FACULTY Gretchen Myers
Chris Garvey
Melissa Bartholomew, Teacher
Annessa Bontrager, Teacher Annessa is a vibrant young choreographer, whose work has received gold at regional competitions, and brought the house down at recitals. She has attended various professional dance conventions including Tremaine, West Coast and New York City Dance Alliance. Annessa graduated from Slippery Rock University where she obtained an undergraduate degree in Community Health. While at Slippery Rock, she studied several genres of dance and was a member of the Dance Team. She plans to eventually complete studies to become in Physician's Assistant . When on break from college, Annessa choreographs for area pageant contestants, CCCA, and of course Allegro Dance Arts. Shannon Brancato, Teacher
Heather Davis, Teacher
Cheryl Leech, Ballet Teacher Cheryl began her dance training at the Mary Rita School of Dance where she was a featured soloist in Nutcracker and spring recital productions. She studied ballet, jazz, and tap. She participated in "A Summer Happening at Indiana University of PA, a program for gifted dancers. Cheryl continued her dance studies at Allegheny College where she studied under Jan Hyatt and numerous guest artists. She was a member of Allegheny Repertoire Dance Ensemble. She was a featured soloist in "Cassandra." She was officer, member and dancer with Orchesis. While completing her master degree in mathematics at University of Pittsburgh, Cheryl continued her dance studies at the Shady Side Center for the Arts. She is currently very active behind the scene with French Creek Community Theater where she choreographed Snow White and Cinderella. Cheryl has taught at Allegro since 2005. She is a gifted teacher who nurtures grace and imagination in the young dancer. Cheryl teaches in the mathematics department at Allegheny College. Wendy Gyurisin-Brode, Ballet Teacher
Deanna (DeDe) Harrison, Tumbling Teacher
Betsy Sumerfield, Teacher
Jenna Williams, Teacher
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Gretchen received most of her formal dance training in Denver where she studied and performed with Colorado Ballet, Colorado State Ballet, Ballet Arts, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and The Colorado Time Steps. She received additional training at Butler University, Mercyhurst and Allegheny Colleges. She has staged and choreographed numerous story ballets, plays and operas including: Nutcracker, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Carmen. She was the choreographer for the 1995 Moscow cultural exchange group, and on staff for the 1997 Vail International Dance Festival. In addition to numerous academic awards, she has received the Who's Who in Colleges & Universities, Who's Who in Teachers and Education, and the YWCA's "Woman of the Year" Awards. Her pieces have won numerous outstanding choreography awards and Critic's Choice Nominations. She loves teaching, and seeing dancers succeed as artists and in life. 
Chris was a competitive gymnast for thirteen years during which time she received numerous regional and state championship titles. From 2002-05, she was the gymnastics director for the Meadville YMCA where her gymnasts qualified for and placed at nationals. Since teaching at Allegro, she has choreographed award-winning acrobatic and hip hop numbers, coached dancers and gymnasts for area pageants, taught for the Meadville Area Housing Authority's Arts Explosion Dance Program, and founded the Crawford County Cheer Allstars. She has attended Master Classes and Conventions with Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, and Brian Friedman. In 2008, her competitive Hip Hop piece was nominated for Team U.S.A. at the World Hip Hop Championships. Her Hip Hop pieces have consistently received "High Energy" awards, and also "High Score" and "Overall Outstanding" routine awards. Chris developed Allegro's own Urban Jazz program. Chris holds a B.A. in political science from Edinboro University. Chris' exuberant personality and fun loving teaching style inspire her students to excel on the mat or on the marley. 
Melissa has been dancing for 28 years and has received special acknowledgement for her enthusiasm and dedication to dance. After graduating from Saegertown High School, she went on to attend Masters of America at S.U.N.Y. Buffalo, where she received her certifications in ballet, tap, and jazz. Also, she has received her U.S.A.G. certification in gymnastics. She has taught dance in the area for twelve years. For the past six years, Melissa has choreographed for the Miss Crawford County Organization. Outside of dance, Melissa is employed at Bethesda's Children Home, as a Behavioral Support Staff, where she enjoys working with the children, guiding them, and helping them grow into adulthood. She has three children, Morghen, Madison & Dawson. Melissa has been dancing since she could walk, and now loves to share this gift with children.
