Meet the Studio 22 Educators
Miss Ali
M.A. Dance Education
B.A. General Studies
LCUSA
K-12 Licensure
Co-Owner/Director/Educator
Alison Durham holds a Master's degree in Dance Education from the University of Northern Colorado, along with a Licensure certificate that enables her to teach dance for K-12 students. With over two decades of experience, she has been dedicated to the art of teaching dance. Her academic background includes an undergraduate degree in General Studies with a focus on Accounting and a minor in Economics from Eastern CT State University.
Her expertise spans a diverse range of dance styles, including Cecchetti Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Modern, Musical Theater, Acrobatics, Pilates, and Flexibility training, among others. Miss Ali has achieved noteworthy credentials, having successfully completed the Associate Teacher’s Exam and the Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma through Cecchetti USA (CUSA). Notably, her students have excelled in their Cecchetti Ballet Examinations across various proficiency levels.
Miss Ali's commitment to continuous growth and global exposure is evident through her participation in international experiences. In 2017, she journeyed to Florence, Italy, for an intensive summer course, where she studied under luminaries like Raymond Lukens (renowned for creating the ABT syllabus) and Diane Van Schoor (from the Royal Ballet). Her certifications extend to Acrobatics Arts Module 1, 2, and aerials, as well as Alixa Flexibility Modules 1 and 2. Additionally, she is currently pursuing Kane certification in Pilates at Kinected in NYC.
Miss Ali's involvement in professional dance circles is extensive, as she is an esteemed member of Dance Educators of America, National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts (holding the position of National Vice President), Cecchetti USA, Connecticut Dance Alliance, and Shoreline Arts Alliance. She has shared her passion on multiple platforms, ranging from studios, preschools, and middle schools to dance conventions and beyond.
Her artistic journey has taken her to various corners of the country and the world, where she has exposed dancers to the universal language of movement. From parading down Disney's Main Street to enriching experiences with renowned figures like Evelyn Cisneros and Kurt Peterson in California, she constantly encourages her students to explore dance from diverse cultural perspectives.
Miss Ali's performance background includes being a professional dancer at Six Flags New England and serving as the Ballet Mistress for Cecchetti Ballet Theater's production of "The Nutcracker." Her choreographic prowess has garnered numerous awards in competitions, reflecting her students' exceptional dance technique and ballet training. Notably, she has also contributed as a dance judge for esteemed events like Throw Down Dance Challenge and Backstage Dance Competition.
Driven by her love for movement exploration and its ability to evoke joy in both performers and audiences, Miss Ali eagerly anticipates sharing her boundless passion with others.
Nicole Coombe, a native of Connecticut, embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of three, and by 7, she was already engaged in competitive dance. Her early training encompassed a variety of styles, including Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Modern, and Contemporary. As she progressed, she ventured into teaching, discovering her inherent passion for imparting the art of dance.
Her educational path led her to Eastern Connecticut State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts alongside a Minor in Dance. Her involvement at the university included membership in the ECSU Dance Repertoire and the Modern and Contemporary Company, known as the Dance Ensemble. Notably, she was an integral part of the ECSU Dance Team, which provided her with the exceptional opportunity to compete in the televised NDA Dance Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. She also made her mark at ACDFA (American College Dance Festival Association) for three consecutive years, honing her skills through a multitude of classes ranging from Modern and Contemporary to Partnering and Lifting. During this period, her choreographic prowess shone, earning her a spotlight in a Gala performance at Boston College.
With a teaching career spanning over 20 years, Miss Nicole has established herself as a dance educator. Her choreography is marked by innovation and creativity, earning her accolades such as the Elite Concept award from Elite Performance Challenge in 2016. Particularly noteworthy is her achievement of the Choreographer of the Year award in 2008.
Aside from her dance endeavors, Miss Nicole finds immense fulfillment in her role as a mother to three children. This experience has enriched her approach as an educator, providing her with a distinctive vantage point when working with children. She crafts classes that are characterized by their vibrancy, fostering an enjoyable and rewarding atmosphere for every student who enters her studio. Her classes are not only about dance but also about self-expression, camaraderie, discipline, and nurturing a genuine love for the art form. Her journey as a dance teacher is regarded as both an honor and a blessing, as she continues to impact the lives of her students with the privilege of sharing her passion for dance.
