Testimonials

Loved by Dancers Worldwide

“AC Dance has been the greatest silver lining for me during the pandemic.”

Amanda uses her humor and grace in order to coach and teach the fundamentals of ballet. Her incredible life-long training has encouraged me to level up as a ballet dancer. She’s an excellent guide because she demonstrates and performs all of the combinations that she gives us. We all get to work together, and the collected experience is super powerful and joy-filled! Her musical selections are always inspired and triumphant. I’ve been studying with Amanda throughout this entire pandemic, and all of my other dance teachers have been amazed at my improvement. I have worked hard, but Amanda’s guidance has taught me to work smarter/not harder. She’s the secret ingredient to my success as a dancer. One of my dreams is to be on Broadway. I will not give up on my dreams. My favorite performers have never had an easy time in the biz, and I’m inspired knowing we are all in this together.

- Michael Miller, @michaelsterlingmiller81

“Amanda’s class is full of thoughtful combinations where I really feel like I’m dancing and I forget I’m in my kitchen.”

The exercises are not only strengthening my muscles, but also my mind. Her weekly classes continue to help keep the dance community connected. I'm thrilled to announce I’ve received a grant to be an Artist In Residence this summer in McCarthy, Alaska! Officially it’s called the Meg Hunt Artist in Residence program. I’ll be there for two weeks in July creating dances inspired by the old copper mill, vast landscapes, and effervescent community. I hope in the future I can continue to bring dance to McCarthy and invite students and other professional dancers and companies! It would be my dream to start a festival there.

- Alexandra Williamson, @wrangellmountainscenter

“My experience with AC Dance has been nothing but positive and inspirational.”

Amanda is such a light in these darker times and I’ve loved every class I have taken of hers whether it’s been ballet or ballet sculpt. So far I’ve only had the pleasure of taking her classes on Zoom, and her positive energy shines through my computer screen. That’s a hard thing to do! Every class is fun, and she has something to offer every level.

-Marissa Maffiolini, @sequinsglittery

“Amanda Cuoco is a thoughtful, talented, and inspiring teacher.”

She never shies away from a correction or a compliment, and I always feel encouraged in her classes. During an unprecedented year full of fear and uncertainty, the ability for her to reach students over Zoom has been a breath of fresh air that has become a welcomed part of my weekly routine. Whether you're a dance professional at the top of your game or a novice dancer looking for a great way to get in shape, AC Dance has something to offer you. In a time of social distance when we are all craving connection and normalcy more than ever, I've had the great fortune of finding a community of friends and fellow artists within AC Dance.

- Doug Stewart, @zettiebellebakes

“Amanda's ballet classes have truly been one of my saviors of 2020.”

Dance is my soul and my outlet, and to have it taken away was mentally and physically crushing. When Amanda started her ballet classes it brought sunshine into my days again. Besides being an excellent teacher, her continuance to support our love and need of dance filled me with such gratitude. Being able to look forward to classes each week got me through it. And that is the absolute truth! Amanda's patience, spirit and clarity of teaching is a gift to dancers!

- Heather O’Neill, @heather_oneill_inner_healing

“His ballroom coaches have seen even greater improvement in his dancing ever since he began to take lessons with Amanda.”

My 15 year old son is a competitive ballroom dancer. His Latin coach suggested he take private ballet classes from Amanda to enhance his ballroom dancing. Ever since he began taking lessons with Amanda, he has progressed not only in ballroom but in ballet too. His ballroom coaches have seen even greater improvement in his dancing ever since he began to take lessons with Amanda. Amanda makes it easy for my son to understand and then incorporate ballet dance techniques. She was able to bring my son to a higher level of understanding body movement and control. My son has become to appreciate the benefits of ballet through the expert instruction he receives from her. He always looks forward to, and thoroughly enjoys, his lessons with Amanda.  She is supportive and caring and a most welcome member of my son’s dance coaching team.  I was told by other professional dancers/instructors that ballet training is good for all other genre of dance. This has proved true for my son.

