazz'n Tots Combo, Tappin' Tots Combo and Tumblin' Tots Combo

Lexi Thomann
This will be my 7th season at IAOD. My favorite styles of dance are hip hop and contemporary. I’m so grateful I get to share my love of dance with my students and give them the opportunity to express themselves through movement and build their confidence on and off the stage. Aside from the studio I work in data analytics and when I’m not working I love to spend time with my husband and puppy named Oscar, try new recipes, and go to the gym. Hopefully this year Oscar will make an appearance in the studio! 

Miss Lexi's Teaching Schedule:
Mini, Jr/Teen Hip Hop Teams, Teen Lyrical Team, Teen Hip Hop, Contemporary and Adult Hip Hop

Emily Percy
Miss Emily began her dance journey at the age of three and brings over 20 years of competitive dance experience to Impressions. She has taught at various studios throughout Western Massachusetts and has traveled across New England, assisting with Master Classes and working with the Step Up 2 Dance Competition based in the Boston area. Her extensive education spans all styles of dance, with a primary focus on Tap and Lyrical. Since joining Impressions in 2019, Miss Emily has concentrated on leading our competitive tap teams, including our award-winning adult tap team. Her involvement extends to notable dance program events, such as the Dance Teachers Club of Boston conventions and the New Jersey Tap Festival. In her free time, Miss Emily enjoys gardening, collecting vinyl records, and attending farmers markets. 

Miss Emily's Teaching Schedule:
Mini, Jr and Teen Tap Teams, Rappin' Tappers, Beg Tap, Teen Lyrical, Adult Tap and Adult Tap Team

Julia Nicosia
I’m Miss Julia and I teach ballet, jazz, cheer, and acro. I’ve been teaching at Impressions for four years now while also having danced at Impressions myself for 20 years. I graduated from Agawam High in 2021 and I am currently attending Holyoke Community College to become a kindergarten teacher! I love pink, my pet chickens, my puppy Benson and getting to know all my students!

Miss Julia's Teaching Schedule:
Jumpin Jazzettes, Cheer, Acro 1, 2, 3, 4, Buddin' Ballerina's and Rollin' Tumblers

Nicole Pajer 
 (Miss Nicky) began dancing at the age of 2 right here in Agawam and brings over 48 years of dance and theater performance experience to Impressions.  She has taught here in the states and in Europe for over 35 years and has trained with master teachers and choreographers like Ken Lipits, former principle for San Francisco Ballet, Anita Oski former Manhattan Rockette, Tap legend Charles Kelly, Ron Devito, and Frank Hatchet of Broadway Dance Center.   She was an honors graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a BA in Dance Education, a BS in Psychology, and has a Masters from London University in Arts Management.In her younger years, Nicky won many dance and pageant titles, including being a former Miss Massachusetts Teen, who won the preliminary Talent award for her Lyrical dancing.  She then went on to become a local business Manager and Executive Director for the Miss America Organization running Miss Western Mass for 10 yrs.  She still remains involved as a volunteer and non-voting board member for the state of Massachusetts.  Nicky is a former Six Flags Performer and Disney Dancer.  She was one of the 29 opening cast members of the Disney Magic for Disney Cruise Line.  She was a dancer and Entertainment manager for DCL for 5 years and worked with many artists including 98 Degrees, the She Daisies, the Olson Twins, Ricky Lake, Oprah and many more. Some of her favorite shows that she has either danced in or been the choreographer for include: Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Blithe Spirit, Fame, Guys and Dolls, Grease, Hercules “the Musical”, The Hobbit, The Little Mermaid, Oliver, Peter Pan, The Pajama Game, and Romeo and Juliet.  More recently Nicky was the owner of the Dance Factory in West Warren Mass until last September where she shared her knowledge of dance and excitement for performing with her students for 21 years.  Many of her students have continued dancing and have gone on to have careers in a wide variety of dance and entertainment fields, including working in theme parks, as physical therapists, pro cheerleaders, news anchors, dance teachers, and even studio owners.  Miss Nicky had the pleasure of teaching Miss Melissa when she was a teenager, having her on the Dance Factory Staff for a number of years, and is now super excited to be able to work for her and celebrating Impressions 20th year.  

Miss Nicky's Teaching Schedule:
Tappin Tumble Combo, Petite, Junior and Teen Ballet Technique, Beg/Int Ballet, Beg Jazz, Adult Jazz and Adult Ballet/Lyrical

Katie Dooney
 Hey Everyone! I'm Miss Katie and I am a Graduate of Elms College, and have been teaching Irish Step at IAOD since season 2.  I started taking dance when I was four years old and haven't stopped yet.  I started with McDermott Academy and have been dancing with my current school for a total of over 30+ years.  I started my teaching as a student teacher and I decided that day I wanted to teach my own classes and wanted to do this forever.  I've had many students come in and out of IAOD and I can honestly say I remember each and every one of you and have been so happy to share my love for Irish Step with all of you.  Aside from teaching, I work at a Pediatrics Office. When I am not teaching or working, I am spending time with my family, friends and of course with Duke and Harper!  
Welcome to year 21, I can't wait to see all of you again 🙂 

Miss Katie's Teaching Schedule:
Little Steppers, Beginnner Irish, Teen Irish (Hard shoe and Soft Shoe)

Office Staff
Mama Landry (Cecilia) & Mr. Landry (Papa Al)

So after many years of carting Miss Melissa around to dance classes, conventions and competitions they couldn't stay away from DANCE! 
Mama Landry was an Operating Room Nurse at Baystate Medical Center until her retirement almost 3 years ago. She loves retirement, hanging out with my dad, going to lunch with her friends, reading and of course spending time with her grandchildren (human and furry ones). 
Papa Al was a Respiratory Therapist turned Nursing Home Administrator turned College Professor and has since retired! He loves collecting coins, the RED SOX (only when they are winning), cooking, gardening, talking to all the dance moms, dads and grandparents and of course thoses amazing grandchildren (human and sometimes the furry ones). 