About Us
Our Mission
Our mission at Marissa’s Dance Academy is to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where students of all ages and skill levels can discover the joy of dance. We strive to offer high-quality instruction in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and more, while also nurturing creativity and self-expression in each of our students.
We believe in the power of dance to transform lives, and we are committed to helping our students build confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of movement. We foster a sense of community among our students and their families, and we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring space where everyone feels valued and encouraged to pursue their dreams.
Through our passion for dance and our commitment to excellence, we aim to inspire our students to reach their full potential, both on and off the dance floor.
Our Staff
Marissa Ruddat
Marissa Ruddat is the founder and director of Marissa’s Dance Academy in Salem, Connecticut. Originally from Massachusetts, Marissa began dancing at a young age and trained both competitively and through her high school dance team. Her performance experiences include appearances at Disney World and Disneyland, the Orange Bowl, and on cruise ships across the United States.
Marissa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Dance (and neuroscience) from Dickinson College in 2016, where she served as captain of the modern and jazz dance groups and received choreography awards through the American College Dance Association. She later earned a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
In addition to directing the studio, Marissa is a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in working with birth-to-three and preschool-aged children. Her background in child development influences her teaching approach, emphasizing healthy movement, coordination, confidence, and creativity.
As a resident of Salem, CT, Marissa is passionate about building a strong local community through dance. Through Marissa’s Dance Academy, she is proud to provide high-quality dance classes for children in southeastern Connecticut in a positive and supportive environment where every dancer can grow.
Sara Leduc
Sara’s love for dance began at the age of two and has continued for the past 19 years. She has experience in both recreational and competitive dance across many styles, as well as training in gymnastics and acrobatics. While she enjoys dancing everything from ballet to hip hop, Sara has found her greatest strengths and passion in lyrical and contemporary styles.
Sara is currently attending Eastern Connecticut State University, where she continues to grow as both a dancer and choreographer. In addition to her studies, she holds leadership positions within the university’s Modern Movement dance group, where she helps organize performances and support fellow dancers.
Mackenzie Andrews
Mackenzie began dancing at the age of three and grew up training throughout southeastern Connecticut. She studied a wide range of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and pointe. At age twelve, she joined a competitive dance team where she performed in group routines, duos/trios, and solos, continuing to train and compete throughout high school.
Mackenzie recently earned her Master’s degree in Forensic Technology from the University of New Haven. While attending the university, she was a member of the school’s dance team for three years and served as choreography captain for two years. In this leadership role, she choreographed multiple routines in styles such as hip-hop and jazz, which were performed at football and basketball games as well as the team’s annual showcase.
Mackenzie has a strong passion for dance and performance and is excited to share her love of movement and creativity with her students.
Julia Diamond
Mackenzie began dancing at the age of three and grew up training throughout southeastern Connecticut. She studied a wide range of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and pointe. At age twelve, she joined a competitive dance team where she performed in group routines, duos/trios, and solos, continuing to train and compete throughout high school.
Mackenzie recently earned her Master’s degree in Forensic Technology from the University of New Haven. While attending the university, she was a member of the school’s dance team for three years and served as choreography captain for two years. In this leadership role, she choreographed multiple routines in styles such as hip-hop and jazz, which were performed at football and basketball games as well as the team’s annual showcase.
Mackenzie has a strong passion for dance and performance and is excited to share her love of movement and creativity with her students.