Cassie Punzo

Company Dancer

 

Cassandra Punzo began as a gymnast and transitioned to a formal ballet education at age thirteen with the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. Here, she trained under great ballet mentors such as Eleanor D’Antuono, Alexei Tchernichov and Kirk Peterson, and performed in roles such as Sugarplum, Juliet, Soloist from “Les Sylphides” and Shades Soloist from “La Bayadere.” During her high school years, she also studied the Vaganova ballet technique with the masterful Bolshoi Ballet in New York City under mentor Svetlana Ivanova. Upon graduation in 2016, she studied as a Trainee with Charlotte Ballet where she was able to work with Balanchine and Contemporary Ballet masters such as Patricia McBride, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, and Dwight Rhoden. In Charlotte, Cassie furthered her dance knowledge in Ballroom Show Dance where she and her partner performed and competed in professional shows and competitions across the country. This includes touring show “Rhythm” by Righthand Productions, Asheville Ballroom Stars, and Entertainer of the Year 2018 in Louisville, where they were the winners. In 2018 she danced with Columbia Classical Ballet and then was brought to South Texas for ballroom and military endeavors. Here, she was additionally a Soloist with Corpus Christi Ballet, performing roles including Snow Queen in “The Nutcracker” and Lilac Fairy in “Sleeping Beauty.” In 2020, Cassie joined Virginia Ballet Theatre and Todd Rosenlieb Dance Co, where she honed into Graham modern dance. Now, she is pursuing her career in NYC, freelancing with numerous companies and shows, including an NYFW solo at Six Summit Gallery and Cocktail Hour: The Show. She is thrilled to begin dancing with JacoTayl Dance!