Throughout her career, Shelly has performed in numerous productions, choreographed countless pieces, and had the opportunity to train, work, and collaborate with some of the most respected names in the dance industry, including Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo, Savion Glover, and Charles Kelley. Her training and professional experiences have taken her throughout Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Las Vegas, and beyond.

Shelly’s passion for the performing arts has also led her beyond the studio and onto judging panels for beauty pageants and dance competitions, giving her a unique perspective on performance, technique, artistry, and what truly makes a dancer stand out.

As the director of her studio, Shelly believes that dancers deserve access to the very best. She is constantly searching for innovative teachers, choreographers, and industry professionals to bring new styles, fresh perspectives, and exciting opportunities to her students. Her goal is not simply to teach dance, but to expose her dancers to the ever-changing world of the performing arts and help each of them discover their own potential.

That dedication comes full circle each year in the studio’s productions, where Shelly’s vision, creativity, and passion come together to create memorable performances that showcase the hard work and growth of her dancers.

For Shelly, dance has never simply been about learning steps. It is about building confidence, creating memories, inspiring passion, and giving every dancer the opportunity to shine.

Meet Angie — Associate Director, Dancer, Choreographer & Creative Force

Angie’s journey with Colby Academy of Dance began at just five years old, when she started training under Shelly Colby. From the very beginning, Angie showed a natural passion and dedication to dance. She went on to become a member of Shelly’s competition team, proudly earning her place as one of the youngest dancers on the team when she first began competing.

Today, Angie has come full circle, continuing to dance and choreograph while serving as the Associate Director of Colby Academy of Dance. Her role extends far beyond the classroom. Angie is an integral part of the day-to-day organization of the studio, handling student schedules, planning studio activities, and helping bring each season together behind the scenes.

Angie also plays a major creative role in the studio’s productions. She designs and creates the programs for the annual recital and serves as the studio’s photographer, capturing the countless moments, memories, and milestones that make the Colby Academy experience so special. Her talent behind the camera has even been recognized outside of the studio, with her photography featured in a gallery exhibition and covered by local newspapers.

While dance has always remained an important part of Angie’s life, she has continued to grow academically and professionally as well. She recently earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Westfield State University, majoring in English with a concentration in Writing and minoring in Communications. She is now continuing her education by pursuing her Master’s Degree with a focus on Vocational Education.

From being one of Shelly’s youngest competition dancers to becoming an important part of the leadership team, Angie’s journey is a true reflection of what it means to grow up at Colby Academy. Her creativity, organization, dedication, and love for the studio continue to make an impact on both the students and the Colby Academy family.

Angie is proof that sometimes the places where we begin become the places where we make our greatest impact.

Mr. David

Mr. David is a talented dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, judge, and master teacher with a passion for sharing his knowledge and love of dance with others. With experience across multiple areas of the dance industry, he brings creativity, expertise, and professionalism into every class and performance opportunity.

As an instructor and master teacher, Mr. David is dedicated to helping dancers develop their technique, confidence, performance quality, and individuality. His experience as a choreographer and judge gives him a unique perspective on both the artistry and discipline of dance.

Mr. David continues to inspire dancers of all ages through his passion, experience, and commitment to helping each student reach their fullest potential.

Meet Bryan

Dance has always been more than movement to Bryan—it is a way of expressing yourself, finding your confidence, telling a story, and connecting with the people around you. What began as a personal passion grew into a love for teaching, choreography, and creating spaces where dancers can truly feel like themselves.

As a versatile dance instructor and choreographer, Bryan has experience working across multiple styles and genres. Rather than limiting himself to one style, he embraces the many different ways dance can be used to express emotion, personality, and individuality. His approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that there is no single “right” way to be a dancer. Every dancer has their own story, their own strengths, and their own way of moving—and Bryan wants to help them discover it.

What makes Bryan’s classes different is the connection he creates with his students. He wants dancers to feel challenged, but never intimidated. He wants them to work hard, but also have fun. Most importantly, he wants them to walk out of the studio feeling like they accomplished something they can be proud of.

For Bryan, choreography is about more than putting steps together. It is about creating a moment. It is about taking music, movement, emotion, and personality and turning them into something that people can feel. Whether he is teaching a beginner taking their first steps or helping an experienced dancer push beyond their comfort zone, Bryan brings the same passion, energy, and belief in every dancer who walks into his class.

His goal is simple: to help dancers become more confident in their movement, more comfortable in who they are, and more fearless in expressing themselves.

Because at the end of the day, Bryan doesn't just want to teach you how to dance.

He wants to help you find the part of yourself that comes alive when you do.

Meet Jillieann — Dancer, Student helper & Choreographer

For more than 14 years, Colby Academy has been more than a dance studio to Jillieann—it has been a second home, a place where she discovered her passion, found her voice, and grew into the dancer, leader, and mentor she is today.

Jillieann’s love for dance goes far beyond simply learning choreography or performing on a stage. She dances with purpose. She brings emotion, intention, and meaning into every movement, believing that a truly powerful performance is about telling a story and making people feel something.

Throughout her years at Colby Academy, Jillieann has become a role model for the dancers around her. She leads by example, encourages those coming up behind her, and brings a genuine passion for dance into everything she does as a student teacher and choreographer.

As Jillieann prepares to graduate from Colby Academy, she leaves behind an incredible legacy—including numerous title wins, overall high-scoring solos, judges’ awards, and countless memories created both on and off the stage. But her greatest accomplishment may not be found on a trophy shelf. It is the impact she has made on the dancers who have watched her, learned from her, and looked up to her.

Jillieann may be moving on to her next chapter, but she will never truly leave Colby Academy. This studio helped shape her heart as a dancer, and in return, Jillieann has left a piece of her heart here.

Where she started will always be a part of who she is—and Colby Academy will always have a place in Jillieann’s heart.