Looking for dancing lessons from one of the top dance studios in Stamford, CT?

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Artistic Director and Owner Jimmy Locust has shared his talents internationally, working with superstars Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Quincy Jones and Debbie Allen.  He has appeared in music videos and films and has performed at the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Mr. Locust was one of the head choreographers for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and was nominated for an American Choreography Award in 2001 for his work on Warner Brothers’ television show Nikki. Locust worked on the Justin Bieber Tour in 2010 and as choreographer for the CW Television Network’s The Next with hosts John Rich, Joe Jonas, Nelly and Gloria Estefan. Locust has also choreographed commercials for both international and national markets, including Sanyo (Japan) with Nicholas Cage and most recently, Rapid Advance (U.S.) which is currently running. Locally, he has choreographed for the Stamford Symphony's Gala and Curtain Call Theatre as well as numerous high school productions. He also designed and wrote dance education curricula for Domus, Chester-Addison Community Center, Stamford Family YMCA, REACH Prep and Horizons. Locust has been a studio owner, master teacher and choreographer in the Fairfield County area for over ten years. He is Founder and Director of Harmony Nation, an anti-bullying educational program that performs at area schools. He also directs Locust Contemporary Dance Works, a youth company with performances throughout the year culminating in a New York City concert, as well as Hip Hop's Finest and FOCUS Hip Hop pre-professional groups. Locust was appointed by the renowned Boca Ballet Theatre in Florida as a returning faculty member for their summer residency program. Locust was also selected to be an adjudicator (2015) and Artist-in-Residence (2016-present) for the JCC Maccabi Games Artsfests across the U.S. Locust’s multi-faceted lifestyle is chronicled in his reality show Locust Under 5’.

LPAC STAFF - Photos by Jay Ritter TMR Imagery  - www.tmrimagery.com

Assistant Director Alyssa Fulmer started her training at the young age of five. Her extensive training includes ballet, pointe, modern (Graham, Limón and Horton), jazz, musical theater, tap, character, improvisation, partnering and contemporary. At the age of 15, she successfully auditioned to the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts under the direction of Kimberly Maniscalco. She had the privilege to train with Karen Keeler, Dana Nederostek and Yu Hong among others. After high school, she attended Point Park University and graduated Magnum Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. While in Pittsburgh, she received more in-depth training from incredible artists such as Susan Stowe, Doug Bentz, and Ernest Tolentino. Alyssa also performed for musical artists Kellee Maize, Raekwan, and many others while producing short films and teaching dance. Alyssa had the unique opportunity to move to New York to work as a trainee with the Joffrey Ballet under the direction of Dorrell Martin where she performed in shows all over the city. She has performed for renowned choreographers like Alexandre Proia, Angelica Stiskin, Sidra Bell, and Julie Bour to name a few. She also had the privilege to be a founding member and company manager of Alyson Laury Dance Co. which allowed her to perform all over the East Coast. When Alyssa isn’t performing you can find her in the studio taking class or sharing her passion for movement with her students! 

Executive Office Manager and Marketing Director Mindy Vaccino studied at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence and in Rome, Italy, receiving a degree in Fine Arts. She is a published illustrator, painter, photographer and graphic designer whose work has been exhibited in the U.S. and abroad. In the performing arts, her work in office administration and on theater sets, prop design and performance publications has spanned over 20 years. She has done voice-acting for animation and can also be seen in Rapid Advance's national commercial as "The Doctor."Mindy has been with Locust Performing Arts Center since its inception and has enjoyed both managing the studio and creating posters, logos, signs, photographs and literature for LPAC. In addition to her design work, she has produced both commercial and artistic films for Locust Performing Arts Center which have been showcased at LPAC and Locust Contemporary Dance Works concerts. Mindy has also taught visual arts classes for LPAC, as well as for children's ministries and public school programs.

Production Director, L.E.D. Coordinator and Office Manager Stacy Homicki has been working in dance education and show production for over 20 years. She grew up training in many different styles of dance, performing and competing throughout New England and other parts of the country. Stacy discovered her love of teaching dance, and pursued her training as a teacher, as well as a dancer. She received her BFA in Dance and Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Stacy taught extensively in the Boston area for many years, and she worked in the Performing Arts Department at KING School in Stamford for 9 years. Her experiences have offered her a strong and versatile background in teaching, choreographing, show production, and studio office management. Stacy is so happy to be a part of LPAC, and to be able to watch the love of dance grow in young dancers.

