Julianne Wendzel
JULIANNE WENDZEL is the owner and artistic director of The Dance Slipper Academy. She earned her degree in dance from Dean College after studying at The Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance. She went on to obtain her certification as a dance instructor from Dance Teacher University, a University of Nevada-Las Vegas program.
Julianne began her dance training at The Dance Slipper in Southwick, MA under the direction of Brenda Barna. Over the years, she competed at many regional and national dance competitions earning praise for her technique. After graduating from college, Julianne worked as a professional dancer for two years for The Madison Square Garden Company as a Westchester Knicks Dancer. In addition, she danced professionally at Six Flags New England and in several regional commercials including The Connecticut Lottery. She has been teaching dance to beginner through advanced level students for ten years and has been recognized with numerous awards for her choreography.
Julianne continues to further her dance training and education by attending master classes, seminars and retreats. This allows her to stay updated on new innovations and industry trends. She is thrilled to pass on her knowledge and strives to inspire a love of dance in all her students.
Brenda Barna
BRENDA BARNA owned and operated The Dance Slipper for 36 years before passing it on to her former student Julianne Wendzel in 2021. She started her dance training as a 5-year old at Betty Champions School of Dance in Westfield, MA. As a teenager, Brenda trained at New England Dance Center and Ballet Theatre School in Springfield, as well as Broadway Dance Center and Steps in New York City. She continues to expand her dance skills by periodically attending classes in New York City.
Brenda's gymnastics training was initiated in 1972 at the Westfield YMCA. She furthered her education at Pioneer Valley Gymnastics. Olympic trainer Leo Ledger and Olympic medalist Tim Daggett honed her skills. As a state level gold medalist and high score all around winner, Brenda was asked to train for the 1980 Olympics. Vaulted by gymnastics training, Brenda won the Miss Acrobat of the United States title at age 16. At 18, she was second runner up for Miss Dance of Connecticut. Brenda kicked off her professional dance career at 19, working as a featured dancer in the Latino Royale show at the Dunes in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brenda last competed at the U.S. Tournament of Dance in New Jersey at the age of 21, where she won first place in the professional solo and duo divisions.
Brenda is a former 1st vice president of the Dance Teachers Club of Connecticut. She has been on the board of directors of Dance Masters of America, Connecticut Chapter. Under Brenda's tutelage her students have won numerous national level awards.
DAVID BOVAT was born and raised in West Springfield MA. His journey began at the young age of seven under the direction of Anita Oski Barrette. Throughout his career as a dancer, David has had the pleasure to study with Frank Hatchett and Anthony DeVecchi of the Northeast American Ballet, to name a few. As an accomplished dance instructor, David continues building his career, developing choreography and teaching for several dance studios in the Western MA area.
David Bovat
David continues to put his ability and knowledge of dance to good use as a Head Judge and instructor of Master classes for the Step Up to Dance tour. He is a Choreographer, Artistic Director and Dancer for many events such as the Tap Dancing Santa's at Symphony Hall and the Dancing with the local Stars events for the Kiwanis Club of West Springfield and Agawam. David has respectfully taught for the National Association of Dance Affiliated Artists as well as the Dance Teachers Club of Boston. David continues to entertain, educate and inspire dancers of every age and physicality. His love for the art of dance is present in everything he puts forth.
MELISSA GLENN grew up in Louisville, Colorado dancing at a small, ballet-focused studio. She trained under the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus where she passed her Grade 8 and Advanced 1 Exams with Distinction and Merit awards. She went on to train at Colorado Ballet Academy and spent two years as a resident student of The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts under the direction of Victoria Mazzarelli. She also spent a year in Princeton, New Jersey as a trainee with American Repertory Ballet under Ethan Stiefel. Melissa is currently a professional dancer with New England Ballet Theatre.
Melissa Glenn
Melissa eagerly started student-teaching ballet and tap classes at her home studio at a young age. She also taught and developed the curriculum for the Ballet with a Ballerina class at the Torrington School of Ballet, during her time at The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. She is excited to begin working with the students at The Dance Slipper Academy this fall!
Mytisha Leach
MYTISHA LEACH of Vernon, CT began dancing at the age of five at Dance Express of Tolland. Mytisha studied jazz, tap, modern/contemporary, ballet, African and hip-hop throughout her dance education. She attended Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in high school and graduated with a major in dance in 2013. During her time at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, she performed pieces from Martha Graham Dance Company, Clyde Evans, Gallim Dance, Jennifer Weber, and Syren Dance Company.
She attended Earl Mosley Institute of Arts summer intensive for three summers and performed professional pieces from Kevin Wynn, Nathan Trice, Sidra Bell, Meredith Rainey, Earl Mosley and Ronald K. Brown.
After high school, Mytisha attended Long Island University for one year studying dance. Mytisha then attended and graduated from University of Hartford and while in college, participated, performed, and choreographed for a hip-hop dance team call Fenomena. She then went on to Bay Path University where she completed her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy.
Mytisha has been teaching dance to beginner through advanced level students at various locations for eight years and continues to spread her passion for dance to her students each day.
JORDYN MURPHY began dancing at the age of 10 and absolutely fell in love! She studied such styles as tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and modern. At her studio she was given the opportunity to be an assistant for many classes and even got the chance to fill in when the head teacher was out. She later moved on to college where she studied styles such as hip hop, and jazz funk and had the pleasure of helping to choreograph numbers for her dance team. Jordyn then took a break from school to work for the Walt Disney Company.
Jordyn Murphy
She worked for Disney for four and a half years as a member of their entertainment department. Jordyn is now in her fifth year teaching prekindergarten in Glastonbury, CT. During the week she is teaching letters and numbers and by the weekend she is very excited to be teaching kids dance steps!
DESEREE ZORICK began dancing at the age of 3 and joined the competitive team shortly thereafter. Over the years she took classes with many professional dancers, Paula Abdul was a highlight! She studied dance as a minor at Curry College, also graduating with an RN degree. After college, Deseree continued her passion for dance as a teacher. She is a proud mother of 3 girls who also share her love of dance!