About Us

Where Dance Takes You Places!

Welcome to Our Dance Family

Whether you seek training for the serious dancer or simply for fun, Clark Academy Dance Center is the dance studio that warmly welcomes you. You’ll find talented dance teachers and a variety of dance classes to choose from. Clark Academy Dance Center is a diverse body of students and faculty. Our dance studio vibe is a positive and warm atmosphere where the only “clicks” that happen here are the clicking of tap shoes.

CADC Where dance takes you places

Our Story

35 years ago, Artistic Director and Founder of Clark Academy Matthew Clark first opened his doors to his first dance studio and began teaching dance classes to students. Since then, for the past 35 years, Matthew Clark has led students of all ages in his dance studios and trained thousands of dancers from Buffalo, NY, WNY, and Canada. More than a local treasure, Matthew is a highly sought-after master dance teacher and choreographer, both in Buffalo and across the globe. He is a Dance Teacher Hall of Fame inductee for New York State and Canada.  His unique teaching style always incorporates laughter with innovative choreography and serious dance training. It’s one of the many reasons Matthew Clark is so highly sought after, and how this Buffalo native has trained thousands of students across the country as well as across the globe. Matthew has achieved worldwide recognition in dance teaching and dance excellence.

Clark Academy Dance Center is the brand new, state-of-the-art, Matthew Clark dance studio. It’s 35 years of dance training expertise and experience combined with a team of extremely talented dance instructors, many of whom were trained by Matthew Clark himself.  Our doors are open to all who love to dance.

 

Matthew Clark
Stage Curtain, Surround Sound and Stage Lights inside dance studio

Matthew Clark’s New Dance Studio

Today, Clark Academy Dance Center is a brand new, state-of-the-art, 6000 square foot dance studio. It is the culmination of 35 years of professional dance training, expertise, and experience, and a team of extremely talented dance instructors. Many of our dance teachers were trained by Matthew Clark himself!  

With dance classes offered at all levels and different styles, there’s a class to suit your needs no matter what they may be! Whether you’re looking for intensive dance training or fun times with friends learning dance – Clark Academy Dance Center has a place for you!

Philosophy & Mission

At Clark Academy Dance Center, our mission is to provide our students with world-class dance education and a unique outlet for self-expression. We cultivate friendships, family, and a feeling of belonging. Through the art of dance, CADC is dedicated to teaching dancers skills that will last a lifetime.

Clark Academy dance students

Teaching Your Child To Grow & Learn Through Dance

Dancing at CADC is fun, but there are so many benefits of dance class for children. They build character and self esteem, resilience and determination. Children learn enhanced social skillsets, as well as time management skills and goal setting. 

 

What We Offer

DANCE CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED, CHILDREN TO ADULT

A FULL RANGE OF DIFFERENT DANCE CLASS STYLES

TRAINING AND COMPETITION TEAM FOR ADVANCED DANCERS

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What Our Families are Saying

Nicole Angel

 When I first met Matthew, I was on the Canadian tap team and he brought out a new found love for me in the tap world! I then continued dancing with him on his comp team, traveling 3 plus hours each way to dance with the best! Matthew and his staff made me work harder in any class than I ever had and I can not thank them enough!! My only wish was that I found him and his studio sooner!! I consider Matthew to be an amazing mentor and an amazing friend!! Thank you for always pushing me to be the best that I could be and giving me the amazing tools I use to teach my own students now!!

Maria Provenzano

Matthew has inspired me over the years to believe in myself and abilities. I have celebrated many amazing achievements under the direction of Matthew Clark -a few including; traveling to Germany (IDO) winning a gold medal for tap, helping me train for “So You Think You Dance” where I made it to the top 40 out of thousands of people. He has helped me direct, choreograph and recruit dancers for World’s Largest Disco. Most of all, Matthew has taught me through his own personal journey to never give up on my dreams and to keep moving forward!

Bonnie Dyer - Canadian National Tap Director

Matthew’s passion for life, people and dance has not only made him a superb teacher but he has been a mentor to many dancers worldwide, and has encouraged them to follow their dreams. He has instilled the love and dance and performance to dancers of all ages and levels from beginners to well known professionals.

Marcella B.

Dancing with Mr. C. is like being with family. He’s made both my son (6) and daughter (8) LOVE dance. He specializes in tap and has so many clever tips to improve footwork and sound. Even my 70 year old mother and I have taken his adult classes and continue to have fun dancing! His Acro, African, ballet and hip hop teachers have all been wonderful too, creating an entertaining year end showcase that our friends and family actually love going to.

EXCELLENCE IN DANCE TRAINING

  All dance classes are available for all dance levels beginner-advanced, and for children as young as 18 months to adults of all ages. You can learn to dance at any age! Ask about our adult dance classes for beginners!

Ballet

Tap

Jazz

Modern

Acro

Hip-Hop

Afro-caribbean

Step ‘n Rhythm

Boys to Men

Stretch and Turn

Ballroom

Performers

Every Dancer Performs

The Clark Academy Showcase is an end of year live performance where every class performs live on stage.

We're a Dance Family

Every dance student and their family feels welcome because of our friendly and encouraging dance studio culture.

Competition Winner

Competition Teams

Dancers have the opportunity to participate in dance competitions and more focused dance training.

COMPETITIONS

Here are just some of the dance competitions Clark Academy students participate in. Our students have won countless awards and championships. Inquire with Matthew Clark about our Competition Teams.

COMPETITIONS AFFILIATIONS
Dance Competition Affiliations

DANCE ORGANIZATION AFFILIATIONS

We are dedicated to the highest levels of dance education and dance training. We are members of esteemed dance organizations where standards are high and membership is approved only to qualified dance teachers and educators. We are affiliated with both National and International dance organizations. Click the logo of the organisation to learn more about their rigorous standards in dance and dance education.

WORLD DANCE ORG

WORLD DANCE ORGANISATION

DANCE MASTERS

DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA

NYSDEA

NYS DANCE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

NDCA

NATIONAL DANCE COUNCIL OF AMERICA

IDO INT'L DANCE ORG

IDO INT’L DANCE ORGANISATION

DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA

DANCE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA

CADC studio and barre