Graduating summa cum laude from The State University of New York College at Brockport, Marisa F. Ballaro is based in New York City where the energy of the city serves as inspiration. With dual degrees in Dance and Interdisciplinary Arts for Children, Ms. Ballaro has a passion for arts education, as well as dance performance. Along with this passion is a love for physical fitness and exercise science. She is currently a certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and has designed a Dance Conditioning curriculum which she teaches.

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Ms. Ballaro received her early ballet training from her mother, Michelle Zalewski Ballaro. She is currently Dance Faculty at The Brearley School, the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA), and as a master coach with the American Dance Legacy Initiative (ADLI.) She has presented her choreography in Connecticut, across New York State, and in Rhode Island; while on faculty at NYSSSA; and in residency with Delaware’s NOVA Dance Company and Talent Unlimited High School in Manhattan. She performs with ADLI’s repertory ensemble, Dancing Legacy, traveling to Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, across New York State, and Texas to teach, perform, and document great works of the masters. She was a member of the Junior Committee for Dance/NYC for five seasons, and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Brockport Alumni Association.