- Dates
- Nov 21Saturday, 2026
- Venue
- Courtyard Waterbury DowntownWaterbury, CTGet directions
- Check-in
- 1:00-2:00PMDoors open 1:00PM
- Availability
- Open

What to expect at Conventions
5 hour classes, an improv competition and an award ceremony. Teachers and directors are free!
The schedule
Saturday
| Time | Junior (12 & under) | Senior (13 & up) |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 - 3:00PM | Jazzwith Angela | Balletwith Jillian |
| 3:00 - 4:00PM | Balletwith Jillian | Hip-hopwith Maria |
| 4:00 - 5:00PM | Hip-hopwith Maria | Jazzwith Angela |
| 5:00 - 5:30PM | Dinner break | |
| 5:30 - 6:30PM | Contemporarywith Gabby | Musical Theaterwith Jordan |
| 6:30 - 7:30PM | Musical Theaterwith Jordan | Contemporarywith Gabby |
| 7:30 - 8:30PM | Contemporary improv competition and awards | |
Classes and instructors are subject to change.
Meet the faculty

Angela Dumont
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Ms Angela loves being a role model and promoting self love and mind/body positivity to all dancers. She continues to add to her own training with classes and certifications, which include her certification in Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the Progressing Ballet Techniques Method. As well as her most recent certification in Competition Judge mental awareness training. When she’s not in the studio Angela works as a healthcare worker, spends time with her two children who are also dancers, as well as their dog Goliath.
Ms Angela loves being a role model and promoting self love and mind/body positivity to all dancers. She continues to add to her own training with classes and certifications, which include her certification in Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the Progressing Ballet Techniques Method. As well as her most recent certification in Competition Judge mental awareness training.

Jillian Foley Cusano
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Jillian is the Chief Operating Officer and a founding member of Parkville Sounds, a multi-faceted performing arts studio space in Hartford, CT, where she has worked on projects for Amazon Prime, American Ninja Warrior, The Allman Brothers Band, SiriusXM, The Hartford Symphony, Ashley Jayy and many more. She founded the Hartford Dance Collective in 2017, and in 2024 she joined the Board of Directors of David Dorfman Dance. She is honored to work with the inspiring artists of Hartford & beyond every day.
Jillian is the Chief Operating Officer and a founding member of Parkville Sounds, a multi-faceted performing arts studio space in Hartford, CT, where she has worked on projects for Amazon Prime, American Ninja Warrior, The Allman Brothers Band, SiriusXM, The Hartford Symphony, Ashley Jayy and many more. She founded the Hartford Dance Collective in 2017, and in 2024 she joined the Board of Directors of David Dorfman Dance.

Maria Cherniske
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She was the assistant choreographer for the New Jersey Lotto “Cash Pop” commercial and co-choreographed for the Off-Broadway hit “La Cancion.” Maria is passionate about dance education and loves helping dancers build their confidence and find their voice as an artist. As a leader for the program Creating Opportunities, she had the opportunity to mentor many aspiring dancers in NYC. Maria has taught dance to students of all ages for the past 24 years. She is on guest faculty at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, and in 2021 became a member of the staff at Acrobatic Arts as a course conductor and adjudicator.
She was the assistant choreographer for the New Jersey Lotto “Cash Pop” commercial and co-choreographed for the Off-Broadway hit “La Cancion.” Maria is passionate about dance education and loves helping dancers build their confidence and find their voice as an artist. As a leader for the program Creating Opportunities, she had the opportunity to mentor many aspiring dancers in NYC. Maria has taught dance to students of all ages for the past 24 years.

Gabby Dominguez
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Born and raised in Connecticut, Gabby Dominguez has always been a lover of movement. After graduating from Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School, Gabby went on to attend AMDA College + Conservatory of the Arts in Los Angeles for two years. She later moved on to train at professional studios around LA and worked as a company member for three seasons with Geometry Contemporary Dance Company.
Gabby also spent her time in LA working with Chehon Wespi-Tschopp as the Mentorship Program Coordinator for IAF Studios, assisting on several dance film and photo projects while mentoring younger dancers. Her music video credits include Donovan Woods, Duomo Musik, and Red Jesus. She has also had the pleasure of taking part in several live performances and dance films around LA including Capezio ACE Awards, Choreographer’s Carnival, Club Jete, and more.
Since moving back to the East Coast, Gabby has presented and performed work at the Hartford Dance Festival, Garet & Co's Ephemera, New Britain Museum of American Art, and more. She is currently a resident artist with the Hartford Dance Collective and continues to produce work for film and stage while sharing her passion of finding authenticity in movement with students.

Jordan Pelletier
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Jordan Pelletier has dedicated 22 years of her life to dance and is currently a director, teacher, and choreographer based in Massachusetts. She graduated from Dean College with a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theater, with a strong focus on dance performance and pedagogy. During her time at Dean, she trained with industry dance professionals and continued to develop her artistry and teaching foundation.
Jordan also gained valuable professional experience working in New York City with Scantic River Productions, where she assisted in producing two stage shows. With an extensive background in musical theater, she brings a unique blend of performance quality, storytelling, and technical training to her work.
Committed to lifelong learning, Jordan has traveled to New York City, Nashville, and Las Vegas to continue her dance education and expand her knowledge for both herself and her students. Jordan is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers through education and artistry.
