Connie Sweeney Connie became the Director of The Dance Department in 2017. She is not only an owner but also a teacher. She began passing her extensive knowledge of gymnastics on to our students in our exciting new Acro classes. Her focus on form and technique keeps the dancers wanting more!
Mia Sweeney Mia has been part of The Dance Department family for nine years. Her competitive dance experience began at age eight, receiving her first solo at age nine while also dancing in countless group dances and receiving numerous awards. She has been assisting teachers since age 11, to then co-teaching at age 16, to now having her own classes teaching all styles and ages. Along with being a dsnce teacher, she is also studying Social Work and Family studies at The College of Saint Rose. Mia is excited to still be part of her childhood studio, while also growing as a dancer and a teacher along with her students.
Heather Sheehan-Pielo Heather started her dance journey at the age of 2. She danced in recreational classes until the age of 7 and then started dancing competitively. She competed throughout high school and then continued to compete through college earning numerous regional and national awards as both a soloist as well as a team memeber, while also earning her Associates in Early Childhood Education. Heather began teaching as an assistant to her teacher at the age of 12 and then began teaching her own classes at 15. She continued teaching and eventually opened a studio(Dance Dimensions, Albany) with a business partner in 1999. Heather is currently preparing to begin her third year with us at The Dance Department and is excited to watch her students grow tremendously this year!
Olga Bogdanova Olga began her ballet training at the age of four, under the tutelage of the renowned Galina Goleneva at the Troitsk Ballet in Russia. Throughout her extensive dance career, Olga has honed her skills in various styles such as modern, contemporary, jazz, Russian and Irish folk, Latin and European competitive ballroom, and Argentine tango. Her professional endeavors have taken her on tour in countries such as Japan, Belarus, Egypt, France, and the USA. Olga has held the position of principal dancer with Youth Ballet of Russian Television, Primadonna Dance Company (Moscow), and US-based Libertina, Retold, and Synergia Dance Companies. For several years, Olga has taught ballet, modern dance, and strength and flexibility classes at Dance Dimensions in Albany. Her talents as a dancer and choreographer have been displayed in numerous music videos and community theater productions. A devoted teacher of various dance workshops, Olga is also a classically trained actress who enjoys participating in collaborative projects that highlight her performance abilities. She is thrilled to join the faculty at The Dance Department!