Instructors

DANIELLE SCARPELLINO

Previous training & experience includes: 7 years of jazz & competitive acrobatics under the direction of Mark Simpson/ DAC, four years with & two-time captain for the UConn Huskies co-ed cheerleading squad, chosen as staff member for the prestigious Universal Cheerleaders Association, Eastern Connecticut State University head cheerleading coach, professional NBA dancer & professional actress represented by CESD Talent Agency. Some acting roles include, “One Life to Live” & “Law and Order: SVU” as well as national tv ads for products such as Toyota, Tide, Olive Garden, Glad, and Foxwoods Casino. After 11 years in NYC, she moved to CT. She now lives in Guilford with her husband Joseph and daughters Mea, 13 and Julia, 11 and son Luca, 9. She also has a 23 year old stepson, Joey, who is a very successful actor in Canada.

LAUREN

Hello, my name is Lauren! My love for dance began at the young age of three when my mother and grandmother brought me to see a performance of The Nutcracker. I turned to my mother and said, “I want to do THAT!”

I received classical ballet training at the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory in Torrington, CT for 12 years participating in their year-round training curriculum which included classical ballet technique, ballet theory, modern dance technique, pointe, partnering, classical and contemporary repertoire, and performance experience. In my middle and high school years, I also participated in their summer intensive programs where I received further instruction from many professional guest artists from all over the world. I danced in several roles in their yearly rendition of The Nutcracker, as well as several excerpts from La Bayadere, Coppelia, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and various other variations and repertoire choreographed by Nutmeg’s teaching artists and guest artists. 

Following my dance training, I attended the University of Hartford and received a Master of Science in Accounting. After several years working in public accounting, I started my family and then opened an in-home daycare. I came to find that children had a special place in my heart and sincerely enjoyed not only providing care to them but teaching and watching them grow and learn. Fast forward a couple years later and we had our own daycare with 4 babies of our own! After several years of “just being mom,” I’m now employed by Yale University. In my adult years, I continue to enjoy any type of dance class I can make time for as a busy mom of four! 

Throughout my years of dancing, I gained confidence, discipline, and more importantly had fun! I am so excited to share my love and knowledge of dance with the students at The Spot!   

My husband Joe and I live in Madison with our four children Anthony (8), Elise (7), Natalie (5), and Vinny (4).  

GRACE

Hello, my name is Lauren! My love for dance began at the

Grace is super excited to join the team and share her passion for dance with the students this year! She has over 10 years of dance experience, and has been trained in many genres including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, pom, and acrobatics. Grace is a former member of the Hamden High Dance Team that achieved 13+ years as state champions in the CT State Dance Team Competition and competed nationally in Disney World. She was a member of Studio Be’s competitive dance company growing up as well. Grace has received many special awards and titles at competitions throughout the years. She appeared in North Haven Nutcracker 2021 as the lead Angel. Grace has been assisting classes for 7 years and assisted with many classes at The Spot this past year. She was even enrolled In the Acrobatic Arts Assistant Teacher Certification Course, on track to become a certified acrobatics teacher.

She often travels to New York City on the weekends to take classes at the famous Broadway Dance Center, from teachers like Chio and Slam. Recently she attended the Spectrum Contemporary Dance Intensive at the NYC Joffrey Ballet School during the summer of 2021, studying under Angelica Stiskin. This fall Grace will be attending Fordham University in Lincoln Center, where she plans to major in journalism and take advantage of the dance opportunities that the city has to offer!