Assembly Resolution No. 483
BY: M. of A. Crouch
HONORING ABC Center for Performing Arts upon the
occasion of being named the 2019 Business of the
Years by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to
the cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
ABC Center for Performing Arts upon the occasion of being named the 2019
Business of the Years by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce to be celebrated
at its Annual Dinner on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at the Sidney Fire
Department Training Center; and
WHEREAS, Owned and operated by Amy Burns-Cuozzo, ABC Center for
Performing Arts has earned this prestigious honor in recognition of its
dedication to the community, its residents, students and employees; and
WHEREAS, Amy Burns-Cuozzo has been a dancer for most of her life;
she spent her childhood training with her mentor, Andrea Kodak Wakeman,
at the Dance Arts Centre in Sidney; and
WHEREAS, Amy Burns-Cuozzo received her Associate of Arts degree,
with a concentration in dance, at Dean College in Massachusetts, where
she was very involved in the dance program and was a member and soloist
of the Dean Dance Company; and
WHEREAS, After graduating, Amy Burns-Cuozzo returned to her hometown
and began teaching for Miss Andrea, beginning the first modern dance
program in the area; during this time, she earned her membership and
certification to teach dance through the prestigious Dance Master's of
America, Chapter No. 8, where she would later serve as a board member;
and
WHEREAS, Amy Burns-Cuozzo furthered her education by obtaining her
Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from SUNY Oneonta;
and
WHEREAS, Upon her retirement, Amy Burns-Cuozzo continued teaching
students in the Tri-Town area, starting ABC Center for Performing Arts;
and
WHEREAS, The Tri-Town community has always been an important part of
ABC Center for Performing Arts, and Amy Burns-Cuozzo's vision has always
been to not only give the students in the area a strong foundation in
dance and an appreciation for the arts, but also to encourage her
students to share their talents to help others; and
WHEREAS, For her steadfast and unremitting commitment to her
community and students, Amy Burns-Cuozzo was the recipient of the Rotary
Vocational Service Award, and the studio was presented with the
Community Pride Award; and
WHEREAS, The talented students and dedicated staff of ABC Center for
Performing Arts have participated in many local activities including
parades, music festivals, health and wellness days; the studio has also
held various community service events, such as Relay for Life, the MS
Walk, Great Strides CF Walk, and its annual Christmas show, where
students collect food for the local soup kitchen and food pantry; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the years, ABC Center for Performing Arts has
offered its students many exciting opportunities; professional dancers
have traveled to the studio to teach various workshops, and students
have made trips to New York City to attend classes; and
WHEREAS, ABC Center for Performing Arts has performed at the Lincoln
Center, The Kennedy Center, the Salvatore Capezio Theatre, and Walt
Disney World; and
WHEREAS, The students and staff of ABC Center for Performing Arts
have earned many awards and accolades including Highest Score, Best of
Show, Titles, and just last year, Best Choreography Award for the modern
piece, "Salem"; and
WHEREAS, Many students have gone on to careers in or related to the
arts and many alumni continue to return to the ABC Center to perform in
recitals, teach classes or simply to watch and encourage the students
coming up behind them; and
WHEREAS, The performing arts inspire, enlighten, and unify people
from all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human
expression; over its distinguished 26-year history, ABC Center for
Performing Arts has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and
communities which it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor ABC Center for Performing Arts upon the occasion of being named
the 2019 Business of the Years by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ABC Center for Performing Arts.