Faculty / Staff
Nichola Johnson, MFA
Complex Director
Director of Dance
Dance - ballet, modern, jazz/contemporary, choreography and composition, tap
Director of The Complex Dance Company.
• Nichola Johnson, MFA is the Founder and Executive Director of The Complex Performing & Creative Arts Centre, which she established in 2004 with the vision of creating an arts school where creativity, artistry, and authentic education come before competition. Over the past two decades, The Complex has grown from a small dance studio into a multidisciplinary community arts center serving students of all ages through dance, theatre, music, and visual arts.
Nichola began dancing at the age of three under the direction of the late Roy Perrault. She later studied Dance Pedagogy and Performance at the Hartford Camerata Conservatory, earned a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Eastern Connecticut State University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College.
Alongside her work at The Complex, Nichola serves as an Adjunct Professor of Dance and Performing Arts at Eastern Connecticut State University and CT State Community College, where she teaches courses in dance, creativity, and interdisciplinary arts. She has previously served as Associate Director of the Cultural Center at Eagle Hill School and taught dance at Nichols College, bringing experience from community arts, higher education, and professional performance into her teaching.
As a choreographer, director, educator, and interdisciplinary artist, Nichola has developed original works that have been presented nationally and has collaborated with artists, educators, and creative communities across the country. Her work explores the intersection of movement, creativity, education, and human development.
Nichola believes the arts are about far more than performance. She is passionate about creating educational environments where students learn to think creatively, solve problems, collaborate with others, and discover their own artistic voice. Whether working with a preschool student taking their first dance class or mentoring young artists preparing for college and professional careers, her goal remains the same: to help every student become not only a stronger artist, but a more confident, thoughtful, and creative human being.
Julie Watt, MFA
Complex Co-Director
Director of Creative Arts
Visual and Creative Art - painting, drawing, creative process, photography, creative writing, 3-dimensional art, community art, graphic design
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• Julie Watt is the Director of Visual and Creative Arts at The Complex Performing & Creative Arts Centre, where she leads a dynamic interdisciplinary program in painting, drawing, mixed media, graphic design, photography, creative writing, three-dimensional art, community art, and the creative process. She is passionate about helping students discover their artistic voice while developing technical skills, creative confidence, and the ability to think imaginatively across disciplines.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from Northeastern University and a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College. She currently serves as the Graphic Design and Digital Media Department Head at Norwich Technical High School and is an Adjunct Professor of Painting at Quinebaug Valley Community College. She has also taught Multimedia Design at the University of New Haven, bringing experience from secondary, collegiate, and community arts education into every classroom.
Before transitioning to full-time education, Julie built a successful career as a professional graphic designer, working with organizations including Time Warner in New York City, Valassis Communications, ADVO, and ADCO. Her professional experience provides students with a real-world perspective on visual communication, design thinking, and the many creative pathways available within the arts.
Julie's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that art is both a means of personal expression and a powerful tool for observation, communication, and problem-solving. She encourages students to experiment, ask questions, embrace the creative process, and develop the confidence to bring their ideas to life. Whether a student is picking up a paintbrush for the first time or preparing a portfolio for college, Julie creates an environment where creativity, curiosity, and individual growth are celebrated.
Madison Palmerino
Music and Theatre Faculty
Emily Zornado
Director of Theatre and Music Education
Music - ukulele and voice, music theory.
Theatre - acting, playwriting, theatre arts, musical theatre
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• Emily Zornado is the Director of Theatre and Music Education at The Complex Performing & Creative Arts Centre, where she leads the vision and development of the theatre and music departments. Since joining the faculty in 2015, Emily has been instrumental in building The Complex's theatre arts program into a comprehensive educational pathway, directing numerous productions, developing curriculum, teaching theatre classes, and providing private voice instruction.
An accomplished director, playwright, educator, and musician, Emily has directed productions ranging from large-scale musicals to original devised works and has written plays created specifically for young performers. She previously taught theatre at Pomfret School, bringing years of experience in arts education and youth development to her work at The Complex.
