Dance Faculty

Diana Lisi…..a talented choreographer, Diana received a BFA in dance from Long Island University. She has worked and performed with Merle Hollaman, Rafael Bumualia, Arthor Aviles and Orion Duckstein. Diana was chosen from a nationwide competition to have her piece “Notice Me” performed at the 2006 American College Dance Festival.

Lori Eure…..originally from North Carolina, Lori was most recently on Broadway in Cabaret as Saly Bowles and Rosie. She has performed regionally in Guys and Dolls, Annie, Beehive, The Lost Colony, Assassins and her TV Credits include Jay Leno and Spin City. Lori has a BFA in Musical Theatre from East Carolina University and has taught at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the New Dance Group in NYC.

Mareesa Drake…..a professional hip-hop dancer who has studied with many famed choreographers, including Jermaine Browne, Rhapsody James, Bev Brown and Frank Hatchett. Maressa joins our studio with an impressive background. A graduate and Dance Team Captain of Fairfield University, Maressa has performed at the national Hip-Hop championships in NYC and on MTV’s TRL. She is a Spanish teacher at Unquowa School in Fairfield and currently studies at Broadway Dance Center.

Shannon – Courtney Porper …..with 27 years of experience in dance, her credits include Off- Broadway and International productions, as well as The Wiz, Peter Pan, Grease, Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, West Side Story, Music Man, My Fair Lady and Damn Yankees. Shannon will be helping develop the New Theatre Arts Department at the Westport Dance Center.

Geri Murphy…..originally from Burlington, VT., Geri began her dance training at the age of three. She was accepted into the prestigious summer program at University of Vermont and studied under Nolan Dingman who was Ballet Master of the North Carolina School of the Arts and a protégé of George Balanchine. Geri later studied for a period of time with the Joffrey II Ballet before opening her own dance studio in Vermont. She currently resides in Fairfield with her husband and son.

Lisa Lorentz…..a native of Long Island and a graduate of Hofstra University, Lisa was a member of Hofstra’s Division I, award winning, competitive collegiate dance team. Hofstra’s Dance team has repeatedly placed in the top ten at Universal Dance Association Nationals. Prior to teaching at the Y Dance Center, she coached the Dance Team at Hofstra and was a dance judge at regional and national dance and gymnastic competitions. Lisa is a full time teacher at Colleytown Middle School in Westport.

Judy Samuels…..a creative movement teacher at the Y Dance Center for 5 years and an adult group exercise instructor at the Y for 10 years, Judy is also a personal trainer, teaches adult and teen fitness classes and is a mom to three wonderful children. Judy received her Bachelor of Arts from University of Albany.

Ashley Meredith…..Ashley began studying dance at the Stratford Academy of Dance and went on to the Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Ashley is the creator and director of the dance program at St. Augustine School in Bridgeport, CT and will be teaching Jazz and hip-hop at the Y Dance Center.

Michele Conklin….. began her dance training at the age of five. She is a graduate of Fairfield University with a BA in Psychology and a Masters in School Psychology. She is also a graduate of the Dance Masters of America, Inc. Teacher’s Training School and participates in monthly DMA master classes in Hartford.

Eddy Lathan…..Eddy Lathan brings a wealth of experience and excitement to the Dance Center with his unique personal style of Hip Hop, Popping and Locking. Eddy was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT. A dance team captain and choreographer at Bullard Havens High School, his creative ability led to the team’s numerous awards at dance and talent competitions in CT. Eddy’s promises to bring his unique style to the Y Dance Center.

Jesse Wildman…..a former Radio City Rockette, Jesse recently finished a regional tour of the Broadway musical Chicago. With extensive dance training and teaching experience in the NYC area she is also a graduate of Mary Mount College with a degree in Communications.

For more information email mschaeffer@westporty.org

Contact us at: 203.226.8981 memberline@westporty.org