Welcome to ABC!

Welcome to ABC!

Welcome to the ABC Center for Performing Arts!
Always Building Character

THANK YOU to all who attended our 17th Annual Recital: Take Off With Us! It was one of our best shows yet and we are excited to begin another great year of dance.
CONGRATS on a job well done to all of our ABC Dancers, and especially to special award and scholarship winners (listed on the Accomplishments page).

Registration is now open for both fall and summer classes!
BALLET ~ TAP ~ JAZZ ~ ACRO ~ CONTEMPORARY (Modern/Lyrical) ~ MUSICAL THEATER ~ POINTE ~ HIP HOP ~ TECHNIQUE
Ages 2 - Adult!

Our Mission

All of the dancers at ABC play a very special part at our studio. Some dancers are at dance one day a week while others are here six. Whatever the case, each and every student is a valuable member of our family. Our students learn how to work together and support each other. Teamwork is crucial for a successful dance class. Every student has a responsibility to their class to be focused, dedicated, supportive, and have a positive attitude in and out of class. Our students are stronger than ever and have built a strong sense of family within all of the classes. Parents should be very proud of their children for their committment to not only the art of dance, but to creating an atmosphere of acceptance and unity.

We believe in a solid foundation of various dance techniques, including classical ballet training. We want our students to be challenged, while also performing those steps correctly. The tricks are great and are all part of it, but you also need to master the basics to support those tricks.

At ABC we also believe in supporting the whole child, not only their dance education, but also their spirit and soul. We are there for our students 24/7 to give them responsible guidance and support. We feel that one way to do this is to also teach our dancers about what they can do to make a difference in our world today. Our dancers are very aware of their communities and those around them. The idea of doing what they can to help others has proven to have reached our dancers, as they are beginning to take an active role in planning our community service activities themselves. Not only are our dancers extremely talented, but they are intelligent, friendly, loving people who are supportive of each other and their communities.

Dance is a healthy activity that fosters creativity, teamwork, and a healthy lifestyle. Our students are able to spend time doing something they love. It is time well spent, being productive and social as well. I am proud to say that many of our dancers are on the honor and high honor rolls, involved in student council, leadership organizations, and community service projects. They have had the strength and confidence to make good, healthy choices when faced with peer pressure. The teachers at ABC could not ask for a better group of students to work with.

Our Teachers

Amy Burns-Cuozzo: Owner and Director
"Miss Amy" recieved her training at a young age at the Dance Arts Center from Miss Andrea (Andrea Wakeman), a local teacher who has turned out many professional dancers, and has since retired. Amy attended Dean College in MA, where she graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in Dance and Performing Arts. She was also a member and soloist of the Dean Dance Company. She has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education from SUNY Oneonta and is a member and regional director of Dance Masters of America, Western New York State Council, Chapter #8. Miss Amy also continues her dance education, attending seminars and workshops throughout the year. She is excellent with children, and a wonderfully qualified teacher for all students, ages 2 to Adult! Miss Amy currently lives in Guilford, NY with her husband, Chris, and two children, Makenzie and Jacob.

Brandi Clark: Teacher
"Miss Brandi" has been teaching at ABC since its doors opened in 1994. She also recieved her dance training from Miss Andrea at the Dance Arts Centre. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education. Miss Brandi is working toward becoming a member of Dance Masters of America, and is also keeping up to date with her dance education. Miss Brandi lives is Bainbridge, NY with her husband, Shawn, and daughters Skylar and MaKenna.

Tracy Graney: Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!

Eden Hartwell: Teacher
"Miss Eden" began her dance training at age three at the Dance Arts Center, then right here at ABC! She has received many accolades for her performances, including making it to the finals in the NYS Fair Talent Competition and being awarded ABC's only Lifetime Achievement Award her senior year. During her time in high school, Eden was a student teacher, and we are so glad to have her back on our teaching staff! Even in her time away from the studio, she has always come back to help us out including performing for an injured dancer for both competition and recital, and performing as a guest artist in our annual Christmas Benefit Performances and recitals. Welcome back, Miss Eden, we're glad to have you!

Tami Wood: Teacher
Bio Coming Soon!

Becky Rivera: Guest Teacher
"Miss Becky" has been a member of our ABC teaching staff for the past four years. An ABC Alumni herself, she has grown up in the studio and is excited to continue working with our students. During her time at ABC, Becky received numerous special judges' awards, titles, high score awards and special choreography awards for both the pieces she herself performed in and for dances that she taught. Becky recieved her dance teacher certification through Dance Masters of America, Chapter #8 through rigorous exams in ballet and jazz. She is continuing her dance education as a dance major at SUNY Potsdam with a concentration in choreography. Becky is excited to be a guest artist and choreographer for our Metamorphosis Contemporary Company this year!

Makenzie Cuozzo: Student Teacher
"Miss Makenzie" has been dancing for 13 years. She has been a part of the ABC Center for Performing Arts since before she was born. This will be Makenzie's second year student teaching and we are very excited to have her on our teaching staff! She is also a member and soloist of our Senior Performance Team and Metamorphosis Contemporary Company. Her honors include winning numerous high score awards, judges awards, choreography awards, and titles including Miss Teen NYLA Dance. Makenzie is a Sophomore at Bainbridge-Guilford High School.

Studio Information

ABC Center for Performing Arts is located in Sidney, NY on the corner of Division and Main Street, above Sidney Paint and Hardware. Come see our newly remodeled facility, with large dance rooms, dance floors, wall to wall mirrors, large waiting area and air-conditioning. Our entrance is in the back of the building.

Our phone number is: (607)563-8667

Web Address: www.abcschoolofdance.com