Business Details
23 Years
experience
Premier Dance Education in Canandaigua, NY
Finger Lakes Ballet Academy was founded in 2003 with a mission to cultivate lifelong growth through dance education. Our approach combines classical ballet training with diverse disciplines like tap, contemporary, and hip hop, fostering confidence, discipline, and artistic expression. Led by owner and instructor Cathy Sciarratta, who trained at Sandy Stramonine School of Dance and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, our team includes certified professionals with extensive performance and teaching experience. We emphasize personalized instruction, placing students in levels based on age, skill, and goals. Our faculty, including Jaime Hull, Alisha Love, and Todd VanSlambrouck, brings expertise from institutions like American Ballet Theater and Ohio State University.Students benefit from a structured curriculum that prioritizes technical excellence while nurturing creativity and collaboration. Annual recitals showcase student progress, and our alumni have pursued dance careers in collegiate programs and professional companies. We maintain rigorous dress codes to create a focused learning environment and instill professionalism. With classes for ages 3 to adults, we blend tradition with innovation to develop well-rounded dancers. Our commitment to quality has earned consistent praise from families who describe FLBA as a supportive, transformative community.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Jazz
Modern
Combo Classes
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized dance instruction tailored to each student's skill level and goals
- Our instructors are accomplished professionals with extensive dance education and performance experience
- We maintain rigorous dress codes and structured curricula to ensure focused learning environments
- Our faculty includes DMA-certified instructors and graduates of prestigious dance programs
- We provide performance opportunities that build stage confidence and artistic expression
What people say
Caring instructors
Superior dance instruction
Family-like environment
Excellent recitals
Lifelong skills development
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program follows a Vaganova syllabus with Royal Ballet and Cecchetti influences. Students develop core technique through multiple weekly classes, with pointe dancers required to attend three sessions weekly. Faculty place students based on age, experience, and goals. The curriculum builds foundational skills that benefit all dance styles while emphasizing grace, precision, and musicality.
Tap
Contemporary tap classes focus on creating rhythm tappers through technical instruction and full-body movement. Curriculum includes ballet and jazz fundamentals while emphasizing sound production on the balls of the feet. We offer progressive levels from beginner to advanced, with students eligible for up to two weekly sessions to develop their rhythmic precision and improvisational skills.
Contemporary
Contemporary/Lyrical classes integrate ballet, jazz, and modern techniques to develop expressive dancers. Students explore floor work, fall-and-recovery dynamics, and improvisation while connecting movement to music interpretation. Prerequisite ballet training ensures technical foundation. Classes emphasize emotional storytelling through fluid motion and musical accentuation for dancers aged 10 and older.
Hip Hop
Hip hop instruction blends jazz funk, popping, locking, and freestyle elements. Curriculum develops intricate footwork and physical fitness while encouraging creative expression. Classes accommodate multiple skill levels and introduce styles like tutting, waving, and shuffling. Students learn choreography while developing individual movement vocabulary through structured improvisation exercises.
Combo Classes
Designed for young dancers aged 3-8, combo classes introduce ballet and tap fundamentals through playful instruction. Curriculum balances technical vocabulary with creative movement exploration. Three progressive levels allow 2-year retention for skill development. Classes use imaginative themes to teach basic dance concepts while preparing students for specialized training in multiple styles.
People
Cathy Sciarratta
Owner and Instructor
Cathy trained at Sandy Stramonine School of Dance and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She founded FLBA in 2003 after operating Durango Ballet Academy. With decades of experience, she guides students toward collegiate dance programs and professional careers while maintaining strong community connections.
Jaime Hull
Instructor
Jaime has taught at FLBA for 12 years. She holds a BA in English/Education from Nazareth College and DMA certification in multiple disciplines. Her training includes Broadway Dance Center and American Ballet Theater master classes. She continues professional development through Dance Masters of America programs.
Alisha Love
Instructor
Alisha graduated with a BFA in Dance from The College at Brockport. She has performed at Jacobs Pillow and NYC venues, and currently dances with Delucia Benson Dance Company. Her expertise spans contemporary techniques and international performance traditions.
Todd VanSlambrouck
Instructor
Todd holds an MFA in Dance from Ohio State University. He has performed with Garth Fagan Dance and Holland America cruise lines. His teaching emphasizes artistic communication, musicality, and performance quality through modern dance techniques and improvisational approaches.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballet, tap, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, modern, and combo classes for ages 3+. Ballet is required for most disciplines to build foundational technique.
How are students placed in classes?
Faculty evaluate age, experience, skill level, and desired weekly class frequency to determine appropriate placement for each dancer's development.
What are your dress code requirements?
Specific attire varies by discipline but generally includes leotards, tights, and appropriate footwear. Hair must be secured in buns or braids with no loose ponytails.
Do you offer performance opportunities?
Yes, we host annual recitals showcasing student progress. These events feature professionally choreographed pieces that highlight technical growth and artistic expression.
What experience do your instructors have?
Our faculty includes DMA-certified instructors, MFA holders, and professional dancers with experience at institutions like American Ballet Theater and Ohio State University.
How long have you been in operation?
Finger Lakes Ballet Academy has provided dance education since 2003, with owner Cathy Sciarratta establishing the school after years of professional dance experience.
