MEET OUR FACULTY
JENNIFER GILLIS
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Jennifer Gillis is the Founder and Studio Director of The Dance Factory, a studio built from a lifelong passion for performance, musical theatre, choreography, and the transformative power of arts education.
Jennifer’s journey began at the age of four when she started training with Ann Carr. From an early age, she immersed herself in the world of dance and performance, eventually competing and performing for more than 14 years throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York. Her early experiences onstage shaped not only her love of performing, but also her understanding of the discipline, creativity, vulnerability, and dedication required to become a well-rounded artist.
A dancer, singer, and actress, Jennifer continued to pursue professional performance opportunities, including dancing for Herman’s Hermits and Tiny Tim. In 1990, she traveled
to Los Angeles to further her training through a commercial and film acting program under the direction of manager Lawrence Folgo, casting director Gary Shaffer (Dynasty, Vegas, Trapper John, M.D.), and actor and coach Thomas Reilly (CHiPs). Her time in Los Angeles expanded her understanding of the entertainment industry and provided valuable experience in film, television, commercial work, and professional performance.Ultimately, Jennifer knew that her heart was back East, closer to her family and rooted in the world of live performance and musical theatre. Returning to Rhode Island, she continued building her career as a performer and choreographer. Her theatrical credits include Nancy in Oliver! (PCP), Diane Morales in A Chorus Line, Anita in West Side Story (City Night Dinner Theatre), and one of her most challenging and memorable roles, Cassie in A Chorus Line (PCP). These experiences challenged her to grow as an artist and deepened her understanding of storytelling, character development, musicality, and the emotional connection between performer and audience.
In 1997, Jennifer made her directorial debut while also choreographing A Chorus Line for Theatre Works. This experience marked an important evolution in her career, allowing her to move beyond performing and begin shaping the larger artistic vision of a production. Her years as a performer became the foundation of her approach to directing and choreography—an approach centered on storytelling, authenticity, musicality, and creating meaningful opportunities for artists to connect with their work.
In 1995, Jennifer married her husband and love of her life, Greg Gillis. While building her family and continuing her own career in the performing arts, Jennifer founded The Dance Factory in 1998. What began as an extension of her passion for dance and performance has grown into a thriving studio community that has trained and inspired hundreds of dancers over more than 25 years in Lincoln, Rhode Island.Today, as Founder and Studio Director, Jennifer leads The Dance Factory with the same passion that first brought her to the stage as a young dancer. Her professional experiences as a performer, choreographer, director, and educator continue to shape the studio’s philosophy and artistic vision. She understands firsthand the importance of strong technical training, performance experience, individuality, storytelling, and the confidence that comes from being given the opportunity to grow as an artist. Jennifer has had the honor of choreographing Footloose live with Grammy Award-winning artist Kenny Loggins at McCoy Stadium. Her choreography has received regional and national recognition, including numerous overall top-scoring routines and three Studio of Excellence awards.
While Jennifer’s love and passion for teaching children has remained a driving force throughout her career, her greatest pride lies in the legacy she has built through both her family and The Dance Factory. Alongside Greg, she has raised three accomplished children who have each discovered their own love and passion for the performing arts. Today, Jennifer continues to share the knowledge, experience, and passion cultivated throughout her own theatrical journey with the next generation of performers—helping dancers discover not only how to dance, but how to become confident, expressive, and well-rounded artists.
JULIA GILLIS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Julia Gillis is the Artistic Director of The Dance Factory, leading the studio’s creative vision and helping shape its artistic identity, choreography, productions, and performance experiences.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Julia grew up in a deeply artistic family as the daughter of The Dance Factory founder, Jennifer Gillis. She trained competitively in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical-contemporary, acrobatics, hip-hop, and musical theatre, performing throughout New England and learning from professional dancers and choreographers through competitions and workshops.
At 17, Julia began choreographing and competing with her own work, discovering her passion for creating through movement and storytelling. Her artistic journey continued through her work with Dexter’s Lab Hip-Hop Crew and her involvement in musical theatre, where she developed a love for collaborating with directors, actors, and performers to bring stories to life.
Today, Julia brings her diverse training and creative experience to her role as Artistic Director, overseeing and contributing to the creative direction of The Dance Factory. From choreography and music selection to production concepts and storytelling, she helps shape the artistic experiences presented by the studio and works to create opportunities for dancers to grow as both technically skilled and expressive artists.
Julia’s creative leadership is rooted in collaboration, individuality, storytelling, and a passion for creating meaningful experiences through dance.
Student Teacher Assistants
Our Student Assistants are truly the best! Ranging in age from 13 to 18, these dedicated individuals support our Tiny Tumbler and Half & Half classes each week. They play a key role in ensuring every child is learning, having fun, and enjoying their time in class. During recital weekend, their responsibilities grow even more important, as they help escort children to and from the stage and reunite them with their parents. Becoming a Student Assistant is both a significant responsibility and a rewarding opportunity. In addition to earning community service hours, our assistants gain valuable experience in leadership, responsibility, and what it means to be a positive role model.