About the Teachers...
Grace Barton Harvey, is co-creator and its the Director of the
Dance and Performing Arts Program at the center. Grace holds a
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University of
Hartford Hartt School. Grace's training includes extensive study
with the School of the Hartford Ballet, and in the Martha Graham
Modern technique. Grace has also performed in NYC and the
surrounding areas with Off Center Dance Theater performing various
solo and ensemble roles. Grace believes within every individual there
is a dancer.
Grace Barton Harvey, is co-creator and its the Director of the
Dance and Performing Arts Program at the center. Grace holds a
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University of
Hartford Hartt School. Grace's training includes extensive study
with the School of the Hartford Ballet, and in the Martha Graham
Modern technique. Grace has also performed in NYC and the
surrounding areas with Off Center Dance Theater performing various
solo and ensemble roles. Grace believes within every individual there
is a dancer.
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Liz Tevolini, attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on full
scholarship, where she earned a BFA in Dance and a BS in Nutrition. Liz's
ballet training includes years of study in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus
and at the Joffrey Ballet. As a young dancer, Liz performed with the
legendary ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire in Roland Petit's U.S. Production of De
Fledermaus on Broadway. In New York, Liz has performed with Mati Elias
Dance, Room Eleven Dancers, and Tony Silva Dance, performing in the New
York area and at the Kennedy Center in Washington D. C. In CT, Liz can
currently be seen performing with the contemporary dance company Bernier
Dance. Most recently, Liz has completed the prestigious Central Pennsylvania
Youth Ballet Teacher Training. Liz is also a certified yoga instructor blending
pilates, vinyasa, and Sivananda styles in her classes.
Luigi, the world renowned Jazz dancer and teacher, once said, "To dance, put
your hand on your heart and listen to the sound of your soul. " Liz's goal is to
empower each dancer to explore his or her soul, dancing with expression,
creativity, and passion.
scholarship, where she earned a BFA in Dance and a BS in Nutrition. Liz's
ballet training includes years of study in the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus
and at the Joffrey Ballet. As a young dancer, Liz performed with the
legendary ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire in Roland Petit's U.S. Production of De
Fledermaus on Broadway. In New York, Liz has performed with Mati Elias
Dance, Room Eleven Dancers, and Tony Silva Dance, performing in the New
York area and at the Kennedy Center in Washington D. C. In CT, Liz can
currently be seen performing with the contemporary dance company Bernier
Dance. Most recently, Liz has completed the prestigious Central Pennsylvania
Youth Ballet Teacher Training. Liz is also a certified yoga instructor blending
pilates, vinyasa, and Sivananda styles in her classes.
Luigi, the world renowned Jazz dancer and teacher, once said, "To dance, put
your hand on your heart and listen to the sound of your soul. " Liz's goal is to
empower each dancer to explore his or her soul, dancing with expression,
creativity, and passion.
Since the age of three Jessica Morrow always knew she wanted to dance
when she grew up. Jessica has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip
Hop, Acrobatics, Lyrical and African Dance. In May of 2004 Jessica
obtained her Associates Degree in Dance from Dean College. She then
attended Michigan State University for a year, returned to Dean College
and received her Bachelors Degree in Dance in May 2006. Jessica also
teaches Dance at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.
Jessica is a very caring teacher and brings her love of dance and children
to her work. She teaches Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap at The Graceful Planet.
when she grew up. Jessica has studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip
Hop, Acrobatics, Lyrical and African Dance. In May of 2004 Jessica
obtained her Associates Degree in Dance from Dean College. She then
attended Michigan State University for a year, returned to Dean College
and received her Bachelors Degree in Dance in May 2006. Jessica also
teaches Dance at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.
Jessica is a very caring teacher and brings her love of dance and children
to her work. She teaches Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap at The Graceful Planet.