Shannon began dancing at age six at her mother's dance studio. She graduated from Pointe Park College with an elementary education degree and a dance minor. She taught ballet and tap in the Harrisburg area for five years. Throughout the years, Shannon has attended numerous dance conventions and workshops, including the teacher seminar at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. In addition to teaching at Allegro, Shannon also teaches at her mom's studio, Thomas School of Dance in Oil City. Shannon is a registered nurse. As a second generation dancer and a mother of two dancers, Shannon's life is truly dedicated to dance.
started dancing at the age of three. She has studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and tumbling extensively. She also has attended numerous dance conventions in regional cities. She attended the Dance Educators of America Teacher’s Training School. Heather has taught dance since she was 18. She has performed in local plays and competed in cheerleading while in high school. Heather has choreographed for French Creek Community Theater and area pageants. Heather graduated with honors from Saegertown Jr./Sr. High School and the Business Institute of PA with an Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting. Outside of dance, she is a medical assistant and has a happy life with her husband, Mike, and her two daughters, Sydney and Megan. 
Wendy graduated with a B.A. in dance from Point Park College. While living in Pittsburgh, she performed with Pointe Park and the American Dance Ensemble. She received further training in New York City at the Martha Graham School and Lynn Symonson at the Dance Space. She went on to work with Hayle & Co. where she performed many original works, taught adult classes, and taught in the schools through New Hampshire's Artist in Residency Program. Wendy has been teaching here in Meadville since 1992, first at Meadville Council on the Arts and then at Allegro. She has taught numerous dance residencies in elementary and secondary schools in Northwest Pennsylvania through the Artists in Education Program for Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Because of her professional accomplishments and extensive training, Wendy was awarded status as a Pennsylvania Roster Artist in 1995. 
DeDe was a competitive gymnast for eight years and went on to teach gymnastics for several years wherever she resided. In addition to gymnastics, she studied dance with Arita Lee Blair for thirteen years. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh as a Registered Dental Hygienist and from Edinboro University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She currently works as a hygienist for the schools. DeDe has a love for gymnastics, dance and children, which is evident in her teaching. 
Betsy graduated with a B.A. in Communication Arts/Theatre from Allegheny College. She went on to earn her Masters Degree for Theater and Dance from American University in Washington, D. C. While in the D. C. area, she performed and choreographed professionally. Betsy performed for the Bush Inaugural Ball with the group Pizzazz. Betsy owned and operated West Penn Academy for Performing Arts in Oil City. In 1998, her liturgical dance group "Worship in Motion" performed in Israel. Betsy currently teaches jazz, ballroom, tap, and liturgical at Allegheny College, where she is also teaches in the Creating Landscapes, Arts Immersion, and Project Enhance programs. She is the director of JADE, an Allegheny jazz dance performance group. In 2000, she was awarded status as a Pennsylvania Roster Artist. She teaches movement to people with special needs through the ARC of Crawford. Her dancers have won platinum and gold awards at area competitions and numerous choreography and creative concept awards. 
Jenna completed her teacher training program at Allegro. As a student at Allegro, she danced on the competition team as a soloist and group performer. Jenna specializes in Tap and Tumbling. She has attended numerous dance conventions including New York City Dance Alliance and West Coast Dance Explosion. Jenna was a competitive gymnast, who participated in regional and state championships. She was one of the youngest competitive cheerleaders to qualify for nationals, where she placed 10th out of hundreds. In addition to choreographing for spring recitals for Allegro, she has also choreographed routines for local cheer groups and pageants. This past competition season, Jenna received a "Creative Concept" award for her presentation of "Acro Train."