HOT SHOES DANCE

*A fun and loving atmosphere while teaching the proper technique of dance!*
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                                     Instructors

 
Karen Casagrande
Karen holds a B.F.A in dance from Stephens College in Columbia, MO., where she studied Jazz, Modern, Tap, Ballet, Spanish, East Indian, and Hawaiian dance, and was a student of the noted Modern dancer and choreographer Harriet Ann Gray. She was soloist with the Stephen's College Dance Company and toured throughout the Midwest. In New York, she studied with Lee Theodore at The American Dance Machine and with Charles Kelley and Frank Hatchett at the Broadway Dance Center.
     She has been lead dancer and choreographer for over 25 musicals, with her credits including "Guys and Dolls""Brigadoon", "Anything Goes", "Fiddler On The Roof", "West Side Story", "Kiss Me Kate", "Man of LaMancha" and "My Fair Lady". Karen also, for many years, volunteered her services as the choreographer of the Veterans Park musicals and continues to choreograph the East Ridge Middle School musicals. She also choreographed the short film "La Toiletta", seen on Nickelodeon. Karen has been a dance teacher for 29 years, owner of Hot Shoes for 24, and is the director, choreographer and lead dancer of the Hot Shoes Dance Company.
     
 
Diane Fried
Diane Fried has been a dancer, choroegrapher and teacher at Hot Shoes Dance since its inception in 1985.
     Diane has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Point Park College in Pittsburg, PA. where she studied jazz, ballet, pointe, tap and modern and was a member of the American Dance Ensemble. She did Summer Stock at the Actor's Studio Cabaret where she played parts in "The Fantastics", "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", and assorted musical reviews.
     Diane danced with the Ridgefield Civic Ballet and in productions at the Wilton Playshop and the Ridgefield Workshop. She has choreographed and danced in numerous benefits at the Danbury Music Center, Candlewood Theatre, The Quick Center at Fairfield University and Fairfield Theatre.
     Besides choreographing so many extraordinary dances for her classes and the Hot Shoes Dance Senior Company, she has choreographed musicals such as Carousel, 70 Girls 70,  and Gypsy for  RHS, Ridgefield Workshop and Wilton Playshop. Diane has studied with Charles Kelley and Frank Hatchett at the Broaday Dance Center.
 
 
   
 
Courtney Danyliw
Courtney has been with Hot Shoes Dance since 1991. As a young student she was invited to dance with the Hot Shoes Dance Senior Company as "Roxie" in "All that Jazz" in 1994 and 1995. She has been a member of the Hot Shoes Dance 7th & 8th grade Company (1994-1996), Junior Company (1996-1998),and the Hot Shoes Dance Senior Company since 1998.
     Courtney specializes in Jazz and Hip Hop,choreographing fabulous dances for her classes, the Senior Company and proudly instructed the Hot Shoes Dance Junior Company from 2004-2006.
     Courtney graduated cum laude from Assumption College in 2004 with a degree in Computer Science. She was a programmer for RBS Greenwich Capital for 3 years.  Currently she is attending Sacred Heart University, earning her Masters Degree in Elementry Education. She is excited to teach young students when she graduates in the spring of 2009!
     She loves the FRIENDLY atmosphere at Hot Shoes, and believes dance is best learned while having fun!
 
 
 
 
 Alison Lott
 Alison holds a BS degree in dance from Springfield College, Springfield MA.
She brings high energy and a wealth of experience to her classes. She has recently taught at the Stamford Performing Arts Center, the JCC, and Steps Dance Studio in Stamford.
     Alison has choreographed and danced in the NY, MA and local CT area, including the Titan All-Stars Open Dance Team, and has continued her dance education in workshops and master classes with Mia Michaels and Shane Sparks.
     With a minor in psycology and a love of teaching, she shares her passion for dance with students of all ages.
 
 
 Brittany Bello
 Brittany has been with Hot Shoes Dance since the age of 3!
     Her talent in tap and jazz was obvious to everyone as she danced her way through being in all of the Hot Shoes Dance Company's.
     As smart as she is beautiful, Brittany continues to study dance, work full time as a Manager at CVS in Norwalk, and go full time as a Junior at Iona College.
     Brittany's innovative choreography and dancing inspires her students.