Andrea studied dance at Ilene Danek’s dance studio in Johnson City from elementary school through high school. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a dance teacher and after graduating from SHS in 1970, she went to Dance Teacher Training Schools in Boston and New York City, became certified to teach, and a member of the Dance Masters of America, Inc. Western New York State Council Chapter #8. Her other professional affiliations included: the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists, the Professional Dance Teachers of America, and the League of Independent Dance Teachers.
Andrea produced her first recital for her own Dance Arts Centre in Sidney, in June of 1973. This successful endeavor lasted for over 20 years. She offered dance lessons in tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, modern and production to people from beginners to advanced and from preschoolers to adults. The excellence of dance instruction Andrea provided influenced the professional careers of several of her students. Tracy White Graney, Kelly Jackson, Amy Burns Cuozzo, Kim Sastra Lotierzo and Tammy Northrop Ellis Johnson all have owned and managed their own dance studios. Scott Barnard danced professionally in Las Vegas and Tiffany Whitaker had a long career as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Her students remain her biggest fans and in moving testimonials have supported her induction to the Wall of Fame.
Tracy White Graney wrote, "Andrea gave so many of us her gift of dance. She instilled confidence, direction and ability to work as a team/group, to be creative and think on our own. She made each dance magical, teaching us how to push past the barriers of just easy dance steps to becoming extraordinary. We traveled all over New York State and Pennsylvania and danced for nursing homes, went to dance competitions and seminars as a team representing the Dance Arts Centre of Sidney New York. We learned new dance steps, made new friends, learned to compete with poise, and how to win and lose with dignity. Along this journey she taught us how to accomplish goals, to laugh at ourselves and enjoy life with music."
The numerous testimonials written for Andrea (more than any other WOF candidate ever received) and the Facebook ‘Dance Arts Centre’ webpage, boasting 113 members whose lives were inspired and mentored by Andrea are ample demonstration of the immense power of teaching and mentoring and the impact Andrea’s life and work and talent and love made on so many.
Andrea served not only students but also the community by regularly volunteering her expertise in choreographing dance routines for Tri -Town Theatre productions. Andrea lives in Greene, NY.