Taina is the Stars on Stage/ Rising Stars Camp Coordinator, a Dance Instructor and the Dance and Performing Arts Special Event Coordinator at The Connection. She is a graduate of Smith College where she received a BA in Dance and a minor in Africana Studies. Taina began her dance training at a young age and has studied a variety of techniques including Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Improvisation, Cunningham, Jazz, Tap, and Musical Theater. She has studied contemporary and somatic dance overseas in Berlin, Germany and performed in residency with Pilobolus Dance Theater. While obtaining her BA, Taina was a member of the Smith College Smithereens, the fourth oldest all-female collegiate a cappella group. She is a recent graduate of the Intensive Semester Certificate program at Peridance Capezio Center in NYC and a member of Annie Sailer Dance Company, a contemporary company based in New Haven, CT and NYC. Her choreographic work has been shown at Eden Expressway through Movement Research, Salvatore Capezio Theater, Jennifer Muller/ The Works Studio and The Actors Fund Arts Center through NACHMO NYC. Taina is so excited for this summer and grateful to be teaching at The Connection, where she is able to spread and share her love of the performing arts!