Deborah Mason School of Dance

Students receive professional dance instruction from a faculty whose excitement and example enhance a program for students, ages 3 through 18. The dance studio is directed by Deborah Mason Dudley and offers classes throughout the academic year, as well as summer programs. Students at the school are given performance opportunities, including a showcase performance in June at the Chevalier Theater in Medford.

Deborah Mason, Artistic Director, takes her passion and commitment to the class and community. She inspires young dancers, setting high standards for creative excellence and physical prowess. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Deborah Mason School of Dance, which has served as a training ground for dancers since 1975. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Cambridge Youth Dance Program, a non-profit dance and performing arts program for serious dancers in the Cambridge area. Her credits include a leading role in the musical Cinderella in SummerStock, touring New York City, Chicago, Kansas City, and Boston. Deborah  has worked with some of the finest dancers in the dance world such as Brenda Buffalino of the American Tap Dance Orchestra, Leon Collins, Sue Ronson, the Nicholas brothers, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, and Luigi. Having served the City of Cambridge for 37 years, she was commissioned by Mayor Reeves to serve on the Board for the Arts in Cambridge. She has been honored with the Key to the City of Cambridge, and has been cited from the city of Boston for her continued success. She has been honored by Mayor Sheila Russell for her dedication to young women’s development, received the Galluccio Award for her commitment to youth sports, was recently cited by the United States Senate in Washington, DC for providing a high quality arts education for decades, and was recently nominated for Coca Cola Company’s Distinguished Teachers in the Arts award program. Deborah’s expertise in training continues to produce accomplished dancers and the studio’s outstanding faculty is the tradition of excellence that is synonymous with the name Deborah Mason School of Dance. 

Jonathan “X.C.E.L.” Escotto has over 10 years of experience in the Breakdancing industry and is a member of MA/CT based Problemz Kru. He takes his martial arts background to his craft and prides himself on his ability to properly break down and teach students of all ages. Jonathan has appeared as a featured performer on The Discovery Channel and MTV, as well as live shows for the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Run DMC, Dru Hill, En Vogue, Eye to Eye, and Will Smith. He has also done work for Radio Disney, Jordans Furniture, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation “Great Strides” Walk, and the Special Olympics. X.C.E.L. has been awarded numerous 1st place honors at breaking competitions nationwide and continues to work on television and film opportunities, as well as workshops, demonstrations, and special events.

Dayah Islam began her dance training at the age of 3 at the Boston Ballet School of Dance where she studied for 13 years. As a graduate of the Boston Arts Academy and the Boston Conservatory, she has both studied and performed with schools and companies such as Boston Ballet, the Alvin Ailey American Dance School, Columbia City Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater, just to name a few. As a young artist, Dayah traveled the country on tour with Disney, where she found her favorite aspect of the performing arts: musical theater! Her commitment to the arts and children has lead her to a career in teaching and choreographing for young and upcoming performing artists. While Dayah is experienced in several areas of dance, her passion lies in jazz and modern dance, leading her to the Deborah Mason School of Dance and Cambridge Youth Dance Program as a jazz and modern instructor. 

Paula Khelifi began her love for dance right here in Cambridge, MA. As a young dancer at Deborah Mason School of Dance, she studied Ballet, Contemporary, and Lyrical Jazz. After Paula’s first professional gig as a cheerleader for the New England Patriots, she moved to NYC to dance for the New York Knicks for 6 seasons while continuing her dance studies at Broadway Dance Center and Alvin Ailey. During that time, she performed for recording artists such as Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, Bryan Adams, and Mark Whalberg, and appeared in television productions such as the MTV Music Awards and various daytime shows. After becoming a mom, Paula was certified for Group Fitness Instruction through ACE, and has since combined her knowledge of dance and fitness to motivate her clients of all fitness levels to not only work out to look good, but to feel great! While spending a year in San Diego, she was a featured dancer/fitness performer in fitness DVDs and television commercials. So now, from NYC and San Diego, Paula has come home to where it all began, and can’t wait to get you moving and loving it! 

May Petrov began her training under the direction of Deborah Mason at the age of 12. Her passion for dance continued throughout high school and college. While attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, May was an active member of the Ballroom Dance Team and competed in multiple competitions a year. May recently graduated with a BA in Linguistics and is looking forward to becoming a Speech Pathologist while continuing her love for dance and teaching. 

Jayme Thornell was trained under the direction of Deborah Mason for eighteen years. In 1994, she performed in Scrooge with Copley Square Youth Ballet. Jayme also danced with the American Theatre Dance Summer Intense Workshop at Hofstra University from 2000-2003, where she studied with Broadway sensations such as Bill Hastings, Karen Baker, and Lillie Kaye Stevens. Jayme attended Dean College where she received a scholarship and majored in Dance.

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