Emily believes theatre is about far more than performance. Through acting, music, storytelling, and creative collaboration, students develop confidence, empathy, communication skills, resilience, and artistic voice. Her teaching combines high expectations with individualized mentorship, creating a supportive environment where students are encouraged to take creative risks, discover their strengths, and grow as both artists and individuals.
Whether working with a student stepping onto the stage for the first time or mentoring advanced performers preparing for college auditions and leadership roles, Emily is passionate about helping every student find their authentic voice and experience the transformative power of the performing arts.
Emily holds bachelor's degrees in Social Work and Music, with a concentration in Education, bringing together a deep understanding of human development, learning, and artistic excellence in every aspect of her teaching.
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Alex Plucenik
Dance Faculty
Dance - jazz/contemporary, modern, hip hop/acro
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• Alex Plucenik holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from Rhode Island College and serves as the Director of Dance at Putnam Science Academy. A lifelong dancer, Alex began her training at the age of three and is proud to be an alumna of The Complex, where her own artistic and educational journey first began.
While studying at Rhode Island College, Alex trained with distinguished artists including Angelica Vessella, Kathy Smith, Eva Marie Pacheco, Adrienne Hawkins, Daniel Singh, Bridgman | Packer, and many others. During her senior year, she completed an independent study with Nichola Johnson, immersing herself in The Complex's philosophy of authentic arts education, interdisciplinary learning, and student-centered teaching. That experience solidified her passion for dance education and the belief that meaningful teaching extends far beyond technical instruction.
Today, Alex brings that philosophy into every classroom. She believes dance is a powerful vehicle for building confidence, discipline, creativity, and community. Her classes balance strong technical foundations with encouragement, curiosity, and joyful exploration, creating an environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.
As both an educator and a proud Complex alumna, Alex is honored to help guide the next generation of artists within the same community that shaped her own life. She is passionate about fostering a lifelong love of dance while helping each student discover their individual strengths and artistic voice.
Kellie Schimmelpfennig
Admin Team
Theatre - musical theatre
Music - voice, guitar and piano
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​• Madison Palmerino is an educator, musician, and performer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. As an active performer throughout northeastern Connecticut, Madison has appeared in numerous productions, including Gertrude in Seussical, Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her experience both on stage and in the classroom allows her to bring a dynamic, informed, and engaging approach to music education.
Madison believes that musical ability is not an innate talent possessed by only a few, but a skill that can be developed through thoughtful instruction, consistent practice, and a willingness to grow. She views music as a lifelong journey of discovery, creativity, and self-expression, encouraging students to approach each lesson with curiosity, perseverance, and confidence.
Whether working with beginning musicians or more advanced students, Madison creates a supportive environment that balances technical development with joyful exploration. Her lessons challenge students to reach their full potential while celebrating each individual's unique voice, learning style, and artistic goals. She is passionate about helping students develop not only strong musicianship, but also the confidence and resilience that come from meaningful artistic growth.
Studio Coordinator / Production Manager
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​• Bio Coming Soon!
Kelly Mackay
Dance Faculty
Dance - tap and jazz/contemporary
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• Kelly Mackay has been a member of The Complex faculty since 2015 and brings a thoughtful, student-centered approach to dance education. She began her dance training at the age of three at Mass Motion Dance (formerly Terri Gordon Dance Centre) before continuing her studies at the Hartford Conservatory, where she specialized in Dance Pedagogy and Performance.
As part of her conservatory training, Kelly completed an internship with Jacques d'Amboise, former Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet, and the National Dance Institute in New York City. The Institute's philosophy of hard work, joyful learning, and building community through dance continues to shape Kelly's teaching today. She has also performed as a guest artist with the Sonia Plumb Dance Company, appeared at the 5x5 Dance Festival, and performed throughout New England.
Kelly believes dance education is a collaborative process in which both teachers and students continue to learn and grow together. She encourages students to ask questions, think critically, embrace challenges, and discover their own potential through movement. Her classes combine strong technical foundations with curiosity, creativity, and the understanding that mistakes are an essential part of meaningful learning.
