Faculty

NIKOLE LACHIOMA - Owner, Director

Ballet - Jazz - Pointe

Ballet Company and Modern Company

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. Most recently 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. 

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.

JORDYN BROOKS

Hip Hop - Kidz Bop

Hip Hop Company

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.

CAMRYN BROTHERS

Contemporary

Camryn Brothers (she/her) is a New York City-based movement artist originally from Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester Program, during which she trained under their world renowned faculty. She has also worked closely with and assisted artists such as Neil Schwartz and Kenichi Kasamatsu to name a few. 

Camryn is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan and Exhale Dance Convention. She has presented work at multiple NYC-based festivals and shows such as Carnival the Choreographer’s Ball and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, and has worked collaboratively with various artists such as Zolita to create dance visuals for their music. She also recently launched her company, Brothers & Co., which is a project-based contemporary fusion company made up of NYC artists. 

Camryn consistently puts authenticity and fun at the forefront of all of her work and aims to create dance spaces that are enjoyable and fulfilling.  She is excited to be entering her sixth year of teaching at RDC.

BYRON BURTON

Hip Hop - Kidz 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. 

NATALIE DEVITO

Pre-Ballet & Tap - Ballet & Tap - Ballet - Hip Hop - Kidz Bop

Natalie DeVito is from Trumbull, Connecticut. She began dancing at the age of 2 and started training at the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut, now Rockwell Dance Center, at the age of 7, where she continued until 18. Over the years, Natalie studied a wide range of styles including ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, contemporary, jazz, and musical theater. During her time at Rockwell, she was a member of the Pre-Professional Modern and Ballet Company, where she refined both her artistry and technical foundation.

In addition to her dance training, Natalie is an ABT® Certified Teacher who successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She also graduated from Trumbull High School where she was actively involved in the theater and arts programs, further fueling her creativity and love for performance. She went on to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Business Management and minors in Journalism and English. Her studies allowed her to merge her love for fashion, writing, and storytelling with her artistic background in dance.

Natalie’s goal as an instructor is to use her diverse creative background to inspire students through movement, while fostering confidence, discipline, and joy both in and out of the classroom. She strives to create a supportive environment where dancers can grow not only as performers, but as individuals.

SHELBY GRANT

Pre-Ballet & Tap - Ballet & Tap - Ballet - Jazz - Pointe - Tap

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.

MEGANANNA GRIFFIN

Contemporary

MeganAnna Griffin (She/Her) began her training in Ayden, North Carolina, where she competed in baton twirling for fifteen years. She later competed in Rhythmic Gymnastics at the Junior Olympics in Seattle, Washington, before beginning her ballet training in Greenville, North Carolina. MeganAnna went on to earn a BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University.

Following graduation, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she worked professionally. She now resides in New York City, dancing professionally and guest teaching at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. As a teacher, MeganAnna has traveled across the United States, choreographing and sharing her passion for storytelling through character development movement. She has also taught at the collegiate level, bringing her diverse experience to university dance programs.

MeganAnna has collaborated with Elle Magazine, Films That Move, starred in Theresa Stone’s Cannes Film Festival–winning video Technical Difficulties, worked on the skeleton crew for an Off-Broadway show, was on the cover of Dance Life Magazine, served as an assistant choreographer for a Bratz music video, and has been in numerous dance films and music videos. Juan Michael Porter II of The Huffington Post described her as “the sort of dancer who can seemingly do anything one asks of her.”

DAISY INFANTAS-LAGDAMEN

Hip Hop

Hip Hop Company

Daisy Infantas-Lagdamen was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut.   Daisy is a strong, passionate individual that shares her love for the arts with others. Dancing since the age of 8, she was introduced and learned how to dance primarily through her Peruvian culture, which then became the bridge to learning all styles of hip hop and commercial dance through various of well-known dancers and choreographers such as:  Luz Frias, Bo Park, Rhapsody James, Luam, Ian Mckenzie, and many more. 

Daisy worked in many Hartford Stage productions such as Breakdancing Shakespeare and Comedy of Errors (which was directed by Darko Tresnjak, winner of a Tony Award). She appeared as a dancer in the film In the Heights (2020) directed by Jon M. Chu, and will appear as a primary dancer in the upcoming film Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) directed by Anne Fletcher.

Ms. Infantas has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hartford and is currently a Registered Behavioral Technician, dedicated to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities and other educational needs.

Daisy is motivated to continue her passion with dancing and acting while being a teacher and mentor for younger generations. Through her growth and accomplishments, it is her goal to share and inspire the younger generation and guide them in pursuing their goals and love for the arts.  Daisy teaches hip hop to beginner through advanced students at Rockwell Dance Center, as well as being Director of the RDC Hip Hop Company and a contributing choreographer for RDC’s Competitions and YAGP. 

