Occupation: I’m the new program coordinator for the Newtown Community Center. I saw the job posting and thought, having been involved in the community for quite some time, it would be a perfect fit to schedule programming for the center that would be open for everyone in the community and bring people together.

I’m a founding member of the Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice and teach ballet and character. I studied ballet here in Newtown and took over the Marsha Ismailoff Mark School of Ballet, then opened the Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet. I ran that for 15 years before I passed that along to one of my students, Tory Gozzi.

Family: My husband, Jim, is a manager at Kraft Heinz. I have three stepchildren: Andrew, Garrett, and Morgan.

Pets: We have a cat named Keegan. We adopted him a few years ago from a pet rescue.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I grew up here and have lived in Newtown my whole life. I’ve always loved living here. My husband and I got married six years ago. He’s originally from upstate New York.

What do you like to do in your free time? I’m a founding member of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission and chairperson for the Newtown Arts Festival for the last two years. My husband and I also like to do home renovation projects and travel.

Do you have a favorite book? I just love to read. I like everything.

What is your favorite travel destination? We look forward to going to Oak Island, North Carolina, every year with my husband’s family. It’s a nice week on the beach.

What is the best part about Newtown? I like the small New England town feel, the sense of community we have, and all of the events we have here. The local organizations are so embedded in our community and put on wonderful events.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I would have to say my ballet teacher Marsha Ismailoff Mark. She taught me all the greatest life lessons — how to be creative, be present, and bring the creativity to the community. And to never be late.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? My grandmothers. I know it’s not one person, but I’d want to just get to spend the day and see them again.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I like everything from country music to classical music to pop, hip-hop, rap — it doesn’t matter.

Do you have a favorite TV show? This Is Us is probably my top one right now. I like to sit in front of the TV and cry watching it every week. It’s emotional.

What is your favorite food? Grilled food. I love the summer, so I’d say a grilled steak.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “You can do anything you set your mind to,” and I was told that by all the women in my life. I had amazing influences.

What is something you cannot live without? Coffee. I like it with just a little cream.

What is your proudest accomplishment? I would say the ballet school and being able to pass along the traditions that were created by my mentor to my student, who is now passing it on. These traditions have gone on for three generations.