Lisa Cuizon
Founder/Director
Ballet
Lisa Cuizon’s journey in ballet began at age 8 at the prestigious Rozann/Zimmerman Ballet Center in Chatsworth, CA, a studio affiliated with Balanchine’s School of American Ballet (SAB). This affiliation provided exclusive access to guest instructors from the New York City Ballet (NYCB), offering unparalleled insights into Balanchine’s evolving technique. Sheila Rozann and Eleanor Zimmerman, the studio’s leaders, regularly attended Balanchine’s seminars, ensuring their students received cutting-edge training grounded in Russian Imperial Ballet traditions.
At 12, Lisa was awarded a Ford Foundation scholarship, recognizing her exceptional talent. By 15, she earned a full scholarship to SAB, selected by Violette Verdy, a celebrated prima ballerina. At SAB, Lisa trained under esteemed Russian ballerinas, including Madame Danilova, Madame Doubrovska, Madame Tumkovsky, and Madame Kosmovska, alongside distinguished instructors like Muriel Stuart of the Royal Ballet and Stanley Williams of the Royal Danish Ballet. Her exposure to Bournonville training enriched her artistry, solidifying her passion for a professional dance career.
At 17, Lisa came under the mentorship of Melissa Hayden, a legendary NYCB prima ballerina assoluta. She later joined Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) as a soloist in 1976, launching a 10-year professional career that included performances with Pennsylvania Ballet, Arizona Ballet, Puerto Rican Dance Theatre, Cleveland Ballet, and Los Angeles Chamber Ballet. Lisa also attributes much of her artistic growth to her long-standing mentor and friend, Wilhelm Burmann, whose guidance profoundly shaped her career.
Teaching Career and Studio Leadership
Lisa has been an influential ballet instructor for over 41 years. In 2001, she founded Cuizon Ballet Centre to provide professional-level training rooted in Balanchine technique. Her goal is to help students achieve their dreams, whether as professional dancers or accomplished artists. She carefully selects her teaching staff, ensuring they are seasoned professionals with firsthand experience in the demands of a dancer’s life.
Student Success
Lisa’s students have excelled in both classical and contemporary dance. They’ve been accepted into top-tier ballet schools, including:
- Pacific Northwest Ballet School
- School of American Ballet (SAB)
- Suzanne Farrell Ballet
- Miami City Ballet School
- Ballet Chicago
- Alonzo King LINES Ballet
- Boston Ballet School
Her students have also pursued contemporary training at:
- Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
- Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Additionally, her students have been accepted into leading university dance programs such as:
- University of Oklahoma
- Indiana University
- Butler University
- Fordham University/Ailey Program
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA)
- University of Arizona
- Point Park University
- Duke University
- SUNY Purchase College
- Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
- Chapman University
Why Choose Cuizon Ballet Centre?
- Expert Balanchine training from a seasoned professional
- Proven success in guiding students toward professional dance careers
- Carefully curated staff with professional dance backgrounds
- Alumni successes in prestigious ballet schools, companies, and university programs
Lisa Cuizon’s dedication to cultivating discipline, artistry, and technical excellence makes Cuizon Ballet Centre the premier choice for aspiring dancers.
a
