Our Studio

A graduate of Naugatuck Valley Community College, Kelly Blankschen Cohen received her degree in Visual and Performing Arts with a focus in Dance. Born and raised in Wolcott, CT, she has taught in towns and cities across the state for many years.

Kelly brings more than twenty years of dance experience. As a former competitive dancer at Studio 1 Dance Center, her dancers and choreography have been recognized at both regional and national levels.

At a young age, Kelly trained with the Radio City Rockettes for four summers and traveled to Shanghai, China in 2009, representing the United States with her dance studio.

She is a founding member and choreographer for ATTAK Dance Company, a professional modern dance company based in West Hartford, CT, performing in festivals and concerts throughout the state.

Professionally, Kelly performed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. She appeared on the Magic Kingdom Castle stage in Celebrate the Season and in the ABC special Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade on Christmas Day. She also spent the summer of 2014 performing as a member of the CT Sun WNBA Solar Power Dance Team.

Kelly continues to expand her impact in the dance industry, traveling nationally as a judge for Star Dance Alliance competitions, where she shares her knowledge and experience with dancers of all ages.

She has been named Choreographer of the Year from 2019-2025  and her dancers have earned National Championship titles for the past 7 years. Her choreography has also been nominated for an Industry Dance Award. Her students consistently receive national recognition each year and go on to pursue training in both professional and collegiate dance programs.

Above all, Kelly is passionate about teaching and performing and is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Kelly and her husband are the proud parents of their 5-year-old son, Jaxson.

SHERI BONANNO

  TEACHER

Sheri Bonanno has been teaching dance in CT and the surrounding New England Area for the past 29 years. Her early training came from Sharon DiCrosta at the Dancer’s Studio. She then received her BA in Dance from DeSales University. Sheri performed with the Muhlenberg Summer Theatre and The Anita Feldman Dance Company. She is certified by Dance Masters of America and is a member of DMA Chapter 18.  Sheri’s students and choreography have won numerous awards on the State, National and International stages. Her teaching experience includes teaching children ages 2 through adult in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and acro with an emphasis in tap. She also continues to work as an assistant coach/choreographer for the American Dance Collaborative which is a group of dancers who represent the United States at the World Tap Dance Championships. Sheri is so happy to be a part of the Dance Project's family.

AMANDA GELONESE

Teacher

Amanda Gelonese began her dance training at the age of five in her hometown of Wolcott, CT, and went on to dance competitively with Studio 1 Dance Center through high school. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from Rhode Island College, where she had the opportunity to participate in numerous residencies with artists from across the country. Following graduation, Amanda served as the rehearsal director for the Rhode Island College Dance Company for two years.

Amanda also danced professionally with Part of the Oath Dance Company under the direction of Colleen Cavanaugh, M.D., where she contributed as both a choreographer and the company’s outreach coordinator. She later expanded her leadership in arts education by running the outreach program and working with the apprentice company at Festival Ballet Providence under the direction of Misha Djuric.

For the past seven years, Amanda has been teaching both recreational and competitive dancers at Duval Dance and Music Academy in Scituate, MA. Her choreography has been recognized at both the regional and national levels. Amanda is passionate about sharing her knowledge and inspiring young dancers to discover their own love for dance.

Miss Mandy has been a valued member of The Dance Project for many years and is an integral part of both our All Star and Performance Team programs. Her students have been recognized on both the regional and national level, and she is known for her strong attention to detail in every class she teaches.

Emily Orzada

Ballet Teacher

Emily Orzada is originally from Newark, Delaware, where she began her classical ballet training at Mid-Atlantic Ballet under the direction of Patrick Korstange. She continued her education at The University of the Arts, where she majored in Dance and trained extensively in ballet, modern, and jazz under the mentorship of esteemed faculty and guest artists.

Emily began her professional career with Ballet Theatre of Maryland under Artistic Director Dianna Cuatto. She has since performed with Fort Wayne Ballet, Three Rivers Dance, and is currently dancing professionally with Ballet Hartford.

In the summer of 2019, Emily trained with City Ballet of San Diego, where she worked closely with Megan Fairchild, Ashley Bouder, and Daniel Ulbricht of New York City Ballet.

Most recently, Emily co-founded New England Ballet Theatre and served as Co-Artistic Director from 2020–2022. During her time there, she collaborated with distinguished artists and performed leading roles including The Dying Swanin The Carnival of the Animals and the Raven in The Myth and the Madness of Edgar Allan Poe.

Emily brings a strong foundation in classical technique, artistry, and performance experience to her students at The Dance Project, inspiring dancers to grow with discipline, confidence, and passion.

Amy Zappone Brooks

PROGRAM MANAGER/TEACHER

Amy Brooks is a seasoned dance educator, choreographer, and studio owner with over 30 years of experience in the dance industry. Throughout her career, Amy has served in many leadership roles including Dance Teacher, Studio Owner, Director, and Program Manager, bringing a well-rounded and deeply informed perspective to every aspect of dance education.

Amy is the Program Manager  The Dance Project, where she has built a strong, supportive, and professional training environment centered on both technical excellence and personal growth. Her commitment to fostering a positive and disciplined studio culture has helped shape generations of dancers.

With over three decades of experience in the competitive dance circuit, Amy has worked extensively as both a choreographer and adjudicator, giving her a comprehensive understanding of performance standards, scoring, and industry expectations. Her choreography has earned numerous awards and recognition at regional and national competitions.

Amy’s passion for mentorship is reflected in her students’ success. Many of her dancers have gone on to pursue professional dance careers as well as become dance educators themselves, continuing her legacy of strong training and leadership.

Known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to her dancers, Amy continues to inspire and elevate the next generation of performers both in the studio and on the stage.

Dawn McCarthy

receptionist/office staff

Miss Dawn is the heart of The Dance Project’s daily operations, keeping everything running smoothly and organized behind the scenes. Her dedication, attention to detail, and constant support play a vital role in the studio’s success.

Miss Dawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, as well as a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She brings over 20 years of experience working with children, having served as an Elementary Education Teacher, Preschool Director and Teacher, Literacy Paraprofessional, and Tutor.

She was honored as a recipient of the Connecticut Association of Schools Volunteer Recognition Award, reflecting her commitment to education and her community.

Outside of the studio, Miss Dawn enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for walks, reading, watching movies, and crafting. She truly loves being part of The Dance Project family and is always there to support both dancers and parents alike.