From the Top

After enjoying a successful dance career in New York (1945-1947) Alzine Cuppett gets married and becomes a happy stay at home mother of five.

1962

Alzine is persuaded to teach dance to kindergartners by Mother Catherine Loyola, the local Catholic school principal. Unsure if she wishes to move in the direction of teaching dance, she reluctantly agrees, and the rest is history! After putting on an amazing show titled Generation Gapped at the school, Mrs. Cuppett becomes very popular and is asked to teach more classes outside the school. She starts teaching dance in the recreation room of her first home on Frederick Street in Vienna, VA.

1965

Mrs. Cuppett has a new house built in Vienna, VA on Old Courthouse Road, complete with a fully equipped dance studio.The Cuppett School of Dance signs are officially hung.

1968

Mrs. Cuppett becomes a member of Dance Masters of America, Chapter 17.

1969

Sixth child and future Owner/Director, Amy, is born. There was no recital that year.

1970

Mrs. Cuppett begins the study of the Cecchetti Method of Ballet under the coaching of Kathleen Dinneen Brown. She immediately begins teaching the method to her students as she passes each Teacher Grade Exam (I-VII).

1974

The first Cuppett Dance Company is formed.

1980

Mrs. Cuppett signs her first commercial lease at 135 Park Street SE in Vienna, VA. The studio is incorporated and becomes known as the Cuppett Performing Arts Center. The Park Street studio officially opens in October 1980.

1986

After passing her Grade VII Cecchetti Teachers Exam under the continued coaching of Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Cuppett becomes a “fellow” of the Cecchetti Council of America. On September 21, 1986, Mrs. Cuppett also becomes President of Dance Masters of America Chapter 17 and serves until 1988.

1989

Mrs. Cuppett acquires additional space in the back of the neighboring dry cleaners at Park Plaza and opens “Studio B” in October.

1996

Youngest daughter, Amy, leaves the corporate world to begin working for her mom, starting as part-time bookkeeper and gradually becoming manager, co-director, and eventually director and majority owner.

2001

Additional space is acquired when the neighboring dry cleaners moves out and “Studio C” is built. Just one year later (2002), all three dance rooms are operating at full capacity. That same year, Mrs. Cuppett attends the 75th anniversary Rockette Reunion at Radio City Music Hall.

2008

New construction added to Park Center Plaza results in Amy securing and designing new space for the fourth dance room, “Studio D”, and much larger office space. Within two years, all four dance rooms are operating at full capacity.

2009

On November 7, Mrs. Cuppett is named Dance Masters of America Chapter 17’s “Member of the Year” in Williamsberg, VA. She is attended by “dancing daughters” Vicki Small Johnston and Debby Simpson who perform for her at the gala. Her six children and four of her 16 grandchildren are also in attendance.

2011

The Cuppett Performing Arts Center begins its 50th Anniversary school year celebration and is honored as co-Grand Marshal in the Vienna Halloween Parade held October 26.

2012

Mrs. Cuppett, who turns 85 on May 17, still teaches weekly Cecchetti classes. On August 24, 2012, Mrs. Cuppett died peacefully in her sleep. Her entire community grieved her passing.

• From the Vienna Patch: Cuppett Leaves Legacy of Dance, Generosity and Faith
• From Inside NoVA: Former Rockette, Dance Center Founder Alzine Cuppett Dies at 85

2017

Cuppett Performing Arts celebrates 55 years in Vienna!