Miss Nicole
B.A. Performing Arts/Dance
Co-Owner/Director/Educator
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Miss Bailee
Dance Educator
Bailee Columbar was born and raised in Henderson, Nevada where she began her dance training at The Dance Zone, competing in various styles. She then moved to Connecticut, and continued her training Pre-Professionally with Eastern Connecticut Ballet. After graduating High School, Ms. Bailee danced professionally with Grand Rapids Ballet Company for the 2019-20 season.
Following this, she committed to Eastern Connecticut State University, where she just graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. Currently, she is continuing her dance journey by dancing professionally for DFX Entertainment.
Miss Bailee is so excited to be apart of the Studio 22 team!
Meghan DelPaine has been teaching and choreographing in the tri-state area for 10 years including Dance Etc. of Newtown, Connecticut Dance Conservatory of Stratford and Connecticut Ballet of Stamford. She has won several choreographic awards at regional and national competitions.
Meghan has also taught at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, and Peridance in New York City. She has taught for the Alvin Ailey Summer Camp in Bridgeport for 12 years. She has choreographed musicals for In The Spotlight for 10 years including “Meet Me In St, Louis,” “Damn Yankees,” “How to Succeed In Business,” “Anything Goes,” “Grease,”
“Bye Bye Birdie,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Sugar,” “Kiss Me Kate,” and “Music Man” “The Wiz,” “Suessical,” “Lil’ Abner,” and “The Sound of Music.” She has worked with Northern Plains Dance in Bismarck, North Dakota as well as Paula Brown’s Summer Dance Intensive at George Faison’s Firehouse in Harlem, NY. She has performed for Brice Mousset at several dance festivals and performances through New York and assisted him on several projects including an arial version of Romeo and Juliet. She was highlighted in the premier of Prestige International fashion magazine with Brice Mousset and his company in 2010. She has also performed with Connecticut Ballet in The Nutcracker and Cinderella at the Palace Theater and Bushnell Theater.
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Meghan graduated with honors from Fairfield University with a B.A. in International Studies and Russian and Eastern European Studies. She received a certification from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and Progressive Ballet Technique.
Miss Meghan
B.A. International Studies
Dance Educator
Miss Chelsea
B.A. Early Childhood Education
M.A. Special Education
Dance Educator
Chelsea de Oliveira grew up in Colchester and danced at a local studio from four years old to eighteen. During this time she competed at local and national competitions, studied Cecchetti Ballet and participated in ballet exams through Cecchetti Grade 6, and was an Assistant Dance Teacher. She trained in an array of dance genres, but always had a special affinity for Tap.
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Miss Chelsea graduated in 2012 from Eastern Connecticut State University with degrees in Child Psychology and Early Childhood Education. At ECSU she was a member of their Competitive Dance Team for all four years and served as Captain for two years. While on the team she competed in Daytona, Florida at the National Dance Alliance Championships. In 2017, Chelsea graduated with her Masters in Special Education from the University of Saint Joseph.
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Miss Chelsea was a Kindergarten Teacher for 8 years before switching to the role of Special Education Kindergarten Teacher. She enjoyed teaching dance for five years right out of college and is excited to join the Studio 22 staff and teach dance once again!
Brittney Tougas, a native of Cranston, Rhode Island, developed a passion for dance from a young age, improvising moves from her favorite movies and musicals. Her journey evolved through cheerleading in Junior High, sparking her interest in coaching and choreography.
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Throughout high school, she deepened her love for dance, particularly hip hop, and explored jazz and musical theater. It wasn't until college that she realized dance could be her career. Initially studying psychology in Pennsylvania, she shifted to Communications, focusing on videography.
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After transferring to Mitchell College, she founded the Dance Team, providing a welcoming space for novices and experienced dancers alike. Brittney's teaching style prioritizes personal connection and emotional expression in dance. Inspired by her father's performance background, she aspires to produce larger-scale dance productions. Outside of academia, she directs a dance and theater club at a middle school summer camp in Rhode Island.
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Miss Brittney is grateful for the mentorship she's received at Studio 22 and is eager to continue growing as a dancer and educator. She is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor and has been training in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. She will be teaching Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and acrobatics this season.
Miss Brittney
B.A. Communications
Dance Educator
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Miss Maddy
Dance Educator
Madisyn Swinburne has been an integral part of the Studio 22 Dance Family since 2021. From the moment she joined, she became a dedicated Dance Team member, showcasing her passion and commitment to the art form. Her consistent work ethic and determination have earned her scholarships at various dance conventions, reflecting her dedication to growth and excellence.
Miss Maddy has been dancing since the age of two, developing a deep love for all genres of dance. She is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and has even taken a Cecchetti Ballet exam, demonstrating her commitment to mastering her craft. While she has a strong love for all styles, tap holds a special place in her heart.
