Elizabeth M. Gaynor (1928-2024)

Founder

Mrs. Gaynor founded Connecticut Dance School in 1970, and she renowned as a dancer, teacher, arts advocate and pivotal figure in the performing arts in Connecticut for over 50 years.

Elizabeth Gaynor’s formal dance studies began as a child with Duncan style dance training and continued with studies in ballet and modern dance. Her dance teacher training was with The Royal Academy of Dance in London, where she was a registered teacher. She also studied with teachers and at workshops throughout the United States. She performed professionally with Dancers of Faith, Folk Art Trio, Encore Dancers and Opera New England.

Dona Wiley Kim

Artistic Director, Teacher – Academy & Pre-Professional Divisions

Dona Wiley Kim received her pre-professional dance training at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance in Connecticut under the direction of James Robey, and studied ballet at many professional level summer intensives including the American Ballet Theater summer program in New York City. Dona Wiley Kim is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is accredited in all levels of the ABT National Training Curriculum, a distinction shared by a prestigious group of dance educators. Dona is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. She joined the CDS faculty in 2017, later going on to become the Assistant Director to Moira Murphy Wright in 2020, and being promoted to Artistic Director in 2022. As a dance instructor, she has taught ballet and pointe, choreographed new works, and set classical repertoire in studios throughout New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Dona is the co-founder and rehearsal director of CelloPointe, a chamber music and ballet company based in New York City which has gone on tour crossing the nation, performing in Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona, and Connecticut. As a professional dancer she has also performed with Connecticut Ballet, Lydia Johnson Dance, Staten Island Ballet, and many others.

Chihwan Kim

Educational Director, Teacher – Academy & Pre-Professional Divisions

Chihwan Kim holds a Master in Fine Arts for Dance Theater from Kookmin University in South Korea. Kim specializes in the Vaganova technique, which he has taught throughout the United States and Korea. Chihwan Kim is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. He is also certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. As a professional ballet dancer, Kim has performed with many companies, including the Gwangju City Ballet Company as a principal dancer, where he performed leading roles in the entire classical repertoire. He also performed internationally as a guest artist with several companies. Kim received his training at GITIS Korea as well as the GITIS Russian Institute of Theatre Arts in Moscow, under master teacher Illia Anatolivitch Migachev. Upon completing his training, he went on to win a gold medal in the International ballet Competition in South Korea. ​

Avery Lasky

Teacher – Children’s Division & Academy Division – Dance 4All Abilities

Avery Lasky is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Avery Lasky received her pre-professional training at New England Ballet and Ballet Etudes here in Connecticut. She was a student of Christina Fagundes for many years, who was a Soloist with American Ballet Theatre. Avery studied ballet at many summer intensives, including Burklyn Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kaatsbaan, Next Generation Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Philadelphia Ballet. Avery got accepted into the Philadelphia Ballet trainee program and trained pre-professional from 2017-2019. She danced in the company performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo and Juliet. She was also a part of the School of Philadelphia’s Ballet outreach performances, school performances, and many of Philadelphia Ballet’s second companies’ performances. Avery completed Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Teacher Training and is currently one of the teachers for Connecticut Dance Schools, Dance 4All Abilities program. In addition, Avery is a certified 500 hour yoga teacher with certifications in kids yoga and yoga for autism. Her passion is sharing her love of ballet to the younger generation.

Giovanna Pavanello

Teacher – Children’s Division & Academy Division

Giovanna Carrain received her professional ballet training at the prestigious Teatro alla Scala Ballet School in Milan, Italy, where she completed the school’s rigorous eight-year program. At the age of 17, she was awarded a scholarship to perform with the La Scala Ballet Company in several productions while still a student.

Upon graduating, Giovanna joined the Arena di Verona Ballet, where she danced in both ballet productions and the ballet scenes of major operas, including Aida (directed by Franco Zeffirelli), Nabucco, Carmen, and II Trovatore.

In 2003, she joined Fabula Saltica, an internationally recognized contemporary dance company, where she performed works by renowned choreographers Claudio Ronda, Vito Alfarano, Nicholas Musin, Fabrizio Monteverde, and Ismael Ivo. During her time with the company, she danced numerous soloist roles in productions including Pinocchio: Burattino Senza Fili, L’Histoire du Soldat, Barbablù, Dylan Dog, and Oltre i Confini. She also performed in theoperas La Forza del Destino and Andrea Chénier.

