My daughter started her 4th year of dance this year at Rhythm Dance Academy. She started when she was just turning two. She absolutely loves it, and so do I. R.D.A is all about the dancers, not only their success in dancing, but also having lots of fun. All the teachers are wonderful and the owner, Miss Aimee, is fantastic! I am very pleased with the progress my daughter has made, how happy she is, and how caring everyone is. It is a dancing family!~ L.H., 2010
At Rhythm Dance Academy we have a highly qualified staff of teachers with their own areas of expertise. We have structured curriculum that each teacher follows while incorporating their own style and teaching method.
Aimee I. Conradi(Director)
Teaching Staff:
Becky Fusco
I have been dancing at Rhythm Dance since I was eleven years old. My training includes tap, jazz, hip hop, and assisting children's classes. You'll usually find me teaching children's combo classes and tap. My favorite style of dance is tap, but I enjoy watching and trying all styles! When I'm not teaching dance, I spend my time teaching 6th grade math and enjoying my new house with my husband. I also love sitting down to eat a bowl of ice cream while watching "So You Think You Can Dance?" My favorite dance memory was when I saw 42nd Street with the studio, learned a number from the show, and got to perform it in the recital production. Seeing kids mature and improve throughout the year is what I like most about teaching at Rhythm!!!
Michelle Wirkus
I have been dancing for 20 years, trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyric, modern/contemporary, pointe, and hip-hop. While my favorite style of dance is tap, I appreciate all forms of dance and enjoyed the opportunity to study and learn various forms of traditional world dance in college, including Chinese, Indian, Latin, and Eastern European dance forms. When I’m not teaching dance, you will find me working as a full-time sales representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, teaching aerobics classes at Physique Plus, jogging along the bike path, or simply enjoying some time to watch TV. My most memorable dance moment was performing overseas in a peace festival hosted in Peng Lai, Shandong, China in the summer of 2006 as President of the Bucknell Dance Company. I was proud to present American forms of dance, including Jazz and Tap, to an international audience, but was even more honored to deliver a speech as an American “ambassador” celebrating the value of peace and friendship between nations. This rare opportunity helps us appreciate how dance is a pure, international language that knows no barriers! As a teacher at Rhythm Dance, I hope to inspire other young girls’ passion and help them to realize that you don’t have to become a professional dancer on Broadway to have dance be a profound and impactful part of your life!
Lauren Fikslin
I have been dancing for 25 years and my training included ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. You'll see me teaching ballet and pointe. My favorite style of dance is classical ballet. When I'm not teaching dance you'll find me working at the University of Connecticut Foundation at the UConn Health Center, spending time with my love Andrew and our dog Rocco, visiting family and friends, and shopping! My favorite dance memory is studying at the Royal Academy of Dance summer intensive in Great Britain. Bringing my passion for dance to the classroom is what I like best about working at Rhythm Dance.
Brittany Danek
Brittany Danek, originally from upstate NY, has been dancing since the age of four and has traveled across the World for dance including Canada and Germany. For three years she was part of the USA Tap Team where she traveled to Reisa, Germany to Compete in the World Championships and received the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. She has also guest performed during half time at the Orlando Magic Game in Orlando FL, as well as performing in Disney World. Brittany was also named young choreographer for New Haven at American Dance Awards. She currently teaches & choreographs at many studios and travels around the United States and Canada as a Judge, Teacher, and Assistant.
Erin Marcucci
Michele Schweighoffer
I have been dancing collectively for approximately 17 years, including Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop.
Though Hip Hop is my favorite style of dance, I love trying and learning all styles (from Greek line dancing to ballroom, mambo and swing).
When not teaching dance, I spend my time being a stay-at-home mom to two young girls (school age and toddler), and going to the gym.
My favorite dance memory is seeing my daughter dance on stage and loving every minute of it.
What I like most about teaching at Rhythm Dance is the opportunity to watch students grow, both in their dance abilities and also their love of this wonderful art form.
Jessica Zaczek
Savannah Henderson
I have been dancing for a total of 13 years, both recreationally and competitively. I started dancing at Rhythm in Effect dance studio in my hometown of Huntersville, North Carolina. After dancing and competing there for 6 years, my family moved to Connecticut- where we found Rhythm Dance Academy! I immediately began dancing on the competition team, and made so many great friends. My favorite style of dance is jazz, but I enjoy all kinds of dance as well! I teach all subjects: ballet, tap, and jazz. When I am not at the dance studio, I love hanging out with my friends and going shopping! My favorite dance memory was being awarded the "Spirit of Dance" award at a competition when I was in the sixth grade. It meant a lot to me because it was all about having a strong passion for dance, rather than having perfect technique. Watching my students grow and develop through dance is what makes my job as a teacher so rewarding.
Haylee Conradi
I have been dancing for 14 years. I started dancing at South County Movement Center in CT. I moved to Wallingford when I was 6 years old and began taking classes at Rhythm Dance Academy. I am now a teacher here and dance at Gloria Jeans with Danzstars Dance Team. My favorite style of dance would be contemporary. I teach all subjects: ballet, tap, and jazz. When I am not dancing or teaching I also enjoy playing soccer. My favorite dance memory is when I first competed my solo in a dance competition. It was such an amazing experience, and I took so much away from it!
~ L.H., 2010