RAYMUND LAGDAMEN

Hip Hop

Hip Hop Company

Raymund Lagdamen was born and raised in Iloilo, Philippines and eventually moved to the United Sates, where he started dancing at Central High School in Bridgeport, Ct. at the age of 15.  Along with a group of his friends, he created a high school dance team called Versus Dance Crew.  A year later he began his dance studies in dance, mostly in hip hop, at thePerforming Arts Center of Connecticut.  With his hobby turning into this passion, he auditioned for Double Up Dance Company’s Team Leggo.  A few years later, after all the hard work and dedication, he became their Assistant Choreographer.   Raymund appears in music videos for such artists as; international singer Kat DeLuna, Rickstarr (London, U), JohnThomas and local favorite Gabriel Brunot.  Mr. Lagdamen has also taught iat many dance workshops, such as “Be Inspired” and “ The Y.A.R.D.”.   Recently he was signed by the Block Talent Agency.  Raymund’s goal is to continue learning and to share his love and passion for dance with his students.

ELODIE LINCK

Ballet - Pointe

Ballet Company

Elodie Linck (she/her) grew up in the Adirondack Mountains of northern NY, where she trained at Lake Placid School of Ballet (an ABT Certified School) through Level 6. She attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in Dance and Political Science in 2021. She has six years of teaching experience and three years of experience as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer in New York City. She is thrilled to be joining Newport Contemporary Ballet this fall for its 2026–2027 season!

Elodie has performed with Hudson Ballet Theatre, Rebecca Kelly Ballet, and EMERGE125, as well as in works by Sidra Bell, George Balanchine, Alexander Anderson, Elisa Monte, Gianna Burright, Colby Damon, and Tiffany Rea Fisher, in addition to classical productions including Swan Lake, Paquita, Romeo & Juliet, and Raymonda. She has trained with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, EMERGE125, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) with New York City Ballet.

JONATHAN MENDEZ

Ballet - Pointe

Jonathan Mendez began his ballet training at the Colombian Institute for Classical Ballet (Incolballet) in Cali, Colombia. He later became a member of Colombia’s premier ballet company, Compañía Colombiana de Ballet, where he developed the artistry and technical foundation that launched his international career.

In 2007, Jonathan received a full scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City under the direction of Franco DeVita, where he completed three years of advanced professional training. His career has since included performances with Dances Patrelle, Avi Scher & Dancers at the Kennedy Center, Alberta Ballet as a Guest Artist, ARC Dance in Seattle under the direction of Marie Chong, and The Staten Island Ballet under the direction of Ellen Tharp, while building a distinguished career as both a performer and educator.

Jonathan joined Les Ballets Eloelle–Grandiva in 2010 under the direction of Victor Trevino toured extensively throughout Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and North America. In 2015, he was promoted to Principal Dancer and awarded the honorary title of Prima Ballerina Assoluta – Supernova. He is currently the only Colombian dancer performing with an all-male comedy ballet company on the international stage. 

A certified American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum teacher since 2010, Jonathan has more than a decade of teaching experience throughout the New York tri-state area. He currently serves as a lead Ballet Instructor at The School at Peridance Center in New York City. He is also the Artistic Director of Jonathan Mendez Dance Academy, an initiative dedicated to expanding access to high-quality classical ballet training for underserved communities in Queens, New York.

In 2023, Jonathan received the Fini Dance Extraordinary Dancer Award at the Italian International Dance Award. His artistic journey is also featured in the acclaimed dance documentary First Position.

IZA RIVERA

Hip Hop - Kidz Bop

Iza Rivera is from New Haven CT. Iza started dancing at the age of 6 and was a student at the Performing Arts Center of Connecticut - now Rockwell Dance Center - from the age of 9-18. She has training in the styles of Modern, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Jazz. During her time at Rockwell Dance Center, she was a part of the Pre-Professional Modern Company and Pre-Professional Hip Hop Company. 

Iza has attended training and intensives to expand her knowledge and technique in Hip Hop in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. She has learned from dancers/choreographers who have worked for Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, Missy Elliot, and more. Iza continues to train and expand her knowledge in commercial dance. 

Iza currently attends Central Connecticut State University and is majoring in Exercise Science with a Minor in Dance and Visual Arts. Her main goal is to continue her education and become a Physical Therapist specializing in dance therapy. She will use her knowledge to help her students reach their highest potential in a positive and safe environment.

KELLIE SCHWEON ROSATI

Pre-Ballet & Tap - Ballet & Tap - Ballet - Contemporary - Jazz

Kellie Schweon Rosati is a Connecticut-based choreographer and teaching artist. She is a magna cum 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.