Formerly Doreen's Dance Center - Now
New name, same passion for dance and excellence in instruction
The Studio Office is closed
We will reopen September 8th
Please email any questions you have
Classes begin
September 8th
Toddler through Adult Dance!
Esther Erickson-Favilla - Owner, Director
​​​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.
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.
Emma Brockett
Emma has been dancing since the age of 7, training at a local studio in various styles including jazz, tap, ballet , lyrical, modern and contemporary and started dancing competitively when she was 13. Emma discovered a strong passion for ballet early on in her teens and was excepted into the Joffery summer program at age 16, and a year later at 17 she was accepted into the trainee program at New England Ballet Theatre in Connecticut under the direction of Victoria Manning. Post-High School, she went on to join New England Ballet Theatre professional company as a Demi-Apprentice. With NEBT she got to dance in shows like “Cinderella” and “Fantastic Toyshop,” choreographed by Rachael Gnatowski, and guest pieces such as “Painted Lady” choreographed by Jacob Taylor, and has performed in NYC at the Alvin Ailey Theatre in Gnatowski’s piece “B-side” and understudied for Saki Morimoto’s piece “Focus Point.” Recently she joined Garet&Co’s contemporary company as a Professional member furthering her contemporary training. She’s danced in many pieces by Garet Weirdsma such as “bodieshatewoman,” “Everyday&Everynight” and “Heal for me,” performing at locations including Dixon place in New York City, Warner Theatre in Torrington and Battel Chapel in Norfolk. Emma began teaching and choreographing at 15, and has continued teaching ballet classes and privates at both competition schools and New England Ballet theaters school program. She loves to work with kids and watch them grow as dancers each year and wants to continue teaching in her future and leading the next generation to greatness and is looking forward to continuing her dance career.