Eastern Connecticut Ballet selects Ashley Bouder as its new Executive Director

Eastern Connecticut Ballet (ECB), the premier school for dance education in Connecticut, announced today that Ashley Bouder, former New York City Ballet principal ballerina of 20 years, has been selected as the school’s new Executive Director.

As a world-renowned dancer, teacher, academic and leader, Bouder brings a unique skill set to this Executive Director role. Trained in the Balanchine, neo-classical style of ballet at the School of American Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Bouder has performed with the New York City Ballet, Bayerisches Staats Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and Rome Opera Ballet, as well as distinguished ballet galas around the world.

She has received several awards for her dancing capabilities and performances, including the Benois de la Dance, often referred to as the Oscars of Ballet, for Best Female Dancer in 2019; the Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise in 2000; and the Janice Levin Dancer Honoree for 2002-2003.

As an artistic and executive director, Bouder has produced and choreographed 15 productions. Most recently, she served as the Training Program Director for Regional Dance America, where she developed and designed training sessions for pre-professional dancers.

“Ashley has celebrated remarkable success on the world stage, and her personal achievements have made her uniquely poised for the Executive Director role,” said ECB founder Lise Reardon. “Ashley possesses a generous, creative and entrepreneurial spirit. She will bring fresh eyes and energy to an organization that is committed to developing young dancers and the future of ballet. Her commitment to building upon ECB’s legacy of excellence will continue to help the school flourish and propel it into the future.”

Don’t miss

• Connecticut Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ to Feature Live Music by Hartford Symphony Orchestra
• Cirque Dreams Holidaze brings holiday spectacle to Wallingford on Nov. 28–29
• A cappella group Straight No Chaser returns to Mohegan Sun Arena for ‘Holiday Road Tour’

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

Farmington Polo Club

The Farmington Polo Club is set to offer a vibrant lineup of events this June, blending competitive polo with festive themes and family-friendly activities.

August 9, 2025 – MAB Appreciation Cup
August 16, 2025 – International Challenge
August 22, 2025 – Dream Ride Gold Cup
August 30, 2025 – Pro-Am Challenge

Click here to purchase tickets

Haven Hot Chicken reopens in Norwalk

Haven Hot Chicken Norwalk is BACK, brighter, faster, and hotter than ever. We took a few weeks to update our back-of-house systems, level up our speed and service, and align with our updated branding. The refreshed space includes a new mural by local artist Amanda Pullano of Peep Creative. Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, you’ll notice a big difference. Better flow, better chicken, and the same unbeatable Haven Hot…and Country with no spice too! Ask about our House Ranch.

Connecticut Merch

Rep Your County. Wear Connecticut.
Show off your local pride with our exclusive Connecticut merch—featuring bold, stylish designs for every county in the state. Whether you’re from Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, or Windham, we’ve got you covered.

Shop ultra-soft t-shirts, cozy hoodies, laid-back tank tops, and classic sweatshirts—each made to rep where you’re from, wherever you go. Designed for comfort, created for locals, and perfect for layering year-round.

Whether you’re at the beach, the brewery, or just running errands around town, do it in gear that celebrates your county.

Connecticut. Worn with pride.

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater

Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods celebrates November with All Star Sumo, John Legend & a season like no other

ICYMI: Our top 5 visited stories of the week

Eastern Connecticut Ballet selects Ashley Bouder as its new Executive Director