Faculty
Ms. Odasz received her training at the Draper Center for Dance Education, under the guidance of mentors including Timothy Draper, Sally Stepnes, and Rebekah von Rathyoni. During her time there, she showcased her talent in various productions such as The Nutcracker, Firebird, and Peter and the Wolf. Throughout her journey, Ms. Odasz honed her skills under the instruction of instructors from esteemed institutions such as American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet of London, Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, The National Ballet of Cuba, The Bolshoi Ballet, and The Kirov Ballet, to name a few. She also enriched her knowledge through master classes led by prominent figures like Mia Michaels, Adam Shankman, Frank Hatchett, and Jason Parsons. In addition to her classical training, Ms. Odasz explored Jazz, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre with Lisa Allain of the Little Red Dancing School, where she also performed as a soloist with Flower City Ballet.
Embarking on her teaching career at the age of 18, Ms. Odasz imparted her expertise at the Little Red Dancing School and various other dance studios in the Rochester area. Over the years, she conducted master classes for many schools including Flower City Ballet and Queen City Youth Ballet, and continues to extend her artistry across the United States and Canada.
In 2003, she founded the Odasz Dance Theatre and Western New York Ballet, serving as its Artistic Director. Under her visionary leadership, she choreographed and directed numerous acclaimed full-length ballets, including classics like The Nutcracker, Hansel and Gretel, Peter and the Wolf, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Alice in Wonderland, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and innovative works such as S'vivon and Deep Waters, Hope, Embers, and Blues, Awakening Bud, and Weightless. Odasz Dance Theatre has also performed excerpts from many ballets including Chopiniana, Coppelia, Diana & Acteon, Don Quixote, Flames of Paris, Giselle, Grand Pas Classique, Harlequinade, La Bayadere, La Esmeralda, La Fille Mal Gardee, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Raymonda, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Talisman.
Her contributions earned her accolades, including the 'Outstanding Teacher Award' in 2015 and multiple 'Outstanding School Awards' from 2016 to 2023 at the Youth America Grand Prix semi-finals.
Ms. Odasz’s dedication to her students is evident in their remarkable achievements. They have graced local news channels and community events with their performances and excelled in prestigious competitions like the Youth America Grand Prix, where they secured top placements and scholarships. Many have been accepted into renowned summer intensive programs and prestigious dance institutions worldwide, including Alvin Ailey, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Conservatório Annarella Sanchez, Ellison Ballet, Fabrice Herrault, Irina and Max, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, John Cranko, La Scala Theatre Ballet School (Milan, Italy), NYSSSA, National Ballet of Canada, Nutmeg Conservatory, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Rock School for Dance Education, San Francisco Ballet, School of American Ballet, and The School at Jacob's Pillow. Her students have also been accepted to Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Alonzo King LINES Ballet training program and BFA program, Steps on Broadway conservatory program as well as received full scholarships to the dance programs at Marymount Manhattan College, Manhattanville College, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, SUNY Brockport, and SUNY Purchase.
Ms. Odasz herself holds a Masters Degree in Education and a B.A. in English, and she is frequently invited to share her expertise as a dance lecturer at colleges and universities.
With her unwavering commitment to excellence, Ms. Odasz continues to nurture the talents of aspiring dancers, eagerly anticipating the future growth of Odasz Dance Theatre.
Andrea Astuto embarked on her dance journey under the guidance of Mary Kay Touris at Ballet Theatre in Rochester, NY, where her early training focused on classical ballet with modern influences. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2012, she specialized in dance education and choreography. Throughout her university years, she was an active member of the Sigma Rho Delta Dance Honorary Sorority. Her passion for contemporary and modern dance blossomed under the mentorship of renowned figures such as Ursula Payne, Nora Ambrosio, Teena Custer, and Thom Cobb.
During her time at Slippery Rock, Ms. Astuto showcased her talents in various productions, including Slippery Rock University's Jazz/Tap Ensemble, Dance Theatre, 60x60 Experimental Showcase, and Senior Synthesis Concerts. Notably, she was featured in a contemporary piece choreographed by Corinne Tekletz, selected for performance at Williamsburg Art NeXus' "WaxWorks" professional dance showcase in Brooklyn, NY. Her ensemble piece, "A Fingerprint Mentality," earned a place in Slippery Rock University's pre-professional Dance Theatre production in the fall of 2011. She further showcased her choreographic prowess in events such as Slippery Rock's Senior Synthesis Concert and the 60x60 Concert. Ms. Astuto also had the opportunity to study with River North Chicago Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, Camille Brown, Beijing Dance Company, Trey McIntyre Project, Chad Michael Hall and many others through master classes, intensive programs, and repertory works.
Ms. Astuto's professional journey soared as she joined Odasz Dance Theatre in the summer of 2012, assuming roles as Contemporary Director, Coach, and Choreographer. Her ensemble pieces clinched 1st place at YAGP semi-finals for several consecutive years, with her piece "Loudest Lack of Breathing" earning the "Excellence in Dance" award and the highest score out of 438 dances at Rising Star in 2014. All her ensembles advanced to YAGP finals in NYC from 2013 to the present. Continuously recognized for her choreographic brilliance, Ms Astuto is a 11 time recipient of Youth America Grand Prix’s Outstanding Choreographer Award and was also presented with this award at the YAGP International Finals in 2021 and again in 2024.
Andrea Astuto's choreography has been featured in several Youth America Grand Prix “Stars of Today Meet Stars of Tomorrow” Galas, the Nervi Festival in Genoa, Italy, and the “International Contemporary Ensemble” (ICE) Gala in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 2019, she received the Outstanding Choreographer Award at the WBAC Canadian Grand Prix Finals. She has created several YAGP Finals gold and silver medal award-winning pieces in both the ensemble and Contemporary Pas De Deux divisions. Andrea was a featured choreographer for season 4 of NBC’s hit television series World of Dance and worked alongside the ballet pair “Styles and Emma.” Her choreography can also be seen in pop artist Natalie Taylor’s music video “For A Reason.”
Proudly serving as the Contemporary Program Director and Assistant Artistic Director for Odasz Dance Theatre, Ms. Astuto continues to inspire and enrich the dance community with her passion, creativity, and dedication.