About Us
Rayna's School Of Dance opened in Old Saybrook, Connecticut in July of 2008. After a wonderful first year, we were able to move to the BEAUTIFUL Chester, Connecticut and are able to call INSPIRATION LANE our dance home!
Rana Bailey
Owner/Instructor
Rana began her dance training at the age of 3 years old in Enfield, Connecticut. As her hobby became her passion, she knew dance was something she wanted to continue through her journey in life. She attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts her senior year of High School and went on to The University Of The Arts in Philadelphia to earn her Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Jazz Dance.
She has been honored to work with tap great LaVaughn Robinson, Jazz phenom Frank Hatchett, and artist Matthew Barney, where she was able to dance with the Rockettes.
She has performed the Nutcracker with the Albany Berkshire Ballet and several rolls with The Connecticut Concert Ballet.
She lived in NYC for 6 years where she danced with a Modern based company Fluid Edge, performed with the Rockettes in a Matthew Barney film series, an extra with the American Movie Channel "Into Character" and an unreleased movie with B.D. Wong and Margaret Cho. Although she loved performing, she knew something was missing.
She began teaching at Ballet Arts in Pelham, NY where she found what she was missing. Sharing her love of dance with others, especially the kids. After 2 years of teaching in NY she now dreamed of opening her own studio back in her home state and sharing her dance knowledge with others.
Rana makes sure that dance is always made as much fun for others as she has had. However, she knows how important it is to have the strong foundation of dance basics. She makes sure that both are combined into her classes.
Other notable dance experiences:
Choreographed
Bye Bye Birdie (2019), Hello Dolly (2018), Pirates of Penzance (2017), Mary Poppins (2016), Oklahoma (2015), and Anything Goes (2013) for Portland High School
Wizard of Oz (2019) Haddam-Killingworth High School
James and the Giant Peach (2018) for John Winthrop Middle School
Choreographed Willy Wonka Jr for Performing Arts Programs (2012)
Choreographed the Munchkins in the Artful Living Production of The Wizard of Oz (2011)
Nominated in 2011 for Best Choreographer by Broadway World Connecticut for The Wizard of Oz.
Live Performances:
Zephyr's Pond Jeroma Original Musical, NY
Fluid Edge Company Member New York City
Tap Team II Company Member Philadelphia
Gypsy Dainty June Hartford, CT
Guys and Dolls Hot Box Dancer Hartford, CT
Finian's Rainbow Susan Mahoney Springfield, MA
Salute to Frank Hatchett Dancer Springfield, MA
Film:
Across the Universe Extra Julie Taymour
Social Graces Featured Extra B.D. Wong/Margret Cho
Into Character Dancer/Actress American Movie Channel
Creamasters III Dancer Matthew Barney
Torrey MacDonald
Higganum, CT
I signed my daugher up for baby ballet at Rayna's School Of Dance when she turned 2, as a way for her to have some structure and a classroom atmosphere. I assumed she would try one year of dance then continue on to try other things, boy was I wrong. We are now entering our 3rd year at Rayna's and my daughter has grown into an amazing dancer at just 3.5 years old. She has far surpassed my own dance abilities. She is learning the fundamentals of dance and the importance of working together and following instruction and she is loving every minute of it. She has been counting down the weeks all summer until she can get back to dance class. I am forever grateful to Rana who has given my daughter the opportunity to shine doing what she loves.
Alexa Chamberlin
Higganum, CT
Great small town dance studio, which is conveniently located off RT 9. Love the fact that they are also involved in community activities along with normal dance recitals. Can't wait to see my daughter (3.5 yrs old) become a ballerina at this studio for her first time. Rana is high energy and quite enthusiastic with all of the classes she provides.
Laura Fetko
Instructor
Laura is a 2nd year instructor at Rayna's School of Dance however not new to teaching. She also started her dance training at Riley's School Of Dance in Enfield and has taught there for several years. She also has her Bachelors Degree in Dance and an Associate Degree in exercise science both from Dean College.
Erica Pititto
Instructor
Erica has been teaching at Rayna's School Of Dance for 5 years, as a full time teacher for three years! She is amazing with the students and they love her just as much as she loves teaching them.
Shannon Sobolow
Musical Theater Instructor
We are excited to welcome Shannon to our studio as the musical theater instructor! She is a graduate of the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and received her BM at Manhattan School Of Music. She currently works at Performing Arts Programs in South Windsor.
