Joy Guarino is a professor of dance at SUNY Buffalo State teaching a variety of studio technique classes, choreography, dance history, and dance education. Her choreography is accented by the use of design elements and mixed media. She enjoys working creatively with professionals and students and has presented her choreography internationally. Professor Guarino has developed courses, conducted research, and presented internationally on kinesthetic learning, dance/movement integration, and youth development. As a practitioner and consultant in the arts-in-education profession, she is committed to finding creative and practical ways of designing and implementing meaningful children’s arts programs.
Introduced to the arts at a very young age, Ms. Guarino evolved into an active member in the WNY arts community as a performer and choreographer of dance and musical theater. Her passion guided her career path and she earned the Master of Fine Arts degree in dance from Temple University. Upon graduation, she joined the faculty at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY. She has performed and choreographed for dance and theater companies based in Philadelphia, Buffalo, and in the Capital District where she also became actively engaged in NYS Arts Education. When she returned to Western NY, she continued to work as a teacher, dancer, and choreographer and became involved both personally and as a mentor for her students in the extensive arts-in-education community. Ms. Guarino holds a NYS Teacher’s Certification in Dance. Her advocacy for children and association with regional non-profit arts organizations led her to several positions as a dance and youth development professional. She continues to enjoy working with artists and students all over the world; achieving extensive knowledge and experience in the field.
