Maria Brown, Instructor

Maria Brown began ballroom dancing in 1995. While majoring in Drama at New York University, she became Captain of the NYU Ballroom Dance Team, where she studied under Richard and Bonnie Diaz. She moved to New England in 1998, where she has studied with Natasha Thayer, Inez Sahlin, Russell Jackson, Michael Ulbrich and Suzanne Hamby. She first taught ballroom at DNE School of Dance in Chelmsford, MA and then went on to teach from her own Studio 44 in Auburn, NH. In 2005 she was a finalist at both the Yankee Classic and North American DanceSport Championships in the Professional Rising Star American Rhythm category, after only 10 weeks of training with her partner.
Maria opened Paper Moon Dance Center in June of 2003. Ray was one of the first teachers to join the staff. They began training together in American Smooth in January of 2009 under the coaching of Larinda McRaven and have since been Professional Rising Star finalists at competitions throughout the Northeast.

See Maria's Competition Videos here!

Ray Huard, Instructor

Raymond Huard began ballroom dancing in 1997 and quickly discovered he had a natural flair for performing. He has studied at studios throughout New England, most notably with coaches Ian Folker, Ed Simon, Michael Ulbrich and Suzanne Hamby. He specializes in American Smooth, American Rhythm and International Standard and has won the trust and affection of many students, who regularly place at or near the top of their events at Pro/Am competitions. Ray has been competing in the Professional Rising Star American Smooth category since September 2009 with his partner Maria Brown under the coaching of Larinda McRaven, and has since been a finalist at competitions throughout the Northeast.

Joe Butera, Instructor

Joseph Butera has been dancing and teaching ballroom since 1999. He is well versed in both American and International styles, and also enjoys teaching the club dances: Salsa, Lindy Hop and Nightclub Two-Step. Joe has studied with many coaches including Suzanne Hamby, Dan Radler and Bill Morganti. His easy humor and warm personality instantly put new dancers at ease and create a warm feeling of welcome for all who enter the studio. He is especially loved by our teen community. Joe is versatile enough to get a room full of newcomers dancing in one session, choreograph a showcase for thrilling performance and then turn around and train a serious competitor. He can also be found mixing cutting-edge playlists from our DJ booth on Friday nights!

Tammy Leonard, Instructor

Tammy Leonard has studied ballet for 25 years and has taught beginners, ice skaters and ballroom dancers in three schools. Tammy began ballroom dancing during her studies at Wesleyan University, where she taught workshops for the ballroom dance club and she studied and performed modern and ballet dance as well. After graduating, she continued her studies at Paper Moon. She showed such great talent and technique that she was invited to join the staff! Tammy brings her solid technique, elegant poise and strong ballet legs into each class she teaches at Paper Moon!

Zaira, Professional Bellydancer and Instructor

Rebecca Stockstill (Zaira) lives for the love of the Middle Eastern Dance. She puts a smile on her audience’s face and shares her craft with all who wish to learn it. She has been a professional bellydance performer, choreographer and instructor for over thirteen years and continues to study with the world’s premier dancers. She has taught at numerous universities, dance studios and workshops across the US. Zaira also captured the prestigious 2006 championship title at Little Egypt’s Ahlan Cairo Nights against contestants from around the world and competed for Bellydancer of the Year! Zaira performances both domestically and internationally to promote professional development, preserve the art form in a positive light and show the beauty of classical Egyptian Oriental, American, Greek, and Turkish belly dancing.

Nikki Dunn, Instructor

Nikki Dunn has been a student at Paper Moon since 2005. She began teaching in 2007 and loves every minute of it. She enjoys all types of music and dancing, and has a passion for performing on stage. Nikki has been the head choreographer for the Merrimack Middle School Drama Program for two years, and has been involved in both the middle school and high school dance clubs. She has performed in Paper Moon’s Bob Fosse Formation coached by Maria Brown as well as the competitive salsa team, Nuevo Vida. At Paper Moon, she teaches Salsa and line dancing as well as ballroom, Latin, and swing. She has studied with Bill Morganti, Donna Shea and Ron Montez. Nikki hopes to continue her dancing in college and become a competitive dancer in the future.