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, Prepointe/Pointe, Jazz, Company, Contemporary
Ada is a dancer, performer and choreographer from Italy. She began her professional dance training at the National Academy of Dance in Rome, where she received her B.A. She attended several summer intensives including, Random Dance Company, Phoenix Dance Theater and Nederland’s Dans Theater, in London and she was also selected to participate in Alonzo King Lines Ballet Summer Intensive. She continued her study at The Ailey school, the official school of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and completed her Independent Study Program. Ms. Cacciatore has performed works by many choreographers including Zarko Prebil, Adriana Borriello, Max Luna lll, Lanette Alvarez, Donald Byrd, Darshan Singh Bhuller, Amaury Lebrun, Lakay Worrell, Sidra Bell, Kevin A. Joseph, Nicola Lervasi, Kevin Albert, Yesid Lopez and Stefanie Batten Bland. She worked as a choreographer/teacher at Asbcompany under the direction of Sônia Melo. Recently she joined Amalgamate Dance Company as a Production/Company Intern and Universo Católico as Dancer and Assistant Casting Director.
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.
Lucia
Musical Theater, Jazz, Contemporary, Company
Lucia Jackson began her dance and music training in Madrid, Spain. She attended the Professional Dance Conservatory of Madrid, where she learned ballet and flamenco. At the age of 18 she returned to her birthplace New York, after being accepted into The Ailey School where she completed a Certificate in Dance and was also awarded a Scholarship Level for one more year. Lucia has had the opportunity to perform Memoria at City Center and Revelations Cast of 50 at Lincoln Centerwith ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER. In 2015, she danced with Dardo Galletto Dance at the prestigious Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, inside/out stage. Lucia is now a member of FJK Dance Company, a unique mix of ballet and ballroom, Middle Eastern and jazz, with whom she tours the world with, most recently performing throughout China.
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 CT. She graduated from Eastern Connecticut University where she studied theatre with a dance and world performance concentration in sports Science. Serena has training in Ballet, Jazz ,tap , Contemporary and Hip Hop. 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.
Marlie
ACRO,Turns Leaps and Jumps, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary
Marlie was born and raised in New York where she developed her love for dance and music . At early age She started training in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary and continued to study dance in college before shifting to child development studies. Marlie continued teaching dance throughout undergraduate and graduate school while simultaneously running a dancing, singing, and acting program where she worked with artists such as Chantal Robson, Tyce Diorio, Amy Spanger, Ashlé Dawson, and Nancy Carson. Marlie is currently working as a psychotherapist for children and adolescents, where she incorporates movement therapy and mindfulness in her practice. Marlie strives to create a warm and welcoming space to empower and inspire individuality.