STEPS DANCE STUDIO

Victoria Ulmer, a Stamford native, began her dance journey at age 7 with ballet, and later diversified her training in various styles under renowned instructors in New York City. Since founding STEPS Dance Studio in 1983, she has expanded it into a prominent performing arts center, offering a wide range of disciplines and fostering a lifelong passion for dance in students of all ages. 

Jessica currently teaches Pre-K at The New Canaan Nature Center Preschool. She began dancing with Ms. Victoria when she was 11, back in the early days of Steps. She volunteered as a Steps Parent when her daughter Jocelyn began dancing at Steps at 3 years old. Jessica was thrilled to come to work at the studio manager and teacher. She enjoys working with the dancers and their families while at the studio, administration, supporting the dance teachers, and helping with classes, communication, costumes, music, and recital orchestration. 

Jennifer began dancing at age 3 and holds a Bachelor's degree in dance and theater. With experience alongside industry leaders like Mandy Moore and the Rockettes, she has directed award - winning competition teams and trained celebrity dancers. Jennifer is eager to join Steps dance studio and share her passion with a new generation of dancers. 

Abby has loved dancing her whole life. She started her Tap and Ballet training at just two years old! From there, she began to take more classes until she was dancing competitively in a range of styles. With time, she started to get involved with Musical Theatre. She used to teach dance in California, and is excited to be in a her next chapter with Steps! Abby recently graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Since then, she has worked professionally as both an actor and choreographer! She is excited to share her passion and knowledge in a supportive and welcoming way.

Ms. Jay's lifelong passion for dance began at the age of three. She has been training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Modern styles, with a specialization in Tap and Hip-Hop. Her journey as a dance instructor began at eighteen, and alongside her role as a PreK teacher, she continues to foster creativity and expression through movement in both her students and young learners. 

A Stamford native, Nancy Boccuzzi has dedicated over 30 years to inspiring students of all ages through dance, theatre, and movement. Her dance journey began at age four at the Roberta Pollard Dance Studio and continued at age twelve under the guidance of former Gold-digger Jackie Chidsey at The Dancer's Loft. By sixteen, she studied jazz at the American Ballet Academy and later advanced her training at Steps on Broadway in New York City. Nancy has taken master classes with choreographer Darrin Henson and received additional training through Dance Masters of America. She has been a certified Zumba instructor since 2010 and recently expanded her professional development through Dance Teacher Web and Dance Teacher University in Las Vegas. 

Melisa has been so excited to be working at Steps Dance Studio for the past couple years and has been a lifelong resident of Stamford. She graduated from Sacred Heart University with a B.S. in Illustration, M.A. in Teaching, and a sixth-year degree in Teacher Leadership, and has taught Kindergarten for 22 years. 

Miss Kai has been a member of Steps Dance Studio for almost three years and is great with students and a huge help to the staff! She is a student at Staples High School and has always had a love for art and dance. She was a rhythmic gymnast for several years and loves to share her knowledge with students! 

Savannah graduated from Sacred Heart University and received her Masters in Teaching. Currently, she works as a 2nd grade teacher at Springdale Elementary School. Savannah has been taking dance lessons since the age of two, and has been dancing ever since. Dancing has always been a big part of her life, and she enjoys dancing with students to show them all of the amazing things dance has to offer. Throughout high school and college, she participated in a variety of musical productions. At Sacred Heart University, she was a part of the Dance Ensemble, where she was able to choreograph and teach dance to the students. Savannah is extremely happy to be part of the Steps Dance Studio staff and continue her dancing career!

Isabella is a recent graduate of Sacred Heart University and is currently in graduate school for Occupational Therapy. She is our social media and marketing manager and does all things digital and website-related! Isabella has been taking dance lessons since the age of 3 and is an alumni choreographer and dancer in the dance ensemble at Sacred Heart University. Additionally she was a part of the Sacred Heart Cheerleading team and involved with Greek life on campus. In the years leading up to college, she was involved with Stamford's All-School Musicals and in all high school productions.