Mary Naftal

Mary Naftal is a nationally recognized dance educator, entrepreneur, and community leader with over 40 years of experience teaching students of all ages. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with specializations in Early Childhood Education and Dance, blending academic expertise with a lifelong passion for shaping young lives through the performing arts.

As the CEO & Artistic Director of Dance Connection, Mary has built dance studios known for their excellence in training, innovation in performance education, and commitment to community values. Her work has been featured in Dance Studio Life Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, and Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and she is a recipient of the Islip Small Business Award.

Before founding Dance Connection, Mary served as a corporate Training Administrator for Empire of America Bank and worked as a substitute teacher, gaining valuable experience in both corporate and public education settings.

In addition to her work at the studio, Mary is the President and Founder of Penny Prima®—a line of products and programs designed to inspire creativity and imagination in young dancers. She also served as Artistic Director of the Making Wishes Grow Performance Initiative, a local program that used dance to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

A respected leader in the dance studio industry, Mary has taught seminars and workshops for educators and studio owners across the country. She is a proud member of Dance Educators of America, the National Dance Education Organization, the New York State Dance Education Association, and the Suffolk County Women’s Business Enterprise Coalition.