Get To Know Us!

Co-owners, Mathew & Mary Elizabeth, began their journey together at Dean College, where they pursued a passion for the art of dance. Pursuing their love of dance, they had the opportunity to transform a studio into their dream program in the heart of Sterling, MA.

With a heritage of dance education in the Sterling area dating back over 40 years, we are dedicated to sharing the arts together! Our goal is to create an environment for our students where they support each other and their aspirations while appreciating the differences and gifts we share. Not only are we focused on providing top-notch technical education, but we pride ourselves on mentoring our students through self-presentation, encouraging a thirst for knowledge, and the desire to improve.

The Owners

Matthew Mark Kooyomjian

Mary Elizabeth is from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where she was trained by Karena Brock-Carlyle, a named principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, and her husband John Carlyle.
During her training, she was fortunate to attend select summer intensive programs at José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Cambridge, MA; American Ballet Theatre, New York, NY and Orange County, CA; ConfiDance Academy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; The Juilliard School, New York, NY; Orlando Ballet Theatre Company, Orlando, FL; Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company, Pittsburgh, PA; The North Carolina School of The Arts, Winston-Salem, NC; and Columbia City Ballet, Columbia, SC.
Mary Elizabeth graduated with a B.A. in Dance Performance, Magna Cum Laude, from Dean College, and a M.A. in Dance Education with Honors from New York University Steinhardt to include the ABT Curriculum with certification from levels Pre-Primary through Level 7. She danced professionally in Europe, Boston and New York City before deciding to focus her career on teaching dance at the collegiate level at Austin Peay State University, Dean College, and Vanderbilt University.
She has been inspired to share her knowledge and passion for ballet at well-known dance studios throughout Massachusetts. With a goal to enlighten and help prepare students to better perfect their ballet technique with the tools they already possess; which becomes the common foundation to enjoy a beautiful art form and build additional learning in all forms of dance!

Matthew is a dance educator and coach based in Massachusetts with over 20 years of experience. As the co-owner and Executive Director of MEM Dance Theatre,
Matthew specializes in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance at Dean College, where he was mentoredby influential leaders in the field.
Matthew is passionate about helping dancers build a strong technical foundation. He emphasizes refining fundamentals such as alignment and body mechanics, enabling dancers to improve both their physical capabilities and artistic expression. His goal is not only to ensure that dancers master their technique but also to encourage them to discover and cultivate their individual style.
In his coaching, Matthew combines creativity with technical precision, guiding students to hone their skills and develop their personal artistic voices. His choreography engages audiences while maintaining a high standard of technical excellence. He fosters a positive, dynamic learning environment that empowers dancers to achieve their full potential. This approach has led his students to earn regional and national awards, including invitations to the Youth America Grand Prix Finals.
By integrating technical training with artistic exploration, Matthew creates a well-rounded educational experience, making him a valuable asset for dancers looking to elevate their technical and artistic abilities. He finds great joy in educating dancers and takes pride in seeing their growth and development, both as artists and individuals.