Our Instructors and Staff

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 Ballet Instructor

Bonnie Gombos, former Director of the Darien Arts Center Dance Program, has been teaching for over

35 years in Queens and Fairfield County. She has been at DAC for more than 26 years working with

students from ages three to adult; beginner to company, with a wide range of dance styles from classical

ballet, to jazz and modern. She has also worked at the Connecticut Ballet for many years as a teaching

artist; working with Kids in Crisis, Trailblazers and in Juvenile Detention Centers. Bonnie was a Dance

Theater major at Queens College, N.Y. and received most of her training from Hannah Kroner, Finis

Jhung and the New York School of Ballet, and has received a degree in Avionics from the College of

Aeronautics. Bonnie is currently a teaching artist at Orlando Ballet.

 Hip Hop/ Jazz/ Technique Instructor

Kristin Kehley is a dedicated and passionate dance professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. As the former owner and director of NYC Dance Company in Ocoee, Florida, Kristin spent 16 years building a dynamic program rooted in technical excellence, creative expression, and a nurturing environment for dancers of all ages. Her studio became widely recognized for its award-winning choreography, successful competitive teams, and meaningful community involvement.

Kristin brings extensive experience in teaching a wide variety of dance styles, including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Contemporary, Acro, Ballet, and Tumbling. She has choreographed for both recreational and competitive teams, leading her dancers to multiple national titles and championship victories.

In addition to her studio leadership, Kristin has served as a judge with Star Dance Alliance since 2012, providing mentorship and detailed feedback to dancers at both regional and national levels.

Kristin has been recognized as Choreographer of the Year and honored as a top Partner in Education by the Orange County School Board for her outstanding contributions to youth arts programs.

With a strong foundation in leadership, instruction, and creativity, Kristin continues to share her passion for dance and education—empowering the next generation of dancers to reach their highest potential.

Contemporary/Jazz/ Technique Instructor

Lonnel has been teaching dance for over 30 years! A national scholarship recipient at both Tremaine Dance Center and Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, she has performed on cruise ships, taught in competitive studios, and even ran her own dance studio in Colorado for two years. She has taught all ages in jazz, tap, musical theatre, contemporary, ballet, and choreography, and loves helping dancers grow in confidence, teamwork, and creativity. As a proud mom, she brings the same love, energy, and encouragement to her students that she does at home, sharing the joy of dance with everyone who steps into her class!

 Musical Theater / Acrobatics Instructor

Miss Jamie has been teaching dance professionally since 1993 and has owned and operated

two successful studios in Annapolis, Maryland, and Morgantown, West Virginia.

Throughout her career, her and her students have earned countless competitive awards,

including three national championship titles in 2008, 2012, and 2022. With more than

30 years of experience, she has had the privilege of coaching nationally recognized

competition teams, teaching at conventions and seminars, and serving as a respected

judge at regional and national events. In addition to her work with competitive teams, she has choreographed for numerous high school and college productions, including

Gypsy, Peter Pan, and West Side Story. Her passion for continuing education has led

her to study tap extensively across the United States with some of the most celebrated

artists in the field, including Charles Kelly, Gregory Hines, Brenda Bufalino, Savion

Glover, and Mike Minery. She is honored to be joining the faculty at Powerhouse this

year and looks forward to sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion for dance

with the next generation of dancers.

 Preschool Instructor

Miss. Gloria, affectionately known as Miss. G, began dancing at the age of three and continued her training through college. She has studied a variety of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and musical theater.

With years of experience teaching, choreographing, and coaching competitive dance teams across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Miss Gloria brings both technical knowledge, inspiration and positivity to her classes. Her teaching style blends discipline with encouragement, helping dancers build confidence while refining their technique. Her favorite part of teaching is watching her students shine with confidence on stage!

When she is not in the studio, Miss Gloria enjoys exploring local theme parks, listening to live music, and spending time with her family.