Enrique
Founder/Director
Enrique started his training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, Latin, Ballroom and folk. His natural feeling for dance, and good ear for music, make him an exquisite performer and choreographer. Working with notable Choreographers in Peru gave him the ambition to start creating his own choreographies, methods and philosophy of teaching. After attending law school in Peru, he decided his passion for dance was too strong to ignore. So, he followed his dreams, packed his bags, and moved to the states where he became a dance coach and choreographer for prestigious dance schools, Dance Companies, and theater groups in Fairfield County and throughout New York City. His experience, method, philosophy and life style helped him create The Dance Collective with Amanda Parton, his friend and dance partner of twelve years.
Amanda
Founder
Amanda- wife, mother, businesswoman, student, dancer. These are the words she would use to describe herself, as well as her current career as a dancer, coach and studio owner. Amanda also held down a long and successful career as an Art and Creative Director for Ogilvy, out of London and Singapore. Amanda moved to the States in the late 90’s and it was not long before she met Enrique. They became best friends and dance partners. In 2008 they started The Dance Collective to promote their love of dance to people of all ages and abilities. She recently branched out into pro-am competitive ballroom dance and trains with world-renowned coached from across the globe.
Ada
Ballet, Pre-pointe/Pointe, Jazz, Company, Contemporary,Tots in Tights
Ada Cacciatore is a dance teacher and choreographer from Italy with more than 8 years of experience in the US. She began her professional dance training at the National Academy of Dance in Rome, where she received her B.A in Dance. She continued her study at The Ailey School, the official school of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater where she completed her Independent Study program. She is a trained dancer in multiple styles including ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz. Ms. Cacciatore has performed works by many choreographers including Donald Byrd, Darshan Singh Bhuller, Amaury Lebrun, Francesca Harper, Sidra Bell, Lakay Worrell and Max Luna lll. She joined the ABT’s production as supernumerary and she is a proudly ABT Certified Teacher. Recently she joined the Ailey family as a Dance Teacher in the Junior Division . AC founded "One World Dance" in 2022 to bring people together through the joys of dance. She is a dedicated and passionate teacher who has a love for helping children grow and develop. Responsible for creating a safe and inclusive learning environment where students can feel confident to explore and express themselves. She believes in hard work, creativity and fun when it comes to teaching dance.As a team member at The Dance Collective, what I love most is the opportunity to inspire and shape the lives of students through the art of dance, witnessing their growth and bringing immense satisfaction.
2023 - 2024 Tots / Kids / Pre-Teens / Teen Classes Offered: 2023 - 2024 Tots / Kids / Pre-Teens / Teen Classes Offered:
Ilya
Latin Ballroom
Ilya is highly accomplished Ballroom dancer originally from Ukraine. He has successfully partnered with professionals and amateurs alike. Among his results are 1st place at the Empire Dance Championship Professional Division, Top 30 among 300 at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Championship Professional Division, 6th place Freedom to Dance Professional division, 1st place French Open Championships, 3rd place Disney World Championship, 1st place Kiev Waltz Championships of Ukraine, and 4th place Dutch Open Netherlands. Ilya comes to the Dance Collective to share his many talents, and to train with our competitive dancers to prepare for and compete in Pro-Am tournaments.
Leonel Linares
Jazz, Contemporary, Acro, Ballet
Leonel began his dance training in his hometown of Mérida, VENEZUELA. His studies included Venezuelan folklore, Latin jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, acrobatics, modern, and ballet. He was awarded a scholarship to study with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City from 2004-2006. His professional career includes Ballet Nuevo Mundo de Caracas under the direction of Zhandra Rodriguez, Ballet Teresa Carreno, Compania Danza Actual under the direction of Macarena Solorzano, and Ballet de Marjorie Flores. Leonel worked as a choreographer for one of Venezuela’s TV networks VENEVISION under the production of Joaquin Riviera, performing for many Latin singers, Dancing with the Stars and for one of the biggest beauty pageant’s Miss Venezuela, and TV series such as “Somos tu y yo”. He was invited to dance with Compania Imagen Latina in Los Angeles for the World Salsa Congress, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Revolucion Latina, Morales Dance, Ballet Des Moines, FJK Dance, East Coast Contemporary Ballet and others. Leonel Linares worked at Staten Island Ballet as performer and Ballet Master, is one of the founders of La Casa de la Cultura Venezolana en NY and also is a certified teacher in Vaganova technique from Bolshoi Academy of Moscow. He has done commercial work for Latin Artists such as Liz, Rosa López, Diveana, Oscar de Leon, Alejandra Guzmán, Olga Tañón, J Balvin, Leonel is the Executive/Artistic Director of Sol Dance Center.
Yana Tikhenko
Latin Ballroom, Latin Ladies Style
Yana Tikhenko is a professional Ballroom dancer from Ukraine. She has performed and competed all around the world, touring throughout Asia and Europe. She’s an accomplished dancer who has won 1st Place at the American Star Ball, 1st Place at V International Open-Khabarovsk, 1st Place at the Champions of Ukraine in Ballroom Formation, 1st Place at the Crimea Trophy International Festival Formation, 3rd Place at the Disney World Cup, among many more awards. She has also been awarded the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine and the title of Honored Artist of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. At The Dance Collective, Yana brings her incredible talent and experiences to teach Latin Ballroom to kids and adults and to train our competitive dancers for Pro-Am tournaments.
Serena
Hip Hop, Tots in Tights, Pre Ballet
Serena Innaco is a dancer and choreographer from Shelton, Connecticut. She has recently graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University where she studied Theatre with a Dance And World performance concentration and Sports and Leisure Management with a concentration in Sport Science. Ms. Innaco has been dancing for 20 years and initiated her experience in her local dance studio where she learned ballet, tap, and jazz. She began learning hip-hop,contemporary, and modern dance at ECSU and has expanded her dance education through Broadway Dance Center and Brickhouse NYC. She also instructs classes at local studios, such as Connecticut Dance School and Project Dance Center. Ms. Innaco is dedicated to the artistic development of her craft as a dancer and instructor. She strives to always be in a position of learning, initiate roles of leadership, and find ways to give back in her community
Igor
Standard/Smooth Ballroom
Igor Gayenko is a world class ballroom and showcase competitor and instructor. He is a regular finalist at international and national competitions. Among his many titles are 3 times Blackpool junior finalist, United States youth finalist, Singapore Asian open amateur champion, and Indian national amateur champion. He has over 9 years teaching experience and now competes in professional standard and show dance. His titles include 2014 Houston challenge rising star professional standard champion and runner up in show dance.
James Curtis
Acro, Hip Hop, Breakdancing
James Curtis born in New Haven CT started his dance journey in 2009. Throughout this time was able to win multiple international championships in breakdancing. While he lived in Miami for a couple years, He was able to improve his technique. While living in Europe, this gave him the opportunity to compete all over the world . Starting in Switzerland, moving on to the Netherlands, France and much more and finally returning back to the USA. He then started to dance for the Brooklyn Nets where he was able to build a network and get into the commercial industry and am now with BlocNYC agency.