Rockwell Dance Center LLC

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Byron Burton
Hip Hop - Kids Bop
Byron Burton has been dancing ever since he was in the third grade when he was first inspired by the movement of dance while watching Britney Spears perform for the MTV Music Awards - one performance and his whole life changed! He went on to train in Hip Hop, Street Jazz, and Ballet at PACC (Performing Arts of Connecticut) - now Rockwell Dance Center. He has studied under many seasoned and veteran teachers in the industry, and danced as a company member with Double Up Dance Company/Team Leggoo, where he has since been given the opportunity to choreograph for national commercials and dance for many well known artists.
Mr. Burton is featured in many music videos and currently teaches at Double Up Dance Studios, Rockwell Dance Center, and Latin Rhythm Dance Studio. His style is very versatile; he gives his students an assortment of solid hip hop technique which include femme and commercial choreography, as well as the more undefinable but invaluable qualities of performance and attitude.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT:
Shelby Grant
Pre-Ballet & Tap, Ballet & Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Tap
Apprentice Modern Company
Born and raised in Trumbull, CT, Shelby Grant began dancing at The Performing Arts Center of Connecticut, now Rockwell Dance Center, at age 7. While there, she studied various styles of dance including ballet/pointe, modern/contemporary, and tap. She also spent summers at various intensives to further her dance education.
In 2017, Shelby joined Rockwell Dance Center’s team to work administratively, run the studio’s costume room, and manage/oversee performances. She has since progressed to teach beginner through advanced students at RDC and is the Director of the RDC Apprentice Modern Company.
Shelby holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and as a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success. She is also an ABT® Certified Teacher who successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Her other certifications (select) include: Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED, Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injectors, and Advanced Child Care.
Shelby is devoted to fostering a nurturing, positive environment for her students by encouraging them to support each other’s successes while celebrating each other’s differences. She hopes to pass on everything she has learned to her students to make them the best they can be both on and off the stage.

It’s not too late - REGISTER NOW! FREE Trial Classes - Studio Tours and Placement Evaluations! Call 203-502-8315 today! Find out why RDC is the Place to Be for Dance!

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Jordyn Brooks - Hip Hop, Kids Bop, Appr. Hip Hop Co. Director
Jordyn Brooks is a professional dancer and instructor from New London, Connecticut. Jordyn started dancing at a local studio as a kid and trained in styles like ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip hop for over 10 years. At the age of 16, she got her first chance to teach and she’s been sharing her love of dance with students of all ages across Connecticut ever since.
With 15 years of teaching experience under her belt, Jordyn brings both passion and positivity into every class. Alongside teaching, she’s trained as a commercial dancer with some of the industry’s top choreographers, traveling to places like New York, Boston, L.A., and Miami to keep growing as a performer.
Jordyn’s career has taken her on tour with artists, into music and concept videos, live shows, and even onto the set of Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2. Whether she’s on stage, on screen, or in the studio, Jordyn loves helping young dancers grow—not just as artists, but as confident, creative people. Her goal is to keep dance fun, inspiring, and full of good energy while focusing on performance technique.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Nikole LaChioma - Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern - Modern and Ballet Company Director
Rockwell Dance Center, Trumbull, CT
Nikole LaChioma is a Cum Laude graduate from Marymount Manhattan College and holds a BFA in Ballet. Most recently, Ms. LaChioma has become and owner and Director of Rockwell Dance Center. She had previously held the positions of Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut and Artistic Director of In Motion Dance Company for the past 13 years. In 2007 she became the Founder and Artistic Director of The Parker Project, a contemporary dance company. Nikole is an ABT ® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT ® Teacher Training Intensives in Pre Primary through Partnering of the ABT ® National Training Curriculum.
Nikole is proud that her pieces have been invited to the Youth American Grand Prix 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Finals in New York. In 2017, 2018 and 2020 YAGP named her Outstanding Choreographer and her ensembles placed first and second overall in Boston and her students have placed in the top 12. Her choreography has also been set on the professional company, Florida Dance Theatre, and she has had pieces accepted at the International Dance Festival-NYC, “Dance Under the Stars” professional dance festival in California, Solstice In Times Square (BCEFA/DRA) and CT Meets NY Dance Festival. Her works with The Parker Project have been performed at many venues in Connecticut and New York.
She feels fortunate to have had many wonderful performance opportunities. Nikole danced with BalaSole Dance in NYC, where she received this review from Dance Europe Magazine: “She’s a personable performer whose expressions create a connection with the audience....On top of this acting ability, her clear and easy technique make her a joy to watch.” Nikole has had the privilege of dancing with Hartford Ballet under the direction of Kirk Peterson, Raymond Lukens and Franco DeVita, with Wayne Sleep and the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain in Kent, in Scotland at the Aberdeen Youth Festival, with the Scottish Ballet (Ken Burke) and at His Majesty’s Theater. Locally she has performed in many musical theater productions and has served as choreographer for both area high schools and theater organizations. Most recently Nikole can be seen in the Netflix Movie "Office Romance" with JLO.
Nikole hopes to share her passion and love for the arts with all of her students and make RDC an inspiring and nurturing home for everyone - a home where we celebrate each other’s ideas, differences, accomplishments and successes.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Kellie Rosati - Ballet - Jazz - Contemporary - Pre Ballet & Tap - Ballet & Tap - Yoga - Kidz Bop - Rockwell Dance Center,Trumbull
Kellie Schweon Rosati is a Connecticut-based choreographer and teaching artist. She is a magna cm laude graduate from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Dance Teaching and a BA in Theatre Performance.
Kellie has taught and choreographed at many studios and theaters throughout New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut. She is an ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensives in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She is also a certified Vinyasa Yoga and Kids’ Yoga Instructor.
Kellie’s favorite performance credits include the original NYC musical workshop Revival (Dir. Christopher D’Amboise), Singin’ in the Rain, and Spamalot (Park Playhouse), performing with Misha Merna (Lady Gaga Impersonator), and playing Dr. Wink/Alison in the PPH Scholastic Tour of Pinkalicious The Musical.
Favorite choreography credits include her original work Romp Therapy featured in the NY Jazz Choreography Project, Chicago (Assistant Choreographer, Park Playhouse), and the numerous musicals she has choreographed for children and teens.
Kellie is currently the choreographer and dance instructor for the Musical Theatre Department at the Regional Center for the Arts, a performing arts magnet high school in Trumbull, CT. She is passionate about dance education and is proud that her musical theatre students have gone on to study at some of the top BFA programs in the country.
Kellie spends her summers choreographing and teaching with Playhouse Stage Company.

In times of great joy or great sorrow, it is the arts that nourish our hearts and souls – and get us through. I am asking you…my friends and family…to give whatever you can to support our community’s young creatives.
Your donation, no matter the size, will help continue Nikole’s 501c3 The Parker Project, continue awarding scholarships to dancers, musical theater students, singers and choreographers.
Over $95,000 has been awarded to local graduating high school seniors going on to study the arts in college and another $50,000 to younger artists to help pay for classes, performance fees, summer programs, costumes and more. PLEASE give whatever you can – go to Venmo or mail check to The Parker Project, 18 Lindeman Dr, Trumbull, CT 06611. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
For more information contact me at [email protected]. We invite you to attend our annual Parker Project Benefit – an evening of song and dance that benefits our artistic community on Saturday, May 9th @ 7pm - scan QR Code below to purchase $25 tickets. Thank you!