FACULTY Gretchen Myers
Chris Garvey
Wendy Gyurisin-Brode, Teacher
Betsy Sumerfield, Teacher
Jenna Williams, Teacher
Cheryl Leech, 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. Shannon Brancato, Teacher
Deanna (DeDe) Harrison, Teacher
Melissa Bartholomew, Teacher
Heather Davis, Teacher
Kaitlyn Bontrager, Associate Teacher Kaitlyn has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, pointe, and acro at Allegro. She has also auditioned for and studied at Pointe Park College Summer Intensives, Lawrence Park, the Rock School in Philadelphia, and Lake Erie Ballet Conservatory. This summer, she studied with Tabitha and Napolean, Quest Crew, and Rhapsody. She has also participated in "The Pulse Tour", a workshop with renown choreographers, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Brian Friedman, and Wade Robson. She has appeared as Clara, Russian and Spanish in "Nutcracker", a Lost Boy in "Peter Pan", the Wolf in "Peter and the Wolf", the Magic Carpet in "Aladdin". She has been invited to perform and choreograph for local pageants. She has performed numerous solos, duets/trios and in group pieces as a competition dancer. In 2007, Kaitlyn and Kenzie Brancato were members of team USA and performed their duet "Bosom Buddies" and in the USA team production number at the International Dance Challenge in Reisa, Germany. Samantha Moyer, Associate Teacher Samantha lives, eats, and breaths hip hop. She has done extensive independent research on the hip hop culture. In 2009 and 2010, she studied with Tabitha and Napolean, Beat Freaks, Quest Crew, and Rhapsody. She has won the highest of honors at competitions for her noteworthy hip hop style; notably, the top soloist award at "Fire and Ice", 12th at Nationals where she brought the house down. Samantha auditioned and was accepted into the Hip Hop Conservatory in New York City. She is a student at Allegheny College. Kenzie Brancato, Associate Teacher Kenzie has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, pointe, and acro at Allegro. She has also auditioned for and studied at Pointe Park College Summer Intensives, the Rock School in Philadelphia, and Lake Erie Ballet Conservatory. In 2009 and 2010, she studied with Tabitha and Napolean, Beat Freaks, Quest Crew, and Rhapsody. She has also participated in "The Pulse Tour", a workshop with renown choreographers, Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Brian Friedman, and Wade Robson. She has appeared as Chinese, Russian and Spanish in "Nutcracker", a Lost Boy in "Peter Pan", the Duck in "Peter and the Wolf", the Magic Carpet in "Aladdin". She has performed numerous solos, duets/trios and in group pieces as a competition dancer. In 2007, Kenzie Brancato and Kaitlyn were members of team USA and performed their duet "Bosom Buddies" and in the USA team production number at the International Dance Challenge in Reisa, Germany. Alyssa Beck, Associate Teacher Alyssa has trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling, pointe, and acro at Allegro. In 2009, she studied with Tabitha and Napolean, Beat Freaks, Quest Crew, and Rhapsody. She has appeared as Chinese and Dew Drop in "Nutcracker", the cat in "Cinderella", a Lost Boy in "Peter Pan", the Bird in "Peter and the Wolf", the Magic Carpet in "Aladdin". She has performed numerous solos, duets/trios and in group pieces as a competition dancer, and won judges' praises for her beautiful quality of movement. Lauren Mullen, Associate Teacher Lauren has focused her training in ballet, jazz and hip hop at Allegro. She has appeared as Clara in "Nutcracker", the cat in "Cinderella", Tinkerbell in "Peter Pan", the Bird in "Peter and the Wolf", Raja in "Aladdin". She is a member of the competition team and competed in hip hop and glitz and glam. She is a great team player and has fabulous stage presence. She is a devotee of hip hop and krump. Victoria Pless, Associate Teacher Victoria has focused her training at Allegro on tap and urban jazz…but first and foremost Victoria is a tapper. Since she was very young, Victoria has shown an uncanny ability to tap, remember steps, rhythms, and mastery of advanced tricks. This allowed her to move into advanced classes at an early age. She has performed with the competition group since its inception and as the youngest member of the tap group for many years. In 2010, she won a Diamond Award for her solo and was a member of the group that scored an outstanding 99 out of 100 "160 bpm". For her senior project she was the assistant choreographer for the junior competition group. She has also choreographed tap for an area pageant. She is a student at Allegheny College. |
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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, Carmen, and Carmina Burana. She was the choreographer for the 1995 Moscow cultural exchange group, and on staff for the 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. Chris went on to coach gymnasts who placed at the state and national level. She has attended Master Classes and Conventions with Dan Karaty, Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, and Brian Friedman. Since teaching at Allegro, she has choreographed award-winning numbers, coached dancers and gymnasts for area pageants, and created Allegro’s Urban Jazz and High Heels programs. Her competitive Hip Hop pieces were nominated for Team U.S.A. World Hip Hop Championships, consistently received "High Energy", "High Score", "Overall Outstanding" and "Entertainment" Awards. Her 814 Nightmare choreography won 2nd overall at nationals, received a cash award, and judges character award. She holds a B.A. in political science from Edinboro University. Chris’ exuberant personality and fun loving teaching style inspire her students to excel in dance and in life.
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.
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. Jenna has received a "Creative Concept" award for her presentation of "Acro Train." 
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.
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. 
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, and Dawson. Melissa has been dancing since she could walk, and now loves to share this gift with children.
Heather 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.