ABOUT
Locust Performing
Arts Center
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Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford, CT, established in 2010 (LPAC) is a professional dance studio that offers dance classes for ages 3 through adult in Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Creative Movement and Adult Dance with opportunities to perform in studio showcases and an Annual Dance Concert. LPAC also houses several performance companies: Locust Contemporary Dance Works I & II, Locust Preparatory Company, Locust Lab, Locust Jazz Dance Collective, Hip Hop's Finest, FOCUS Hip Hop Pre-Professional Program, Kool Kidz Jr. Hip Hop Troupe, Locust Elite Dance (L.E.D.) Competitive Dance and Harmony Nation Anti-Bullying Program. Professional dance lessons are available in both group settings as well as private one-on-one instruction. LPAC also offers Party Packages.
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Are you ready to learn how to dance? Please contact us or check our schedule for times and availability.
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Before registration, please review our policies.
CLICK TO REGISTER OR ACCESS ACCOUNT.
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IN THE NEWS: LPAC's anti-bullying group HARMONY NATION FEATURED ON T.V.
JIMMY LOCUST IN STAMFORD MAGAZINE
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LPAC FEATURED IN STAMFORD PARTNERSHIP NEWS
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM POP ICON PAULA ABDUL
INSTRUCTORS
PHOTOS: MICHAEL HIGGINS / CONTRIBUTED
Jimmy Locust
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR + OWNER
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Jimmy Locust has worked with top entertainment industry stars such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Otis Sallid, Quincy Jones and Debbie Allen. He has been featured in iconic music videos and films including Rhythm Nation 1814 and the wedding dance sequence of Coming to America. He has performed at the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, the Soul Train Awards and the Academy Awards. Mr. Locust was one of the head choreographers of the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and was head choreographer for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks Dance Team for four seasons. He has choreographed commercials for both international and national companies, including Sankyo in Japan with Nicholas Cage and Rapid Advance in the U.S. He worked on the Justin Bieber Tour in 2010 and choreographed for the CW Network’s The Next with hosts John Rich, Joe Jonas, Nelly and Gloria Estefan. Locust was nominated for an American Choreography Award for his work on the television show Nikki and received Stage Scene LA’s 2023-2024 Scenies Award for Outstanding Choreography of a large theater revival of Wizard of Oz. In addition, he has choreographed productions and musicals across the U.S. including Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweet Charity, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Cabaret and Escape to Margaritaville. Locust has been a studio owner and master teacher for over fifteen years and is the Founder and Director of Harmony Nation, an educational anti-bullying program. He has partnered with various community organizations including HORIZONS, Reach Prep, Domus, Chester Addison Community Center, Curtain Call and the Stamford Family YMCA. Locust is also an Associate Director of Axam Dance Theatre Experience of Atlanta and a returning summer faculty member for Boca Ballet Theatre in Florida and Gus Giordano Dance School in Chicago. He was also an adjudicator and Artist-in-Residence for Jewish Community Center (JCC) Maccabi Games Artsfests from 2015-2019. Locust’s multi-faceted lifestyle was chronicled in his web series Locust Under 5’. Most recently, he established The Locust Foundation, a non-profit that provides free and affordable dance education for youth around the country.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Bonnie Gregson
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Bonnie Gregson is a former LPAC student who danced under Jimmy Locust's troupe, the Dancing Divas. She is excited to return to this studio that feels like a second home and bring her love of Broadway musical theater. Her theater credits include Cabaret (choreographed by Jimmy), West Side Story (also choreographed by Jimmy), A Chorus Line, Matilda, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Phantom, Hunchback of Notre Dame, In the Heights, Sweet Charity, Wit, Barnum, Disaster, and Mamma Mia. She has choreographed Guys & Dolls and Rocky Horror Picture Show, assistant choreographed Wild Party, and will be choreographing Hair and The Prom in 2024. She is excited to be joining the talented staff at LPAC.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Kylie Ashlund
Kylie Ashlund is a Stamford, CT native and former student who danced under Jimmy Locust and at LPAC from the time of its inception. She was a member of Kool Kidz, FOCUS Hip Hop, Parade Team and Hip Hop’s Finest and was in a music video choreographed by Jimmy. Kylie is excited and grateful to share her passion and love of dance with others and help students express themselves, just as she was able to do, by being in the LPAC community.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Lauren Sherwood
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Lauren Nicole Sherwood is very excited to be joining the LPAC teaching staff. After many years dancing with Jimmy (and watching her son dance at LPAC) she is thrilled to work alongside the fabulous teachers here. Lauren earned her B.F.A. in Fine Arts Studies from the University of Arizona where she created her degree program based on artist outreach, theatre/dance education and business. She also received her M.F.A. in Theatre Management from Florida State University. Lauren has done over 100 musical productions throughout her career as a director, choreographer, costume designer and performer. She works with many local schools and theatre companies making art accessible to all. Lauren looks forward to a fabulous dance season here at LPAC.
