HGC Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Meet our team of instructors passionate about making your experience at Higher Ground Core feel joyous while completing your goals.
Founder, Creative Director, Fitness Coach, Dance Instructor
Erica Misenti
She is certified in ISSA, Barre Above, and in real world people skills to help you feel comfortable and confident achieving your goals.
Erica's Professional Dance credits include, but are not limited to: Chicago (LIZ), Carnival Cruise Lines, MTV 2, Good Morning America, The Purge Election Year, Hallmark Channel, Connecticut Lottery Commercial, The Peabody Awards, China tour, and the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center, NYC.
Co-Founder, Fitness Coach,
Head Tap Dance Instructor
Laurie Misenti
Laurie is certified to teach all ages and is efficient in time management. Her fitness background includes personal training, weight loss, toning and weight maintain.
Laurie's Professional Dance Credits include: Grease (Cha-Cha DiGregorio), Stop/Time Dance Company (20 Years). Laurie also possesses vast experience in management. She has a Certification in Project Management, Dance Studio Management and business development
Adult Ballet Instructor
Ara Wilnas
Ara has been teaching ballet to all ages and experience levels for over twenty years. Trained with Franco DeVita, one of the designers of ABT's National Training Curriculum, Alla Osipenko, and Rolando Yanes. She has danced professionally with CT Concert Ballet and Northern CT Ballet, and Tim Martin Choreographies of New York. Ara teaches strong ballet technique with a focus on artistry, encouraging creativity and a love for music and movement in all her students.
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Contemporary Instructor
Athena Savvides
Coming Soon
Zumba Instructor
Heather Rhinesmith
Heather fell head over heels in love with Zumba and became a Zumba instructor in 2013. Heather is also a full time licensed clinical social worker. What Heather loves most about Zumba, is it not only improves our physical health, but improves our mental health too. Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are as important as our physical health. So if you need to tune out and turn up, I'm ready to dance with you!!!!
Zumba Instructor
Kristyn Kreho
Coming Soon
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Cha Cha Instructor, Dance Teacher
Julie McKenna
Embrace your inner JLo, feel sassy and confident while learning Ballroom Cha Cha moves in Julie's class! All levels are welcome!!! Dance/ Ballroom heels are suggested shoes to wear, but you may join us in flats/ sneakers!
Julie was the Founder & President of the Ballroom Dance Club at UCONN. She has danced various styles of Ballroom competitively since 2017 and has been awarded in the dances of Cha Cha and Salsa. In addition, she has trained at Broadway Dance Center, taken master classes with Christina Garced.
Kid's Ballet Instructor
Shana Luzusky
Coming Soon
Bollywood Instructor
Mamatha Puttaswamy
Coming Soon
POM Instructor
Maddie Vale
Coming Soon
Martial Arts Instructor- Self Defense
Paul Hyder
Coming Soon