Meet Dee!
Dee Okoth (Often referred to as: Ms. Dee, Miss D, Miss DeeDee) is the founder of Rise Up Dance Community, and Instructor of all our classes. Growing up loving dance - she always wished she could have found a dance studio that celebrated students the way they already are - focusing on having fun and being part of an uplifting community. Teaching in the Worcester and Greater Boston areas for 8 years through different dance studios, she decided it was time to take a chance to create a better dance environment. In May of 2021 she opened RUDC and began creating our welcoming, inclusive, diverse - and fun Community. Before opening RUDC, Dee greatly enjoyed working with African Refugee students as an after-school dance teacher, and working in home health aid. She loves camping, spending time with her family, and the color yellow. Her favorite part about teaching? Watching her students confidence bloom. Dee is always up for a chat, and loves the connections she's created with our dance families. Make sure to introduce yourself.. but she will probably start talking to you first.
Meet Dennis!
Dennis Okoth (goes by: Dennis, Mr. Dennis, Deno)
is our biggest supporter. Whether he's dressed as Santa for a Winter Showcase, setting up at Recital, leading games at our Halloween Parties.. he's our guy! (Fun facts.. Dennis and Ms. Dee got married in 2020! Make sure to say hi if you see him around!
Meet Ria!
Ria Padayachee (goes by: Ria, Miss Ria)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her fourth year with us,
and you will primarily catch her helping with our
age 3 through grade 6 students.
Ria loves working with children, and hopes that every RUDC student can learn to share her love and passion for dancing.
Ria is a Sophomore at Framingham State University.
Say hi next time you see her!
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Meet Julia!
Julia (goes by: Julia, Miss Julia)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her second year Assisting, and third year dancing with us. You will catch Julia Assisting our age 3-5 Ballet/Hip Hop students.
Say hey!
Meet Tony!
Tony (goes by: Tony)
is one of our Assistants!
This is his first year Assisting, and third year dancing with us. You will catch Tony assisting our age 3-5 Saturday Hip Hop!
Make sure to say hi!
Meet Isabella!
Isabella (goes by: Isabella, Miss Bella)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her third year with us.
You will catch her Assisting our Saturday age 3-5 Hip Hop.
Say hi!
Meet Tessa!
Tessa (goes by: Tessa, Miss Tessa)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her second year assisting,
and fifth year dancing with us.
You will catch her assisting our age 3-5 Ballet/Tap.
Say hi when you see her!
Meet Maddie!
Maddie (goes by: Maddie)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her second year assisting,
and fifth year dancing with us.
She works with our Grades 1-3 Jazz!
Say hello when you see her!
Meet Vivian!
Vivian (goes by: Viv, Vivian)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her second year assisting,
and fifth year dancing with us.
You will catch her Assisting our Grades 1-3 weekday Hip Hop.
Make sure to say hey!
Meet Erika!
Erika (goes by: Erika)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her first year with us as an assistant,
and third year dancing with us.
You will catch her working primarily with our age 3-5
Ballet/Hip Hop class!
Make sure to say hello!
Genevieve (goes by: Genevieve)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her first year assisting,
and second year dancing with us.
You will catch her assisting our weekday grades 1-3 Hip Hop.
Say hi!
Meet Genevieve!
Meet Daphne!
Daphne (goes by: Daphne)
is one of our Assistants!
This is her first year assisting,
and fourth year dancing with us.
She assists our grades 1 - 3 weekday Hip Hop.
Make sure to say hi when you see her!
Meet Zoey!
While you most likely will never see Zoey at the Community,
she sure is a part of the behind the scenes!
Zoey loves getting involved with all the paperwork and costume boxes of course.
She is our Snow Day announcer! Keep a lookout for our Instagram stories for when there's a Snow Day.
Say meow!