Miss Maria and some of our amazing teachers!
Teaching Philosophy
Our goal is to help each student reach their potential by leading them through a carefully designed curriculum. This curriculum trains the students' bodies in dance technique and engages their minds in a life-long appreciation of the art of dance. We provide students with a caring and nurturing environment as they pursue a progressive program of study in their dance education. Through this study, our students health benefits and build self-esteem and respect for others. Dance Step strives to encourage growth and instill enthusiasm and dedication in each student through the art of dance. Private lessons and classes are available and span levels from beginner to advanced.
Miss Maria
Maria Pagliaruli DeConti
Artistic Director and Owner, ACUSA
Maria is a graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music and Dance. She is currently National President of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists (NADAA) having previously served as Vice President and President of NADAA Greater New England Chapter. Maria is a Qualified Member with Cecchetti USA (CUSA) and is on the National Committee. She has been rehearsal mistress at CUSA's International Summer School and continues her studies toward licentiate.
Maria has taught master classes throughout New England and was previously on the faculty of University of Hartford. She has studied with unique and talented dancers such as Jacqueline Anderson, Betty Seibert, Richard Gladstone, Claire O'Donnell, Savion Glover, Debbie Dee, Diane Walker, Frank Hatchett, and Bob Rizzo.
Artistic Director and Owner, ACUSA
Maria is a graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music and Dance. She is currently National President of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists (NADAA) having previously served as Vice President and President of NADAA Greater New England Chapter. Maria is a Qualified Member with Cecchetti USA (CUSA) and is on the National Committee. She has been rehearsal mistress at CUSA's International Summer School and continues her studies toward licentiate.
Maria has taught master classes throughout New England and was previously on the faculty of University of Hartford. She has studied with unique and talented dancers such as Jacqueline Anderson, Betty Seibert, Richard Gladstone, Claire O'Donnell, Savion Glover, Debbie Dee, Diane Walker, Frank Hatchett, and Bob Rizzo.
OUR Faculty
David Michael Bovat - (Guest Faculty)
Born and raised in West Springfield, Massachusetts, David Bovat has built a profession out of his natural ability to dance and to teach others. His journey began at the young age of seven under the direction and influence of Anita Oski Barrette. Throughout his career as a dancer David has had the pleasure to study with Frank Hatchett and Anthony DeVecchi of the Northeast American Ballet, to name a few. David continues to take classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City to broaden his passion and knowledge of dance with the purpose of sharing it with his many students and colleagues.
As an accomplished dance instructor, David continues building his career, developing choreography and teaching for several dance studios and Master classes in the Western Massachusetts area. One of the many positions he holds is Dance Director at Bay Path University. David continues to put his ability and knowledge of dance to good use as a Head Judge and instructor of Master classes for the Step Up to Dance tour. He is Choreographer, Artistic Director and Lead Dancer for many events such as the Tap Dancing Santa’s at Symphony Hall and the Dancing with the local Stars events for the Kiwanis Club of West Springfield and Agawam.
David has respectfully taught for the National Association of Dance Affiliated Artists as well as the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. Above all else, he prides himself as a choreographer/dance instructor. David has choreographed for many beauty pageants, talent competitions and musical productions such as Rocky Horror Picture Show, Gypsy, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Love and Beyond, The Cher Extravaganza and most recently Mr. Mambo. David M. Bovat continues to entertain, educate and inspire dancers of every age and physicality. His love for the art of dance is present in everything he puts forth.
Born and raised in West Springfield, Massachusetts, David Bovat has built a profession out of his natural ability to dance and to teach others. His journey began at the young age of seven under the direction and influence of Anita Oski Barrette. Throughout his career as a dancer David has had the pleasure to study with Frank Hatchett and Anthony DeVecchi of the Northeast American Ballet, to name a few. David continues to take classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City to broaden his passion and knowledge of dance with the purpose of sharing it with his many students and colleagues.
