HISTORY

Joseph Cipolla and Kolleen Fischer, Co-founders and Directors, opened their doors at the Corner of Lexington and Ashland in the heart of the Elmwood Village in August of 2009 and added a second studio location on Main Street in Williamsville, Amherst in August of 2011.

The studios offer instruction in Classical Ballet and Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, Character Dance and EveryBody ballet classes for adults.  The school boasts the very popular Storybook Dance program for preschool aged children. 

Classes are available for all age groups with encouragement given to all skill levels, but  the emphasis is on providing more than just dance lessons. We offer our our students a chance to “truly engage in the spirit of dance.”

The faculty includes Cipolla and Fischer as well as other dedicated instructors who are highly trained and educated, offering the finest in quality dance instruction. Guest artists from other professional companies as well as established dancers who perform with Configuration Dance Theatre are also part of the school’s faculty.

Professional dance instruction offers many benefits, including a raised awareness of the cultural and social importance of the arts, acquiring poise, confidence and grace, developing streamlined muscles, suppleness and flexibility, improve posture and a keener ability to focus through the physical and mental discipline that dance training develops.

Joseph Cipolla is a former principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sadler Wells Royal Ballet, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Mr. Cipolla, a Buffalo native and the company’s Artistic Director, has felt an earnest desire to give something back to his hometown community. This venture satisfies that longing. Cipolla believes that the school is a natural development in the growth of the company, stating that,

“Our school adds a greater sense of purpose to Configuration’s mission, which is to educate, to serve a broad range of communities, and to raise awareness of the social importance of the arts.”

Students who excel will be considered for the specialized, professional training program and possible inclusion with the troupe in their scheduled performances.