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Gretchen began her dance studies under Berverly Mozzetti and continued 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. She currently teaches ballet at Allegheny College. 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.
CherylCheryl 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.
Carrie has extensive training in hip hop jazz, urban jazz and tumbling. She has trained at Allegro for 18 years. Her outstanding achievements include going to Dance Nationals in New York City, and competing in many top scoring, award winning groups. Carrie was also a competitive cheerleader, who competed at nationals and qualified as an individual to cheer at the Pro-Bowl in Hawaii. In 2009 and 2010, Carrie attended MONSTERS of Hip Hop. She studied with Napolean and Tabitha, The Beat Freaks, Rhapsody James, Luther Brown, Chonique Sneed Lisette Bustamante, Marty Kudelka, Quest Crew, Kevin Maher, Tony Testa and several other noteworthy choreographers. Overall, she takes pride in the hard work and energy she put into being a dedicated team member. Ms. Williams’ mission is for her dancers to experience personal growth and develop their personal style.
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."
StaceyStacey started her dance studies with Patty Cervone at age two. She fell passionately in love with dance and continued on through high school. Stacey planned to continue on as a dance major at Kent State but injury prevented this. Stacey did go on to later assistant teach at the Performance Dance Center in Benning, GA. Stacey has studied ballet, pointe, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. Stacey has a BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where she had a 4.0 GPA. In addition to teaching and being a mother of four children, Stacey owns Four Leaf Clover Catering. As a teacher, she believes in the importance of each and every student finding their inner beauty, strength, ability and passion.
“Patty (the office manager) is so wonderful. She made our first year a breeze. I love the convenience of the online features.”
Christina Sweeney ~ Parent
