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Faculty
 Lisa
Waddell/Owner:
Lisa has been teaching for 20+ years.
Lisa started her young career as an outstanding gymnast, winning many
state championships and making it to an elite level. After ten years,
she decided to take dance more seriously, joined a dance company and
attended conventions and competitions. Lisa continued her dance training
with various instructors throughout the Valley, having the opportunity
to dance her way to New York and perform in Russia.
Lisa opened The Dance Connection with her sister Lori right after
graduating from high school while still studying dance with a local
studio. Dance Connection has just celebrated its 23rd year in business.
Lisa and Lori feel that The Dance Connection is a place for everyone
from the just for fun dancer to the competitive dancer. They offer
classes for all levels, providing a professional education in a family
atmosphere.
 Lori
Johnson/Owner:
Lori started her dance career in ballet and excelled for
many years. She did gymnastics as well, competing with a college team.
Lori took her first jazz class when she was fourteen years old and
discovered her calling. Lori competed and performed with a local studio
keeping up on her jazz and ballet technique. As an adult, Lori aspired
to be a “professional” dancer and moved to Las Vegas where she performed
for two years. Upon her return to Phoenix, she began a serious teaching
career and realized that was where she wanted to be. Opening The Dance
Connection in 1984, Lori put her talents to work to become a well known,
award winning choreographer. Lori resides in Gilbert, Arizona with her
two children, Savannah and Sierra.
 Virginia
Perkins/Tap & Tumbling:
I started teaching for “Art Linkletter Dance Studio” many years ago. In
fact I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to teach my past students
children…What a gift. I also coached the gymnastic teams of many local
gyms in Phoenix and Scottsdale, as well as the gymnastic team at
Glendale Community College. My daughters Lori & Lisa opened the dance
Connection 28 years ago, and of course that's where I’ve been.
My specialty in the dance program is “Tap” and “Tumbling”. I
consider myself so fortunate to have been able to teach my
grandchildren; Aspen , Kassidy, Savannah & Sierra-How lucky I was to
have more girls! I am currently teaching at the dance connection in
Scottsdale as well as the Dance Connection Too in Gilbert. I truly enjoy
my “Little” dancers as there sweet spirits still inspire me to keep my
“Old” Feet Tappin!.
 Kira DiMartino/Company
Teacher:
Moving
bodies while moving souls, this Arizona native danced her way into the
hearts of all those who she has shared her passion with. Kira DiMartino
immersed herself into the dance culture twenty-two years ago, studying
with the Edge Performing Arts, Millennium Dance Complex, Ballet Arizona,
and the prestigious Dance Connection under the direction of Lisa Waddell
and Lori Johnson. During this time, she not only perfected her dance
skills but her choreography skills as well soon winning the award,
“Student Choreographer of the Year.” She also became the first nationals
L.A. Dance Magic performer of the year.
After high school, Kira was crowned “Miss Dance of Arizona,“ performed
and choreographed for the Phoenix Suns Dancers, performed a Broadway
Review for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, performed in Super Bowl XXX,
and is currently leading the world of gymnastics into a new realm of
dance. Her professional theater productions include A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Charlotte’s Web, James and the Giant Peach, Thumbelina and
Cinderella. Her dance experiences have included Industrials for DaeWoo,
Matrix, Biolege, and numerous choreographer carnivals. Kira is currently
modeling in and choreographing for the American Cross runway fundraiser.
Since
Kira’s return to Dance connection, she has trained students who are now
leading the industry in music videos, Broadway shows, and Industrials
world-wide, and she continues to concentrate on choreographing
nationally as well as teaching master classes across the country.
Currently, Kira is a head-judge for Kids Artistic Review (KAR) dance
competition as well as a convention teacher.
Kira is
a firm believer that “dance moves souls” and because of her love for
this art form, many children have pursued their passions and realized
their dreams.
 Teisha Metz/Ballet
& Tap:
Teisha has been teaching for 9 years.
Born and raised here in Arizona, Teisha began dancing the age of two
with her mother, and then came to us when she was five, where she has
been ever since. Along with training here at Dance Connection, Teisha
also attended a performing arts school, Arizona School for the Arts, for
seven years. Here she attended ballet classes at the School of Ballet
Arizona. After graduating, she received the Katherine K. Herberger
Scholarship and attended Arizona State University, to continue her
academic and dance education.
