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Meet our staff
Director and Enseigneuse- Miss Theresa Shine
Certified Acro-Dance Adjudicator: Founding Member ADTA
Acrobatic Arts Certified- Module 1
Broadway Dance Center Pro Sem. Alumni Summer 2021
Certified Kids Yoga Instructor (ages 2-12)
DEA Member: Performing Arts
USA Gymnastics Member
Miss Theresa has been passionate about dancing and acrobatics since a young age. She graduated from Southern CT State University, obtaining Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and French. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology: Expressive Arts Therapy at California Coast University. In addition, she holds the dance titles of, “Senior Miss Power of Dance of Springfield, MA 2013” and "Young Adult Miss Spirit of Dance of Sturbridge, MA 2020" both in Contemporary-Acro as well as a certificate of dance training from American Dance Experience in Hamden, CT. Miss Theresa has studied the styles of Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Acrobatics. In 2010, Miss Theresa received the honor of performing in a Las Vegas show and title pageant earning 10th place in the nation for “Teen Miss Dance of Las Vegas”.
Miss Theresa is an active member of the New York City and Connecticut dance communities taking part in cabaret performances, music video projects and numerous auditions, including a brief appearance on the popular TV show, So You Think You Can Dance in season 11. She is the current theater choreographer for East Shoreline Catholic Academy in Branford, CT and has also choreographed various dance routines for elementary students at Ross Woodward Magnet School in New Haven, CT (2018). Miss Theresa has also competed for New Era Gymnastics, Hamden High Gymnastics Team (co-captain), and most recently, Yale University Club Gymnastics Team qualifying for NAIGC Nationals Floor Exercise finals in 2019.
Performance Credits: The West End Lounge NYC 2017-2019, CT's We the Heroes Ball 2018, NYC's Broadway Dance Center Student Showcase 2019, PRIDE New Haven 2019, LipGloss Crisis Productions ft. The State House Cabaret 2019-2020, Troupe 429 Norwalk CT 2018-Present, Deucebug Productions & Fullblast Booking 2021, PRIDE New Haven 2022, The Stonewall Inn NYC 2023
Choreography Credits: East Shoreline Catholic Academy 2022-Present
Competition Coach and Dance Instructor- Miss Kate Shine
DEA Member: Performing Arts
Miss Kate has been both dancing and teaching dance for over 25 years. She started out at Myra's School of Dance in Hamden, CT. Upon graduating dance school, she went on to perform with The Judith Nilsson Ballet Company in Hamden, CT. Miss Kate had the honor of receiving an outstanding tap dance award, as well as placing in various competitions for Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of America.
Throughout her teaching experience, Miss Kate has always emphasized Ballet technique. She has a strong background in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz dancing. Her past classes have focused on pre-teen and teen dancers both competitive and non-competitive. She also was the head of the arts department at First Congregational Church in West Haven, CT teaching Liturgical Dance.
Miss Kate holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Financial Accounting from The University of New Haven, in West Haven, CT. She also holds nine years experience in International Marketing
Dance Instructor: Miss Jamie Grenet
Our Jazz teacher for Cosmic Super Starz and Thursday Substitute for Ballet and Tap dancing.
Miss Jamie has been dancing for over 15 years and is a graduate of American Dance Experience. She is a graduate of Central CT State University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. Jamie also is a former member of the CCSU & Hamden High Dance Teams. Her favorite styles of dance are Tap and Jazz.
Substitute & Guest Instructor: Miss Marisa Ferraro
Our Saturday Substitute for Jazz and Acrobatics.
Miss Marisa has 25 years of dance experience and has been teaching for 5 years. she grew up dancing at Wendy's School of Dance and attended Lafayette College. At Lafayette, Marisa was the dance team captain for 2 years, as well as a member of the Lafayette College Dance Company. Here she choreographed various routines in Tap, Jazz, and Irish Step for their Dance Company Showcases. Besides dancing, Marisa is a 3rd grade teacher who loves to hike and watch Disney movies!
Guest Instructor: Miss Morgan Dubay
Morgan Dubay (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Salve Regina University studying Psychology and Dance. As a junior, she feels drawn to dance pedagogy, and finds fuel from the dancers and teachers around her to learn new techniques. With her passion for dance always driving her, Morgan teaches dance to the next generation at Gladding School of Dance and Powerhouse Dance Academy, hoping to one day open her own studio and provide the knowledge and passion for the arts for generations to come. Her favorite styles of dance range from tap to contemporary, but feels drawn to the “get-down” of jazz, and often utilizes that mindset within her outside training. The blooming dancer feels that her involvement in Extensions Dance Company, under the direction of Lindsay Guarino and Ashley Rich, is providing her with the ability to chase her dreams and become a strong voice in the dance community, some day.
