The Darien Arts Center has announced the addition of professional ballet dancer Claire Mazza as part of an expansion to their dance program, which will take place in the newly renovated DAC Weatherstone Studio this fall. Mazza joins the popular DAC dance program which offers ages 3 through adults, the opportunity to train in one of the finest dance spaces in Fairfield County and to participate in multiple performances throughout the year.
A native New Yorker, Mazza began her dance training at the School of American Ballet. While immersing herself in the Balanchine style, she studied privately with Francois Perron, focusing on the classical French technique, and attended Studio Maestro (currently Manhattan Youth Ballet). Upon graduating and after performing with the Manhattan Youth Ballet Studio Company, Claire launched her professional career dancing with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montreal, Brooklyn Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Morales Dance, Staten Island Ballet, St. Peter’s Dance Company, Dances Patrelle and Cello Pointe. She was also a soloist with Connecticut Ballet for many years.
Claire is currently a soloist with New York City-based company Ballets With a Twist and Kathryn Posin Dance Company. Her repertoire spans classical to contemporary works. She recently performed as a principal in Balanchine’s "Who Cares?" and starred as Titania in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." She has also been seen dancing in television productions such as Kings, Royal Pains, and Elementary. Claire has been teaching dance to students ages three to eighteen for the past ten years and in 2019, Claire co-founded East Coast Contemporary Ballet, a non-profit organization.