Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Fairfield University and a Masters of Science Degree in School Counseling from Central Connecticut State University.  She is currently a Guidance Counselor at East Lyme High School.  She is the former captain of the award winning Fairfield University Dance Team as well as a former member of the Dance 10 Touring Company.  It is through these two venues that she has performed at the Meadowlands Arena, the Bahamas and throughout the Greater Hartford Area. Lisa founded the Dance 10 Tap Companies in 2002. You have seen her work at many of our events and most recently at the ADA, Starpower and IDC Competitions where her choreography has brought in numerous special awards.  You may also recognize Lisa from the Wethersfield Parks & Recreation Department’s Dance And Drama Summer Program where she currently holds the position of Assistant Director. Lisa continues to take classes and workshops in NYC and CT to keep her interests and choreography new and energized.

Even though she holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology, that has not stopped Machele from doing what she loves… teaching children to dance. At 16 she began teaching for the Wethersfield Park and Rec. program “Dance and Drama” and continued for the next four summers. She studied dance at Roger Williams University for 2 years where she was also a member of the cheerleading squad and dance team. Machele returned to Connecticut to complete her degree and taught at the Miss Frances School of Dance, the studio where she started to dance over 20 years ago. She continues her dance education through attending conventions and master workshops.

Krystal grew up in CT where she studied at Dance 10 Studios and was a member of the Dance 10 Touring Company.  She also took master classes throughout CT, NYC, and Boston.  She graduated from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts as a dance major. The Academy offered her the opportunity to study under the direction of Linda Burns and Kim Stroud as well as perform at venues across CT and take on an internship in NYC with Reba Mehan and the Bare Bones Dance Project.  In 2007 she earned her BFA as a dance major at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  She had the distinct pleasure of studying under Kim Bears-Bailey, Jennifer Johnson, Curt Haworth, Molly Misgalla, and Christine Cox.  She also performed works by Brian Sanders, Milton Myers, and Martha Graham.  After graduation, Krystal performed with Alchemy Dance Company and taught throughout the suburbs of Philadelphia, where her choreography received awards in many competitions.  Krystal continued her training at the Koresh School of Dance where she obtained an internship that introduced her to the planning and backstage aspect of art/nonprofit organizations.  Krystal soon began working alongside the Business Manager at the internationally known Rock School of Dance Education.  She then went on to receive her Master’s Degree from Walden University in Public Administration with a nonprofit concentration.  She currently works as the Development Coordinator at the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund.  Additionally, she continues her study of dance by taking classes throughout CT, NYC, and the occasional trip to Philadelphia.  Krystal is thrilled to be back home in CT and at Dance 10.

Kate Cavanagh
Tap

Kate Cavenagh has been teaching and performing in Boston, CT, and NYC since 2003. As a graduate of Emerson College, she has devoted her time to studying the history and influences of Tap dance and continues to study on a regular basis with the masters. Though her style is mostly urban, Kate teaches the importance of understanding music, rhythm, and timing, as well as passes down Tap choreography that is a prominent part of the rich history Tap possesses. She has danced alongside Sean Fielder in the Boston Tap Company, annually participates in Tony Waag’s Tap City performances, and is the founder of the Connecticut Tap Collaborative.

Jeffrey Shortt has trained extensively in CT and NYC in many forms of dance and yoga. Jeff was mentored by jazz master teacher, Frank Hatchett and attended the Broadway Dance Center in NYC as a scholarship student. Locally, Jeff was a member of the Dance 10 Touring Company for 8 years. During his time at Dance 10 he performed at Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Six Flags, the Daytona Beach Bandshell, Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Jeff was a student choreographer and ensemble member for the CitiArts/Figments Youth Ensemble and studied classical ballet and partnering at Connecticut Concert Ballet where he performed in the annual Nutcracker productions as a soloist and ensemble member. Jeff Shortt was also a competitive gymnast for Tri-town Gymnastics and a member of the USA Gymnastics Program for 6 years. He is currently safety certified by USAG to coach men's gymnastics. Jeff currently coaches pre-team men's gymnastics at Tri-town Gymnastics and teaches Acro at Dance 10 Studios.

Jason Taylor was born and raised in NYC. It is there where he began his training as an actor at the Harlem School of the Arts. In 2001 Jason moved to Connecticut and began his dance training at Footlights Center for Performing Arts where he was introduced to ballet, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom. Jason appeared in the Hartford Stage Company's "Breakdancing Shakespeare" series as Antony in "Antony and Cleopatra" and as Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He also was an assistant choreographer for "A Comedy of Errors". In 2009, Jason received a scholarship to study at the Connecticut Concert Ballet where he performed Puck in CCB's "Midsummer Night's Dream" ballet. Currently, Jason continues his training with the Monsters Of Hip Hop. Teachers at MOHH include Nappy Tabs, Will Wingfield, and Phi from the Jabawackeez. .