As an accomplished dance instructor, David continues building his career, developing choreography and teaching for several dance studios and Master classes in the Western Massachusetts area. One of the many positions he holds is Dance Director at Bay Path University. David continues to put his ability and knowledge of dance to good use as a Head Judge and instructor of Master classes for the Step Up to Dance tour. He is Choreographer, Artistic Director and Lead Dancer for many events such as the Tap Dancing Santa’s at Symphony Hall and the Dancing with the local Stars events for the Kiwanis Club of West Springfield and Agawam.
David has respectfully taught for the National Association of Dance Affiliated Artists as well as the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. Above all else, he prides himself as a choreographer/dance instructor. David has choreographed for many beauty pageants, talent competitions and musical productions such as Rocky Horror Picture Show, Gypsy, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Love and Beyond, The Cher Extravaganza and most recently Mr. Mambo. David M. Bovat continues to entertain, educate and inspire dancers of every age and physicality. His love for the art of dance is present in everything he puts forth.
Jamie Hastings
We are excited to welcome back Dance Step alumni, Jamie (Oakes) Hastings, to our staff. Jamie started taking dance classes at 2 years old.
At age 12, the studio she studied at closed, and she made the decision to continue her dance education at Dance Step. Jamie studied, tap, jazz, ballet, pointe and lyrical with Miss Maria and Miss Karen as well as taking the opportunity to attend various workshops, conventions and competitions in and out of the studio.
After graduating, Miss Jamie came on staff at Dance Step and taught for ten years before moving with her husband Keith to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they lived for 7 years.
Moving back to CT, Jamie enrolled her daughter in classes at Dance Step and over the past few years, has been a substitute teacher at the studio. Welcome back Miss Jamie!!
We are excited to welcome back Dance Step alumni, Jamie (Oakes) Hastings, to our staff. Jamie started taking dance classes at 2 years old.
At age 12, the studio she studied at closed, and she made the decision to continue her dance education at Dance Step. Jamie studied, tap, jazz, ballet, pointe and lyrical with Miss Maria and Miss Karen as well as taking the opportunity to attend various workshops, conventions and competitions in and out of the studio.
After graduating, Miss Jamie came on staff at Dance Step and taught for ten years before moving with her husband Keith to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they lived for 7 years.
Moving back to CT, Jamie enrolled her daughter in classes at Dance Step and over the past few years, has been a substitute teacher at the studio. Welcome back Miss Jamie!!
Catherine Joseph-Pratt
Catherine has been teaching dance across New England for over a decade and is excited to return to the Dance Step faculty. She earned her B.A. in Performing Arts from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH where she had the privilege of attending an immersive arts intensive program in Vienna, Austria.
Upon graduation she moved to Brooklyn, New York where she studied with master teachers at Ballet Academy East, PeriDance, Steps, BDC, and the Ailey Extension. A performer herself, she has graced stages all over New England in roles as Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray), Fastrada (Pippin') , Ado Annie (Oklahoma!), and more.
Catherine has studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet under the tutelage of examiners Jacqueline Anderson and Betty Ann Seibert, Cecchetti USA Examiners, and most recently passed her Grade 9 exam. She continues her studies having recently received her Module One Teaching Certificate with Acrobatic Arts.
Catherine looks forward to encouraging students of all ages to strive for their best and open their minds to a world of possibilities within the world of dance.
Catherine has been teaching dance across New England for over a decade and is excited to return to the Dance Step faculty. She earned her B.A. in Performing Arts from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH where she had the privilege of attending an immersive arts intensive program in Vienna, Austria.
Upon graduation she moved to Brooklyn, New York where she studied with master teachers at Ballet Academy East, PeriDance, Steps, BDC, and the Ailey Extension. A performer herself, she has graced stages all over New England in roles as Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray), Fastrada (Pippin') , Ado Annie (Oklahoma!), and more.
Catherine has studied the Cecchetti Method of ballet under the tutelage of examiners Jacqueline Anderson and Betty Ann Seibert, Cecchetti USA Examiners, and most recently passed her Grade 9 exam. She continues her studies having recently received her Module One Teaching Certificate with Acrobatic Arts.
