OUR DIRECTORS

JOSEPH CIPOLLA

Joe Cipolla

Director and Co-Founder // Configuration School of Ballet
Artistic Director and Founder // Configuration Dance Theatre

Joseph is a Buffalo native whose talents have taken him to stages around the world, performing as a principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Highlights of his thirty-two year career include performing at the White House during a visit by Margaret Thatcher, dancing in the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics and receiving a nomination for the prestigious Olivier Award. Cipolla’s teaching resume is worldly and extensive. The Royal Ballet School, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Boston Ballet, Walnut Hill School and Chautauqua Institution are a mere sampling of his experience. He has an entry in “Who’s Who in America” and “People of Today” and is the Director and Co-Founder of Configuration Dance Theatre.

KOLLEEN FISCHER

Director and Co-Founder // Configuration School of Ballet
Managing Director // Configuration Dance Theatre

Kolleen Fischer

Kolleen brings to the Configuration School of Ballet extensive training in dance instruction. She received the majority of her Vaganova training at the Royal Academy of Ballet under the direction of Ginger Burke and later at the American Academy of Ballet. She has taught classical ballet for all levels and choreographed for numerous studios and workshops and has an extensive background in Early Childhood Education and Dance. After earning her Bachelor of Arts from the University at Buffalo, she entered UB’s Graduate School of Education to complete her Master’s Degree. American Academy of Ballet, Darlene Ceglia Dance Project and the David DeMarie Dance Studio are a few among her teaching credits. Fischer currently acts as the Company Managing Director for Configuration Dance Theatre.