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PHOTOS: GUIDO VENITUCCI / CONTRIBUTED
Aaron Bantum
CO-DIRECTOR LPAC's HIP HOP DEPARTMENT
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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 and Hip Hop's Finest master classes and summer programs at LPAC.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Cheryl Carpio
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Cheryl Carpio is a classically trained NYC Dancer, she danced under the direction of Frank Hatchett, Charles Kelley and Phil Black In the styles of Break dance, Hip-Hop, African, Jazz, Tap and Acrobatics and the classical style of Bob Fosse Jazz with an emphasis on stage presence. Cheryl has studied Ballet and partnering with Brian Lewis and with The Connecticut Ballet and Latin rhythms combined with classic Ballroom, with Bill Davies. Cheryl is the former Owner, Director and Choreographer of the Professional Dance Center, of Sandy Hook CT. Cheryl is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance. Cheryl, Choreographed My Beautiful Detour, that was scored by Actress Amy Ostriecher. Cheryl was Captain of the dance team at WCSU. She modeled professionally and competed in the All American Boy and Girl Pageants, nationally. Cheryl also collaborated with French Olympic Gymnast and Equestrian Jean-Luc Cornee on a film linking the art of dance and gymnastics to horse training.
PHOTO: JAY RITTER
Kara Manzino
CO-DIRECTOR LOCUST LAB
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Kara Manzino 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.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Mikela Pirri
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Mikela Pirri is an alumna of Locust Performing Arts Center and trained in all styles ranging from Hip Hop to Contemporary, Jazz, and Ballet for over twelve years. Mikela was a member of Hip Hop's Finest and Locust Contemporary Dance Works, and part of the original Locust Elite Dance competition team. She was an assistant for Locust Lab, Locust Contemporary Dance Works, and Kool Kidz. Mikela is currently a student at Sacred Heart University majoring in Marketing with minors in Dance and Honors. She is a part of SHU Dance Company and Inception Dance Crew and has had the opportunity to choreograph pieces in the Company Student Choreography program. Mikela is very excited to be back at LPAC teaching and choreographing!
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Melissa Parra
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Melissa Parra, a senior at the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering (AITE), has been a dedicated dancer at LPAC learning Hip hop, Jazz, and Contemporary for over eight years. She has been a member of FOCUS Hip Hop, Locust's Jazz Dance Collective and the Parade Team. In addition to her dancing, Melissa serves as a teacher and substitute teacher at LPAC. She has taught and assisted with elementary and pre-school age classes at LPAC and also works as the weekend front desk Office Manager. Melissa loves sharing her passion and skills with others, inspiring young children to be their best selves, learn, and have fun through dance.
PHOTO: JAY RITTER
Angelina Bajra
CO-DIRECTOR KOOL KIDZ
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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!
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Courtney Copper
LPAC ASSISTANT DIRECTOR +
CO-DIRECTOR LOCUST PREPARATORY COMPANY
& LPAC's JAZZ DEPARTMENT
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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.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Jessa Rose
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Jessa Rose (VanHerwynen) was born and raised in Orange County NY, and currently lives in Norwalk. Jessa began training in dance at 4 years old at the Marya Kennett Dance Studio, and Coupe Studio in Rockland County. She was a professional musical theater performer for 10 years, and is now focusing on teaching the next generation. Jessa has a BA in Theater Performance from Wagner College, and a MA in K-12 Dance Education from NYU Steinhardt. Favorite musical theater performing credits include Surflight to Go (Regional Tour, Surflight Theater), two years on the National Tour of The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble/Wicked Witch U/S), White Christmas (Little Theater on the Square), and South Pacific (Summer Theater of New Canaan). Jessa also worked at Broadway Artists Alliance, a musical theater intensive in NYC, for 10 years as the Assistant Dance Director and Work Study Coordinator. As a teacher, Jessa has taught dance and created dance curriculum in public and private schools throughout NYC, NY, and CT. She has taught workshops for the NYU Summer Dance Intensive, Dancewave, and Iona College. Jessa has choreographed 8 Middle and High Schools shows, including: The Who’s Tommy, The Little Mermaid, Adventures of a Comic Book Artist, Little Shop of Horrors, Honk Jr, How To Succeed…, Cinderella Jr, and Sister Act. She is excited to join the LPAC team!
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Rachel Shupin
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Rachel Shupin started dancing at three years old and has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical. She danced for all four of her college years on The University of Maryland Dance Team, followed by a brief stint with the Washington Wizards NBA Dance Team. Rachel moved to NYC for graduate school, where she spent much of her free time hopping around the city to dance at various studios. About a decade ago, Rachel danced with Jimmy in his Connecticut Contemporary Movement Company and also taught in LPAC’s summer program. While working full-time as a school counselor, Rachel continued to teach dance in camps and after school programs. After having kids, she founded Creative Motion, LLC, and taught classes for young children and their caregivers. With her two kids at LPAC now, Rachel is thrilled to be back!
DESK STAFF
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Mindy Vaccino
EXECUTIVE OFFICE MANAGER + MARKETING / DESIGN
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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.
PHOTO: JAY RITTER
Roxanna Bajra
OFFICE MANAGER
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Melissa Parra
OFFICE MANAGER
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PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Stacy Homicki
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR,
L.E.D. COORDINATOR +
OFFICE MANAGER
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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.
CONTACT
Email:
Phone:
203-962-4934
Our Address:
2770 Summer St, 2nd Floor
Stamford, CT 06905