Courtney Copper is a former Radio City Rockette based in New York City. She was raised in Pennsylvania and began dancing at the age of three. Courtney graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University with a degree in Education/Dance. While studying, she performed with many dance companies including Brandywine Ballet. She went on to perform with the Broadway tour of Annie Get Your Gun and several production touring companies. Courtney also travelled the world with Royal Caribbean, Regent and Holland America Cruise Lines as a dancer, singer and dance captain. You may also see her in many television shows and films. Courtney has been teaching and choreographing for over 20 years, working with all ages and styles of dance

A Stamford native, Kelsey Emmett trained in various techniques throughout Fairfield County while growing up.  She attended SUNY Buffalo and graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Dance.  Shortly after moving to New York City, she spent a year traveling the world and performing on a cruise ship, followed by various performances in NYC including Couture Fashion Week, Young Choreographers Festival, Project Dance, Gotta Dance at The Wild Project, Brooklyn Bowl, Little B's Big Holiday Wish and several Aerial workshops. Kelsey has worked with ALMA NYC, a dance company that incorporates outreach and performance with which she climbed Kilimanjaro to support The Bethel School in Burkina Faso.  Kelsey has taught gymnastics and dance throughout the tri-state area and loves to challenge students to achieve more than they think is possible!

Kara Malloy is a lifelong resident of Stamford. She has trained and performed throughout the Tri-state area but her true passion is sharing her love of dance with her students. For more than 20 years, Kara has dedicated her life to training dancers of all levels in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical. She has been a member of Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of America and her choreography has won many competitions throughout the Tri- state area. Above all Kara believes that dance should be fun and accessible to all.

Angelina Bajra has trained in Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet and Modern dance. She is a graduate of LPAC and was a member of Locust Contemporary Dance Works and Hip Hop's Finest performance groups, under the direction of Jimmy Locust. Angelina was featured in LPAC's Love to Dance commercial and has performed throughout Fairfield County and in New York City. She is excited to be back at LPAC to share her passion for dance with her students!

Aaron Bantum is an accomplished Dancer, Actor and Singer from Stamford, CT who has performed for Broadway, television and film. Aaron received his dance training from Locust Performing Arts Center under the direction of Jimmy Locust and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Aaron’s Broadway credits include Finian’s Rainbow and Kinky Boots (pre-Broadway). His film credits include Last Vegas, Carry Me Home and Demolition and television’s Law and Order SVU, A Gifted Man and Are We There Yet. Aaron is an alumnus of LPAC’s elite performance group Hip Hop’s Finest and has taught dance throughout Western CT, including FOCUS master classes and summer programs at LPAC.

Sara Weissman is a Native New Yorker and recently moved to Stamford. Sara has trained for nearly twenty years in hip hop, jazz, and ballet. She danced at North Shore Performing Arts and U Gotta Dance in Long Island, NY. Sara has participated in numerous competitions and has taught students during her time at both studios. She is also a professional corporate event planner. Sara is thrilled to be able to have an opportunity to share her passion of dance with the youth of Stamford!

Caroline Fitzgerald started her dance training at Suzanne’s Dance Connection in Burlington, MA at the age of three. While dancing for the company at SDC, she was awarded numerous titles and scholarships on both regional and national levels. Caroline toured the country with West Coast Dance Explosion’s Fuzion Dance Company 2015-2016 and assisted with workshops, backstage and performing. Recently, Caroline graduated Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Modern Dance. Caroline has had the opportunity to work with many distinguished choreographers such as Jessica Lang, Claudia MacPherson, Katie Langan, Pedro Ruiz, Loni Landon, Alberto del Saz, Nancy Lushington, Michael Thomas, Channing Cooke, Craig Dionne, Rhonda Miller, Nick Lazzarini, Al Blackstone, Kenny Easter, Kim Wolf, Dee Caspary, Marissa Osato, and Andy Pellick. Caroline is currently living in New York City and is proud to be continuing her education further in dance while she auditions for various shows and dance companies, which allows her to share her knowledge with students while teaching. While her primary studies included modern and ballet, Caroline enjoys teaching contemporary, jazz, lyrical, tap and hip hop. As a passionate dancer and an equally passionate teacher, Caroline firmly believes that dance education extends far beyond the movement.

Office Manager Roxanna Bajra