About Us

BFA Boston Conservatory with additional studies from Brown University, Manhattan School of Music

Prior to the opening of the Capachione School of Performing Arts, Ms. Capachione enjoyed a professional performance career, sharing the stage with some of the industry’s most respected artists.

As director of CSPA, she has produced hundreds of student based performances and continues to be active in the classroom. Her students enjoy fruitful careers as actors, playwrights, producers and directors in both film and theatre.

Under her direction, the Capachione School has been recognized as an outstanding institution of theatrical education by The Yamaha Corporation and Boston Parent Magazine. The studio continues to be awarded top honors at theatre competitions on both the regional and national levels.

Tara is thrilled to be heading into her 28th season, with the Capachione School. She holds a BA in theatre/dance education from Bridgewater State University. As the theatre director at CSPA, Tara has directed and choreographed over 50 full length musicals, as well as 25 year end revues. Her musical theatre teams have won numerous titles at both the regional and national competition level. Tara’s students at The Capachione School have gone on to some of the most prestigious collegiate theatre programs including: University of the Arts, NYU, The Boston Conservatory, and Marymount Manhattan. She has directed and choreographed for many local theatres including: Massasoit Community College, Hingham Civic Music, Cohassett Dramatic Club, and Abington high School.

Cheralyn is pleased to be teaching at the Capachione School, where she spent 15 years training in theatre , dance and voice. She is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory, with an emphasis in Repertoire and Acting. Professional Credits include Ogunquit Playhouse: Annie, Beauty And The Beast. Skyline Theatre: My Fair Lady, Reagle Music Theatre: Crazy For You, Theatre By The Sea: Spamalot, Mary Poppins, Frog and Toad, Grease.

Cheralyn continues to study dance and voice with industry professionals to keep her skills sharp and current. Her lessons will focus on healthy technique, natural sound, story telling, and versatility.

With over 30 years of experience working with artists of all ages in professional and non-profit theaters, on stage and in production, Jim believes that authenticity, courage and managed vulnerability encourages a whole-hearted approach to theatre collaboration. This is the philosophy he has successfully used when working with students ages 4-22. Some of Jim’s most recent work includes directing at Massasoit Theatre Company and Norwood Stage, Abington and Hull Public Schools, and youth programs throughout the South and North Shores of Massachusetts. Jim was a member of the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild. With the Broadway Teacher’s Workshop he has attended over 60 hours of certified professional development facilitated by Broadway artists like Chita Rivera, Lin Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom, Jr. Jim holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College with an emphasis on directing.

Julie studied at The Capachione School of Performing Arts for 10 years in musical theatre and in voice with Miss Teresa and was also directed by Miss Tara during her time here. She was part of the first group who went to Access Broadway and also was awarded the Voice Scholarship at CSPA. Julie has studied musical theatre and singing her whole life and has performed with CSPA, Cardinal Spellman High School, Massasoit Community College, The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts, and Emerson College.

After graduating from Capachione’s, Julie went on to Emerson College in the BFA Musical Theatre program, switching to BA Theatre Education with a dance minor. Since then, she has taught voice and musical theatre locally, including at The Horrigan School of Music in Brockton, 11 years at The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts in Middleborough, and entering her 2nd year at Capachione’s. She has also worked as a Drama teacher at Bridgewater State University’s Arts for Youth program and has directed musicals at Freetown-Lakeville Middle School. Julie is also a cantor and choir member at St. John’s down the street in East Bridgewater for over 10 years now. Julie lives in Weymouth with her husband and her chocolate lab, and if she ever has free time, she is usually singing to musicals or reading.

Kelly has her undergraduate degree in vocal performance and music education from Westfield State University and her graduate degree in music education from Boston University. In 2009, she received the academic excellence award in music education and classical performance from Westfield State University.

Kelly has a solid background in many musical styles including classical voice, musical theatre, and contemporary pop styles. Her extensive musical theatre credits include:
Lucy in the 2007 premiere of Guys Don’t Talk About Love, Lady Larken in Once Upon A Mattress, Cosette in Les Miserables, Erzulie in Once on This Island, Peppermint Patty in SNOOPY!!!, Woman 1 in Songs for a New World, and Frenchy in Grease.

Kelly has taught voice for nearly 14 years and we are thrilled to have her join our team!

We are beyond thrilled to welcome Alisa Cassola to our vocal staff.

Ms Cassola received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Boston University and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory. She is a member of the Boston Lyric Opera professional ensemble.

Her performance credits include: Annina in Verdi’s Traviata, Maria in Daughter of the Regiment, Mabel in Pirates of Penzance, Amy in Little Women among many others.

Her vast knowledge of vocal techniques in both musical theatre and classical will certainly be a valuable asset to our studio.