Catherine looks forward to encouraging students of all ages to strive for their best and open their minds to a world of possibilities within the world of dance.
Mytisha Leach
Mytisha began dancing at the age of five and throughout her dance career has studied jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, ballet, African and hip hop. She attended Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in high school and graduated in 2013 with a major in dance. She attended the prestigious Earl Mosley Institute of Arts summer intensive for three summers performing professional pieces from Kevin Wynn, Nathan Trice, Sidra Bell, Meredith Rainey, Earl Mosley and Ronald K Brown.
Mytisha graduated from University of Hartford and while in college, participated, performed, and choregraphed for a hip-hop dance team called Fenomena. By day, Mytisha is an Occupational Therapist and by night she is an energy filled dance instructor. She continues to participate in master classes to continue her dance education.
Mytisha began dancing at the age of five and throughout her dance career has studied jazz, tap, modern, contemporary, ballet, African and hip hop. She attended Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in high school and graduated in 2013 with a major in dance. She attended the prestigious Earl Mosley Institute of Arts summer intensive for three summers performing professional pieces from Kevin Wynn, Nathan Trice, Sidra Bell, Meredith Rainey, Earl Mosley and Ronald K Brown.
Mytisha graduated from University of Hartford and while in college, participated, performed, and choregraphed for a hip-hop dance team called Fenomena. By day, Mytisha is an Occupational Therapist and by night she is an energy filled dance instructor. She continues to participate in master classes to continue her dance education.
Karen Donahue Rossignol
Karen is a vice president of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts, Greater New England Chapter. Her dance career include dance educator for New Britain High School, associate teacher at Dance Step and a past member of Kiva Dance Collective.
Karen is co-founder and director of Moving in the Spirit, a liturgical dance company that choreographs, presents workshops and performs movement as prayer.
Emily Wiseman
Emily grew up training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary under Janet Mangiaracina, Victoria Szeplaki, Pamela Levy, and Mark and Melissa Roxey in Lambertville, NJ. She studied at American Academy of Ballet Summer School of Excellence with a scholarship when she was 16. Upon graduation, she moved to Dallas, TX where she trained year-round with the Joffrey Ballet School. In 2020 she received a traineeship from Avant Chamber Ballet in Dallas, Tx. In the summer of 2021, she moved to Ohio to work with the Cleveland Ballet for two years performing various roles with the company.
Emily’s has taught at various dance studios and schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, and Ohio, as well as the School of Cleveland Ballet’s outreach program teaching dance in public schools throughout the city. She holds a Level 2 teacher certification for Progressing Ballet Technique. Additionally, she has worked as a preschool teacher and afterschool care teacher for ages 2-9. She has just moved to West Hartford where she will be dancing with New England Ballet Theatre. Emily loves working with kids and spreading her love for dance to all her students. She is ecstatic to join the faculty at Dance Step!
Emily grew up training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary under Janet Mangiaracina, Victoria Szeplaki, Pamela Levy, and Mark and Melissa Roxey in Lambertville, NJ. She studied at American Academy of Ballet Summer School of Excellence with a scholarship when she was 16. Upon graduation, she moved to Dallas, TX where she trained year-round with the Joffrey Ballet School. In 2020 she received a traineeship from Avant Chamber Ballet in Dallas, Tx. In the summer of 2021, she moved to Ohio to work with the Cleveland Ballet for two years performing various roles with the company.
Emily’s has taught at various dance studios and schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, and Ohio, as well as the School of Cleveland Ballet’s outreach program teaching dance in public schools throughout the city. She holds a Level 2 teacher certification for Progressing Ballet Technique. Additionally, she has worked as a preschool teacher and afterschool care teacher for ages 2-9. She has just moved to West Hartford where she will be dancing with New England Ballet Theatre. Emily loves working with kids and spreading her love for dance to all her students. She is ecstatic to join the faculty at Dance Step!
Location1107 Farmington Ave.
Berlin, CT 06037 Phone: 860.829.0703 |
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