Eileen Connor Zielinski began her training at the Kathryn Little School of Dance and later at Lake Erie Ballet School under the direction of Sharon Filone, School Director, and Artistic Directors, Robert Steele and Jeff Satinoff.  Most recently, Ms. Zielinski earned certifications and associate teacher status in grades Primary – Level 7/Partnering from the American Ballet Theater teacher’s program. In addition, she holds certificates of completion for grades I – VI in ballet pedagogy in Vaganova technique from Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet.  Ms. Zielinski holds a diploma of nursing from Bullard Havens School/Bridgeport Hospital, an Associates of Arts (High Honors) in General Education, and a Bachelors of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) in English and Education from Stetson University. Since her arrival to Florida in 1993, she has taught at several independent Central Florida dance schools, the School of Music at Stetson University, Orlando Ballet, and guest taught at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet summer and August courses.

Orlando United Arts awarded Ms. Zielinski the “Educator of the Year” award for her work in the S.T.E.P.S. program at Orlando Ballet. Additionally, American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum has awarded Ms. Zielinski their “ABT Affiliate Teacher Award” for successfully presenting multiple levels of students for proficiency testing.

Ms. Zielinski has set full length productions of “The Nutcracker”, “Cinderella”, and “The Sleeping Beauty”, along with reproducing entire acts from “Fosse”, “La Esmeralda”, “La Bayadère”, “Le Corsair”, ”Paquita”, “Giselle”, and “Coppélia.” She has prepared many students for dance competitions, coaching their classical and contemporary variations for artistry and technique. She has also served as an Artistic Director for the Civic Ballet of Volusia County in their 2016 and 2017 production of “The Nutcracker.”

For recreation, she studies and competes in International Standard, American Smooth, and American Rhythm ballroom techniques.