Walter Schalk School of Dance: Wilton, New Canaan, Darien & Ridgefield Connecticut

Bios - Our Instructors


			Walter Schalk: Walter wants to welcome all dancers to our 53rd annual Walter Schalk Dance Revue. He would like to express sincere thanks to all the parents, friends and dancers who have worked rehearsed and supported the program throughout the years. He is especially excited about the new Ballet program and looks forward to another exciting and productive year in Wilton, New Canaan, Darien and Ridgefield.

			Charles Micha: Charlie began his association with the Walter Schalk School of Dance forty-eight years ago. He is the director of ballroom classes in Bedford, NY, Darien and Wilton, CT, as well as Co-Director of musical comedy classes in New Canaan and Wilton. When Charlie is not dancing he is flying his radio controlled helicopters and jets at many RC events during the summer. Charlie also is office manager and lives in Fairfield with his wife Carol of 38 years.

			Amber Corriston: This is Amber’s seventh year as Jazz Director and Choreographer. Amber also leads the "Creative Tots and Kinder Kids's" dance program for children ages 3 to 6 in Wilton which she started 3 years ago. Amber is originally from Seattle, WA where she had extensive training in jazz, ballet, modern, and tap. She grew up performing and in 1995 held the title of Miss Washington in the Miss America Program. She received her BA in Dance and Communications from the Univ. of Washington in 1999. Amber lives in New York with her husband Ryan, son Toby, and new baby Elsie!

			Kelly Nayden: Kelly has been a Schalk dancer since the age of ten and was a student instructor and director while attending WIlton High School. This is her fourth year working at the dancing school as an instructor and choreographer for the jazz and musical comedy programs in New Canaan and Wilton. Kelly graduated summa cum laude from Connecticut College with a BA in dance and a minor in mathematics. She resides in Wilton.

			Patricia Gray: Patricia grew up in Wilton and has been involved with the dance school since the age of 5. Patricia was a student instructor while in high school and she returns this year teaching jazz for our Darien program. Graduating with a B.A. in Education from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2001, and also has earned a Masters Degree in Education in 2003 from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Patricia enjoys teaching in Darien and can't wait for next year! She wishes all of her students much luck and a wonderful summer!

			Jennifer Cogswell: Jennifer grew up in and currently resides in New Canaan. She has been a Walter Schalk dancer since the age of ten, and was a former Ballroom Instructor. In 1999, Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University, where she earned a BA in Biology, Chemistry and Secondary Education. She was a skilled performer and acrobat in the Flying High Circus. This is Jennifer's tenth year as our Costume Designer & Chairperson.

			Jim Lewicki: This is Jim's 21th year teaching Ballroom an 9th year teaching Musical Comedy, though he has been associated with the dance school since 1969. Jim is the Head Soccer coach at Wilton High and is the program coordinator for the Wilton Parks and Recreation department. Jim and his wife Susan, who works as a Dental Hygienist for Dr. Agostin, live in Trumbull.

			Michael Sabato: Mike graduated from the high school Musical Comedy program in 2006. A full time student at Fairfield University, Mike is majoring in mathematics and education. He also has been involved in martial arts since the age of four, and is a master in the art of Tae Kwon Do. Mike teaches Ballroom and Musical Comedy classses.

			Colleen Amirsakis: Colleen received her training in all styles of dance from Elisabeth Gillette Campbell, Lou Conte Dance Studio, the Boston School of Ballet Summer Dance Program and David Howard Dance Center in NYC. Colleen was a resident dancer for Chicago’s “Light Opera Works” for four seasons, and was a dancer in the feature film Dance in 1987. At Boston College she was a dancer and choreographer for the Golden Eagle Dance Team, performing at nationally televised games, as well as for their Dance Ensemble. Now a mother of three, Colleen is thrilled to rekindle her dance with Walter Schalk, and teaches Jazz/Theatre Dance and Hip Hop in Darien.

			Tami Hughes: Tami grew up in Darien where she was involved with the Walter Schalk School of Dance throughout her high school years. She was also a Blue Wave Dancer and was chosen to perform in the dance performance during the Bluebonnet Bowl halftime in 1987. She received a BA in Economics from Bucknell University in 1991. Tami had a successful career at Merrill Lynch for 16 years where she was a Director in Fixed Income Sales. She resides in Darien with her husband, Danny, and two boys, Charlie and Henry. She is thrilled to be home and teaching Jazz/Theatre Dance and Hip Hop in Darien.

			Karen Duffy: Karen is an accredited member of Texas Association Teachers of Dancing. She started dancing at 3 years of age, and started student teaching in high school. Karen was teaching tap, jazz and ballet to children and adults in Dallas, Texas, when her husband was transferred to New York City 3 years ago. Karen is now a resident of Fairfield, where she lives with her husband, Brian and children Brian, Emily and Matthew. Karen teaches Creative Tots and Kinder Kids classes in Darien and New Canaan.

			Teri Nugent: Teri has 15 years of ballet, jazz and tap dancing experience with the Kelly School of Dance in Illinois. After performing on tour in Europe with the "Kelly Adorables" Dance Troupe, she was a dance instructor for nursery school and elementary school children. Teri graduated cum laude from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, with a BA degree in Mathematics and a minor in Psychology. She lives in New Canaan with her husband and four children. Teri teaches Creative Tots and Kinder Kids classes in New Canaan.

			Lee Ann Neves: Lee Ann comes to us with over 30 years of cheerleading and dance experience including ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop and tap. She continues to take dance herself three times per week at the Larnel Dance Company, and performs for charity events throughout the area. She currently resides in New Fairfield, CT with her husband and three children. Lee Ann teaches ballet classes at The Walter Schalk School of Dance.

			Judy Grimm: Judy is a third generation real estate agent who lives in Wilton and works with Coldwell Banker. While growing up in Wilton, she co-founded the Wilton Ski Club and was a cheer leader and ski instructor. While raising her children she served on the Wilton PTA board, the Football Boosters board and founded the Cultural Arts Fund. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has been a dance insturctor for the dance school since 1987.

			Alice Honcharik: This is Alice's seventeenth year working with the dance school, although she danced with Mr. Schalk many years ago. Alice helps backstage and teaches ballroom in New Canaan and Ridgefield. Alice currently lives in North Stamford.

			Kathleen Johnson: This is Kathleen's second year working as Office Manger. Previously she was an assistant ballroom instructor with the school in Ridgefield, Wilton and Bedford. A graduate of the Berkeley School of New York, Kathleen comes to us with many years of experience as a Corporate Executive Assistant. A native of Danbury, Kathleen began her dancing in grade school as a Celtic/Irish Dancer.