Joanne Rinaldo is the Owner and Artistic Director of the Cazenovia School of Ballet. She is a graduate of the State University of New York, Fine Arts College at Purchase. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance with a minor in Dance History in May of 1988. Her technical training at Purchase included three styles of classical ballet and four modern dance techniques. The curriculum also included pointe, classical ballet variations as well as the academic aspects of the dance world; dance history, music history, dance production and composition. She also performed and toured with the Purchase Dance Corps. She has performed in a number of ballets choreographed by George Balanchine such as "La Valse," "Four Temperaments," and "Valse Fantasie," to name a few. Joanne performed a featured role in the ballet "Coppelia" as one of Swanilda's friends in the American Ballet Theatre version of this classic favorite.

Before attending college, Joanne studied the Royal Academy of Dancing Syllabus (R.A.D.) with Delia Foley, A.R.A.D. Advanced. Joanne received her R.A.D. certification by successfully completing the Elementary level Major Examination. She performed with the Mohawk Valley Performing Arts Company (now Mohawk Valley Ballet) in such ballets as "The Nutcracker," "Sleeping Beauty," "Les Sylphides," "La Bayadere," and "Pas de Quatre."

Prior to opening the Cazenovia School of Ballet in 1995, Joanne Rinaldo served as the principal ballet instructor at two studios in the Central New York area. She recently celebrated her 25th year as an active member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter #26 of New York City.

Miss Joanne currently teaches a variety of levels of ballet technique classes , pointe, ballet variations, and modern dance technique.