Walter Schalk School of Dance: Wilton, New Canaan, Darien & Ridgefield Connecticut

Bios - Our Instructors


			Walter Schalk: Mr. Schalk grew up in Stamford and began dancing at the age of nine. Career highlights include performing in variety shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Fred Waring Show," performing in television specials with Frank Sinatra, and being a finalist at the Harvest Moon Ball. His brief career was cut short when he was drafted into the Army. After serving in Europe, he returned to the U.S. and worked in advertising while choreographing many Off-Broadway and summer stock productions. Mr. Schalk opened his school in 1957 with 13 ballroom dance students.

			Charles Micha: Charlie began his association with the Walter Schalk School of Dance forty-eight years ago. Our Special Assistant, Charlie flys up from Florida to help with the dancing school periodically during the year. When Charlie is not dancing he is riding his motorcycle. Charlie lives in Florida with his wife of 40 years, Carol.

			Kelly Nayden: Kelly serves as our Show Coordinator, as well as teaching and choregraphing for our Jazz & Musical Comedy classes. Kelly has been a Schalk dancer since the age of ten and was a student instructor and director while attending Wilton High. Kelly graduated summa cum laude from Connecticut College with a BA in dance and a minor in mathematics. She resides in Norwalk.

			Patricia Gray: Patricia grew up in Wilton and has been involved with the Walter Schalk School of Dance since the age of 5. Patricia was a student instructor while in high school. Patricia graduated with a B.A. in Education from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2001, and earned a Masters Degree in Education in 2003 from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Patricia enjoys teaching in Darien and Wilton, and choregraphing for our Jazz classes.

			Jennifer Cogswell: Jennifer is our Costume Designer and Chairperson, as well as serving as our Office Manager. She grew up in and currently resides in New Canaan. Jennifer has been a Walter Schalk dancer since the age of ten, and was a former Ballroom Instructor. In 1999, she graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University, where she earned a BA in Biology, Chemistry & Secondary Education. While at FSU, she was a skilled performer and acrobat in the Flying High Circus.

			Jim Lewicki: This is Jim's 14th year teaching Ballroom and 11th year teaching Musical Comedy, though he has been associated with the dance school since 1969. Jim is the Head Boys Soccer coach at Wilton High School and is the program coordinator for the Wilton Parks and Recreation department. Jim and his wife Susan, who works as a Dental Hygienist for Dr. Agostin, live in Trumbull.

			Michael Sabato: Mike graduated from the high school Musical Comedy program in 2006. A full time student at Fairfield University, Mike is majoring in mathematics and education. He also has been involved in martial arts since the age of four, and is a master in the art of Tae Kwon Do.

			Colleen Amirsakis: Colleen received her training in all styles of dance from Elisabeth Gillette Campbell, Lou Conte Dance Studio, the Boston School of Ballet Summer Dance Program and David Howard Dance Center in NYC. Colleen was a resident dancer for Chicago's "Light Opera Works" for four seasons, and was a dancer in the feature film Dance in 1987. At Boston College she was a dancer and choreographer for the Golden Eagle Dance Team, performing at nationally televised games, as well as for their Dance Ensemble. Now a mother of three, Colleen is thrilled to rekindle her dance as a jazz/hip-hop instructor in Darien.

			Tami Hughes: Tami grew up in Darien where she was involved with the Walter Schalk School of Dance throughout her high school years. She was also a Blue Wave Dancer and was chosen to perform in the dance performance during the Bluebonnet Bowl halftime in 1987. She received a BA in Economics from Bucknell University in 1991. Tami had a successful career at Merrill Lynch for 16 years where she was a Director in Fixed Income Sales. She resides in Darien with her husband, Danny, and two boys, Charlie and Henry. She is thrilled to be home and teaching Jazz/Theatre Dance and Hip Hop in Darien.

			Karen Duffy: Karen is an accredited member of Texas Association Teachers of Dancing. She started dancing at 3 years of age. She was a student teacher and then an assistant teacher through high school and college. Karen was teaching tap, jazz and ballet to children and adults in Dallas, Texas, when her husband was transferred to New York City. Karen is currently a resident of Fairfield, where she lives with her family. Karen teaches Creative Tots and Kinder Kids classes in Darien.

			Teri Nugent: Teri has 15 years of ballet, jazz and tap dancing experience with the Kelly School of Dance in Illinois. After performing on tour in Europe with the "Kelly Adorables" Dance Troupe, she was a dance instructor for nursery school and elementary school children. Teri graduated cum laude from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, with a BA degree in Mathematics and a minor in Psychology. She lives in New Canaan with her husband and four children. Teri teaches Creative Tots and Kinder Kids classes in New Canaan.

			Lee Ann Neves: Lee Ann comes to us with over 30 years of cheerleading and dance experience including ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop and tap. She continues to take dance herself three times per week at the Larnel Dance Company, and performs for charity events throughout the area. She currently resides in New Fairfield, CT, with her husband and three children. Lee Ann teaches ballet classes at The Walter Schalk School of Dance.

			Katie Tiani: Katie has been a Schalk dancer since the age of nine and was a student instructor while dancing in New Canaan. Katie graduated from Salve Regina Univeristy with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. She currently teaches at East School in New Canaan. Katie resides in Norwalk. Katie teaches jazz/hip-hop classes in New Canaan and Wilton.

			Libby Tiani: Libby grew up dancing in our program (her father is one of the Walter Schalk School of Dance's original 14 students!). She is a recent graduate of the University of Tampa with a minor in dance. This year, Libby is teaching jazz in Darien, and Jazz and Musical Comedy classes in New Canaan.

			Stevi Van Meter: Stevi was a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the last fifteen years. She comes to us with an extensive dance, choreography and broadway background. She is teaching Jazz classes in Wilton & New Canaan this year, and taught a master class of "Radio City Rockette" choreography for our older students.

			Catherine Boreen: Catherine joins our school this year as the Director of our Creative Tots & Kinder Kids program, and is teaching our Wilton classes. She specializes in teaching students of all ages, and has taught many styles of dance from tap and jazz to musical theater. Catherine owned and operated her own dance studio in Toronto, Canada, for over twenty years. She currently resides in Wilton.

			Alejandra Maville: Born and raised in Columbia, South America, Alejandra brings her experience in Latin Dance to The Walter Schalk School of Dance this year. She dances Latin Rhythm, Jazz, Broadway, Modern and other styles, as well as instructing ZUMBA fitness classes. Alejandra's varied dance training started in Columbia, and continues in Westport, CT. She has also studied acting in NYC.

			Elise Brzoska: Elise joined the Walter Schalk School of Dance at the age of nine and was involved in jazz, ballroom, and musical comedy. She was a student jazz instructor while attending Wilton High School. Elise graduated from Michigan State University in December of 2008 with High Honors and a BA in Supply Chain Management. She currently lives in Norwalk and works in Stamford. Elise teaches musical comedy and ballroomclasses at The Walter Schalk School of Dance.

			Alice Honcharik: Alice danced with Mr. Schalk many years ago. As well as teaching ballroom, she helps backstage at the revues. Alice currently lives in North Stamford. She teaches classes in our cotillion ballroom program.