In addition to her work as a dance educator, Kelly is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Sonographer, bringing a unique understanding of anatomy, kinesiology, and the human body to her teaching. This perspective allows her to help students develop healthy movement habits, body awareness, and technical precision within a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Kelly is passionate about creating classrooms where every student feels challenged, encouraged, and empowered to grow—not only as dancers, but as confident and thoughtful individuals.
Shannon Jutras
Dance Faculty
Dance - ballet, modern, and jazz/contemporary, Director of The Complex Ballet Company
• Shannon earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, reflecting her deep appreciation for both movement and the humanities. She has performed with companies throughout New England, including José Mateo Ballet Theatre, TEN31 Productions, and Metamorphosis Dance Company, bringing a wealth of professional performance experience into the classroom.
As Director of The Complex Ballet Company, Shannon guides dancers through rigorous technical training while cultivating artistry, musicality, creativity, and thoughtful exploration. She believes ballet provides an important foundation for many Western concert dance forms, while also encouraging students to understand dance as part of a much broader artistic and cultural landscape. Her classes integrate anatomically informed instruction with historical context, artistic inquiry, and creative problem-solving, helping students become not only stronger dancers, but more thoughtful artists.
Shannon's teaching is grounded in the belief that exceptional dance education nurtures both technical excellence and intellectual curiosity. She encourages students to ask questions, make connections across disciplines, and approach movement with intention, imagination, and confidence. Fascinated by the relationships between dance, music, literature, history, and culture, Shannon remains a lifelong student of the arts, continually exploring new ideas that enrich her teaching and inspire her students.
Whether working with a beginning ballet student or mentoring advanced dancers in The Complex Ballet Company, Shannon creates a classroom where discipline and creativity exist side by side, and where students are challenged to discover not only what they can do, but who they are becoming as artists.
Katelyn Cramer, MA R-DMT
Dance Faculty
Dance- ballet, tap, jazz, movement therapy
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• Katelyn Cramer, MA, BC-DMT is a dance educator and dance/movement therapist who teaches ballet, tap, jazz, and Movement Therapy at The Complex. A proud 2009 alumna of The Complex, Katelyn is honored to return to the community that first inspired her lifelong passion for dance and arts education.
After graduating from The Complex, Katelyn attended Springfield College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Disability Studies. Under the direction of Dr. Cynthia Nazzaro, she focused her studies on choreography, modern dance, improvisation, and dance pedagogy. She continued her education at Antioch University New England, earning a Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling, where she explored the powerful relationship between movement, psychology, and human development.
Throughout her career, Katelyn has worked in a variety of therapeutic and educational settings, specializing in infant and early childhood development, attachment, and work with individuals in the Autistic and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities communities. Her unique background allows her to view movement not only as an artistic discipline, but also as a powerful tool for communication, emotional expression, connection, and overall well-being.
Alongside her therapeutic work, Katelyn has continued to teach, choreograph, and perform throughout Massachusetts, maintaining an active commitment to both artistic practice and education. Her classes combine strong technical foundations with creativity, play, and individualized support, creating an environment where every student feels welcomed, challenged, and celebrated.
Katelyn believes dance has the power to enrich every stage of life. Whether teaching a young child's first ballet class, leading a Movement Therapy session, or working with developing dancers, she is passionate about helping students build confidence, self-awareness, meaningful relationships, and a lifelong love of movement.
Catie Verostick, MT-BC
Corey Stanley
Jodi Stevens
Music and Theatre Faculty
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Dance and Creative Arts Faculty
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Music Faculty
Dance - tap, hip hop
Creative Arts - drawing, painting, 3-D, conceptual art, creative writing
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Corey Stanley is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, choreographer, performer, and visual artist who teaches tap, hip hop, creative arts, acting, and musical theatre at The Complex. A proud alumnus of The Complex, Corey began his artistic journey as a member of the studio's original theatre company, where he immersed himself in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. Today, he is honored to mentor the next generation of artists within the same community that first inspired his love of the arts.
