Our Team
Holly Welpott-Dubé
Artistic Director
Holly Welpott-Dubé is a Northern California native whose foundation in both classical and contemporary dance was cultivated from an early age. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance: Performance and Choreography from Saint Mary’s College of California, graduating summa cum laude with Honors in the major and as a member of Phi Kappa Phi. During her studies, her original work She Remembers was selected for performance at the American College Dance Association’s National Gala—an honor recognizing emerging choreographic talent.
While still in college, Dubé served as Assistant Director at Applegate Dance Studio during the 2020 season, contributing numerous original choreographic works.
Following graduation, she performed professionally as a Principal Artist with Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theater (2021–2022), a Company Member with Davalos Dance Company (2020-2021), and Ballet Hartford in Connecticut (2023-2024). Since 2022-current, she has been a Company Dancer with Chadash Contemporary Dance Movement, where she continues to bring her artistry, technical precision, and love of performance to audiences.
Alongside her performance career, Dubé has remained deeply committed to teaching and choreographing. She has worked with several leading dance institutions in Northern California and Connecticut, guiding students into top-tier collegiate and pre-professional programs. Her teaching emphasizes strong technical foundation, artistic exploration, and personal integrity—encouraging dancers to develop not only as performers, but as thinkers and creators.
Drawing from her extensive experience in both academic and professional settings, Dubé founded the Dubé Pre-Professional Company, a space for aspiring dancers to train, grow, and thrive under a comprehensive and artistically rigorous curriculum that reflects the evolving demands of today’s dance world.
Jaclyn Gabriel
Assistant Director
Jaclyn Gabriel began her career in the entertainment industry at the tender age of 18 months when she appeared in her first national television commercial for Huggies brand diapers. She went on to be featured in multiple TV commercials and print ads in magazines for companies such as Hasbro. She was chosen as Little Miss Liberty to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in Ladies Home Journal appearing on the cover next to Princess Diana.
Jaclyn got her start in dance under the direction of Linda Accardo and Gwen Capodici of Backstage Studio of Dance from 1986-1993. It was there that she fell in love with Tap learning from the great Charles Kelley. Jaclyn continued her studies at Long Island Academy of Dance under the direction of Sandra Jemal. She was a soloist in the competitive dance company until 1999 winning multiple national title awards and scholarships. As a young dancer she was often cast in the Harbor Ballet Theatre’s presentation of The Nutcracker and was a featured dancer on Jam TV.
Jaclyn was awarded a scholarship to attend CW Post Long Island University as a Dance Major. During this time, she was one half of the dynamic duo “Joey Z & Fire” as the magician’s assistant traveling the northeast performing at events and competitions. They were featured guests in Joseph Gabriel’s Magic on Broadway at The Lambs Theatre in NYC. She was also cast as the Snow Queen in the Broadway Nutcracker and performed at Manhattan City Center in the fall of 2000.
Jaclyn continued her dance training at Broadway Dance Center with Frank Hatchet, AC Ciulla, Michele Assaf, and Crystal Chapman to name a few. It was then that she was a finalist on Ed McMahan’s Next Big Star, the world’s first internet based talent competition. While dancing in the city, Jaclyn worked at Capezio’s flag ship store where she learned the important craft of pointe shoe fitting.
After leaving the city in 2001, Jaclyn went on to become a teacher at Backstage Studio of Dance and Long Island Academy of Dance where teaching became her passion!
When she moved to CT in 2007 she was invited to teach at the prestigious D’Valda and Sirico Dance and Music Centre located in Fairfield, Connecticut. She was personally trained by Angela D’Valda in the Royal Academy of Ballet syllabus and she choreographed for the company and performance groups from 2007-2016 winning numerous high score and choreography awards. One of her very first students went on to graduate from the Joffrey Ballet School and others went on to dance professionally.
In addition, she was a contributing teacher/choreographer for Dance Teacher Web. An online dance resource and mentorship program created by Angela D’Valda and Steve Sirico to support dance teachers and studio owners alike.
Jaclyn’s goal has always been to create an environment where children can thrive and gain confidence while building life skills that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Dance provides the perfect outlet for creativity and imagination, while at the same time develops self discipline and encourages team work.
She currently resides in Monroe, CT with her husband Michael and 3 children, Camille, Sophie and Michael.