Amity J. Ascher began training at the Youskevitch School of Ballet where she was
accepted into New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet, where she
studied for many years - most notably with Alexandra Danilova, Suki
Shorer, Felia Doubrovska and so many more. She had the privilege of
working with Jerome Robbins in Circus Polka as a youth.

Aj performed at The New York State Theater with New York City Ballet
in Balanchine’s repertoire: The Nutcracker Suite, Harlequinade, Coppelia, A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, etc.

Aj attended The High School of Performing Arts in New York City.

Aj’s mastery of classical ballet can be
seen in her class development from barre to center. She provides a clear
and precise embrace of ballet technique while supporting and nurturing the
sense of beauty, power and grace that are the signature of ballet.

Alysa Is an ADA alumni with a successful competitive dance career. She continued on to Sacred Heart University where she earned a B.S in Psychology with a minor in Dance. While dancing in college she was welcomed on staff at ADA in 2015. She is a STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor in Mat and Reformer, with additional training in Total Barre and on the Stability Chair. Pilates is an essential form of cross training for dancers so she is happy to be able to work with Dancers at ADA. When Alysa is not at ADA or running her Pilates studio she loves to hang out with her two dogs, daughter Brooklyn and her husband, Nick!

Todd Hall studied at some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the country, including; The Boston Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet , Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Italy and The School of American Ballet. Todd danced professionally with the Washington Ballet, and Boston Ballet among others. While in Boston, Todd earned a degree at Emerson College. Due to some serious eye problems, he had to curtail his performing career, and as a result developed a love of choreography and teaching dance. He has choreographed and taught ballet and pas de deux classes across the country from as far away as Alaska and up and down the east coast as well as  Europe and the Middle East. Todd’s classes are energetic and mentally and physically challenge students to reach their full potential.

Lisa Dye spent her younger life dancing in Pittsburgh PA where she studied at Point Park University in Dance. Lisa has been on staff at ADA for many years and is loved and adored by all of her students!

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Full Bio coming soon..

Bio Coming Soon...

Ashley, known as Ms. Ash, is a Bronx native with an extensive background in the performing arts. She has always had a love for music but her journey truly began at the age of nine when she was crowned queen of the 2005 Puerto Rican Day Parade Pageant. It was there that she was introduced to salsa and hip hop. This inspired her to join various dance studios throughout her teen years where she participated in state dance congresses throughout TX, FL, CT, & PR. Ashley graduated from the Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts which deepened her involvement in mainstream salsa, hip hop, and heels, leading her to perform across NYC.

In 2022, Ashley ventured into Hollywood, training with Dexter Carr and becoming a member of the Dexter’s Playbook alumni at The Playground LA.

​She loves witnessing that special moment when a student achieves something they once thought was impossible. Ashley is so excited to work with you and help you discover your own rhythm and potential!!

Melissa Lahoud Cuggy has been dancing since the tender age of 3 years old. Throughout her career, as a performer and choreographer, she has had the pleasure of performing and choreographing dozens of plays. 
Her favorite roles include; playing “Snow Queen” and “Arabian” in The Danbury Music Center’s production of “The Nutcracker”, “Lucy” in Westconn’s adaptation of “Charlie Brown” and dancing in the ensemble at the Sharon Playhouse in Cabaret.   She toured the United States with the Power Pack Dance Company, spent the summer performing in Texas at the Galveston Outdoor Theater and held the title of Miss Greater New Haven for the Miss America Organization. As a choreographer, some of Melissa’s favorite pieces of work include productions performed at; Westconn, Richter, Immaculate High School and all of the wonderful years spent choreographing student pieces for competitions. 
Melissa had been in the dance industry for 30 years, before becoming a kindergarten teacher. When Melissa is not dancing, she is loving on her 2 sons and husband, while watching their favorite movies. 

Jenna Garecht  is an alumna of the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, graduating in 2016. While at RCD she was a choreographer for the Young Choreographer’s Festival in 2015 & 2016 in Stamford, CT.  In addition to her training at RCD, Jenna studied ballet under George Balanchine’s student Maria Calegari, who was a principal ballerina for the New York City Ballet. Jenna studied Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap and Hip Hop. Jenna is a graduate of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, graduating with her Bachelor’s in History and Masters in Secondary Education, as well as with a certificate in Special Education. During her time at QU, Jenna was an active dancer and choreographer for the Quinnipiac Dance Company, where she choreographed and performed many Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern and Hip Hop routines. Jenna  has taught at a few Connecticut studios and choreographed competition routines for various studios and dancers.  Dance has always been Jenna’s passion and she is committed not only to the art of dance, but also to teaching the next generation about the beauty, joy and self expression dance can possess

Bio coming soon...

Jenna Racca is a dedicated educator who has been dancing for 20 years. She trained in the Russian Vaganova method of ballet under Dan Sas for 8 years and her passion for contemporary dance was fostered by Sam Flook. She previously taught Creative Movement, Ballet 1, Ballet 2, and choreographed lyrical for the competition team at Sas School of Dance. She also joined the American Academy of Ballet and the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for summer intensive training and danced in the Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker Ballet for 11 years. She was a founding member of The University Ballet Company at the University of Connecticut and danced on UConn’s Encore Dance team. Jenna is also a full time 2nd grade teacher with her Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. Jenna is so excited to join the ADA family and share her passion for dance!

Nadia has been dancing for over 20 years. Tap is her favorite technique. She graduated from CCSU with a B.S in Dance Education and is currently working on her Masters of Education in Special Education. She has won multiple choreography and technique awards. Nadia also teaches a form of adaptive dance and dance therapy with art in a clinical day school. She has two dogs, Mack and Ellie and an orange cat named Sunshine. She is very excited to start her journey with us at ADA!