Buffalo Dance Center opens: There’s a dancer inside of everybody

LANCASTER- Elma native Stacey Wawrzyniec, who has an outstanding array of dancing and teaching experience, has opened her own dance studio and is gearing up for classes to begin Monday, April 30.

The Buffalo Dance Center, located in the Elma Plaza, 2329 Bowen Road, is a studio that has been designed to inspire confidence and a sense of well-being by developing people of all ages, body types, and skill levels into dynamic dancers in a relaxed and encouraging environment.

Wawrzyniec began studying dance at the Little Red Dancing School in Rochester. There she trained extensively in tap, jazz, ballet, and modern disciplines. During her career, she had competed and placed nationally for outstanding tap and jazz performances. Her experience also includes varsity and collegiate cheerleading. She had worked as a junior varsity cheer coach and founded the Nazareth College Dance Team where she trained and provided choreography for a group of 20 dancers.

“I have always loved dancing,” remarked Wawrzyniec. “I started dancing at the age of nine and it was a really big part of my life for a long time and then life took me in another direction for a while. I would say in the last five years dance was calling me back.”

In 2007, Wawrzyniec decided to volunteer her time teaching dance at the Dulski Community Center in Buffalo.

“It really just affirmed my passion for dance and how much I really enjoy teaching it,” said Wawrzyniec. “Some dancers just like to dance, but I really enjoy the teaching aspect of it. I like being able to share that with people and have them experience what it feels like to be a dancer.”

Classes offered at the studio include: Creative Movement, for children age three to five; Mommy and Me, for moms and children between the age of one and two; Tap, Jazz, and Ballet, ages six through 12; Tap and Jazz classes for adults; and coming this summer Zumba. Tap classes are offered in three different levels: beginner, intermediate, and advance.

Also, Wawrzyniec said class sizes will vary between 10 to 15 students depending on the class, that way each student will receive individualized attention.

“For kids we really stress ballet and tap, because ballet gives them technique and tap gives them rhythm and musicality,” commented Wawrzyniec. “For adults, it is really just about learning something new, having fun, and where their interests lie.”

A variety of classes are available in sessions throughout the year to accommodate busy schedules. Children’s workshops and summer camps offer an opportunity to try dance before parents make an annual commitment. Dancers are free to wear what they are comfortable dancing in although proper footwear is required.

Wawrzyniec added that dancing has several health benefits such as improving a person’s strength and flexible.

“It is great for your heart,” she said. “It is also great for your mind, but really more than anything, and the thing I stress outside the health benefits, is that it really inspires confidence.”

Wawrzyniec also teaches classes at Clarence Presbyterian Church, 9675 Main St., and at Our Lady of Peace Church, 10950 Main St., in Clarence. She mentioned that in the future she does see herself opening other locations.

“I really want to try to make dance accessible to everyone,” remarked Wawrzyniec. “I really believe that there’s a dancer inside of everybody and it is my job to help find that and help people tap into their own natural abilities.”

For more information on class schedules, tuition, or to register, call 901-4263 or visit www.BuffaloDanceCenter.com.