Following graduation, Corey continued his artistic training through independent study with professional dance and theatre educators while developing a passion for scenic art and visual design. His scenic design work earned recognition through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival while studying at Western Connecticut State University, highlighting both his artistic vision and technical skill.
As a performer, Corey has appeared in numerous theatrical productions throughout the region and has worked professionally as a touring musician and performer, bringing real-world performance experience into every classroom. As a choreographer, he has created movement for a variety of theatrical productions, helping performers develop confidence, storytelling, and expressive movement. His work across dance, theatre, music, and visual arts allows him to offer students a truly interdisciplinary perspective on the creative process.
Corey believes the arts are about curiosity, collaboration, and fearless exploration. Whether students are learning a tap combination, developing a character, creating a painting, or exploring a new artistic idea, he encourages them to take creative risks, ask thoughtful questions, and discover confidence through the process of making. His classroom is energetic, supportive, and rooted in the belief that every student has a unique artistic voice worth developing.
Having experienced The Complex as both a student and now an educator, Corey is passionate about fostering the same sense of creativity, community, and belonging that shaped his own journey and continues to inspire his work today.
Music - piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, woodwinds
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Jodi Stevens is a professional musician, educator, and accomplished multi-instrumentalist who teaches piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, percussion, and woodwinds at The Complex. She also serves on the faculty of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, where she shares her passion for music with students of all ages and abilities.
Jodi earned her Bachelor of Music from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, concentrating in Music Education and Bass Performance. A highly respected bassist and versatile musician, she has built a career spanning more than two decades as a performer, private instructor, ensemble director, choir director, and music educator. Her breadth of experience across multiple instruments allows her to guide students with both exceptional technical knowledge and a deep understanding of musicianship.
Throughout her career, Jodi has performed professionally in a wide variety of musical settings, bringing real-world performance experience into every lesson. Whether working with beginning musicians or advanced students preparing for auditions, performances, or personal artistic goals, she believes music education should be both rigorous and joyful.
Jodi's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student can become a confident musician when instruction is individualized, encouraging, and engaging. She thoughtfully adapts her lessons to each student's interests, learning style, and aspirations while building strong technical skills, musical literacy, creativity, and confidence. Her warm, patient approach helps students feel supported as they develop not only as musicians, but as lifelong learners.
Jodi is passionate about helping students discover the joy of making music and believes the greatest reward of music education is watching students grow in confidence, curiosity, and artistic expression.
Music - voice, piano, ukulele, guitar
Theatre - acting
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Catie Verostick, MT-BC is a musician, educator, performer, and Board Certified Music Therapist who teaches voice, piano, ukulele, and guitar at The Complex. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy with minors in Psychology and Musical Theatre from Anna Maria College, bringing together expertise in music, education, human development, and performance.
An active performer throughout southern New England, Catie has appeared in productions including The Prom (Ensemble/Alyssa Greene Swing), The Little Mermaid (Allana), and Something Rotten! (Bea). She currently performs professionally with the Roger Williams Park Zoo, where she brings music, theatre, and character performance to audiences of all ages. In addition to performing, Catie has become an integral member of the creative teams behind numerous productions. Most recently, she choreographed Matilda at The Bradley Playhouse and has served on the creative team for several other regional musicals, contributing choreography, movement, and artistic collaboration.
As a Board Certified Music Therapist, Catie understands that every student learns differently. Her lessons are thoughtfully individualized to meet each student's unique goals, interests, and learning style—whether they are learning their first chords, preparing for auditions and performances, strengthening vocal technique, or simply discovering the joy of making music. She creates a supportive and engaging environment where students feel safe to take creative risks, ask questions, and grow with confidence.
Catie believes music is a lifelong source of connection, creativity, and self-expression. She is passionate about helping students build strong technical skills while fostering confidence, resilience, and a genuine love of music that extends far beyond the lesson room.