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Chelsea Piers In Stamford Adds Dance Academy To Its Lineup

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Chelsea Piers Connecticut is announcing the addition of the Dance Academy, the newest addition to its extensive fitness facilities in Stamford.  

Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford will open a Dance Academy in January.

Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford will open a Dance Academy in January.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Opening in January, the 1,600-square-foot Dance Academy will offer classes in more than six types of dance at varying levels for all ages, beginning with children as young as 3 as well as adult classes.

The academy’s schedule will include 33 weekly classes encompassing ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, tap and ballroom dance led by an accomplished and professional teaching staff. 

“We are excited to add a high-level dance academy to our offerings,” said Greta Wagner, executive director, Chelsea Piers Connecticut. “Dance is not only a great artistic form of expression, but also a tremendous physical activity and one that compliments many other sports. We are thrilled that such a talented pool of instructors has already signed on to create what we hope will be one of the best teaching facilities in the area.”

uzanne Palazzo has been named the director of the Dance Academy. Palazzo graduated in 2004 from the Ailey/Fordham Program with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  

In addition to years of experience performing under the direction of accomplished dancers, including Brett Raphael of the Connecticut Ballet, Palazzo has also studied with well-known choreographers and artistic directors, and brings a great level of experience in teaching and training dancers.

Palazzo has already signed on an impressive roster of teachers and dance professionals, including Maia Fitzpatrick and Michele Elliman. 

Fitzpatrick, a graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts, has more than 20 years of experience teaching at leading ballet schools throughout the Northeast.

Before teaching, she spent years performing and joined the International Ballet Project under the direction of former New York City Ballet dancers.  

Most recently, Fitzpatrick worked as an instructor and Head of Faculty at the Ballet School of Stamford. In addition to teaching, Fitzpatrick also developed a ballet-based barre workout that develops strength, tone and flexibility for dancers and non-dancers. 

With a 30-year dance and choreography career, Elliman, a former principal dancer with the Nina Wiener Dance Company, also brings years of experience performing and training other dancers. In addition to her role as Artistic Director of the New York City-based Neo Labos Dance Theater, Elliman has previously served on the dance faculty of Long Island University and the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, among others.

In addition to Fitzpatrick and Elliman, Maria Fiora of the Maria Fiora Dance Studio in Stamford has also signed on as an instructor at the academy, where she will teach adult ballroom classes.

Tied into its opening, the academy will host a weekend of Master Classes on Jan. 10 and 11 to be used for placement of prospective students. The weekend will also be highlighted with classes taught by current School of American Ballet faculty member, Yvonne Borree. 

For more information on Chelsea Piers Connecticut, visit its website.

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