-Ted Dolch

“I’m a professional ballroom dancer and I need trainers that are extremely knowledgeable about form and posture.”

I’ve been to many different trainers in NYC, and Amanda is absolutely one of the best. I’m a professional ballroom dancer and I need trainers that are extremely knowledgeable about form and posture, and Amanda understands how muscle groups interact and explains this very clearly when developing a program special for you!

-Yuliya Steshenko

“All of my friends and I love having class with her because it’s a feel good ballet class.”

I love having ballet with Amanda! She started teaching here at Studio L this year on Saturday’s and every time I have her class, I know I’m in for a class with a very positive, caring, and sweet teacher. She makes us all feel very good and when we get called out, it’s always in a positive way to point out something we’re doing good. All of my friends and I love having class with her because it’s a feel good ballet class where we grow and improve but don’t stress out!! She always has a smile on her face and makes ballet more enjoyable!

-Jaden Dalrymple

“Her detailed ballet work is unbelievably helpful and rare.”

Amanda is an amazing teacher and kind person. She is incredibly knowledgeable about many forms of dance. Her detailed ballet work is unbelievably helpful and rare. I’m also having fun learning Salsa, a new dance form for me. Can’t wait to work with her more!

-Traci Finch

“As someone who has little to no rhythm, she’s been very patient and works well with the pace you’re comfortable with.”

Amanda has been amazing to work with throughout this process of salsa dancing so far. As someone who has little to no rhythm, she’s been very patient and works well with the pace you’re comfortable with. Her
personality really shines through and makes the learning process very
enjoyable and fun! I look forward to work with her.

-Cristian Diaz

“She's a kick-butt all-star!”

"I had the immense pleasure of working with Amanda for two years at The School at Steps, where she taught me incredible organizational systems and was extremely dedicated to her work and the work of those she led. She is meticulous with any task but does make sure to sprinkle in the fun to keep things from becoming boring or rote. I love how Amanda is inclusive of everyone, a much harder feat than you'd think, and I greatly admire her outlook to always be challenged and creative in any situation. She's a kick-butt all-star who cares about and listens to everyone and I adore her tremendously!"

— Mallory McFarland

“Her positive outlook is engaging and contagious.”

Amanda is an exceptional leader with the ability to cultivate a team and its members to function at their highest level of success. She is fully aware of each members' strengths and abilities which enables her to showcase each member effectively. Amanda has not only been an encouragement to me and my growth, but she has also pushed me to reach for things I didn't have on my horizon. Her positive outlook is engaging and contagious. I can't speak highly enough of her character! 

— Hannah Bush

“Amanda has beautiful technique and a strong ballet foundation.”

Amanda has beautiful technique, a strong ballet foundation, is a hard worker, caring, organized, and dedicated. I worked with her at The School at Steps for several years. During that time I watched her greatly improve the Pre-Professional program. I learned a lot from her and at the same time we became very good friends.

-Jennifer Kovacs

"Humor colors everything"

Amanda is a natural leader, partner, and friend. She can stay calm in the eye of the storm and delegate work and strategies to keep your job fun and attainable. She is excellent with organization and encouragement. My favorite characteristic of Amanda is her humor. Her humor colors everything and when I work with her I know I am in for a good time!

- Michael Miller

"First dance"

My husband and I are not very good dancers, so for our wedding we really needed some help. Amanda was patient and kind as we tripped all over each other the first time we tried to practice our "first dance". After a few lessons with Amanda we were confident and fearless out on the dance floor. She helped to make our first dance together perfect.  I would definitely recommend her as a teacher.  

- The O'Neals

"Positive working environment"

Amanda's warm and friendly personality created a positive working environment that set everyone up for success. She had a great training program in place for her assistants so that they'd be knowledgeable and comfortable about answering parents' questions. Work was always fun and I enjoyed learning from her at The School at Steps!

— Marissa Maffiolini