In 2009, Giovanna joined the University of Hartford as a full-time faculty member, teaching both undergraduate dance majors and students in The Hartt School Community Division alongside former directors Miguel Campaneria and Samantha Dunster. During this time, she also performed with Full Force Dance Theatre under the direction of Katie Stevenson-Nollet.

In 2023 Giovanna joined Connecticut Dance School in Fairfield CT. She holds a Diploma in Professional Classical Ballet from Teatro alla Scala. She is a certified American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum (ABT NTC) instructor for Pre-Primary through Level 3 and has earned a Level 1 Character Dance Certification from the Russian Ballet International, in collaboration with the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.

In addition to her dance career, Giovanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media Communication from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. She is also a licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Brown Harris Stevens in Westport, Connecticut.

Jess Spinner

Teacher – Academy Division

Jess Spinner studied dance at the official school of the Eglevsky Ballet on Long Island. Over the years she attended summer programs including, most notably, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre in NYC, and Orlando Ballet on scholarship. After high school, Jess went to Butler University and graduated with a degree in Dance and Arts Administration. She danced professionally with The Louisville Ballet and freelanced in the Boston area.

She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and works as a holistic health, nutrition, and lifestyle coach for dancers through her company The Whole Dancer. Jess has had the pleasure of writing for Pointe Magazine and Dance Teacher Magazine. She is beyond thrilled to join the faculty at Connecticut Dance School.

Molly Rigney

Teacher – Children’s Division- Dance 4All Abilities

Molly Rigney trained with Connecticut Dance School for fifteen years. After graduating, she attended Loyola University Maryland where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Masters in Literacy Education. Molly is a certified elementary school teacher, who previously taught in Baltimore, Maryland. She is excited to continue teaching in Connecticut. Molly joined the Connecticut Dance School faculty in 2016 as a part of their Summer Dance Program. She is thrilled to combine her love of dance and teaching as she creates a welcoming environment for all students. 

Nili Bassman

Teacher – Musical Theater

Nili Bassman is an award winning actress/singer/dancer whose career includes Broadway, film, television, commercial work, and leading roles in theatres across the United States. Broadway credits include Chicago, Curtains, Never Gonna Dance, The Addams Family (workshop). Recent on-screen credits include “The Night Agent”, “Law & Order”, “The Strange Dark” (available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime), “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and more. As a coach and teacher, Nili has worked with children, teens and adults—from beginners to professional actors. In addition to her private coaching, recent local teaching credits include SHU Moviemakers, Pequot Library’s Broadway Camp,  FTC arts program, and the Regional Center for the Arts in Trumbull. Nili grew up in Northern Virginia and is the proud mom of two and lucky wife of one. She is thrilled to join the CDS family. More at nilibassman.com.

Nell Walton

Teacher – Contemporary

Rockshana Desances

Teacher – Intermediate Contemporary & Theater

Rockshana Desances, a former U.S.A Ski Team cheerleader from Fairfield County, CT stands as a distinguished dancer and choreographer whose professional journey commences with a B.F.A in Dance from C.W. Post Long Island University. As a standout member of the Post Concert Dance Company, Rockshana showcased her creativity through original works and fruitful collaborations with diverse choreographers.

Her extensive training across multiple dance styles illuminates Rockshana’s artistic versatility, evident in her numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of “Ms. International United Ms. Talend.” Underscoring her excellence in both dance and pageantry

Rockshana’s influence transcends boundaries, having forged partnerships with musical artists, production companies, and performers on both national and international platforms. Currently serving as the Head Coach at the New Milford Dance Team, she imparts her expertise and conducts technique and performance masterclasses across Connecticut, Denver, and Las Vegas.

Rockshana’s palpable passion for dance and choreography infuses every performance and creative endeavor, each opportunity cherished as a testament to her remarkable career journey. She eagerly anticipates the prospect of bringing her talent and dedication to various studios, pageant platforms, and competition companies envisioning the chance to contribute to their success and elevate their artistic endeavors.

Marianela Colon

General Manager

Marianela “Nela” Colon joined CDS in February 2022. She enjoys working with children and brings many years of experience in customer relations, business development, and bookkeeping, holding a National Bookkeeping License. Originally from Puerto Rico, Marianela is fluent in both Spanish and English and is also a professional photographer. She loves the performing arts and dance, and is the proud mother of two boys. Feel free to call her Nela!