our instructors
Cait Zima
Cait Zima began dancing when she was two years old. She joined her studio's competition team at 5 years old. Her class became very successful very quickly, winning countless regional and national titles. Cait's team disbanded when she was entering high school. She decided it was a good time to stop dancing and enjoy high school. That lasted two weeks before she found herself auditioning for other local studios. She quickly found her home and fell even more in love with dance. Cait began to excel in her solos as well as her group dances. When Cait went to college she joined the dance team and participated on that team for all four years of undergrad. She broke her leg in 2019, which did not allow her to dance in the traditional capacity she was use to. This is when Cait learned a great deal of her choreography skills and fell in love with the behind the scenes aspects of dance. It has been difficult to come back from that injury in the same capacity that she once was but her talent and expertise is still very prominent. From her first year teaching competition teams she was winning choreography, creativity and costuming awards. She has not had a dance score lower than a High Gold at competitions. The studio Cait worked at took home the Studio of Excellence award at least once a season. Cait has attended many master classes in New York City and Boston and plans on taking her students to experience the same type of technique trainings. She is trained in tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, acrobatics, hip hop, ballet and pointe.
Tori Noel-Baez
Originally a "T-Baller", Tori Noel-Baez started her dance journey a little later than most at 9 years old. She always wanted to be a dancer however, so when she decided it was time to stop T-ball, she asked her mom to PLEASE sign her up for dance! She started at a small studio a-top an ice cream shop and after a few years ended up moving to another studio that she stayed with until she graduated high school. She knew from a very young age that this is what she wanted to do for the rest of her life and has always worked extremely hard to achieve these goals. Unfortunately in 2022, Tori was diagnosed with POTS syndrome and some other chronic illnesses which made her goal feel less realistic. When she graduated high school, she decided she still wanted to try and attended Naugatuck Valley Community College as a Dance Major. The program was dying but she made the most of it, even getting to partake in co-choreographing "Carrie" the musical and being head choreographer for "Alice by Heart"; as well as being an officer for the dance club and choreographing and performing in multiple pieces for the showcases. She is still working on her goals but she is SO happy to be teaching right now and staying true to her passions.
Earl Ali-randall
My name is Earl Ali-Randall . I am a New Haven native . I I earned my master's degree in special education from Quinnipiac University and currently in school for second masters degree in Instructional design at National University .I do hold dance teacher certificate from Oakland University. I am a certified dance fitness instructor. I am certified in Zumba and certified dance teacher with over 20 dance teacher credentials. I am an employee at the New Haven Public district and has been working as aneducator for 14 years in both dance and academics. I am trained in Modern/Jazz and African Dance .
Kate Graham
Katie Graham (RYT)- Kate grew up in Wallingforc, CT, graduated from SCSU and has been practicing yoga since 1998 to combat chronic pain and anxiety, falling in love with the mind-body-spirit benefits of yoga ever since. Kate completed the CrossRoads Yoga Teacher Training in October 2015 at Soul Space Yoga under the direction of Crystal Sullivan and Shelley Nyren after looking for a career change. Choosing to pursue a career and ultimately pairing it with something that she lovec, it was then with passion that Kate discovered the love for teaching and sharing the benefits of yoga. Kate truly believes the whole world should practice yoga and feels very honored to be working in a field she loves every aspect of.
When poncerning why chronic pain was a permanent part of her life path, the answer arose, to truly feel and be able to guide heartfelt slow and gentle yoga style classes. Choosing to see life's offering as a gift, Kate realized that meditation and gentle yoga helped to balance her busy lifestyle. She learned how to cultivate a calmness in an ever changing world and that specific asanas and pranayama could help to combat her chronic pain.
Kate has firsthand experience the healing powers of yoga and loves to share those benefits with others. Kate feels honored each and every time someone shows up to her classes to practice self care. In Kate's class you will leam to find stillness through restorative poses, peace through pranayama, and calmness by mecitative suggestions. You can find Kate teaching gentle styles of yoga classes including Restorative and Yoga Nidra. Kate also loves bringing yoga to the children's community by leading kids and family yoga classes as well.
When Kate isn't practicing or teaching yoga you will find her enjoying time with her two sons, dog, anc close family and friends. Kate also enjoys walking, cooking home made food for family, the warm weather, the beach, and enjoying good food.
Haley derwin
I stared dance when I was 3 years old and had continued until I was 7. I then stared in gymnastics which is what I continued to do until I graduated high school. Once I graduated high school I was then introduced into the world of country line dancing where I quickly fell in love with dancing. To be able to connect my childhood to now it really was a full circle moment, from growing up doing dance and gymnastics to now being able to express how I feel through country line dancing really has been the highlight of my life at this time. I’ve also been interested in car racing. It’s something my dad was passionate about and I wanted to continue his passion after he passed away in 2020. Being able to be at the race track with my friends and family has really helped me through some very low spots and I am forever grateful. I am very grateful for the opportunities that life has given me and I continue to grow and learn from them everyday!
