KELLY BLANKSCHEN COHEN
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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 the town of Wolcott, CT, she has taught over the last eight years in towns and cities across the state. Kelly brings over twenty years of dance experience and as a previous competitive dancer herself at Studio 1 Dance Center, her dancers and choreography have been recognized at the regional and national level. At a young age, Kelly trained with the Radio City Rockettes for four summers and traveled to Shanghai, China representing the United States with her dance studio in 2009. She is currently a founding member, and choreographer, for a professional modern dance company, ATTAK Dance Company. ATTAK is based out of West Hartford, CT and performs across the state in festivals and concerts. Professionally, Kelly was a performer at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. She performed on the Magic Kingdom Castle stage, in “Celebrate the Season,” and participated in the ABC special of “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” on Christmas Day. Also, Kelly spent the summer in 2014 dancing as a member of the CT Sun WNBA Solar Power Dance Team. This year, Kelly will be traveling the country as a judge for the Star Dance Alliance dance competitions and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with all ages. For Kelly, teaching and performing have always been what she has been most passionate about and is thrilled to continue to share her passion with her students.
Kelly has been named Choreographer of the Year in 2019 & 2021. Her dancers have won National Championships in 2019, 2021 & 2022. Her choreography has also been nominated for an Industry Dance Award.
Kelly and her husband are the proud parents of their 1 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 first started dance in her hometown of Wolcott, CT at the age of five and danced competitively with Studio 1 Dance Center until graduating high school. She received her BA in Dance Performance from Rhode Island College where she participated in many residencies with artists from across the country. Amanda continued to be Rhode Island College Dance Company’s rehearsal director for two years after graduating. She also danced professionally with Part of the Oath Dance Company under the direction of Colleen Cavanaugh M.D., where she also choreographed and was the company’s outreach coordinator. Amanda then went on to run the outreach program and worked with the apprentice company at Festival Ballet Providence under the direction of Misha Djuric. For the past seven years she has been teaching recreationally and competitively at Duval Dance and Music Academy, located in Scituate, MA, where her choreography has been recognized both regionally and nationally. Being able to use the education and wisdom she has obtained throughout the years and pass it on to young dancers so they can start their own journey in finding their passion for dance is the reason Amanda loves what she does so very much. She is looking forward to starting her journey with the dancers at The Dance Project.
Emily Orzada
Ballet Teacher
Emily Orzada is originally from Newark, Delaware where she began her ballet training at Mid-Atlantic Ballet under the direction of Patrick Korstange. After high school, she studied at The University of the Arts as a Dance major and was mentored by many established ballet, modern and jazz instructors. Emily began her career as a professional ballet dancer by joining the Ballet Theatre of Maryland with Artistic Director, Dianna Cuatto. She then went on to dance with Fort Wayne Ballet, Three Rivers Dance and Ballet Hartford. During the summer of 2019, Emily trained at the City Ballet of San Diego, working closely with New York City Ballet Principal Dancers Megan Fairchild, Ashely Bouder and Daniel Ulbricht. Most recently, Emily Co-Founded New England Ballet Theatre and served as Co-Artistic Director from 2020-2022. While with NEBT, Emily had the opportunity to work with many outstanding artists, as well as perform leading roles including, The Dying Swan in NEBT’s ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ and the Raven in Christopher Flemings ‘The Myth and the Madness of Edgar Allan Poe’.
Amy Zappone Brooks
PROGRAM MANAGER/TEACHER
Amy Brooks has been teaching and training dancers for over 25 years. She was the Director of Studio 1 Dance Center for 11 years. Amy is trained in various styles of dance. Her choreography has been recognized on the national level for many years and Amy also serves as a competitive dance judge. As a former Miss Connecticut, she is currently actively involved with the Miss America Scholarship Program as the Connecticut Pageant Choreographer and also works with the reigning Miss Connecticut to prepare her for the Miss America Pageant. Many of her students have gone on to dance professionally and or teach. Amy is the proud former teacher of our Artistic Director, Kelly Cohen.
Amy's students at The Dance Project have won both Regional & National Champions. Her work in 2022 has also been nominated for Choreographer of The Year by The Industry of Dance Awards.
As the Program Manager, Amy focuses on not only bringing in the most technically trained teachers, but also ensuring that these teachers are good role models for the dancers of TDP. Amy and her husband are the proud parents of Averie, Autumn & Austin.
ANN GARRITY
Gymnastics instructor
Ann Garrity grew up as a Competitive gymnast and cheerleader. She has taught gymnastics to children for over 20 years and is no stranger to dance studios as the former Office Manager of Studio 1 Dance Center in Wolcott. Her energy in and out of the classroom draws children of all ages to her classes. Miss Ann is also available for private gymnastics instruction as well.
Dawn McCarthy
receptionist/office staff
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 has over 20 years experience working with children as a former Elementary Education Teacher, Preschool Director and Teacher, Literacy Paraprofessional, and Tutor. Dawn was the recipient of the CT Association of Schools Volunteer Recognition Award. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going for walks, reading, watching movies and crafts. Miss Dawn loves being part of The Dance Project Family!
Classroom assistants season 4
