Former Students
“I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher to help me grow as a performer and person. Cailin dedicated herself to fostering my own specific talents while strengthening my weaknesses. She aided me in my journey through the musical theatre college process, resulting in me going to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York class of 2020 . I was a hundred percent prepared for everything they asked of me and stood out as a student who understood how to carry myself professionally. I would chalk that all up to Cailin. Her unique and individualized approach is effective in turning you into a triple threat if you’re willing to put the the work in . She is a wonderful role model and mentor that has changed my life for the better.”
– Delaney Payne — Integrated Musical Theatre Major, AMDA Graduate
“Cailin has taught me everything that I know about theater, dancing and teaching! Cailin is not only an amazing, detail-oriented director and teacher, but she also truly cares about her students as if they were her family. I am so grateful to have Cailin in my life as my mentor and biggest cheerleader. I joined Cailin’s theater and dance classes when I was in middle school and I never imagined that I would be the performer that I am today. Thanks to Cailin, I have become confident in my abilities as not only a performer and teacher, but as an individual outside of theater. Cailin has helped me to grow immensely both on and off stage, and anyone would be lucky to be taught by her.”
– Andrea Stebbins — Strategic Communications Major, Elon University
Parents
“Here’s the thing about Cailin Dyke Kelly. Ask any kid who has taken dance lessons from her or had her as choreographer or overall director for a musical. They’ll all tell you the same thing. She’s that incredibly rare teacher who pushes them to be their very, very best, often far beyond what they believed themselves capable of, without ever once belittling them or making them feel incapable. Ask if she yells at them and they’ll laugh disbelievingly. But ask if they want to disappoint her and watch their faces grow starkly serious as they furiously shake their heads. She believes in them, and she supports them, and she expects great things from them, so they work harder than they thought they could – and they deliver those great things. Whether your kid has been obsessed with musical theatre for years and dreams of starring on Broadway, or whether they just streamed Hamilton and thought it would be fun to get on stage, Cailin will bring more out of them than they (or you) thought possible. And she’ll do it while fostering a culture of inclusiveness and welcoming that makes the kids feel like a family. How do I know all of this? That’s simple. My daughter is one of those kids.”
– Rob McDonagh — father of Fiona McDonagh
Collaborators & Colleagues
“For a long time I have wished that every teacher I have worked with would employ what I lovingly call the “Cailin Dyke Kelly teaching method”. I’ve worked at incredible art programs in Honolulu, in Minneapolis, and NYC and I still think Cailin is the best teacher out there. It’s hard to name all of the qualities of why Cailin ranks so high on my list, but I would like to try.
Cailin is professional with excellent boundaries, she is so caring, she creates a safe and compassionate environment for the students to learn dance, acting, singing, musical theater, or instrumental music, she would never let a child feel left out, and she clearly loves what she does. Cailin teaches with such a sense of responsibility to her students and their families. She is able to give her students the best arts education possible while simultaneously teaching
them about teamwork, about community, about responsibility, and how to be a good citizen of the world. I’ve never seen students work harder than while learning with Cailin. I’ve also never seen them have so much fun and with such an unabashed sense of play than while working with Cailin.
I worked alongside Cailin for several summers and watching her teach was my masterclass in how to teach the next generation of artists. I feel forever changed and incredibly lucky to have had that experience. I would also credit some of my success as an educator from watching Cailin teach and learning what real, natural, wonderful, authentic, and inclusive teaching is. If you have a child with professional performance aspirations, a child who just loves having fun, a child who is looking for friends and a community, or you just want your child to experience
something new, there is no better human being to trust than Cailin Dyke Kelly and anyone she employs and trains at Ensemble Performing Arts Studio. Massachusetts just got really lucky.”
– Rachel MacKenzie — Voice Teacher, Singer, Pianist, and Music Director / Adjunct Faculty at University of Albany (Department of Music and Theatre) / Adjunct Faculty at NYU (Steinhardt School) / Voice Teacher at NYC Vocal Studio / Staff at Ohana Arts Summer Festival and School
“As an artist Cailin Dyke Kelly has the ability to live on both sides of the coin, she is both fearless and vulnerable at the same time. Her work is bold and nuanced and she is constantly evolving, learning, and developing which keeps her work relevant and timely. These skills she brings with her to the classroom, and she is able to provide all of her students with a safe space to nurture their own talents. She teaches performance in a way that explores not only the technical skills involved in execution, but allows students the opportunity to develop their own artistic style and voice.”
– Dr. Meg Dussault, Ed.D — Local Actor, Director, & Theatre Educator
“I have had the honor of working professionally with Cailin for over 15 years. Her preparedness, professionalism and cheerful disposition have always impressed me. The biggest reason I enjoy working with her is the effortless connection she makes with students. She treats students with respect and improves their skills through every part of her teaching process. She partners with each student and builds off of individual strengths to make them feel and perform better with every class. She has the rare gift of making kids feel like her friend and student at the same time while still maintaining her leadership position and I believe this is why so many students return to her year after year.”
– Matt Reingold — Former President, Un-Common Theatre Company