Teisha was a member of the competition group here at Dance
Connection, where she received many group awards, as well as individual
scholarships. She began teaching her senior year of high school, and has
continued doing so since. She teaches many types of
dance including ballet, tumbling, tap, and jazz, but she especially
enjoys teaching the younger kids.
 Kailin Metz/Contemporary:
Biography
Coming Soon
 Natasha Brooksher/Company
Ballet:
Natasha grew up in Woodbury, CT and received her Vaganova based ballet
training at Nutmeg Ballet under the tutelage of Sharon E. Dante and
Eleanor D’Antuono. She graduated Valedictorian of her class, both in
ballet and academically from Nonnewaug High School. Mrs. Brooksher
received honors in competition on the local, national and international
levels at ARTS Recognition and Talent Search, IV New York International
Ballet Competition, IV Paris International Ballet Competition, and the
20ieme Prix de Lausanne, Switzerland. Preparing for these competitions
was just as valuable as the experience of the competition itself; the
work and preparation, both physically and mentally, were a major part of
her growth as a young and developing artist. Mrs. Brooksher also
attended summer workshops at Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet,
and the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MI. She served as
demonstrator for many Vaganova Pedagogy Teachers’ Workshops at Nutmeg
Ballet, giving her the experience of in-depth study of the technique.
These programs proved invaluable, not only in her exposure to different
teachers, but also in making connections with other serious young
dancers, many of whom became her colleagues in the professional arena.
Natasha spent her professional career dancing with Boston Ballet, Texas
Ballet Theatre, and Ballet Arizona where she enjoyed working with
choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Elisa Monte, Elliot
Feld, Lyla York, Trey McIntyre, and Graham Lustig performing leading
roles in American Classics such as Rodeo, Billy the Kid and Company B
and Tinkerbell in Peter Pan as well as premiering Merce Cunnngham’s
Breakers at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Natasha’s extensive
classical repertoire includes Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Le
Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Paquita and Raymonda Glazunov Classique. Mrs.
Brooksher also danced many Balanchine roles in some of the
choreographer’s masterpieces: Serenade, Symphony in C, Mozartiana, Who
Cares?, Theme and Variation, and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2, among
others.
Mrs. Brooksher has extensive teaching experience, having taught for
Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts as guest teacher and coach, Residential
Assistant and coach for the 1996 New York International Ballet
Competition. Most recently, Mrs. Brooksher is a founder of, and serves
as Artistic Director for, Southwest Classical Dance Institute, involving
all aspects of running a successful professional level ballet training
program. Responsibilities have included teaching & coaching all levels
of classes in the 8-year Vaganova- based program, choreography,
curriculum and syllabus structure development, marketing, financial
operations, and the daily operations of the school. SCDI students have
gone on to attend The Nutmeg Conservatory on scholarship, Alvin Ailey
summer dance program, Kirov Academy summer dance program, as well as
university positions at Arizona State University and Oklahoma
University.
Mrs. Brooksher is currently Resident Guest Faculty at The Nutmeg
Conservatory for the Arts, and serves as the AZ State Representative of
the Classical Dance Alliance, an organization created to promote the
highest of standards for classical ballet in the United States through
teacher training programs and educational awareness of the importance of
pedagogical training. Most recently, she has been named Ballet
Mistress for NovaBallet in Phoenix, AZ. She shares her passion for her
career and her life with her husband Joshua and two year old son Ian
Flynn.
 Josh Brooksher/Company
Ballet:
Joshua grew up in Mesa, AZ where he received his early training at
Ballet Etudes and Jeanne’s School of Dance. At the age of 13 he left
Mesa for Washington D.C. to attend Universal Ballet Academy (now Kirov
Academy of Ballet), one of the premier ballet training schools in the
world, on full scholarship for their comprehensive program. Studies
included ballet technique, repertoire, ballet theory, pas de deux,
historical court dance, character dance, contemporary movement,
pedagogy, music theory, nutrition, kinesiology, painting, sculpture,
injury prevention, Pilates and Gyrotonics. Mr. Brooksher graduated
from KAB with High Honors, and from Bethesda Chevy- Chase High School
with a Certificate of Merit, in 1993. During his years at KAB, he
learned the craft of classical dance from some of the world’s true
masters, the most influential to the shaping of Joshua’s training and
career was, and still is, Rudolf Kharatian, a graduate of Alexander
Pushkin.
