Faculty
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Rebecca Hanley--Studio Owner and Director
Miss Rebecca grew up in the Catskills and started dancing at a young age locally. Rebecca’s dance training includes many styles of dance including jazz, tap, ballet, modern, and lyrical. She has performed at a number of dance competitions, annual productions, and shows throughout the community.
Rebecca has taken three years of dance classes and dance history in high school and attended competition workshops during that time. She has participated in classes from professional Broadway faculty/choreographers including Ashlee Dawson, Bobby Clark, and Thom Lake. Rebecca has also completed the Broadway Dance Center’s teacher workshop in NYC and completed many college dance classes throughout her time at SUNY Oneonta. Rebecca taught ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and tumbling for a number of years before opening the doors at CDM.
Rebecca graduated from Downsville Central School and has her bachelors degree in Child and Family Studies from SUNY Oneonta. She is was previously the Director/Lead Teacher of the YMCA Jumpstart Preschool program and After School program at Walton.
Rebecca is First Aid and CPR certified. She holds her Barre Above, and, Zumbini/Zumbini for school licenses, as well as being certified in SPARK Early Childhood and School Aged curriculum.
Quinnlyn Wright--Teacher and Creative Director
Miss Quinn grew up in the Catskills and started dancing at age 3. Quinnlyn’s dance training includes ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and modern. She has performed at many annual productions, community events, and competitions growing up.
Quinn not only danced at CDM in high school, but was a teacher assistant for many years before graduating. She was then hired as a teacher and has brought her talent and a smile to every class.
After recently moving back into the area, Miss Quinn is excited to begin teaching again. She will be teaching in many classes including ballet, jazz, inspired movement, and private lessons.
Joy Garrett--Teacher
Mrs. Garrett (Ms. Joy) was born and raised in Virginia where she began dancing at the age of 3. Upon high school graduation she attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a BFA in Dance and Choreography. She started Joy's School of Dance, Inc. in 1989 teaching Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern and, choreographing for the JSOD Jewel Competition team.
Additionally she has choreographed numerous musicals for high schools and churches and is a member of Dance Educators of America. Several of her students have furthered their career and dance in numerous companies in Richmond, VA and New York City.
Miss. Joy teaches our higher level ballet and pointe classes.
Madison Serra--Teacher
Madison Serra was born in Long Island and began dancing at the age of 4 at TJE Dance Force. At the age of 8 she moved with her family to Walton and began dancing at CDM in 6th grade. Madison's dance training includes ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, and tumbling. She was also a member of the CDM competition team for 4 years where she has represented CDM in receiving many high awards for her solos.
Miss Madi began volunteering her time at CDM at the age of 14 in many classes and has learned the way of the dance classroom from our established teachers. She is grateful to have been given the opportunity to give back to other dancers, what has been given to her.
Madi is a Walton Central School and SUNY Delhi graduate.
Miss Madi teaches many of our younger students including creative movement and hip-hop classes.
Kristen Phraner--Teacher
Miss Kristen grew up in Southern Connecticut and has been involved in cheerleading since she was 7 years old. In her youth she cheered for the Ansonia Coppers, the Ansonia Chargers and Spirit All Stars in high school, and Western Connecticut State University Colonials. She made the NCA squad in high school and also Student Dem’d for the youth program as an assistant coach. Kristen then coached in the off season of her college cheer career.
In 2016, Miss Kristen moved to Walton and had a goal to bring Cheerleading back to the area. She now heads the Walton Booster Club Cheerleading program and coaches the Littles and Juniors Squad!
In addition to cheer, Miss Kristen was also in Steps to Broadway of Bridgeport CT from 2 years old until high school. There she studied and performed Ballet, Tap, Jazz and various solos/duets.
Miss Kristen is excited to begin teaching the tumbling classes at CDM and showing her students all the techniques and skills she learned throughout her cheerleading and dance career!
Nicole Cannizzaro--Teacher
Miss Nicole grew up in the Binghamton area. In 2020, she moved to the Walton area with her family. She started cheerleading at the age of 5 and continued until she graduated high school. She cheered for youth teams, high school teams, and competitive all star cheer teams.
In addition to cheer, Miss Nicole joined local gymnastics, learning different techniques and skills around floor routines.
This past year Nicole became the Walton Booster Club cheerleading coach/assistant head for the juniors squad.
Miss Nicole is very excited to begin teaching the tumbling classes at CDM and showing her students all the techniques and skills she learned throughout her cheerleading and gymnastcis career!
Carli--Substitute Teacher
Carli grew up in the Catskills and started dancing locally at age 4. Her dance training includes lyrical, modern, tap, jazz, and ballet. She has performed in many annual productions and competitions growing up.
Miss Carli graduated from Downsville Central School and has her bachelors degree in Business Administration from Elmira College. During her time at Elmira she was a member and Vice President of the dance team, and a member of the dance club, Orchesis. She choreographed for and performed at many community events, basketball games, and productions.
Rachel--Substitute Teacher
Rachel grew up in the Buffalo area and moved to Walton in 2022 to pursue her job in natural resource conservation. She started cheerleading at 8 years old in Tonawanda, NY and continued throughout high school.
During Miss Rachels time cheerleading, she learned gymnastics skills and techniques.
This past year Miss Rachel joined the Walton Booster Club as a head coach along side Miss Kristen and Miss Nicole. She coaches the youngest cheerleaders where she teaches cheer routines, dance, tumbling, and stunting.
Miss Rachel is excited to substitute in tumbling classes at CDM and share one of her passions!