Founder, Artistic Director

You don’t have to know Luis Pabon personally to realize that he is one of those rare and special creative artists who also possesses a unique and extraordinary talent which allows him to energize the talents of others as a “Teacher of Teachers”. That’s why he is known as the “Pied Piper of Dance” and why the Luis Pabon Dance Arts Centre has become one of the leading dance studios in Connecticut.

Respected nationally for his knowledge in his field, his dedication to the growth and development of thousands of students over the past fifty plus years, his creation of unique choreography and dancing styles and his students’ accomplishments in national and international competitions. Luis is best known for his ability to communicate his love of his art to everyone.

Luis began his dance training at the tender age of four with Madame Edga Monro. By the time he was sixteen, he was the lead dancer with the National Puerto Rican Folklore Dance Company. His dancing career has included performances in television, theater and nightclubs. He has studied with such leading names in the world of dance as Peter Genaro, Luigi, Phil Black, Lee Tang, Melissa Hayden, David Howard, Frank Hatchett, Kit Andre, Al Gilbert, Liz Williamson, Danny Hoctor, Blasia Amacio and Art Stone.

He is a past-member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, The Fred Astaire Performing Arts Association, International Dance and Exercise Association, The American Theater Association, Professional Dancers Society Gypsies  and I.D.E.A. International Dance Entrepreneurs Association (world-wide organizations of certified dance teachers).

As a choreographer, he has received rave reviews for his creativity in dozens of musicals from “THE MUSIC MAN”, WEST SIDE STORY”, “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”, and “KISS ME KATE” for the Pfizer Player’s and “ANYTHING GOES” and “THE FANTASTICKS” for the Norwich Arts Council. He has received six EUGENE O’NEILL AWARDS for his choreography in the musicals “SWEET CHARITY,” “PAJAMA GAME,” “DAMN YANKEES,” “BYE BYE BIRDIE”,  “PIPPIN” and “ANYTHING GOES”. He has received Connecticut’s Community Theater Council High School Division Awards for Best Original Choreography for Montville High School in six out of the eight years he participated and was most proud winning for “WEST SIDE STORY”.

IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONS, he and his creative staff’s original exciting choreographies have enabled the dancers from Luis’ THEATER DANCE COMPANY “Style Extraordinaire” to capture  hundreds of ‘First Place’ awards. His philosophy has always been to enable his students to experience the thrill of performance and, as a result, his intermediate and advance students at The Dance Arts Centre have performed throughout New England, New York State and City, New Jersey, Louisiana, Tennessee, Florida, Las Vegas and international competitions in Germany receiving a Silver Medal in 2006 & 2010. Luis is most honored to have received the Richard DiSarno Directors Award at Danceamerica’s National competition in 2009.

Luis’ success is based on two major elements. The first is his ability to communicate with students and teachers alike. The second is his intense belief in bringing style, technique, execution, discipline and understanding to every area of the dance by teaching methods and not just routines. Through this philosophy  the student is able to learn and perfect technique and then apply it to the execution necessary in the performance experience.

Instructor, Choreographer, Assistant to the Artistic Director

Claudia began her dance training at the tender age of 4 and studied tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and acrobatics.  Throughout her career, Claudia has studied with renown teachers and choreographers such as Frank Hatchett, Savion Glover, Charles Kelly, Chet Walker, Pamela Bolling, Judy Ann Bassing, Germaine Salzberg and Sheila Barker just to name a few.

Claudia was the former owner and Executive Director of The Dancer’s Edge which was an established dance studio for 22 years. In 2003, she earned her teaching certification through Dance Educators of America and has been a member ever since.

Claudia brings passion, dedication, experience  and commitment when teaching her students.

Instructor, Choreographer

Shelley graduated   Eastern Connecticut State University with a degree in  Elementary Education as well as Math. She has danced under the direction of Luis Pabon for more than 25 years and has studied various styles including ballet, tap, jazz, lyric, and hip-hop. Winner of numerous overall titles for solos, duets, and group dances, she has been a top 10 finalist for Danceamerica’s Dancer of the Year. She has traveled across the United States to Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlantic City, and Orlando, competing at the national level, and has been a member of the U.S. Tap Team, traveling to Germany for an international competitions in  2010.

Shelley currently is a 7th grade school teacher at the Teachers Memorial in Norwich, CT.

Instructor, Choreographer

TyQuan Anderson, well known as Ty, is an artist born in Norwich, Connecticut. He first started dancing at the age of eight in after school programs. He has had many opportunities to dance and perform in dance centers and training programs in Connecticut, New York and Washington DC in various dance styles. Mainly Hip Hop, Ballet and Jazz.

During high school Ty was on the dance team all four years and was captain his junior and senior years. After High school Ty started dancing professionally with his first job dancing for the WNBA Connecticut Sun. Some highlights include dancing for the Black Leaves Ballet company in Washington DC; performing the Echoes of Sinatra at Resort World Catskills casino in New York for New Years eve; dancing backup for Alyson Stoner. Ty is always striving to further his artistry in dance and help people find peace and happiness.

Voice and Drama Instructor

Carroll Brogan Mailhot is a singer and actress who has spent over 40 years performing and teaching in Norwich. She is a cantor at St Patrick Cathedral in Norwich where she does solo work for the masses there and also in many other area churches. Carroll graduated from the Univ of Connecticut with a degree in theater.  She has appeared in many local theatrical performances.  She has also written and performed In numerous solo cabarets. Carroll is a voice teacher and acting teacher who enjoys helping people learn to use their voices and discover the joy of performing.

Instructor, Choreographer

Amy began her dance training at the tender age of 3 at the International Dancing Academy, now known as the Luis Pabon Dance Arts Centre. At age 7 she was awarded the title of Little Miss Connecticut Sweetheart at their inaugural pageant. Ms. Amy was a 2001 Senior Solo Scholarship Champion at the Danceamerica National Finals. Upon graduating high school, she moved on to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Not new to Musical theater, she has performed in musicals such as “Cabaret”, “Grease” and “Sweet Charity”. She was  a tap dancer at the Cotton Club, performing for a year as one of the “Sophisticated Ladies”.

Amy returned to Connecticut to develop and lead a local dance ministry, consulting in dance with care, and continuing to lead and encourage others to embrace the dance and love within each of us.