How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
Two girls, who both just turned 6 and 2.
What do you love about living in Stamford?
I love how it’s feeling more and more like a metropolitan city while still having the perks of suburban life – it’s a completely different city than when I was a kid, in a great way.
What are your favorite family activities in the area?
We frequent the Stamford Museum and Nature Center and Mill River Park (the carousel and the new playground are our favs).
Tell us about your career and what led you to Ballet School of Stamford.
The arts and dance in particular has always been a big part of my family life. My mom danced professionally, my dad was a musician, and I knew dance would play a large role in my life. I trained at the Ballet School of Stamford for many years – it gave me some of my favorite childhood memories. I eventually went on to earn my degree in Dance from SUNY Buffalo before I began performing professionally and teaching in the tri-state area. Over the past decade I’ve jumped headfirst into teaching – which has become my career focus. My family and I moved back to Stamford in 2022 from NYC and last year I was offered the opportunity to help lead the Ballet School – it feels like everything has come full circle!
What do you love most about the studio?
What I love about the Ballet School is our commitment to our families. We really work hard to make sure every student is seen- taking all of the nuances of their lives into account while also holding them to a high standard. I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful families in the area who really understand the value of arts education for their children. Watching them grow in class and then on stage is magical.
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming school year?
This school year, our team is looking forward to our new levels of Jazz, Musical Theater and Modern classes to help round out students’ training beyond Ballet and provide a variety of options for the community. We are also working to expand our free Nutcracker performance at the Stamford Town Center, which is always a favorite tradition of our dancers.
How do you juggle work and mommyhood?
The juggle is real! I’m very lucky that my parents live in Stamford and are able to help out. The girls also spend a lot of time at the studio with me, which I love (and so do they)! Since I don’t work set hours, work can easily take over, so I try to consciously decide which hat I’m wearing at any given moment. Though, admittedly sometimes it’s mom and teacher simultaneously!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
The hands down best piece of advice I’ve gotten from another mom is “Get them outside or get them in water” when things get tough. It works almost every time.