About Us | Cheshire, CT | Connecticut Dance Theatre & The Arts

ABOUT US

MISS NEFRA SULLIVAN-WIHBEY (OWNER/DIRECTOR)

A highly sought after Dancer, Choreographer, and Director throughout the area. Miss Nefra has studied with professionals such as Henry La Tang, Frank Hatchett, Phil Black and Alvin Ailey ( to name a few). She has staged and choreographed countless professional equity and regional theater productions and has also choreographed Miss America State and Local pageants, music videos and talent performances for many Miss America hopefuls. After performing Nationally and finishing her studies in New York, Miss Nefra returned to CT in 1988 where she joined forces with her mother Miss Susan as Co-director of Connecticut Dance Theatre& the Arts.

Since then, Miss Nefra has made Connecticut Dance Theatre & the Arts one of the hottest dance, theater and art schools in the Northeast. Her students are some of the areas most talented performers. Miss Nefra created the Connecticut Dance Theatre & the Arts National Competition Team which to date, ranks in the top 7% of dance schools. Winning top ranking awards such as: Top Teacher, Best Choreography, Outstanding Tapping and Great Technique . Her students have caught the eye of some of the most recognized names in National Judging. Since 2000 Miss Nefra has taken over the school as owner and director.

CONNECTICUT DANCE THEATRE

& THE ARTS FACULTY

MISS KIM THOMPSON (Competition Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop)- Miss Kim has been dancing at Connecticut Dance Theatre and the Arts since the age of 6 and is proud to call CTDTA home. She was a member of the studio’s competition team for a number of years and has been an instructor at the studio for more than 12 years. Over the years, her competitive dances have received numerous choreography, entertainment, and special judges’ awards. In 2005, Kim held the title of Miss Greater Waterbury and was able to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Connecticut. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice – Investigative Services and a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of New Haven. Upon graduating she was awarded the Student Affairs Leadership Award for her contributions to the campus community. In addition to teaching at the studio, Kim spent three seasons with the Woodland Hawks High School Dance Team, initially as the Interim Head Coach and later as the Assistant Coach. She has also spent numerous summers working at YMCA Camp Mataucha in various capacities including: Dance Camp Counselor, Performing Arts Camp Counselor, Unit Director, and most recently Assistant Camp Director. Kim loves working with children, helping them critically think and problem solve, and has spent many years working in area school systems. She currently teaches sixth grade language arts and social studies.

MISS BRAYDEN WIHBEY (Competition Tap and Rhythm Tap)- Brayden has been dancing since the age of 2. She became a member of the Conndta competition team at the age of 5 and has never stopped dancing since! Brayden has graced the competition stages with her rhythmic tap dances and recieved numerous titles and special awards. She was a member of the "Speaking in Taps" company and held the title of Miss Hamden's Outstanding Teen 2018. Brayden has studied at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in NYC . Although she loves Tap, she is also a competitve lyrical, contemporary and Hip Hop dancer. Brayden is now a student at Sacred Heart University majoring in phycology with a dance minor. She is a member of the Sacred Heart University's prestigious Dance Company. Her dream is to dance on the Radio City stage as a Rockette.

MISS OLIVIA ZEMBRUSKI (Recreational Preschool, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop)-Olivia Zembruski began her dance career at the age of five at Connecticut Dance Theatre & The Arts. She continued to dance and compete here until she graduated high school and continues to pursue her love for dance by teaching the next generation of students. Outside of dance, Olivia can be seen on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University completing her double major of Elementary Education and Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in English and Biology. At school Olivia also is the president of the Pediatric Cancer Awareness Organization, is a Peer Mentor for first semester freshman, and is an active member of the American Sign Language Club.