Residing in Montville, Miss Maddy is currently a senior at Montville High School. Looking ahead, she plans to attend college next year with a major in Nursing while continuing to pursue her passion for dance by joining a college dance team.With several years of experience as an assistant teacher, she is thrilled to take on the role of instructor this year. Miss Maddy is excited to share her love of dance with her students and inspire them to find their own joy and passion in the art.
Miss Kendall
Guest Faculty
Kendall Fordham grew up in Colchester, CT and spent her childhood studying dance and music. Her training includes ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, and acrobatics. Her love for dance inspired her to compete in group dances as well as solo dances. Miss Kendall also spent time as an assistant teacher before leaving for college.
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Now a fulltime nurse, Miss Kendall is excited to guest teach at Studio 22 and offer workshops to help students accomplish their goals.
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Catherine Joseph-Pratt moved to Connecticut at the age of 5 from Bucks County, PA and to help her make friends, her parents decided to enroll her in dance class. And just like that, she fell in love! Working as a teacher and guest artist for over a decade, Miss Catherine loves encouraging students of all ages to strive for their best and open their minds to the possibilities within the world of dance.
She earned her B.A. in Performing Arts from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH. During this time, she had the privilege of attending an immersive arts intensive program in Vienna, Austria at the historic Theresianische Akademie. Upon graduation, she moved to New York to continue her studies. Catherine had the honor of training with Phineas Newborn III (Ragtime, Cats, Breakin’) while also attending classes with master teachers at Ballet Academy East, BDC, Steps, Peridance Capezio Center, and the Ailey Extension. She feels extremely lucky to have been under the tutelage of not one, but two, Cecchetti ballet examiners, Jacqueline Anderson and Betty Seibert. Catherine most recently received her certificate for her Grade 9 exam. An interest in anatomy and kinesiology led her to an Acrobatic Arts training seminar where she received her Module One Teaching Certificate, and a return to higher education in pursuit of another degree.
Choreography credits include a special anniversary performance of The Gondoliers with the Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society, in tribute to longtime vocal teacher, Leighton R. Phraner. A performer herself, she’s had the great fortune to grace stages all over New England. Favorite roles include Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray), Fastrada (Pippin), The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), and Ado Annie (Oklahoma!)
Following her love of teaching and theater, she had the opportunity to direct & choreograph her talented students from Haddam Killingworth Middle School in Seussical Jr. and Alice in Wonderland. She’s had the opportunity of learning first-hand the inner workings of a professional theater during her time working at Goodspeed Musicals. Over the years, she gained knowledge in the box office, costume rentals, production, accounting, and most recently, as the Kid’s Company Choreography Coordinator for their production of Oliver!, alongside Broadway veteran, choreographer James Gray, protégé’ of Susan Stroman.
Miss Catherine is excited to be joining the Studio 22 family and is looking forward to sharing her love of dance!
Miss Catherine
B.A. Performing Arts
Dance Educator
Guest Faculty / Substitute
Miss Alexia
B.F.A. Dance
Guest Teacher / Substitute
Alexia Bobrowski grew up in Tolland, Connecticut where her spark for dancing ignited from classes at a local dance school since the age of 2. When an opportunity presented itself, she continued her commitment to dance by moving to New York City to become a Jazz & Contemporary Trainee at Joffrey Ballet School while earning her High School diploma online. After high school she continued her artistic and personal growth while participating in workshops, juggling three jobs preparing her for a diverse future in the arts. She gained a passion for teaching dance when given the opportunity at a local dance studio. This ultimately led her to earn a BFA in Dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee Class of ‘21. She also assisted at The Elliot School to gain a pedagogic experience. The Dean of the Dance division named her The Dance Pedagogy Scholar of 2020-2021.
Miss Alexia has participated in multiple summer intensives including Paul Taylor, Mark Morris and Joffrey West. Miss Alexia has performed works by Mark Morris, José Limon, Catherine Coury, Bradley Shelver, Daniel Pelzig, among many other internationally recognized choreographers. She is grateful to everyone who has artistically moved her and worked with while in school. An eagerness to know more about every angle of dance led her to become DANCE NOW NYC’S first Programming Intern. She is currently teaching Jazz, Tap, Modern, Acro, Hip-Hop and technique classes at multiple studios throughout Connecticut. She is dancing professionally with Dimensional Dance through June of 2022.
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Miss Alexia is thrilled to be on the teaching staff at Studio 22, She is looking forward to spending a lifetime in the dance world!