Mr. Brooksher was most known for Achteon in La Esmerelda, Albrecht in
Giselle, Prince Seigfried in Swan Lake, Sugar Plum’s Cavalier in The
Nutcracker and Lucien from Paquita, among other leading male roles. He
also performed in contemporary roles such as The Lead Roper in Rodeo, as
well as Kevin O’Day’s Principia, Dwight Roden’s Skinny Puzzle and
Scarlet Symphony, The Cheshire Cat in Trey McIntyre’s Aliss in
Wonderland, as well as many Balanchine ballets. He is well known as an
excellent partner.
After dancing professionally over the following decade with The Kirov
Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, Boston
Ballet, and Texas Ballet Theater, Mr. Brooksher returned home for a
season with Ballet Arizona before embarking on his teaching career. He
has always been a teacher; even at a young age, his attention to detail
distinguished him to his peers and teachers. During his school years,
Joshua regularly took the time to return to his home in Mesa, AZ to
teach for Ballet Etudes and Phoenix School of Ballet. Students he
taught there have gone on to become professionals all over the world.
Mr. Brooksher is a founder and currently the Artistic Director for
Southwest Classical Dance Institute. As such, he is involved in all
aspects of running a successful professional level training program.
His responsibilities have included teaching & coaching all levels of
classes in the 8- year Vaganova-based program, choreography, curriculum
and syllabus structure development, as well as administrative duties
associated with such a position. SCDI students have gone on to attend
Conservatories and Universities as well as securing work as professional
dance artists. Mr. Brooksher is currently Resident Guest Faculty at The
Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in CT, and serves as the Chairman of
the Sate Representatives of Classical Dance Alliance, an organization
created to promote the highest standards for classical ballet in the
United States through teacher training programs and educational
awareness of the importance of pedagogical training. Most recently,
Joshua acts as Ballet Master for NovaBallet in Phoenix, AZ. He shares
is passion for training and for life with his wife Natasha and young son
Ian Flynn.
 Britni Steadman/Hip
Hop & Contemporary:
Although started dancing 1991. Britni graduated from Cactus
Shadows High School in May of 2007. She began assistant teaching in 2006
and began teaching in 2007. Britni’s dance background is very versatile
and she brings that versatility to her class room.
 Talia
Favia/Contemporary:
Talia
is currently on staff for Motive8 dance convention and In10sive. She
continues to train and work with leading artists in Los Angeles and her
national award winning choreography has put her in high demand across
the U.S. and Canada.
Most recently, Talia has assisted choreographer Blake McGrath on SYTYCD
Canada. Talia auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance, Season 6 and
was put straight through to Las Vegas callbacks. She has been a behind
the scene presence for Season 7 SYTYCD and had the privilege to assist
Mia Michaels with her Emmy award winning pieces “Bitter Earth” and “When
We Dance” in addition she was assistant choreographer for Tyce Diorio.
Talia began dancing at age 7 and credits her formal training to her
sister Christina Nelson. While growing up in her home town of Phoenix,
Arizona she received scholarships from Monsters of Hip Hop,
Contemporary, Jump, Co dance, LADF, and Encore Division III Performer of
the year. In 2009 Talia was invited to perform and choreograph for
Automatic Response Professional Jazz Company Show; “Conversations of
Lust. “
Talia was an invitee and attendee to Brian Freidman’s intensive for
three consecutive years. She received the Pulse Protégé Scholarship two
years in a row with “The Pulse on Tour”, which is artistically directed
by Brian Friedman and Mia Michaels. Talia received the prestigious title
of 2009/2010 Elite Advanced Pro Protégé with the Pulse on Tour. While
assisting on the tour she also assisted Brian Friedman with selecting
dancers, rehearsing and setting his choreography in each city for the
fashion show. In addition, he selected Talia to direct in his absence.
She is grateful to have had the opportunity to train with such truly
inspiring Choreographers.
Jordana
Gordic/Hip Hop & Jazz:
Biography
Coming Soon
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