Ridgefield School Names New Dance Instructor

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield School of Dance has announced that it has added Danbury native Deanna Francesca to its ballet department staff for its 21st fall season.

“I am so excited to welcome Deanna to our school,” said the school’s owner and director Alison Brown. “She encourages discipline and consistency in a dancer’s training, bringing out the best in a dancer and shares their love for the art. Not only does she have a well-rounded background in dance but her choreography and approach is inventive and will enhance our already-strong program.”

Francesca has spent the past 15 years traveling the country, teaching and choreographing as well as serving as the artistic director of the Low Country School of Performing Arts in South Carolina. She also spent two years studying under Jayne Persch of Briah Danse Company as well as Boulder Ballet & Colorado Ballet. Francesca teaches both classical and contemporary ballet as well as jazz.

“My teaching goals for this year are to establish a strong foundation for these young dancers and provide them a nurturing environment where they can learn and grow,” Francesca said. She will be teaching Monday Ballet 2, Ballet 3 and adult ballet classes.

The Ridgefield School of Dance presents two performances each year — The Nutcracker in December and a classical and original ballet each spring with original and innovative choreography from Jess Boelts, the school’s artistic director. Past performances include Madeline, Carnival of the Animals, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Les Sylphides, and selections from Paquita and Swan Lake.