Business Details
23 Years
experience
Premier Dance Instruction for All Ages in Fairfield, NJ
Essex Dance Academy has been dedicated to providing high-quality performing arts instruction since 2003. Founded by Marie Fischbach, our academy offers a nurturing environment where students of all ages and skill levels receive personalized guidance from a team of professional dancers and choreographers. Our six state-of-the-art studios feature custom dance floors and advanced sound systems, ensuring optimal learning conditions. We emphasize artistic and personal development through recreational classes, competitive programs, and specialized training. Our faculty includes award-winning instructors with extensive industry experience, including Broadway performers and former professional dancers.We host annual recitals and provide access to a dancewear boutique for convenient access to essential gear. With a focus on technical excellence and creative expression, we prepare students for both competitive and professional dance opportunities. Our commitment to quality instruction is reflected in our alumni's success and industry recognition. We maintain transparent communication with families and offer flexible class options to accommodate diverse schedules. Our facility includes comfortable waiting areas with entertainment for siblings, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.
Services
Ballet
Jazz
Tap
Hip-Hop
Lyrical
Acrobatics
Musical Theater
Competitive Teams
Recreational Classes
Birthday Parties
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- Our faculty includes former professional dancers and Broadway performers
- We offer personalized guidance for recreational and competitive students
- Six state-of-the-art studios with custom dance floors and sound systems
- Award-winning competitive teams with national recognition
- On-site dancewear boutique for convenient access to essential gear
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistic expression through structured training. Students learn classical techniques, positions, and performance skills in a supportive environment. Classes emphasize proper alignment, musicality, and performance quality while building strength and flexibility. This foundation prepares dancers for advanced training and competitive opportunities.
Jazz
Jazz classes combine technical training with energetic choreography across various styles. Students develop versatility through Broadway jazz, commercial dance, and contemporary jazz techniques. Our instructors focus on sharp movements, performance quality, and musical interpretation to prepare dancers for stage and competition settings.
Tap
Tap instruction emphasizes rhythm, timing, and sound production through progressive skill development. Students learn traditional and modern tap techniques while developing improvisational skills. Our program builds coordination and musicality through both solo and group performance opportunities at local and national competitions.
Competitive Teams
Our award-winning competition program offers elite training in multiple dance genres. Dancers receive personalized coaching for regional and national competitions while developing technical proficiency and artistic expression. The program includes choreography workshops, performance rehearsals, and competition preparation with experienced instructors and guest artists.
Birthday Parties
Birthday party packages include two hours of dance activities, props, and themed entertainment. Our spacious studio accommodates up to 10 children with additional guest options. Packages feature music, games, and decorations including mirror ball lighting and themed props while providing space for private celebrations with personal decorations.
People
Marie Fischbach
Studio Owner, Director, Instructor
Marie Fischbach founded Essex Dance Academy in 2003 after training with Barbara Barshtak and American Ballet Theater. She has over 20 years teaching experience and directs the academy's competitive programs while maintaining active involvement in curriculum development and faculty oversight.
Suzy Fischbach
Artistic Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Suzy Fischbach serves as Artistic Director with seven years teaching contemporary and jazz. She choreographs for professional events and manages creative vision while working with competition dancers to develop artistic expression and technical proficiency through personalized instruction and performance opportunities.
Hilary Thornburgh Nicolai
Instructor
Hilary Thornburgh Nicolai brings extensive professional experience from Metropolitan Opera Ballet and New York City Ballet. An ABT Certified Teacher with a Master's in Dance Education, she specializes in classical ballet technique while emphasizing performance quality and technical precision for advanced students in both recreational and competitive programs.
Steven Blandino
Instructor, Choreographer
Steven Blandino holds a BFA in Commercial Dance and teaches at Broadway Dance Center. His choreography has been recognized at Capezio ACE Awards while maintaining active involvement in both New York theater productions and national tours, bringing professional expertise to student instruction and competition preparation.
Kayla Kaspar Simone
Choreographer
Kayla Kaspar Simone has taught and choreographed at EDA for over a decade. A former NJ Nets Junior Dance Team member with engineering degrees, she combines technical precision with creative expression. Her choreography has earned multiple national awards while mentoring students through competition and performance opportunities.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, acrobatics, and musical theater classes for recreational and competitive students.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! All students participate in our annual recital, with competitive teams performing at regional and national events throughout the year.
How do I register for classes?
Registration is available online through our website, with class schedules and descriptions accessible in our program catalog.
Do you have birthday party packages?
Yes, we offer two-hour dance-themed birthday parties with props, music, and decorations available for up to 20 children.
What are your facility features?
Our 6,000 sq ft facility includes six studios with spring floors, state-of-the-art sound systems, and a dancewear boutique.
Are there competitive dance teams?
We offer advanced and novice competition teams with award-winning instructors preparing dancers for regional and national competitions.
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