ALLEGRA DANCE

Meet the Director

Written by Claudia DeVita, artistic director

  Allegra Dance Studio originated at the Greenwich Round Hill Community Center 1972 after I graduated from the Hartford Conservatory of Music and Dance with a degree in dance.   As a Greenwich native I returned home and started to study and audition in the New York by day and teach some dance classes in the late afternoons.   I found that the Greenwich dance student and their parents demanded and deserved the absolute TOP NOTCH dance instruction along with a positive performing experience.   There was no reason to go to NY if I could provide the same professional environment right in Greenwich.   I started to not only teach the kids myself, loving every minute of it, but I immediately started to invite guest teachers so the kids could experience the best the dance world had to offer in every style dance.

  Not much has changed in my approach close to thirty-five years later.   Studying the art of dance is no different from studying a musical instrument or becoming an elite top athlete. With proper guidance and the correct information presented in a loving and creative fashion, the student will be open to a world of limitless possibilities.   To accomplish my goals I choose my staff with three things in mind.   The instructor must hold the tools to teach dance correctly and properly to ensure the student does not injure him or herself.   Second, this teacher must approach his or her teachings in a creative and nurturing fashion, keeping with the most current and cutting edge techniques.   Paramount and thirdly... this instructor must be someone that I would want my own children to use as a role model.   Holding their own personal standards high and with flexibility in their approach, they must have the special talent to reach their students in the best way possible.   We are honored when a family chooses Allegra, and although we are a large studio, we have the best interests of each unique student at heart.

  The performing aspect of dance is also very important to us.   Thus the formation of thirteen performing companies whose mission is to go into the community to perform.   From the first step into performing with the ALLEGRA KIDS to the professional group of ALLEGRA ALUMNI, our goal is to allow the dancer top quality dance training and choreography opportunities.   We can guide the serious dancer to the college level of dance by helping to prepare resumes and videos and provide appropriate recommendations.   Everyone at Allegra is available to help every student to become the best they can be in all aspects of life using the study of dance as a vehicle.   Thanks for choosing Allegra and welcome to the family where we dance and celebrate all that is great about life.