1 The assistants you see in classes every week are part of an official program called the Teacher Training Program.  The Teacher Training Program is a forum for students to gain training in teaching as well as job responsibility. Enrollment in our Teacher Training Program will provide members with the highest standard of mentoring and guidance. Dance Connection is strongly committed to enriching and nourishing the future teachers and citizens of our community.  The program is directed by Colleen Riccardelli, who holds a Masters degree in Education from St. John’s University.

2 Many of Dance Connection’s current teachers are alumni of the Teacher Training Program, receiving their dance teaching education from the TTP and supplementing their own dance training at Dance Connection by regularly attending nationally recognized workshops and conferences to study with well known teachers and choreographers across the country.  Miss Melinda, Miss Jenn, Miss Molly, Miss Arial, Miss Victoria, Miss Nikki, and Miss Emily are all alumni of the Teacher Training Program and went on to be hired as dance teachers by Dance Connection.

3 The Teacher Training Program is open to all dancers at Dance Connection studying Ballet, Tap, and Jazz each week.  The minimum age to become a student helper is age 9, but you can join the waiting list for the program at age 7.  There are four levels to the program:  Student Helper, Student Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and Substitute Teacher.

4 There have been 211 trainees in the past 30 years.  25 trainees have successfully graduated the program.  4 alumni own dance studios.  31 alumni are dance teachers.  20 alumni are or have been Dance Connection dance teachers.  16 alumni are certified school teachers.  Countless others are lawyers, doctors, non-profit executives, business owners, and activists.  The program is focused on teaching it’s members the important life skills of: respect, responsibility, accountability, discipline, confidence, and professionalism.

For more information on the Teacher Training Program, visit our TTP webpage.