Jessica Phifer-Patterson

Owner & Artistic Director

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Jessica Phifer-Patterson is the Owner and Artistic Director of Mass Best Academy of Dance. Which opened June 2015. She has dedicated her life to the art of dance with over 24 years of training and more than 20 years of teaching experience. Throughout her career, Jessica has remained committed to providing exceptional dance education while inspiring confidence, creativity, and personal growth in every student she teaches.

Dance Education & Professional Training

Jessica received her dance education through some of the region's most respected training programs, including:

• Boston Ballet School

• Boston Dance Company

• Hartford City Ballet

• Broadway Dance Center

• Kates Dance Company Plus

• and so much more to list

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She also trained privately and extensively under Maria Hughes of the Royal Ballet and Clyde Nantais of the Boston Ballet, developing a strong technical foundation in classical ballet while expanding her knowledge across many styles of dance.

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Jessica continues to invest in her professional development through private coaching, invitation-only retreats, specialized business training, dance conventions, workshops, and continuing education programs for dance studio owners, educators, and entrepreneurs. She has traveled throughout the country, including exclusive training experiences in Miami and Scottsdale, to further strengthen her leadership, coaching, and educational expertise.

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Professional Performance & Industry Experience

Jessica is a former "Nutcracker" company guest dancer with Boston Dance Company and has professionally performed in productions of The Nutcracker with:

• Boston Dance Company (Arabian)

• The Miss Tricia's Nutcracker (Sugar Plum Fairy)

• Albany Berkshire Ballet (Teen Mouse Lead)

Her featured roles as and adult professional include the Sugar Plum Fairy and Arabian.

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She has also served as:

• Former Assistant Director and Choreographer for Dance Company Worcester

• Choreographer for productions of The Nutcracker

• Choreographer for Girl Scouts of America productions

• Choreographer for Pop Warner performances

• Choreographer for local high school productions including Hairspray, The Wizard of Oz, and Little Shop of Horrors

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Teaching Experience

Jessica's teaching career spans more than two decades and includes instruction in:

• Ballet

• Pointe

• Jazz

• Lyrical

• Contemporary

• Tap

• Hip Hop

• Musical Theatre

• Acro

• Adult Dance & Fitness

• Preschool Dance Programs

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She proudly taught at Kates Dance Company Plus from 2001–2015 and Miss Tricia Dance Studio from 2013–2017, where she trained both recreational and competitive dancers while helping develop strong technical foundations and artistic expression.

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Jessica's experience extends beyond the studio classroom. She served as the Master Ballet Convention Teacher for the November 2023 NADAA Convention, sharing her expertise with dancers and educators from across the region.

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Student Success & Studio Achievements

Under Jessica's leadership, Mass Best Academy of Dance has earned numerous:

• High Score Awards

• Overall Awards

• Grand Champion Titles

• Special Judges Awards

• Choreography Awards

• Regional and National Titles

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Jessica herself has received choreography awards, high score awards, titles, and special judges awards throughout her competitive dance career.

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 Mass Best Academy of Dance earned a Grand Champion Studio Award through Star Dance Alliance, where she traveled to the Bahamas to accept the studio award.

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Jessica has also mentored many young dance teachers and choreographers, helping them develop their teaching skills while earning top placements and choreography awards of their own. She believes in creating opportunities for future educators to grow as artists and leaders.

 

Student Accomplishments

Jessica takes great pride in the accomplishments of her students.

Her dancers have earned:

• National and Regional Titles

• High Score Awards

• Scholarships

• Special Judges Awards

• Outstanding Technique Awards

Many former students have continued their education at prestigious institutions including:

• Boston Ballet

• Joffrey Ballet

• PACE University

• SUNY

• Dean College

• California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

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Mass Best alumni have also been accepted into prestigious summer intensives, invited to serve as convention class assistants, joined professional dance colleges and pursued careers throughout the dance industry.

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Television & Media

Jessica's choreography gained national recognition when routines she created were featured in the May 2015 Mid-Season Finale episode of Dance Moms, placing in the Top 3.

Her longtime student, Kaleigh Cavanaugh, appeared as a guest dancer on Abby Lee Miller's competition team during the September 2014 episode, Another One Bites the Dust.

In 2024, Jessica led Mass Best Academy of Dance to Atlantic City during the filming of the new Dance Moms series for Hulu, where Mass Best dancers were featured dancing, rehearsing, and backstage during Season One.

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Beyond Dance

Jessica's passion for teaching extends beyond the dance studio.

Inspired by her own experiences as a stepmother, she founded Stepmom Life, an international support community dedicated to empowering stepmoms through connection, education, and encouragement.

She is also the co-founder of Learning Through Movement Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that she created with her husband, Jason. Their mission is to inspire learning through movement by providing research-informed educational programs that help children develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

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Teaching Philosophy

Jessica believes dance is about far more than trophies or titles.

Her mission is to create a welcoming environment where every child feels encouraged to grow with confidence, develop strong technical skills, express themselves creatively, and discover a lifelong love of dance.

She is committed to inspiring every dancer through positivity, discipline, individual expression, and meaningful relationships—helping students become not only stronger dancers, but confident young people prepared to succeed both inside and outside the studio.