School Directors & Staff

Ms. Danielle hails from New Jersey where she began her dance education at age 3. She continued her ballet training at South Jersey Ballet under Andrea Duffin and later at The School of Pennsylvania Ballet where she performed in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Ms. Danielle attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Ballet in just three years. While at Indiana University, she studied under Violette Verdy and worked with many Balanchine repetituers on works by George Balanchine including Emeralds, Tarantella, and Divertimento No. 15.

Upon her graduation in 2017, Ms. Danielle was invited to join Ballet Tucson as an apprentice. She joined the main company one year later. In 2022, she was given the rank of principal dancer. Ms. Danielle’s repertoire includes principal roles in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Serenade, Donizetti Variations, Who Cares?, and Walpurgisnacht. She has also appeared as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.

Ms. Danielle Cesanek began teaching at the School of Ballet Tucson in the Fall of 2021. Ms. Danielle focuses on technical brilliance and musicality in the studio. She loves to make students laugh and create a positive learning environment. Ms. Danielle is also an avid choreographer. In May of 2022 she choreographed two pieces, “Sunset Dances” and “Jubilant Dance” on students in BT2 for their Showcase. She continued choreographing ballet works on students for the 2022 Summer Workshop performance as well.