Our Mission
My goal for the Studio is to deeply engage students and help dancers to connect with the essence of life, express emotions, maintain consistent learning, and create from their own unique perspective.
Through dance, students will learn to recognize and harness energy, texture, line, and emotion. It is crucial that they understand they can perceive and create without judgment.
Ultimately, I want our students to view the world through a more aesthetic lens, enriching their lives and appreciating movement in all its forms. This journey is about more than just dance; it's about fostering healthy minds and confidence in all aspects of life.
"My goal for the Studio is to deeply engage students and help dancers to connect with the essence of life, express emotions, maintain consistent learning, and create from their own unique perspective."
— Linda Facciponte, Artistic Director & Founder
Our Artistic
Director & Founder
Linda Facciponte, the heart and soul of our studio, is dedicated to nurturing young dancer’s creativity and confidence.
Linda combines her passion for dance with a deep commitment to teaching and inspiring young dancers. Her caring and supportive approach have transformed many young lives. One of her students who initially struggled with stage fright, found the confidence to pursue her passion for dance under Linda’s guidance. This student went on to join a prestigious modern dance program, attend college for dance, and is now a professional dancer in Las Vegas. Linda connects with her students and helps them grow into confident, expressive dancers. At our dance studio, Linda strives to create an environment where every child can explore their creativity and build the confidence to shine on and off stage.
Our Faculty
Izabella Muñoz
Izabella has been a dancer for 20 years. She has participated in competitive dance, sideline dance, and musical performances throughout her dance career. Her love for dance has led her to perform on Dance Moms and at numerous professional sporting events. She has been teaching for 7 years to a wide age range. While attending Clemson University, Izabella spent her time on the Tiger Strut Competition Team. She taught and choreographed all 4 years of college for her university’s dance organization. Izabella has recently moved to Syracuse with her fiancé and two pups. Currently, Izabella is pursing her masters in clinical mental health counseling at Syracuse University. She is thrilled to be a part of the Dance Arts Studio family.
Briana Carver
Experienced in ballet, Hip-Hop, and African dance. Has been a Hip-Hop Influence in the Syracuse Market.
Taught Hiphop dance routines to children of all ages with in yearend performances.
With Elevation contemporary dance she has taught/trained hip hop jazz/contemporary dance to all age groups. With many years experience in Hip hop-2004- 2012, Ballet-2008-2014 , African– and Jazz 2005-2014 .
Maggie Hansen
Maggie Hansen at began her dance training the age of three, studying under Joanne Rinaldo at The Cazenovia School of Ballet. Maggie then attended the University at Buffalo dance program where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dance. At UB Maggie performed with The Zodiaque Dance Ensemble in pieces choreographed by Tressa Gorman-Crehan, Naila Ansari, and Jennifer Golonka. Maggie also performed student works in Emerging Choreographer’s Showcase and Dancer’s Workshop. Maggie studied multiple disciplines within dance with faculty including Tressa Gorman-Crehan, Kerry Ring, Jeanne Fornarola, Tom Ralabate, Anne Burnidge, and Melanie Aceto. Maggie is excited to be teaching Contemporary Jazz and Ballet at The Dance Arts Studio.
Azusa Okamoto
• 2022-Present Syracuse City Ballet Nutcracker
Cinderella- Cinderella
• 2021-Present Nishioka Fukutani Ballet Company (Japan)
Don Quixote - Sleeping Beauty
• 2020-2022 Utah Metropolitan Ballet
Nutcracker- Snow White- La Coquette- Coppelia (with Live Orchestra)- Swan Hilda's Friends—A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• 2017-2020 Roxey Ballet Company
Carmina Burana (with Orchestra and Choir) Cinderella- Nutcracker
Carmen- Jungle Book- Dracula
• 2016-2017 VAB Dance Theatre Co. (Canada)
Paquita Grand Pas de Deux - Le Corsaire Pas de Deux - Giselle-
• 2016 The National Ballet of Canada - Summer Intensive
• 2014-2016 Graduated from Victoria Academy of Ballet wit Diploma in Classical Ballet under Full Scholarship
• 2012 School of Alberta Ballet - Summer Intensive
• 1999-Present Fukutani Yoko Ballet Studio