Board of Directors

Barbara Baran
 President

Barbara has been actively studying social and competitive ballroom dance since September, 2003.   She enjoys going out dancing and has performed in dance events organized by the East Hartford Fine Arts Commission and Circle of Life:  Arts for All; she has also participated in dance performances at local convalescent homes and in the local schools.   She has competed in Fred Astaire Regional and Tri-State Challenge competitions and enjoys the challenge of showcases.  Barbara has been very actively organizing the effort to reinstate the Hartford chapter of USA DANCE / USABDA.

 Barbara is the Assistant Vice President [of Program Management for Procurement Strategic Initiatives & Technology] at The Hartford. Many aspects of her work involve organization, project and team development and “getting the job done”.   In addition to her position responsibilities, she actively supports The Hartford’s IT Intern and Alliance Student programs, which provide college students an opportunity to experience the corporate world through participation on various business/IT projects. 

Barbara holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (scl) and a Master of Business Administration (mcl).  Barbara is also a graduate of the Society of Information Management’s (SIM) Regional Leadership Forum Program.  As Vice President of Programs for the Southern New England Chapter of Project Management, she led the effort to establish a local Hartford chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI), emphasizing the importance of project management within business/ IT.    Barbara also volunteers in the community, helping non-profit organizations develop business and marketing plans and develop their application of technology. 

Barbara resides in East Hartford and, besides ballroom dancing of course, enjoys roller-blading, ice-skating, spending time with her nephew, Mattie, and working on do-it-yourself home projects

Judge Herbert Barall
 Vice President

Judge Barall is the current Treasurer of Circle of Life – Arts for All, Inc. Judge Barall is a Superior Court Judge Trial Referee. He has served as a judge in many capacities including: Chief Administrative Judge for Juvenile Court for the State of Connecticut, presiding Judge of Major Criminal Matters in Hartford, presiding Judge for the Civil Division in Hartford, and presiding Judge of the family court in Hartford.             

Judge Barall holds a Doctor of Law Cum Laude from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Science from New York University. He was a member of Tau Alpha Omega Honorary Fraternity. Judge Barall attended East Hartford High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and the East Hartford Basketball Team

In the recent past, he has served as Chairman of the Governor’s Council on Mental Retardation. In 1969, Judge Barall and his wife, Regina, formed The League for Autistic and Handicapped Children and assisted CEO John Alison of CREC to establish programs and classes for autistic children. In 1999, Judge Barall and his wife assisted in organizing CAFTR (Connecticut Association for the Retarded) to support young parents with autistic and mentally handicapped children. He has served the Town of East Hartford as a member of the Town Council, Board of Education and Corporation Counsel.

Judge Barall enjoys ballroom dancing. His specialty dances are Argentine Tango and Mambo, which he performs with his wife.

Karin Roche
 Treasurer

Karin is President and an owner of Pension Consultants, Inc. of Farmington, established in 1971 to provide administration and actuarial services for corporate Pension and 401(k) plans.  Having been with the company since its inception, she has devoted her career to servicing clients and managing all aspects of the business.

Over the years Karin has served on the boards of various business related organizations as well as social clubs and has held a variety of officer positions.

Karin and her husband reside in Glastonbury and enjoy boating and traveling.  In the spring of 2003 she was introduced to ballroom dancing and immediately became fascinated with the sport - its physical and mental challenge and its opportunity for competition at a mature age. She has since competed six times

John Hall
 Board Director

John was first introduced to ballroom dancing in February, 1977 with the University of Connecticut Ballroom Dance Club, of which he is still a member.  John served for nearly ten (10) years as the Ballroom Team’s faculty advisor.  John began competing in November, 1989 on a pro-am as well as amateur basis.  John competed in the Yankee Classic, Commonwealth Classic, Ballroom Production, Tri-State Challenge, Northeast Amateur Competition and Dancing a la Carte.

John won the Adult Bronze Modern and achieved the Highest Score Award in 1995 Ballroom Competition at the Nutmeg State Games.  He also won Top Gold Male Award in 2001 at Dancing a la Carte Competition in Springfield, Massachusetts.  John was a student of Margo and Peter Nielson of Gotta Dance / Studio East for more than thirteen (13) years.

John has taken numerous photos of ballroom dance, many of which have appeared in “Amateur Dancer” magazine.

Reggie Barall,
 Board Director

Reggie is the Executive Director of Circle of Life – Arts for All, Inc.  Reggie received her Bachelor of Arts (scl) and Master of Arts in literature, Writing Communication and Drama from the University of Hartford. She is a member of Alpha Thi Honorary Society.  Reggie holds Connecticut State Certification to teach in grades 9-12. She was adjunct professor of Writing and was instrumental in developing the Learning Lab for minority students at the University of Hartford.            

In 1976 Reggie became a member of The East Hartford Fine Arts Commission, assuming the position of Chairperson for Dance and Drama. Reggie formed the John Balmer players, specializing in Readers Theatre and poetry. Reggie wrote a script for the Connecticut poet, Evelyn Stark, of her life work and has given numerous performances in Connecticut. She wrote and directed a video, “Life is a Poem”, based upon her original script.

In 1980, Reggie began her volunteer work at Access TV Channel 5 in East Hartford.   She writes and produces her own show entitled Reggie’s World. She does in house shows and live takes at cultural events in Connecticut and Rhode Island. From 1990-2000 Reggie was hostess and commentator for the Connecticut State Challenge Ballroom Competitions.

Reggie is a trained dancer in American and International Smooth and Latin. She has studied Vintage Dancing and is presently studying Salsa/Mambo and Argentine Tango. Reggie and her husband, Herb, have received 1st place awards in Ballroom Dancing over the past ten (10) years. They have performed in show cases for non-profit organizations in Connecticut and the Town of East Hartford.

Frank Forzano
Board Director

Frank is beginning his twelfth year as an employee of the Connecticut Legislature and is a Realtor® with World Properties International / Rubicon Crossings.  In addition to the USA Dance Board of Directors, he also serves on the Board of a 188-unit condominium complex in South Windsor. He is also a member of the South Windsor and Greater Hartford Jaycees and the South Windsor Historical Society.  He is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University and the Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

Frank began studying dance at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Glastonbury and has competed in Fred Astaire Regional and Tri-State Challenge competitions.

He is currently studying dance at the Emerald Ballroom in Vernon.

Elaine Chase
Board Director

Elaine has worked as a paralegal for 20+ years with diversified experience.  She is currently working as a Contract Management Business Analyst for The Hartford.  She is also a registered Pharmacy Technician.

Elaine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Hofstra University and a Paralegal Certificate from Adelphi University. 

Even though Elaine does not dance, she adds her enthusiasm, business acumen and common sense to the USABDA Greater Hartford Chapter Board of Directors.

Elaine resides in Middletown with her beloved Cairn Terriers, Lucy and Radar (aka “The Terror Twins”), and her cats, Phoebe and Callie.  She is dedicated to her family, which includes her 80 year old mother, Mildred.  She is a proud Aunt to her 3 nephews and 1 niece: her brother Marvin’s son Josh Chase and her sister Marcia’s children Geoffrey (and his wife Jaime), Brian (and his wife Julie) and Laura Mintz.  She is also a proud Great Aunt to Geoffrey and Jaime’s 2 sons, Benjamin Adam and Daniel Jacob.