Originally from Fairhope, Alabama, Justin Parish has become a respected figure as a vocal technician, composer, and vocalist. His desire to create led him to first study at Ithaca College, later earning his bachelor’s degree in Music Composition and Vocal Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

For nearly a decade, Justin has resided on the scenic South Shore of Massachusetts where he has remained dedicated to helping singers of all ages, styles, and backgrounds find their voice.

Holding a teaching certification from New York Vocal Coaching, Justin brings a nuanced, compassionate, and experienced approach to mentoring his students. Under his guidance, these aspiring artists consistently excel, reaching new levels of self-confidence, winning competitions, earning placements in prestigious schools, and securing positions in the industry.

As a composer, Justin‘s works are characterized by their evocative, colorful soundscapes, reflecting his love of texture, harmony, and connection to both culture and emotion. While he resides in Massachusetts, his roots remain on the Gulf Coast, a reminder of the diverse influences that shape his musical sensibilities.

Leanne is thrilled to be a part of the incredible team at the Capachione School. For the past thirty years, Leanne has studied, performed, and taught in the theatre industry, and has earned advanced degrees in theatre and education from Bridgewater State College, Hunter College, and American International College.

Leanne is a passionate educator and has taught and directed students from preschool through high school with an extensive background working with students with disabilities. Holding degrees in special education and theatre arts, she strives to make her classroom and productions inclusive and accepting to all individuals.

In addition to teaching at CSPA, Leanne works as a reading specialist for the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District where she has run extracurricular theatre and improv programs.

Leanne is an active member in community theatre, and has participated in productions and short films throughout the South Shore and in New York City. Some favorite performances include Annie, Once Upon a Mattress, The Laramie Project, The Odd Couple: Female Version, Calendar Girls, Our Town, and Sweeney Todd.

John Ferguson has been a pianist and organist for over 25 years working with a variety of organizations across the Greater Boston area. Before coming to the Capachione School, John taught piano and music theater at Stonehill College and the former Rockland Music Store. He was the music director and organist at Trinity Church in Rockland for 15 years as well as working with local community theater groups such as CDC, HCMT, Walpole Footlighters, and many others. He currently lives in Easton with his wife, Kristin and his two kids, Bailey and Leo.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, Steve taught music and theater in the Abington Public Schools for 35 years before retiring in June 2023. He served as the Music Department Head for grades K-12 and was Administrator to the high school theater arts program. He either produced, directed or musically directed nearly every production during his 35 years in Abington. In addition to his work in the public schools, Steve has musically directed numerous productions around the South Shore including Bridgewater State, Massasoit, the Norwood Theater, and The Company Theatre. When time allows, Steve is still active as a performer.

Dan comes from a long line of Portuguese and Canadian musicians settled in Southeastern Coastal Massachusetts. He deeply enjoys collaborating with other artists, and has been seen playing Off-Broadway (J2 Spotlight Theatre Comp.), and accompanying Modern & Improv Dance Classes (Rutgers University). Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College, and a master’s degree in Music Performance from Rutgers University. Dan is also an avid composer of contemporary classical music, jazz, pop, film, and commercial music. Currently, Dan lives in Massachusetts, where he teaches music at UMASS Dartmouth, performs as a freelance musician and music director, and enjoys playing chess.

-Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education & thesis on Dance Education in Schools from UMass Amherst
-Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education (UMass)
-Kindergarten teacher for the past 17 years at South Shore Charter Public School, including many original dance performances such as Carnival of the Animals and The Tale of Peter Rabbit and choreography for school musicals including The Wizard of Oz and Annie.
-Former children’s dance and theatre teacher at Bay Colony Performing Arts Academy in Foxboro.
-Lots of community theatre productions (before kids!), and (post-kids) tons of adult dance classes all around the south shore in ballet, tap, and jazz.

Krissy Litchfield has been teaching dance to students of all ages for the past 25 years. Her primary focus has been ballet, but she also has extensive training and experience in a variety of dance forms. Her dance journey began at a young age, she attended the prestigious Boston Ballet School while also training at her family-owned dance studio from the age of 2. She went on to study dance at Roger Williams University and continued her training into adulthood at the Jeannette Neil Dance Studio, Boston. She has spent the last 12 years as the director of the classical ballet program at a recreational dance studio in Hingham and has successfully produced their annual Nutcracker ballet for the past decade. Krissy lives in Whitman with her husband and 2 children. She loves teaching dance and especially enjoys passing on her adoration of this beautiful art form to her students.

Kaileigh Marcus is a student at Bridgewater State University where she studies English Education. She began her dance career at the age of four and has trained in various dance styles at her home studio in Raynham, Massachusetts including tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, acro, and contemporary. She competed as a member of the KC Dance Company for 9 years, and served as team captain for 6 years. She competed across New England attending multiple yearly regional and national competitions, as well as taking master classes and participating in conventions. She plans to continue her dance education throughout college and to share her passion for dance with her students. Kaileigh can’t wait to begin her first season with the Capachione School this fall!