Kathleen Way Barton, co-directs The Graceful Planet and is a registered
Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. Kathleen is trained in Hatha Yoga,
Pilates, Yogilates, and a certified YogaEd Teacher. Kat specializes in multi-
generational yoga and is the creator of Yoga Together TM. Kathleen
continues her training through attending workshops and conferences with
nationally recognized teachers such as Todd Norian and Rodney Yee. Kat
has led retreats in Mexico and Saint Lucia and has plans to travel the
world with Yoga Together and Graceful Planet Adventures. In 2002
Kathleen left her Sr. Account Executive Sales position with Mattel Inc. to
open The Graceful Planet with Grace, her daughter. Kathleen had turned
to Yoga as a way to deal with the pressures of her job and hectic travel
schedule and discovered a new way of graceful living. Kathleen’s mission is
to create a relaxed atmosphere where ever she is teaching and to make
Yoga and Movement fun and accessible to all.
Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. Kathleen is trained in Hatha Yoga,
Pilates, Yogilates, and a certified YogaEd Teacher. Kat specializes in multi-
generational yoga and is the creator of Yoga Together TM. Kathleen
continues her training through attending workshops and conferences with
nationally recognized teachers such as Todd Norian and Rodney Yee. Kat
has led retreats in Mexico and Saint Lucia and has plans to travel the
world with Yoga Together and Graceful Planet Adventures. In 2002
Kathleen left her Sr. Account Executive Sales position with Mattel Inc. to
open The Graceful Planet with Grace, her daughter. Kathleen had turned
to Yoga as a way to deal with the pressures of her job and hectic travel
schedule and discovered a new way of graceful living. Kathleen’s mission is
to create a relaxed atmosphere where ever she is teaching and to make
Yoga and Movement fun and accessible to all.
Angela Bellemare holds a Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Hartford and is
currently a Professor at Naugatuck Valley Community College. Angela has been dancing for twenty
years, has performed with many non profit companies, and teaches Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rhythm,Tap, and
Latin Ballroom.
Lorelei Carvey is a personal trainer, former champion body builder, and belly dance teacher. From
1995-2000 Lorelei competed on the state and national level in natural bodybuilding, earning several
titles including Women's Overall Champion at the Musclemania East Coast Bodybuilding Championships in
1999. More recently, she has studied Middle Eastern Dance with nationally acclaimed master teacher
Dolores "Riskallah Rayad" Matzen. She now dances professionally and is a member of the Riskallah Riyad
Dance Theater Co.
MaryAnn Fisher has been instructing fitness for 18 years and she teaches pilates at The Graceful
Planet. MaryAnn is certified through AfAA in Aerobics, Pilates and Personal Training. She is also trained
in a variety of group fitness classes, including sculpting, core stabilization and Bosu. MaryAnn's message
is to accept yourself. Wellness is a process, a way of life.
Mary Hadley is a certified yoga instructor who began her practice as a teenager growing up in
California. While living in San Francisco she practiced at Brahmananda Ashram under Hari Harananda,
himself a student of Swami Bua, the legendary yogi now believed to be 116 years old. Hari was Mary's
inspiration to become a yoga teacher, and upon moving to Connecticut she completed her certification at
Lotus Gardens in Sherman. Mary believes yoga helps bring healing and peace, carrying over into all
aspects of our lives.
Lynda Muir holds a Master's degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from the University of
California at Pennsylvania, is certified with AFAA as a personal trainer, and holds a NASM-PES,
Performance Enhancement Specialist certification.
Frank Thomas has studied and practiced yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophies for over 30 years.
Several years ago, he began deepening his yoga practice through regular classes, teacher-training, and
dedication to continuing his study of the spiritual science of yoga. Frank is a registered teacher (RYT)
with Yoga Alliance and has his 200-Hour Teacher Certification from Lotus Gardens, LLC. His greatest
joy is sharing his knowledge through teaching. Frank continues to learn about the physiology and
philosophy of yoga and related disciplines.
