May 5th - I'm a Cinco de Mayo baby!
Jayme Wappel trained at CC & Company Dance Complex in Raleigh, NC and graduated from Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance. Favorite Credits: Finding Neverland (1st National Tour, Swing/Dance Captain); West Side Story (Paper Mill); Guys & Dolls (Goodspeed); Mary Poppins, Starlight Express (Tuacahn Amphitheater); Yo, Vikings! (Pittsburgh Playhouse); Royal Caribbean (aerialist).
Owner and Director
MDC Artistic Director
Instructor
a dolphin trainer!
I'm working out, traveling, learning American Sign Language, or spending time with my husband, toddler, and our goldendoodle, Teddy!
June 10
Eileen began her training in Virginia, where she learned various styles of dance at a plethora of studios. Upon graduating high school, Eileen moved to NYC to study at Joffrey Ballet School as a Jazz and Contemporary Trainee. In 2018 she also completed Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester, and has since enjoyed working as a dance and fitness instructor and as an extra on several t.v. shows and music videos.
MDC Director
Artistic Manager
Instructor
a marine biologist!
you can find me walking a dog through the streets of NYC, taking a dance class with my friends, trying new foods or shopping for the perfect new plant!
Noreen has over a decade of experience teaching ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and acrobatics in a recreational setting. Additionally, she is an award winning choreographer who has been recognized on the regional level for her work with competitive jazz dancers and acrobats!
Instructor
a Radio City Rockette!
I work for the town of Trumbull in the Department of Parks & Recreation!
Giuliana Dello-Russo is a dancer and
choreographer from NY who is a proud member & Silver Medalist (2024) of the USA Tap Team. Giuliana recently graduated Sacred Heart University, where she was a SHU Force leader & choreographer for the Dance Ensemble. Additionally, Giuliana is a founding member and was co-captain of SHU's Rhythm Tap Crew, and served as a committee member on the Dance Program executive board. Outside of Sacred Heart, Giuliana teaches dance 5 days a week at local studios in CT and choreographs both competition and recital pieces for dancers of all ages! She had the opportunity to present her choreography at the Connecticut Young Artists Festival this past summer.
Giuliana loves sharing her passion for dance with all of her dancers!
MDC Assistant Director
Instructor
a Radio City Rockette!
I’m studying, dancing, and hanging out with friends at Sacred Heart University.
September 19th
Hannah began her ballet training in Connecticut where she trained at various schools before going to the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts (Torrington, CT) to begin her high school training. She completed her high school training at Bossov Ballet Theatre at Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield, ME), where she spent 3 years studying the Vaganova style of ballet. She completed her training in college where she obtained a BS in Communication Studies and a BFA in Ballet at the University of Utah.
Instructor
a journalist!
I'm either reading or swimming!
October 12th
Hannah grew up in New York where she trained for 15+ year in various styles including contemporary, jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap, and hip hop while also dancing competitively for 12 years. Each year, Hannah has participated in many performances including recitals, the Nutcracker, etc. Hannah is currently a student at Sacred Heart University where in addition to her Business management major, she is also minoring in dance and an active member of the SHU Dance Company.
MDC Assistant Director
Instructor
performing on Broadway!
I'm spending time with my family, studying, or dancing at Sacred Heart University!
October 14
Heather is so excited to be back at MDA this year! She grew up dancing in Connecticut and went on to earn her B.A. in Dance with a concentration in Choreography from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. A certified 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Instructor and Health Coach, she is passionate about helping dancers build confidence and connection through movement. Heather has taught throughout Connecticut and previously served as Dance Program Coordinator at Sacred Heart University. She is also the founder of Echo Dance Collective, a community bringing adult dancers together through workshops, retreats, and immersive experiences. Heather loves creating a supportive space where dancers can grow, explore, and most importantly, have fun!
Instructor
An artist of some kind!
I’m traveling, growing Echo Dance Collective, spending time with friends and family, and pet sitting!
May 7
Rebecca is a dancer and choreographer who has 20 years of dance experience & 11 years of competition experience! Rebecca is a proud member & silver medalist (2024) of the USA Tap Team, and she is excited to go back and compete in Prague, Czech Republic this fall! Rebecca is a founding member & former co captain of Sacred Heart University's Rhythm Tap Crew as well as a student leader and choreographer in the SHU Dance Program! She is excited to return to MDA & share her love of dance with the studio!
Instructor
Client Experience Team
An astronaut!
I am in nursing school at Sacred Heart University!
December 29
Maura began dancing at a young age at Techniques Dance Center in Wantagh, NY. Where she trained and competed.
She continued her training at Sacred Heart University (SHU), where she studied diverse styles and performed with the dance company, SHU Mo(ve)ment and Inception Dance Crew.
As a choreographer, Maura was selected for SHU’s Company Choreography Fellowship Program (CCFP), where she created Some Nights with Kelsey Jacobsen—a piece chosen for the 2025 Young Choreographers Festival in New York City.
She also traveled with the SHU Dance Company to Italy for World Dance Movement, training with professionals and presenting her choreography internationally.
Instructor
a Radio City Rockette!!
I can be found studying at Sacred Heart University for my masters in Elementary Education!
May 9th
Tyler is a Connecticut native and received his BFA in Dance from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he also completed an independent study of Pedagogy and Musical Collaboration within the Graduate Dance Department. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the ArtsGarden, a grassroots collaborative arts organization, and is a cohort of the Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum-in-Motion® Institute. He is a five year veteran of the STREB Extreme Action Company, and teaches a wide variety of dance and aerial arts classes all around the tristate area.
Instructor
a wizard. (It hasn’t happened…..YET!)
looking for the best sushi restaurant!
September 4th
Erika began dancing at the age of 13, before that she was all about basketball and learning karate which she had done since she was 6. Erika attended Joffrey Ballet School instead of college for 2 years. While working with several ballet and modern dance companies, Erika joined Dynamic Rockers as a BGirl, which led to her being signed to MSA and working many commercial dance jobs to this day.
Instructor
A knee surgeon!
... you'll find me training a client with a high intensity 10 minute (yup 10 minute!) workout or cuddling my cats!
Joey recently graduated with a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University. At Pace, he has trained under Rhonda Miller, Scott Jovovich, and Jess Hendricks, among others, and also performed in works including Paul Taylor’s “Company B”. Joey has worked at several theme parks with RWS Entertainment Group including HersheyPark!
Instructor
A Disney Imagineer!
I'm watching Disney movies and baking!
Monroe Dance Academy
838 Main St, Monroe, Connecticut 06468, United States