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Esther Erickson Favilla, Owner

​​​Miss Essie is a graduate of Naugatuck Valley Community College with an Associate's Degree in Fine Arts and Certificate of Dance.  She was a lifelong resident of Bristol, CT.  Miss Essie has been dancing since the age of five, and competing in dance since the age of nine,  As an adult, Miss Essie was chosen to perform with Earl Mosley's Diversity in Dance Professional Modern Company.  She participated in the USA World Showcase televised talent competition and was awarded First Place in the Adult Dance Category. 

​Miss Essie taught dance for competitive companies and, most notably, received the Choreographer of the Year Award representing the state of Connecticut for the American Dance Awards Competition.  She was also crowned Olympic Miss Dance of CT in 2003.  In addition to teaching professionally, she has also provided dance instruction and choreography for numerous studios, pageants, showcases and performances.  She has been recognized by the Miss America Association for her opening number choreography.​

In 2007, Essie joined the esteemed faculty of Doreen's Dance Center as a member of their core faculty.  Miss Essie teaches tap, jazz, lyrical, technique jazz and acrobatics.  ​​

Her choreography has won many high score, specialty and choreography awards at both Regional and Nationals dance competitions.

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Arianna Dechalus

​​​Miss Arianna is from Colchester, CT.   She graduated from Bacon Academy High School and will be furthering her education at Mitchell College with a major in Criminal Justice.  She will continue training in dance at Doreen's Dance Center and Studio 8-Sixty.

Arianna started dancing at Doreen's at age 2 years old and was invited the competition team at age 7.  After dancing at Doreen's for 16 years Arianna is now transitioning into the role of  teacher and  couldn't be more thankful to be surrounded but such warm hearted staff and dancers.

 "Growing up at DDC has taught me so much more than just dance... it has taught me how to be open minded; while thinking outside the box and how to work with others while being comfortable in your own skin.
While going into this amazing role of training dancers, I wish and hope that each and everyone of them can find themselves and feel confident after each and every class. My goal; as a teacher is to make everyone feel at home."
 

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Colby Connelly

 Miss Colby is from Middletown, CT, is a dancer, teacher and choreographer based in the Connecticut area. Colby began her training at age 4, continuing through high school at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, and college at University of Hartford- The Hartt School. In school, she studied ballet, pointe, Graham, Limon, Cunningham, improvisation, composition, and more. Colby danced/taught for Sonia Plumb Dance Company & choreographed for Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus, Real History Productions, and collaborations with composers before relocating to NYC to teach at Joffrey Ballet School. She is looking forward to continuing her career back in CT and teaching at Studio E Dance & Acro.

Eliza Crook​​

Eliza Crook is from Colchester, CT.  She graduated from Salem State University in December 2025 with a degree in dance, a minor in education, and received a certificate in dance education. Eliza started dancing at 18 months.  She has trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary and modern with the faculty at SSU, Doreen’s Dance Center and Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts staff as well as members of IMMIX, Justice Dance Performance Project and renowned Choreographers from across the country such as Matthew Cumbie and Debrah Goffe. Eliza was a member of Figments Youth Dance Ensemble - a CT based dance company for students, by students. Eliza has choreographed pieces for both SSU’s Repertory Dance Theatre and Salem Dance Ensemble. Eliza has interned with Judy Dworin at Justice Dance Performance Project during summers of ‘24 and ‘25. 
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