Impressions 2025-2026 Staff
Melissa Landry - Director
Miss Melissa has been the director of Impressions Academy of Dance for the past 22 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 22 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. This past season her 2026 Production "Latin Vibes" was invited to National Performance Teams as well as being Entertainment award winners! Melissa is certified to teach pre-school acro classes through Acrobatic Arts as well as certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique level 1 and 2. She was recently certified to teach the MuVMethod for strength and stretch flexibility. 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. She is also the Finance Assistant at St. Michael's Academy in Spfld! Miss Melissa spends her free time with her boyfriend, niece and nephew, family, friends and her furry babies Sebastian and Oliver. She also loves to travel and can't wait for the next adventure!!!!
Miss Melissa's Teaching Schedule:
Jazz n' Tap Combo, Tappin' Tots Combo, Tumblin' Tots Combo, Ready Set Let's DANCE!, Rollin Tumblers, Hippity Hip Hoppers, Buddin Ballerina's, Rappin' Tappers, Teen Hip Hop, Beginner Hip Hop, Adult Hip Hop & All Jazz and Lyrical Dance Teams
Lexi Thomann
This will be Miss Lexi’s 10th season with Impressions! Over the course of her career, Miss Lexi has taught Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, and Acro. While she enjoys all styles, her favorites are Contemporary and Hip Hop, which she teaches at the competitive level.She is passionate about helping her dancers build confidence and a love for performing both on and off the stage.Outside of the studio, Miss Lexi is a data analyst and enjoys spending time with her husband, playing with their Shih Tzu, Oscar, and embroidering.
Miss Lexi's Teaching Schedule:
Hip Hop and Contemporary Teams
Emily Percy
Miss Emily has been dancing for over 24 years and has spent more than a decade inspiring the next generation of dancers as a Teacher and Choreographer. With extensive training in Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Jazz, she is passionate about helping dancers build strong technical foundations while developing confidence, artistry, and a genuine love for dance.
Since beginning her teaching career in 2015, Miss Emily has worked with dancers of all ages throughout Western Massachusetts. She has been a part of Impressions Academy of Dance's Staff since 2018 and previously taught at On Broadway Dance Studio and The Dance Slipper. She also traveled throughout New England assisting with master classes and working alongside the Step Up 2 Dance Competition, further expanding her knowledge of competitive dance education.
As leader of the competitive tap programs, Miss Emily has led dancers to numerous regional and national achievements. In 2025, her choreography earned a 1st Overall National Winner award for our Adult Small Group Tap. In 2026, had more Overall and Special Awards for her many groups, duos, and solos. She remains committed to continuing her professional education through organizations such as the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and the New Jersey Tap Festival, ensuring her dancers receive current, high-quality training.
Miss Emily believes every dancer has the potential to succeed through dedication, encouragement, and a positive learning environment. Her goal is to help each student grow not only as a performer, but also as a confident, hardworking individual. Outside the studio, she enjoys rhinestoning everything, thrifting, golfing, and attending rock concerts! Miss Emily's Teaching Schedule: Adult Tap Team, All Tap Dance Teams, Rappin Tappers, Beginner Tap
Since beginning her teaching career in 2015, Miss Emily has worked with dancers of all ages throughout Western Massachusetts. She has been a part of Impressions Academy of Dance's Staff since 2018 and previously taught at On Broadway Dance Studio and The Dance Slipper. She also traveled throughout New England assisting with master classes and working alongside the Step Up 2 Dance Competition, further expanding her knowledge of competitive dance education.
As leader of the competitive tap programs, Miss Emily has led dancers to numerous regional and national achievements. In 2025, her choreography earned a 1st Overall National Winner award for our Adult Small Group Tap. In 2026, had more Overall and Special Awards for her many groups, duos, and solos. She remains committed to continuing her professional education through organizations such as the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and the New Jersey Tap Festival, ensuring her dancers receive current, high-quality training.
Miss Emily believes every dancer has the potential to succeed through dedication, encouragement, and a positive learning environment. Her goal is to help each student grow not only as a performer, but also as a confident, hardworking individual. Outside the studio, she enjoys rhinestoning everything, thrifting, golfing, and attending rock concerts! Miss Emily's Teaching Schedule: Adult Tap Team, All Tap Dance Teams, Rappin Tappers, Beginner Tap
Julia Nicosia
I’m Miss Julia and I teach ballet, jazz & cheer. I’ve been teaching at Impressions for six 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:
Cheer, Buddin' Ballerina's & Jazzettes
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 22nd year.
Miss Nicky's Teaching Schedule:
Beginner Ballet, Adult Ballet, Ballet Technique A, B, C and D,
Tap n Tumble Combo, Acro A, B and C & Adult Tap Recreational
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 love getting to spend time with my family, fur babies and friends. I am also very excited to be welcoming my little guy to our studio this year!!!!Welcome to year 23 I can't wait to see all of you again 🙂
Miss Katie's Teaching Schedule:
Little Steppers, Beginner Irish, Teen Irish Soft Shoe and Hard Shoe
Marissa Deslauriers
Miss Ris has danced with Impressions since age four and found her love of teaching when she started as an assistant at age thirteen! She became a teacher and taught with us for two years before heading off to Lesley University where she received a Bachelors of Science in Expressive Arts therapy. She’s back with us now and very excited to be teaching again as she loves helping kids find their love for dance! In her free time Miss Ris loves crocheting, making jewelry, creating all types of art, and spending time with her friends and family!
Miss Ris Teaching Schedule:
Beginner Jazz, Beginner Lyrical, Jazzettes, Contemporary
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 5 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 those amazing grandchildren (human and sometimes the furry ones).