Instructors
Meet Our Great Team!
Lynn Agnew
Adult Tap and Broadway Jazz
Lynn is the founder of Tap and Jazz classes at Vinnie’s Jump & Jive, which is part of the Community Health Center’s Wellness Program in Middletown, CT – She taught for approximately 10 years and is happy to be back!
Lynn has studied under the direction of prominent teachers such as Phil Black, Charles Kelly, Frank Hatchett, Peter Gennaro, Charles Goddertz, Guz Giordano, Roni Mahler, Bob Rizzo, and Sandee Juliano. She served as Dance Director for the City of Middletown, Parks and Recreation Department Summer Dance Program from 2011- 2020. She is currently the new Director of “Little Camp Cromwell”, through the Cromwell Recreation Department.
She currently teaches Tap at New England Dance; Competition Classes at the prestigious Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Middletown – and Adult Jazz Class at Cromwell Recreation.
Sue Cox
SyncoCize - Dance Fitness with Sue C.
SueC has been dancing for most of her life. The amalgam of dance and fitness forged into reality as she became a certified group fitness instructor and introduced her own dance fitness program to the YMCA in 2012.To keep her style fresh, she attends master classes whenever she is able. SueC is a certified group fitness instructor leading dance fitness classes, as well as step & sculpt, body sculpting, strength & toning, tai chi, and water dance fitness. Check out her dynamic, easy to follow, cardio dance and bodysculpting classes.
Jim Gregory
Country Line Dance
Jim Gregory is a full-time dance teacher, with specialties in Country-western line and Early American cotillions. Besides being a veteran contra dance caller, Jim has taught ballroom and international folk dance, written contras and line dances, performed Appalachian clogging and Olde English country dance. Whether inspiring school kids, family groups, the general public or senior citizens, Jim has a great repertoire of both traditional and original dances to offer.
Merly De La Hoz
Latin Dance, Salsa, Children's Dance
Gia Khalsa
Bellydance and Chair Yoga
Gia found her true passion in belly dance in 1996 and has been teaching and performing all over Connecticut since 1997. Her own style of this ancient art form developed into an eclectic, emotional, artistic, mystical blend of the basics of the dance flavored with all the disciplines she has studied through the years — including yoga, chi gong, daoist practices, Buddhism, Sufism, and shamanic studies. The connection between women as they dance is a big focus for Gia and her classes are open to women of all ages, skills, and body types.
Susan de Guardiola
Bridgerton Dance
Susan de Guardiola is a full-time social dance historian and teacher who specializes in early 19th century dance, though her repertoire includes a wide variety of dance forms from the Renaissance, Colonial America, Civil War, Belle Epoque, and Ragtime eras, as well as modern social dances such as cross-step waltz. She has conducted historical balls and taught at dance festivals and workshops across the USA and in Europe, and she loves playing around with historically-inspired choreographies from film and television!
Alex Culligan
Tai Chi - Alex has been studying Yang style Tai Chi for more than two decades and teaching this art for 17 years.
The Swing Committee
Swing
The Swing Committee brings a colorful set of talents to Vinnie’s with East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Charleston, Solo Jazz, Jazz choreography, and more! The Swing and Blues Committee (Mihali Felipe, Janet Hayn, Bruce Johnson, Kate DuBois, Lynne Garner, Mike Garner, Kristi-Lynn Jacovino) with Nat Holmes, schedule swing lessons, dances, and bands to play at Vinnie’s and help to make Vinnie’s Jump and Jive the Place to Lindy Hop in CT.