Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance
Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance, 949 Englewood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14223
About
Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance offers dance and ballet classes, including pointe classes. Students dance on a raised hardwood floor that is covered with non-slip material.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
The Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance has been teaching dance excellence to WNY since 1947. The Royal Academy of Ballet was founded in 1947 by Ginger Burke. Ginger Burke, the founder, worked with George Balanchine, founder of the New York City Ballet, and was personally chosen by him to attend five seminars at the School of American Ballet, sponsored by the Ford Foundation, which were taught by Balanchine himself. Ginger Burke produced several ballets for television, including “Three Wishes,” and many of her students are teaching and dancing throughout the United States and Europe. As a faculty member of the University of Buffalo’s Theatre and Dance Department for fourteen years, she introduced pointe classes to their curriculum. After her retirement, Ginger Burke left the Royal Academy of Ballet in the care and trust of Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell, who is now the Academy’s director and owner, and after Burke’s death in 1996, the Royal Academy of Ballet carries on her tradition of dedication to the art of ballet.
Director and owner Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell brings a well-rounded dance education and professional performance experience to her students. She began her ballet career at the age of nine under the training of Ginger Burke at the Royal Academy of Ballet and continued her training at Mercyhurst College, the Boston Ballet, the Hartford Ballet, and the University of Buffalo, where she received her Bachelor of Arts. She is also the Artistic Director of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet. The leadership team includes Director and owner Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell and Founder Ginger Burke, and Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell serves as Artistic Director of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet.
The mission of the Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance states, “Discover the JOY of DANCE—We Build CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH, and LIFELONG Memories, for ALL ages. Dance teaches lessons that you will take with you throughout your life! Passion, Practice, Positivity, Perseverance and Presence.” At the Royal Academy of Ballet, the staff stresses body alignment and placement, which develops long lines and clean technique. Training is based on the Russian method of ballet (Vaganova), with a Balanchine influence, and all classes, no matter what level or style of dance, are taught with an emphasis on clean technique. Students receive individual attention to ensure proper development. The Royal Academy of Ballet is also the official school of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet, and many of Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance’s students have gone on to dance professionally both nationally and internationally.
Last updated February 9, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
The Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance has been teaching dance excellence to WNY since 1947. The Royal Academy of Ballet was founded in 1947 by Ginger Burke. Ginger Burke, the founder, worked with George Balanchine, founder of the New York City Ballet, and was personally chosen by him to attend five seminars at the School of American Ballet, sponsored by the Ford Foundation, which were taught by Balanchine himself. Ginger Burke produced several ballets for television, including “Three Wishes,” and many of her students are teaching and dancing throughout the United States and Europe. As a faculty member of the University of Buffalo’s Theatre and Dance Department for fourteen years, she introduced pointe classes to their curriculum. After her retirement, Ginger Burke left the Royal Academy of Ballet in the care and trust of Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell, who is now the Academy’s director and owner, and after Burke’s death in 1996, the Royal Academy of Ballet carries on her tradition of dedication to the art of ballet.
Director and owner Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell brings a well-rounded dance education and professional performance experience to her students. She began her ballet career at the age of nine under the training of Ginger Burke at the Royal Academy of Ballet and continued her training at Mercyhurst College, the Boston Ballet, the Hartford Ballet, and the University of Buffalo, where she received her Bachelor of Arts. She is also the Artistic Director of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet. The leadership team includes Director and owner Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell and Founder Ginger Burke, and Elizabeth DiStasio-Waddell serves as Artistic Director of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet.
The mission of the Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance states, “Discover the JOY of DANCE—We Build CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH, and LIFELONG Memories, for ALL ages. Dance teaches lessons that you will take with you throughout your life! Passion, Practice, Positivity, Perseverance and Presence.” At the Royal Academy of Ballet, the staff stresses body alignment and placement, which develops long lines and clean technique. Training is based on the Russian method of ballet (Vaganova), with a Balanchine influence, and all classes, no matter what level or style of dance, are taught with an emphasis on clean technique. Students receive individual attention to ensure proper development. The Royal Academy of Ballet is also the official school of the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet, and many of Royal Academy of Ballet and Dance’s students have gone on to dance professionally both nationally and internationally.
Last updated February 9, 2026.
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