In his classes, Frank integrates his knowledge of Astanga, Anusara, Forrest, Iyengar, Kundalini, and
Vinyasa Flow yoga- along with such other disciplines as Tai Chi and mindfulness meditation- to provide a
safe and open environment in which all students may find their way to the unity of body, mind, and spirit
that is yoga.
currently a Professor at Naugatuck Valley Community College. Angela has been dancing for twenty
years, has performed with many non profit companies, and teaches Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rhythm,Tap, and
Latin Ballroom.
Lorelei Carvey is a personal trainer, former champion body builder, and belly dance teacher. From
1995-2000 Lorelei competed on the state and national level in natural bodybuilding, earning several
titles including Women's Overall Champion at the Musclemania East Coast Bodybuilding Championships in
1999. More recently, she has studied Middle Eastern Dance with nationally acclaimed master teacher
Dolores "Riskallah Rayad" Matzen. She now dances professionally and is a member of the Riskallah Riyad
Dance Theater Co.
MaryAnn Fisher has been instructing fitness for 18 years and she teaches pilates at The Graceful
Planet. MaryAnn is certified through AfAA in Aerobics, Pilates and Personal Training. She is also trained
in a variety of group fitness classes, including sculpting, core stabilization and Bosu. MaryAnn's message
is to accept yourself. Wellness is a process, a way of life.
Mary Hadley is a certified yoga instructor who began her practice as a teenager growing up in
California. While living in San Francisco she practiced at Brahmananda Ashram under Hari Harananda,
himself a student of Swami Bua, the legendary yogi now believed to be 116 years old. Hari was Mary's
inspiration to become a yoga teacher, and upon moving to Connecticut she completed her certification at
Lotus Gardens in Sherman. Mary believes yoga helps bring healing and peace, carrying over into all
aspects of our lives.
Lynda Muir holds a Master's degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from the University of
California at Pennsylvania, is certified with AFAA as a personal trainer, and holds a NASM-PES,
Performance Enhancement Specialist certification.
Frank Thomas has studied and practiced yoga, meditation, and Eastern philosophies for over 30 years.
Several years ago, he began deepening his yoga practice through regular classes, teacher-training, and
dedication to continuing his study of the spiritual science of yoga. Frank is a registered teacher (RYT)
with Yoga Alliance and has his 200-Hour Teacher Certification from Lotus Gardens, LLC. His greatest
joy is sharing his knowledge through teaching. Frank continues to learn about the physiology and
philosophy of yoga and related disciplines.
In his classes, Frank integrates his knowledge of Astanga, Anusara, Forrest, Iyengar, Kundalini, and
Vinyasa Flow yoga- along with such other disciplines as Tai Chi and mindfulness meditation- to provide a
safe and open environment in which all students may find their way to the unity of body, mind, and spirit
that is yoga.
About The Graceful Planet...
The Graceful Planet offers many different classes for adults and
children. We offer dance classes, yoga, pilates, dance fitness and
other workshops of interest to enhance your well being.
We are excited and honored to announce we are now a Kripalu
Affiliate Yoga Studio. Kripalu is a world renowned yoga and wellness
center located in Lenox , Massachusetts and offers many programs
for creative self exploration and continued learning.
Kripalu’s mission is to teach the art and science of yoga to produce
thriving and health in individuals and society.
Here at The Graceful Planet we align ourselves with this mission, and
expand the vision to include the art and science of yoga, dance and
mind body fitness to produce thriving and health in individuals and in
our community.
The Graceful Planet offers many different classes for adults and
children. We offer dance classes, yoga, pilates, dance fitness and
other workshops of interest to enhance your well being.
We are excited and honored to announce we are now a Kripalu
Affiliate Yoga Studio. Kripalu is a world renowned yoga and wellness
center located in Lenox , Massachusetts and offers many programs
for creative self exploration and continued learning.
Kripalu’s mission is to teach the art and science of yoga to produce
thriving and health in individuals and society.
Here at The Graceful Planet we align ourselves with this mission, and
expand the vision to include the art and science of yoga, dance and
mind body fitness to produce thriving and health in individuals and in
our community.
Just Breathe...