Instructors
Melanie Boniszewski is the owner and director of Tonawanda Dance Arts and has over 30 years of experience teaching dance to children. She began dancing at the age of three. She has continued her dance education by studying with some of the best teachers in Western New York and the United States. Melanie has completed her teaching certification and holds a degree from Dance Masters of America. She has attended many Dance Teacher Life conferences and has also studied in New York City. She continues to take continues her dance education at various classes, seminars and workshops.
Kelsey Boniszewski started taking class at Tonawanda Dance Arts at the age of three and has since continued her dance education in many other areas. Kelsey has studied with Classical Ballet of Western New York, where she also participated in their performance of Swan Lake. Kelsey has completed Level IV of Dance Master’s of America’s Teachers Training School and has attended the Dance Master’s of America Student Honors Intensive Program, The Rockette Experience, New York City Dance Alliance and many Dance Teacher Life conferences. Kelsey has been a member of the Tonawanda Dance Art’s Intensive Team since it’s inception and continues to take additional classes and seminars, including classes from dance professors at the University at Buffalo.
Sandie Corkery began dancing at the age of twelve and began competing at the age of thirteen, during which time she excelled at acrobatics. Sandie attended the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts as a Dance Major and during her sophomore year, traveled to Jamaica as a foreign exchange student, where she studied dance. After completing her formal education, Sandie toured with Sesame Street Live as a dancer.
Bree Knight has danced for almost 30 years and bring over 15 years of teaching experience with her to TDA. Bree has studied with various dance teachers from the University at Buffalo and continues to attend master classes from well renowned teachers in the area. She has completed Level I of the Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School.
Kristy Kulak began her dance training at the age of four in Kissimmee, Florida and studied under Annette DuBose and Juan Sanchez. Kristy graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, where she performed in Studio Ensemble and Dancers Workshop. Kristy completed her teaching certification from Dance Masters of America and is a member of DMA Western NY and Florida Dance Masters. Kristy’s choreography has won many awards from national dance competitions such as Cathy Roe, Fire and Ice and American Dance Awards. She has also had a piece performed at UB’s “Showcase of Academic Excellence” and Florida Dance Master’s “Main Attraction.”
Marissa Melcher began dancing at the age of three at Tonawanda Dance Arts. Marissa has studied various forms of dance and has participated as a part of the Tonawanda Dance Arts Intensive Team since its inception. Marissa has also danced with the Pick of the Crop Dance Company. Marissa has also completed Level III of the Dance Master’s of America Teacher’s Training School and has attended various conventions throughout the years. Marissa continues her dance education through various classes and workshops.
Mary Jo Sobus has over 30 years of dance experience and has taught at Tonawanda Dance Arts since it began. Prior to that she was with Michele Merwin Dance Arts. Miss Mary Jo has completed Level IV of the Dance Master’s of America Teacher’s Training School and now holds a teaching certification from that organization.
Michele Stitt began dancing at Tonawanda Dance Arts at the age of four and continued dancing until the age of fourteen, when she decided to pursue her love for cheerleading. She started cheerleading when she was twelve with the North Tonawanda Athletic Association and later coached for them. Michele cheered for Junior Varsity and Varsity squads at North Tonawanda High School and is currently a member of the Niagara University Cheerleading squad, where she performs at basketball games and competitions around New York as well as NCA Collegiate Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The entire staff at Tonawanda Dance Arts is dedicated to ensuring that your child receives the proper training needed for them to reach their full potential in their dance education. We realize that dance lessons should be disciplined, fun and energetic. We are committed to giving your children the best dance education possible.
