Meet the Director

Michele Malerba-Palumbo

Even in her formative years, Michele Malerba-Palumbo exhibited tremendous talent for what lay ahead in her professional future, a passion that has spanned over four decades. Those who know her often reflect on her early days dancing anywhere the furniture would not interfere with her movement and, if it did, she found a way to incorporate it, creatively propelling her choreography to the next level.

For 35 years, she has been the Director, Teacher, and Choreographer of Dance Fantasies Dance Studio.  A Certified Dance Instructor, and proud member of Dance Masters of America, Inc., she is a member of the Dance Teachers Club of CT, Chapter 18, having served as a Board member several times, elected Second and First Vice-President, judging competition auditions, and a pageant in the State of Connecticut. Miss Michele has studied and continues to hone her expertise in various types of dance, for example, teaching Pointe, an invitation-only class.  Hip-Hop and Lyrical dance are also incorporated into classes and performance choreography.  Musical Theater, Modern, Contemporary, Choreography, and taking Acting/Improvisation classes also reside on her resumé.

Miss Michele is a 1993 Graduate of the Dance Masters of America, Inc., Teachers' Training School, which she returns to annually to further her dance education. She studies with many knowledgeable instructors, visited Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway (New York City) and Master classes in Hartford, CT. Michele received a Jazz and Tap Masters Certificate, in Dance Education at Dance Masters of America, Teachers Training School.

Some of the greatly inspiring, Master teachers Michele has studied with include: Jill Chase, Barb Denny, Diane Gudat, E. Laura Haussmann,  Tom Ralabate, Judy Rice, Germain Salsberg, Sue Samuels, Mark Santoro, Larraine Susa, Butch Theisen, Judy Ann Bassing, Richard Ashworth (the late Beverly Fletcher, Frank Hatchett, Charles Kelly, and Rosemary Boyden) and many others. Michele has received Top Teacher Awards, Highest Overall, and Special Judges awards for her work at dance competitions.

Michele Malerba-Palumbo loves teaching the art of dance and continues to thrive for more knowledge at every possible opportunity.  She will continue to be the best dance educator she can be and endeavors to inspire a passion for the art of dance within each of her students.