SCHOOL FACULTY

Sharon Dante founded the Nutmeg Ballet in December 1969 and has developed a training program and performance curriculum which has attracted students from over thirty-four states and a number of countries around the world. Ms. Dante was responsible for the growth and development of the training program and its related performance curriculum. During her artistic career, she coached dancers who participated in international competitions in New York, Paris, Lausanne, Varna, and Moscow.

After graduating from Endicott College (‘64), University of Hartford (’66), and the Hartford Ballet, Ms. Dante became a de Rothschild Scholar at the Martha Graham School in New York City in 1967. She danced as a soloist with the Charles Weidman Dance Company, Rudy Perez Dance Company, and the Larry Richardson Dance Company, where she performed principal roles throughout the United States and Europe. Joining the Hartford Ballet as a performer, faculty member, and assistant to the director in 1969, she was instrumental in the development of that company’s educational programs throughout New England. Ms. Dante began her extensive study of the Vaganova syllabus of classical ballet training in 1972. She later became well known for her work based on this method – so much so that she has been featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine in recognition of her training programs. She is one of the few Americans to have participated at the Moscow World Dance Competitions in the 1970’s and 80’s. The White House Commission’s Presidential Scholars Program has twice recognized her as “Distinguished Teacher.” Instrumental in the resurrection and re-opening of the Warner Theatre in 1984, Ms Dante was a founding member of the City of Torrington’s Economic Development Commission. She has proudly served several Mayors of Torrington in the role of Artistic Adviser.

From 1997-2001, Ms. Dante and Nutmeg Ballet’s Board of Directors initiated and completed a multi-million dollar capital project in downtown Torrington. In 2000, the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts was proud to be the recipient of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Governor’s Arts Award. Also, in 2001, the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce named her “Business Woman of the Year.”

Currently, Ms. Dante serves as Executive Director to the Nutmeg Conservatory turning over the position of Artistic Director to Nutmeg Ballet graduate, Victoria Mazzarelli, in 2010. She remains committed to continuing her long time relationships with many Nutmeg Alumni and current students whom she mentors on dance and extended career planning.

In November of 2014, the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council awarded Ms. Dante the CultureMAX award for her Artistic contributions. She is an avid golfer and a member of the Greenwoods and Eastwoods Ladies Golf League. Her mantra in life, inspired by former Governor Ella T. Grasso, is “Grow Where You Are Planted.”