Meet the Studio 22
Apprentice Teachers
At Studio 22 Dance Center, we are proud to offer our Apprentice Teacher Program for select high school students who demonstrate strong leadership, technical ability, and a passion for working with younger dancers. Apprentice Teachers train directly with our directors through specialized workshops and hands-on classroom experience, developing skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and effective communication. These students serve as positive role models while gaining valuable teaching experience. This program not only enhances our dancers’ education but also fosters the next generation of inspiring teachers and leaders.
MaKenna Buhler grew up in East Lyme, Connecticut and has been dancing at Studio 22 since the age of 7. Prior to dancing at Studio 22, she danced at 2 other studios since she was 2 years old. Throughout this time, she has taken a multitude of classes, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. She has trained in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and passed multiple exams. MaKenna has competed in regional and national competitions across New England with the Studio 22 Dance Team. She was selected for the Dynamic Performance Challenge Icon award, where she was invited to assist at the DPC National Convention in Groton last summer. MaKenna is currently an honors student at East Lyme High School, where she is also a member of the varsity golf team. MaKenna is looking forward to a great year at Studio 22.
Miss MaKenna
Lilie has been dancing since the age of two and a half, training extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, modern, acro, and more. She has been a dedicated member of the Studio 22 Dance Team since 2020 and has pursued Cecchetti ballet examinations since 2021, demonstrating her passion, discipline, and commitment to her craft. Outside the studio, Lilie is a distinguished honors student at The Williams School and enjoys traveling internationally with her family, broadening her experiences and perspective. Lilie is thrilled to begin her teaching journey at Studio 22, where she looks forward to inspiring younger dancers and sharing her lifelong love of dance.
Miss Lilie
Miss Claire
Claire Sirois spent her early years in Plainfield, Connecticut, and has spent the past eight years here in East Lyme. She has been dancing at Studio 22 for eight years but has been dancing since she was three and has a versatile background in dance including classes in acro, ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, and pointe. While she loves all these styles, she has a special passion for jazz.
Claire was a valued member of Studio 22's competitive dance team and deeply enjoyed her time as one of its members. Claire has successfully completed two Cecchetti ballet exams to deepen her knowledge of dance and ballet. She also loves to attend dance conventions to enhance her dance training. Claire has served as a dedicated and impactful student teacher for three years.
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Claire is currently an honors student at East Lyme High School where she is a varsity rower on the East Lyme crew team. She is eager to inspire and guide students as an educator!
Want to be an
Apprentice Teacher one day?
​Becoming an Apprentice Teacher at Studio 22 is an honor and a responsibility. Students who are interested in this program should consistently demonstrate strong technical skills, excellent attendance, and a positive attitude in class. Future apprentices should work on mastering proper dance terminology, showing initiative as a leader and role model, and displaying respectful and professional behavior inside and outside the studio. It’s also important to assist and observe in classes, build creative ideas for movement and music, and strengthen communication skills with teachers and peers. Most importantly, apprentice candidates should show a genuine passion for dance and a desire to inspire younger students. By committing to these qualities, dancers will be well-prepared to step into the apprentice role when the time comes.