In Step With DC
Getting to Know You: Student Helpers (part 2 of 2)!
Written by Joe Naftal on February 27, 2018

In today’s edition of “Getting to Know You”, we are finishing our two part series on our Student Helpers!  The student helpers are part of Dance Connection’s Teacher Training Program and assist in our classes each week.

Dance Connection believes in providing a warm, safe, and professional atmosphere where each student is cared for within the Dance Connection family. We are proud to also offer a Teacher Training Program to our more serious students. It 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. Regardless of your future career path, Dance Connection feels confident that all members of the Teacher Training Program will leave our program having learned the important life skills of: respect, responsibility, accountability, discipline, confidence, and professionalism.

 

 

Sophia DeRosa
When not in school or at dance, Sophia likes to draw.  The DeRosa family has three dogs, a fish, and a bearded dragon.  Sophia’s favorite style of dance is ballet and her favorite song she ever danced to was “Happy”.  Her favorite times of the year at Dance Connection are the party weeks.  Sophia likes being in the teacher training program because she likes the idea of teaching people and really enjoys it.

Jeanna Diaz
In her free time, Jeanna likes to hang out with friends, relax, and dance.  Her family has a dog named Odie.  Jeanna’s favorite style of dance are jazz and latin dance styles like salsa, bachata, and merengue.  Her favorite song she’s ever danced to is “It’s My Party”.  Jeanna’s favorite time of the year at Dance Connection is Holiday Party Week because it’s fun, she can wear pajamas, and she gets gifts.  She joined the Teacher Training Program because she enjoys helping younger students learn to dance.

Faith Henderson

Faith enjoys sleeping in her free time.  The Henderson family has a dog named Charlie.  Faith’s favorite style of dance is jazz and her favorite song she’s ever danced to was “Never Let Me Go”.  Her favorite time of the year at Dance Connection is recital week.  Faith enjoys being in the Teacher Training Program because she gets to watch the kids she teaches grow into better dancers.
Jamie Martinez
In her free time, Jamie likes to sing, draw, and do arts and crafts.  Her favorite style of dance is jazz and her favorite song she’s ever danced to was “I’m a Lady”, her improv challenge song at her first national competition.  Jamie’s favorite time of the year at Dance Connection is recital week because she gets to be on stage a lot.  She likes being a student helper because she likes to help kids learn how to dance.
Ava Michels
Ava loves to color and do different art projects in her free time.  She has a dog named Xena.  Her favorite style of dance is jazz and “Little Swing” was her favorite recital dance.  Her favorite time of the year at Dance Connection is recital week.  Ava enjoys being a part of the Teacher Training Program because she gets to help kids become better dancers and watch them grow.

Joe Naftal

Joe Naftal is the Marketing Director for Dance Connection. When not working at Dance Connection, Joe has a career as a theatrical lighting designer, assistant designer, and production manager. His experience spans the worlds of classical and contemporary theatre, musicals, ballet, modern dance, and opera. In addition to his work at Dance Connection, Joe collaborates with Dance Studio Owners across the country, is a member of the DanceStudioOwner.com Panel of Experts, has been featured in the business section of Dance Teacher Magazine, and was on the seminar faculty for the 2016 Dance Teacher Summit in New York City. Joe holds a BFA from UNC School of the Arts and is a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

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