Meet Our Staff - Learning From the Best
Exceptional Instructors
- Award winning teachers
- Elite choreography
- Professional backgrounds
List of Services
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Hillary Wagher- Co-DirectorList Item 2
A Norwich native, Hillary attended Manhattanville College on a performing arts merit scholarship and graduated Summa Cum Laude with the Capezio Award. While at Manhattanville she was a principle dancer with the Manhattanville Dance Ensemble, the first U.S. College Dance Ensemble to perform in Leningrad prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union. Hillary has studied with such greats as Ann Carlson, Luigi, Phil Black, Irene Feigenheimer, Gus Solomons Jr., David Storey, Gemze de Lappe and privately with Annabelle Gamson.
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Chris Guerin- Co-DirectorList Item 1
A Plainfield native, Chris has been active in theater and dance most of her life. She studied drama at Tisch School of Arts at NYU, and danced with Lee Theodore's American Dance Machine while attending NYU. She received numerous awards in such competitions as Show Stoppers and Dance Masters of America. Chris has studied with greats such as Frank Hatchett, Phil Black and Tommy Tune. Chris is active in both performance and production aspects of community theater.
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Asher Taylor- Dawson - InstructorList Item 3
We are excited to welcome Asher to the Danceworks faculty! Asher is returning to CT after a long sojourn in the midwest where he graduated from Indiana University, performed with The Lexington Ballet Company, and taught at The Frankfort School of Ballet. He is also a member of the Sonia Plumb Dance Company. and Leigh Purtill Ballet Company. Asher also enjoys training in Lyra and Trapeze and performs as a freelance aerial artist. He resides in Wethersfield with his husband, parents and a sassy orange cat. Asher brings a special passion for Ballet to our Danceworks students.
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Destiny Maldonado - Instructor
Destiny is an alum of Danceworks! She grew up in Voluntown. She recently graduated from Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts and received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in choreography and a minor in business. While at Dean College, she choreographed and performed in numerous pieces. Destiny has also performed work outside of Dean. One opportunity includes a screen dance film with Liquid Spine and also The Choreography Project in Providence, Rhode Island, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has a core mission to nurture, elevate, and empower artists whose voices are not traditionally heard. Destiny is extremely excited to begin teaching at her home studio! She wants to inspire the younger generation of dancers, encourage self-confidence. We could not be prouder to have her back “home.”
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Julia Revellese- Instructor
Julia has made Danceworks her home. She brings experience in both recreational and competitive dance to the Danceworks faculty. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and combines her background in early childhood education with her love for movement to create engaging, supportive classes. Her dance background includes training under Sarah-Katarina “SKooJ CorE-O” and members of the Boston Community Dance Project, as well as participating BCDP’s Motivize and Contemporize workshops. Julia is a contracted dancer with BookAFlashMob.com, and most recently performed at OnStage360's show in Boston. Additionally, she has recently begun an education with Juilliard to pursue a certificate degree program in Juilliard’s Dance Choreography Essentials, further developing her artistic voice and education as a choreographer. She is passionate about continuing to grow as an educator while helping shape the next generation of dancers by encouraging young dancers to build confidence, explore movement, and discover their own love for dance.
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Cassie Guerin- Instructor
Cassie is certainly no stranger to Danceworks! She grew up dancing at Danceworks since the age of 2 and grew to compete as a member of The Repertory Company. Cassie attended the University of Connecticut and earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in flute performance and music theory. During her time at UConn she was an active member of the UConn Tap Team which competed in regional and national competitions. She also competed with UCONN Ballroom club placing in many regional competitions. Cassie went on to earn a Master’s degree in Music Theory at the University of Cincinnati. While in the Midwest Cassie taught at MJM studios in Florence KY. She recently earned her law degree at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington IN. Cassie currently works as Corporate Counsel at Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment. Cassie is incredibly excited to teach dance again!
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Amanda Shields - Instructor
We are thrilled to welcome Amanda to our Danceworks faculty. A lifelong dancer, she is a 2025 graduate of Dean College, with B.A. in Communications, an A.A.in Early Childhood Education, and a Minor in Dance.
During her time at Dean, Amanda served as President of the Dean College Step Team, choreographing and performing throughout her college career. She was also honored as the Commencement Speaker at graduation — a testament to her leadership, dedication, and passion.
Amanda is excited to share her love of Acro and Tumbling with the Danceworks community, inspiring dancers to grow in strength, confidence, and creativity.
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Keri Danner - Instructor
Keri is well known for her work with local community theater, especially high school drama programs. Keri studied dance with the Luis Pabon Dance Artrs Center where she earned a national championship title. She has worked with KCT, Break-a-Leg Productions, Hartford's Children's Theater, Griswold HS, Plainfield HS, Stonington HS, Woodstock Academy and the Bradley Playhouse. Her choreography of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Guys and Dolls" was nominated for excellence by the CT High School Music Awards Committee. At Danceworks, Keri teaches a wonderful Musical Theater class.
Dedicated to Your Success
This year "GO WILD" was our 34th concert in a history of successful productions. These annual events provide students of Danceworks the opportunity to experience a professional quality production and to share the results of their dance education with family and friends. Knowing that experience and exposure to the opportunities of performance is key to the development of a dancer's training.
