Alicia Cutaia is a celebrated dancer, instructor, choreographer, and multidisciplinary performer. Known for her unique blend of technical excellence and emotional depth, she teaches and choreographs both locally and internationally. Cutaia is one of just five certified coaches in the United States.
She holds a BFA with honors from Point Park University, where she double-majored in Classical Ballet—with a focus on pedagogy and teaching methods—and Jazz, with an emphasis on choreographic development and composition. Her training was further enriched through scholarships with Hubbard Street Dance, North Carolina Dance Theater, and River North Dance Company.
Cutaia’s professional career spans over 15 years touring internationally with acclaimed companies including Eisenhower Dance Detroit (where she also served as rehearsal director, costume manager, and choreographer), BodyVox (as both rehearsal coordinator and choreographer), Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She has also worked extensively as a freelance artist across concert dance, commercial projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
She has performed works by numerous renowned choreographers from around the world. Her passion for movement eventually expanded into circus arts, where she established herself as a professional fire dancer, harness aerialist, and wire stunt performer—appearing in festivals and productions around the world.
Cutaia is deeply committed to both dance education and choreography. Her students and choreographic works have earned top honors at prestigious competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix, WBAC Grand Prix, and US Prix de Ballet. Many of her students have received scholarships to world-renowned ballet programs, with alumni going on to professional careers—including positions with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre.
As an educator, she emphasizes clean, healthy technique while guiding dancers to connect deeply with their bodies and artistic voices. She has taught at esteemed institutions such as DMA National Convention, Lou Conte Dance Studio, Oakland University, The Portland Ballet, and more—including the summer programs of both American Ballet Theatre and Dance Theatre of Harlem. In addition, she leads specialized movement classes for aerialists, circus artists, rhythmic gymnasts, and figure skaters, equipping them with creative tools to elevate artistry, musicality, and innovation in performance.
Her choreography has been showcased nationally and internationally across choreography festivals, dance companies, colleges, circus and dance productions, touring bands, and a wide range of events. Highlights include Jazz Dance World Congress, Oakland University, Eisenhower Dance, BodyVox, and various collaborative and cross-disciplinary performances.
Cutaia’s work is rooted in a deep commitment to clean, expressive, and efficient movement, grounded in anatomy, physics, and movement mechanics. Her teaching and creative philosophy centers on supporting long-term physical health, cultivating artistic individuality, and developing adaptable tools that allow each performer to refine technique and move with clarity, sustainability, and personal expression.