Business Details
23 Years
experience
Essex Dance Academy - Dance Classes for All Ages in Fairfield
Essex Dance Academy has been dedicated to providing high-quality performing arts instruction since 2003. Our mission is to cultivate artistic excellence and personal growth in students of all ages and skill levels through individualized guidance from experienced professionals. With six state-of-the-art studios featuring custom dance floors and advanced sound systems, we offer a nurturing environment where recreational and career-focused dancers develop technical proficiency and creative expression.Our faculty comprises award-winning instructors with extensive industry experience, ensuring students receive comprehensive training aligned with professional standards. The academy's commitment to holistic development extends beyond dance technique to include performance opportunities, competitive programs, and specialized classes that foster confidence and artistic identity.
Services
Dance Classes
Birthday Parties
Competitive Teams
Recreational Programs
Dancewear Sales
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in professional dance instruction
- Our six state-of-the-art studios feature custom spring-cushioned floors
- Award-winning faculty with professional backgrounds in performance and choreography
- Personalized guidance for both recreational and competitive dance paths
- Conveniently located dancewear boutique with industry-leading brands
Services
Dance Classes
Our comprehensive dance programs cater to students aged 2-18 with classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and musical theater. Recreational and competitive tracks develop technical proficiency while fostering artistic expression. Professional instructors provide personalized attention in state-of-the-art studios with spring-cushioned floors that protect developing bodies.
Birthday Parties
Create unforgettable celebrations with our two-hour dance-themed birthday parties. Packages include professional studio space, themed decorations, and age-appropriate activities like hula hoops, limbo contests, and choreographed dance routines. Parties accommodate up to 20 children with optional refreshment setup in our dedicated event space.
Competitive Teams
Our audition-based competition teams provide elite training in multiple dance genres for ages 4-18. Dancers receive specialized coaching in technical execution and artistic presentation while competing regionally and nationally. The program emphasizes both individual growth and team collaboration through choreographed performances judged against industry standards.
Dancewear Boutique
Everything Dance boutique offers a comprehensive selection of dance essentials including shoes, tights, leotards, and performance wear. Located adjacent to our studios, the store features top industry brands at competitive prices with personalized fitting assistance from experienced staff members.
Musical Theater
This interdisciplinary program combines dance, acting, and singing to develop well-rounded performers. Students learn Broadway-style choreography while developing stage presence and character interpretation skills. Classes focus on integrating technical dance elements with theatrical storytelling through popular musical repertoire.
People
Marie Fischbach
Studio Owner, Director, Instructor
Marie Fischbach founded Essex Dance Academy in 2003 after training with Barbara Barshtak and institutions like American Ballet Theater. With over 20 years teaching experience, she develops curriculum and oversees faculty while maintaining active involvement in student mentorship and recital production.
Suzy Fischbach
Artistic Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Suzy Fischbach serves as Artistic Director with seven years teaching contemporary and jazz. She manages creative vision for performances and choreographs for competition teams, drawing on performance experience at venues like the Joyce Theater and industry events including the Ace Awards.
Hilary Thornburgh Nicolai
Instructor
Hilary Thornburgh Nicolai brings extensive professional ballet experience from the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and New York City Ballet. An ABT-certified teacher with a master's degree in dance education, she specializes in classical technique and has performed principal roles in major ballet productions.
Steven Blandino
Instructor, Choreographer
Steven Blandino holds a BFA in Commercial Dance and teaches at prestigious institutions like Broadway Dance Center. His choreography has been recognized at the Capezio ACE Awards, with performance credits including national tours of West Side Story and Mamma Mia!
Kayla Kaspar Simone
Choreographer
Kayla Kaspar Simone has taught and choreographed at EDA for over a decade. A former NJ Nets Junior Dance Team member with engineering degrees, she combines technical precision with creative expression, winning multiple regional and national choreography awards for her work with student dancers.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer programs for children as young as 2 through teenagers up to 18 years old, with both recreational and competitive options available.
Do you offer dance classes for beginners?
Yes, our recreational program includes beginner classes in multiple dance styles for all age groups, with specialized introductory courses for children aged 2-5.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
All students participate in our annual recital, with additional performance chances through our competitive teams and special events throughout the year.
What dance styles are available at your academy?
We teach ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, and acrobatics with specialized classes for different age groups and skill levels.
Do you have a dancewear store on premises?
Yes, Everything Dance boutique located next door offers shoes, tights, leotards, and performance wear with expert fitting assistance from our staff.
How can I register for dance classes?
Registration is available online through our website where you can browse class schedules, view descriptions, and complete enrollment for your preferred programs.
Videos
Reviews (1)
Nevida Shomun
Jul 23, 2018
Report
My sisters wedding was very near and I want to perform the best at the function. This dance studio helped me a lot! I only have joined the classes for 1 week and everyone has loved my performance!
