508 . 673 . 4880 | Lindaonstage@aol.com
ON Stage Academy of Performing Arts
Fall River's Premier Youth Musical Theater Programs
Director Linda Mercer-Botelho
Linda's dedication to dance education is truly commendable, and her extensive training speaks to her commitment to excellence. With 43 years of experience as the Founder and Director of On Stage, Linda's expertise shines through.
She honed her skills with a concentration in Pedagogy at the Boston Conservatory of Music, Dance Department, and furthered her education in New York under the guidance of renowned Jazz teachers such as Charles Kelly, Frank Hatchett, Susan Samuels, and Phil Black.
Her credentials include graduation from the American Ballet Academy’s teachers Intensive at Vassar College, and she is a certified "LEAP AND LEARN" teacher specializing in classes for children aged 2 1/2 to 8, using the "Leap and Learn System."
Linda's commitment to staying updated with the latest in dance education is evident through her membership in IDEA (International Dance Educators Association) and her consistent attendance at the "DanceLife Teacher Training Conferences." This ongoing education ensures that she provides the best for her students in a continually evolving field.
As a member of the Dance Teachers Club of Boston and the National Dance Education Association, Linda keeps her skills fresh by training with world-renowned teachers and integrating innovative techniques and choreography into her company's repertoire.
Her dedication extends to producing, directing, and choreographing performances for the school for the past 40 years.
Furthermore, Linda's role as the President and Artistic Director of On Stage Theatrical Productions is highlighted by her creation of the "Give Kids a Chance Program," which is dedicated to sharing the performing arts with underserved children in Fall River.
With her wealth of experience and commitment to her craft, Linda continues to be a vital part of the arts community in Fall River, Massachusetts. We look forward to the 41 st season of On Stage and the continued enrichment it brings to the community.
Roger Botelho | Musical Director/ Musical Theater
Voice/Piano
Roger has a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Lowell and a Masters Degree in Special Education from Bridgewater State College. After working as a music teacher in the Fall River School Department for 17 years, Roger has recently retired from his position as a special education teacher at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. The leader of the Bavarian Brothers, Roger has performed throughout the country with the authentic Bavarian Band. Having performed the national anthem for the New England Patriots seven times, he now enjoys performing for the elderly in area nursing homes and with the On Stage Vocalists. Roger is the Music Director at On Stage where he teaches group, private, and harmonizing voice lessons, and works with all of our musical productions.
Hannah Miller
Hannah Miller is a vocal educator and performer passionate about helping singers of all ages develop
healthy technique, confidence, and expressive storytelling skills. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance
with a concentration in Teaching Artistry and Music Education from New England Conservatory, where she focused
primarily on classical voice while also pursuing training in musical theatre and contemporary styles. Hannah’s teaching
approach emphasizes strong vocal foundations, musical curiosity, and creating a supportive environment where students
can grow as confident artists.
In addition to maintaining a private voice studio, Hannah has taught through theatre camps, classroom settings, and
organizations including Boston City Singers, Boston Hope Music, Fulton Theatre, Popovsky Performing Arts, and Servant
Stage Company. She has worked with singers and performers of many ages and experience levels, both in individual
instruction and collaborative rehearsal environments.
As a performer, Hannah has appeared in productions including Titanic, Dido and Aeneas, scenes from West Side Story,
L'incoronazione di Poppea, and Die Zauberflöte. She has also performed as a soloist in recitals, concerts, and benefit
performances throughout the Boston and Lancaster areas, including appearances with the Lancaster Symphony Choir.
Stacy Wong- Ballet/ Tap/ Jazz/ Hip Hop/ Hippity Hop / Private Lessons - Competition Team
Stacy is a graduate of Providence College with a double major in Biomedical Engineering Accounting and Accounts Management. A member of the Providence College Dance Team, Stacy lead her team to win awards at the national level in both Jazz and Hip Hop. Stacy is an On Stage Alumni with over 18 years of experience with On Stage. She began her dance training at ON Stage at the age of 3. Her training has included Broadway Dance Center, Festival Ballet, and the many guest teachers that have worked with the Providence Friars Dance Team.
Throughout her studies at On Stage she concentrated on Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern Dance, Musical Theater, Acting, and Voice. As a member of the dance company she was awarded many 1st place awards in Ballet, Tap, Contemporary and Jazz. She has traveled to and performed with the Company in Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Six Flags. Stacy has attended the DANCE LIFE TEACHER CONFERENCE and looks forward to sharing all she has learned with her students at On Stage this season.
Azusa Okamoto
Azusa Okamoto was born in Kyoto, Japan, and began her training at the age of three with the Fukutani Yoko Ballet Studio. At the age of 16, she was offered a full scholarship to attend the Victoria Academy of Ballet,
where she graduated from the Post-Secondary Bridge Program, earning a diploma in Classical Ballet. Since moving to the
U.S. in 2017 , Azusa has performed numerous principal roles, including Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Dew Drop in The
Nutcracker, Snow White in Snow White, Cinderella and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and Michaela in Carmen among
others. She has danced professionally for 9years with Roxey Ballet, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, and Syracuse City Ballet.
Elle Gendreau- Theater Jazz
Elle Gendreau started her training at On Stage Academy of Performing Arts at the age of five. During her time at the studio she studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, lyrical, musical theatre and voice. She went on to further her dance training with Roger Williams University as well as Bridgewater State University. Elle has performed in Walt Disney World’s Magic Music Days program, trained with the New York City Rockettes, and has performed in several local theatre productions.
Most recently, she was given the opportunity to choreograph Scrooge: The Musical (2023) and Bye Bye Birdie (2024) both for the Little Theatre of Fall River, a non-profit theatre organization in Fall River MA. Elle is thrilled to be returning to On Stage, this time as a member of the faculty!
Lisa Mailloux
Lisa Mailloux is an Independent Dance Educator and business consultant in the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts area. She was a board member and consultant for The International Dance Entrepreneur's Association (I.D.E.A.), founded by Rhee Gold in 2016.
Lisa is the former Owner/Director of Steppin’ Out Dance Studio in Portsmouth, RI. She has been a member of Dance Masters of America (DMA) since 1997 and is a past Secretary of DMA, NE Chapter #5.
Lisa continues to share her love of dance and business knowledge with area dance studios and students of all ages She resides in Portsmouth, RI.
Alexander Cruz
Boys Classes, Senior Company Jazz/Tap
-
Featured Dancer- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
-
Featured dancer- Saturday Night Live
-
West Side Story National Tour
-
A Chorus Line-National Tour
-
EVITA- 5TH AVE THEATER
-
Graduate of RI College- BA in Communications and Dance
Direct from New York
Alex is a member of
SAG and AFTRA
with professional experience in
television and stage.
Alex is currently performing
ON BROADWAY in the musical
Moulin Rouge