Teaching Artists

Christiana Bitonti-Fisher

Ms. Bitonti-Fisher is the founder and director of Peconic Ballet Theatre (2013) and Peconic Ballet Foundation (2014). She has produced numerous ballets, debuted contemporary works in NYC, and received awards for her choreography, including Best Choreography at Onstage American Dance Competition. She is certified in Autism Movement Therapy and holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Joseph’s College and a Master’s degree from NYU in Counseling, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Lorna Zawacki

Lorna Zawacki trained at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre School. She has performed with companies including NYC Opera, Philadelphia Lyric Opera, New Haven Ballet, and Radio City Music Hall Ballet. She also founded Zawacki Ballet and participated in The Bolshoi Project at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Ms. Zawacki currently teaches at Ballet Academy East and coaches ballet dancers in Manhattan.

Takako Walsh

Originally from Kobe, Japan, Takako Walsh was a semi-finalist at YAGP in 2001 and 2002. She performed at the Vancouver Winter Olympics closing ceremony before moving to New York City, where she earned her BFA from Long Island University Brooklyn in 2014. Takako has performed works by Twyla Tharp, Jennifer Muller, and Earl Mosley to name a few.

Connor Beringham

Connor Bermingham is a graduate of Pace University’s Commercial Dance Program. His credits include the US National Tour of CATS, All Shook Up, Broadway Bares, Broadway Dance Lab, Jacob’s Pillow, and partnering Misty Copeland with the National Symphony Orchestra. His choreography has been featured in the Young Choreographer’s Festival.

Michael Sakelos

Michael, a native of NYC, credits include the First National Tour of Escape to Margaritaville, The Hot Shoe Shuffle, and partnering Misty Copeland in On The Town at Wolf Trap Theater. Other notable work includes Broadway Bares, The Book of Mormon commercial, American Horror Story, and features with Vogue and Major Lazer. Michael holds a BFA from Pace University’s Commercial Dance Program.

Jenna Miller

Jenna Miller, a New Hampshire native, began her formal dance training at age seven and is a National Champion in Irish Dance. She studied Ballet at Nutmeg Conservatory and earned her BFA in Dance, graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Christina Morrison

Christina Morrison is a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in NYC. She began her career performing at The Joyce Theater, SummerStages in Central Park, and the ACE Capezio Awards under Jaclyn Walsh’s guidance. Christina holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance with an Emphasis in Ballet from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and has performed and presented works in Chicago at venues including Stage 773, Links Hall, and Chi Dance Fest.

Annalise Whiston

Originally from Texas, Annalise trained at The Joffrey Ballet School before moving to Ireland, where she became a founding member of the Irish Youth Russian Ballet and performed in Dublin and the Drogheda Arts Festival. She spent several years teaching in Galway before returning to New York, where she has taught at studios across NYC and New Jersey, including the School at Steps on Broadway.

Josie McSwane

Josie McSwane is a New York-based performer, choreographer, and teacher with a BFA in Dance Studies from Long Island University Post. She has over 15 years of teaching experience on Long Island and NYC and is trained in multiple styles, including a Martha Graham residency, Buildabeast Company in Los Angeles, and certification in Zena Rommett Floor Barre. Josie also works as a resident choreographer at Theatre Three and has extensive training in acting and vocal performance

Emily Solano

Emily is in her final year at Hofstra University pursuing a degree in Dance Education with a minor in International Business and is a member of the Honors Program. She has performed in numerous Hofstra Dance Department productions and served as secretary of the Dance Education Club. A proud alumna of Peconic Ballet Theatre’s Advanced Apprentice Company, Emily trained there for 13 years.