Faculty
Brittni D'Urso: Owner and Director
Brittni grew up in Northford, at age 2 she began her dance education at Judyth Parks Academy of Dance Arts in Wallingford. From there she continued her dance education at Naugatuck Valley Community College, graduating with a degree in Visual Performing Arts; Dance. While at Naugatuck Valley Community College, she studied extensively in Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Dance Pedagogy. She was also a member of the dance ensemble, Directed my Elena Rusnak at NVCC, which worked closely with Matthew Westerby Company, Sokolow Dance Foundation, Master classes with Martha Graham Dance Company, and many others.
After college, Brittni performed with Onstage Dance Company in Boston, MA for two seasons. She also, was on Good Morning America for Madonna's Addicted to Sweat Work-out, to perform for the launch of it. She has over twenty years of dance experience, has been teaching and choreographing for over 14 years, and has award winning choreography.
Brittni is also a Acro Dance Adjudicator: Certified Founding Member, Progressing Ballet Technique Certified, and a member of the Connecticut Dance Alliance.
Brittni also has a background in group fitness as well. She has certifications in INSANITY, PIYO, CIZE, Sh1ft & L1ft, and Fierce Funk. She also has taught dance cardio classes as well. She has been teaching group fitness classes for the past few years and loves it!
Miss Ashley: Dance Instructor
Miss Ashley has been dancing since the age of 3 years old and was a competitive dancer for 10 years. She was trained in dance at Gloria Jean’s Studio of Dance in North Haven and New Haven Ballet in New Haven. She has studied all forms of dance including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical and Pointe. In addition, Ashley was an assistant dance teacher for 10 years during her training. During her competitive career, she competed around the country in a variety of dance competitions that awarded her with multiple group awards and solo titles along with life-long friendships. She was given the opportunity to dance on stage on Broadway in NYC for a charity event when she was 17 years old.
Ashley attended high school at North Branford High School. Following graduation in 2015, she went on to study at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Studies with Minors in Biology and Neuroscience. She continued her education there and went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She is currently a board-certified Physician Assistant and is practicing in East Haven, CT.
Miss Mackenzie: Dance Instructor
Miss Mackenzie has been dancing for 19 years in all genres including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, African, Popping, Vogueing, Jazz Fusion and more. In 2017, she was fortunate to be selected to be apart of the BOSS Kids Commercial Dance Team based out of NYC with the talented Director/Choreographer Jona Biddle. Because of BOSS Kids. She was able to dance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for That Girl Lay Lay in 2019, Kim Petras in 2021 and for Betty Who in 2022. Fun Fact about me is that Miss Brittni was one of my dance teachers when I was younger!
Miss Bryjae: Instructor & Acro Instructor
Miss Bryjae has been dancing for almost 19 years. She began assisting at the age of 11 and hasn't stopped teaching since. Bryjae is trained in Acro, ballet, tap, jazz, hiphop, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater at Stage Left dance in Middletown up until graduating in 2019. She was also a competitive dancer during that time. While in high school she was apart of the award winning Middletown HS dance team and captained the team to regionals! After graduating high school, she danced at Marymount Manhattan College for 2 years before coming home and now teaching ever since and coaching Daniel Hands Varsity Dance Team in Madison!
Mr. Matthew: Dance Instructor
MATTHEW BENSON: Matthew is a previous Cast Member for The Walt Disney Company. He loves ice coffee and is so excited to be teaching dance to a new generation of artists! He studied Musical Theater at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and is a former student of Brittni D’Urso. He has work with artists such as; Lindsay Mendez, James Snyder, Jessica Lee Goldyn, and Marissa Perry. Some of his credits include: A Miscast Cabaret (Assistant Choreographer), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Eddie/Dance Captain), Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble/Dance Captain), A Chorus Line (Mike), West Side Story (Snowboy), A Chorus Line (Al).
Miss Marley: Dance Instructor
Miss Marley has been dancing over 11 years and trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, & Pointe. She has also assisted taught for over 6 years and has been a sub at Revolution Academy Of Dance as well. She also has a Musical theatre background and performed in theatre groups, as well as musicals in middle school & High school. Miss Marley is a graduate from North Branford High School and is RAD Alumni! She is currently attending USJ as a nursing major! She looks forward to continuing to be apart of the RAD Dance family!
Miss Felicia: Instructor/Sub
Felicia has been dancing for over 15 years, trained in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Pointe. She Assistant taught for over 3 years as well. Felicia trained for 4 summers at Dance Olympus Dance Convention in Boston. She was also a member and a captain of the North Branford High School Dance Team in High School. In the Summer of 2012, she danced on Good Morning America for Madonna's Addicted to Sweat Workout. She has a Bachelors Degree in History from Central Connecticut State University and is Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Miss Felicia continues to further her dance training by taking classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York and taking Master Classes.
Miss Ashley P: Instructor
Miss Ashley started doing gymnastics when she was 5 and then began her dance training at age 9. She continued her dance education and received her degree in Visual & Performing Arts: Dance from Naugatuck Valley Community College. She has been teaching and choreographing for over 14 years. Miss Ashley specializes in Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, Pointe, and Tap. She also is a certified Veterinary Technician who has been working in the veterinary field for over 8 years. Miss Ashley continues her dance education by attending classes. She also has a daughter who loves dancing just like her!
Miss Juliana: Studio Sub
Juliana has been dancing for over 20 years and was a competitive dancer for 5 years. She has trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Pointe. She was also, an Assistant Dance Teacher for 5 years. She continues to take classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York. Juliana started tumbling at age 5 and continued through High school. She was a Cheerleader for 13 years and Competed for 3 years. She also teaches Adaptive Classes; Recreational and Tumbling Classes.
Juliana attended high school at North Branford High School. Following graduation in 2014, she went on to study psychology. Juliana graduated in May 2017 with a Psychology Degree as a Disability Specialist. She continues her education in Medical Aesthetic Studies. She is currently working as a Plastic Surgery Medical Assistant in New Haven, CT.
Miss Alyssa: Studio Sub
Miss Alyssa's love for dance began at a very young age and has been dancing for over 17 years. She is trained in Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Lyrical, and Tap. She was a competitive dancer for many years and won many awards. At a young age she became a class demonstrator and then became an Assistant instructor. Miss Alyssa is attending Middlesex Community College and continues her dance education by taking classes!
Miss Cassie: Dance Instructor/Studio Sub
Cassie has been dancing for over 18 years and is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary. Starting at a young age, she began assisting dance classes and creating choreography. After graduating from high school in 2015, she attended Roger Williams University. During her four years at RWU, she remained heavily involved, including her participation in RWU Dance Club. She choreographed many pieces for their showcases and was President of the club in her senior year. Cassie graduated from Roger Williams in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Mathematics. She now works as a middle school teacher in Manchester, CT!