There are many moments of happiness in studio ownership, both large and small. Happiness, pride, and connection overwhelmed me as I read Becky Seavey's quick email to Allegro. 
-Janet Johnson, Owner 

"Hello Janet and Sarah-

Janet- thank you so much for the donation to Shining Stars team.  Elizabeth was so excited that she was able to raise over $700 for this great organization.  She was happy and honored to help in the balloon release ceremony to remember those kids, including Axel, who are now watching over us.  

Sarah- here are a few pictures of the event- Lizzy decided to wear her Malibu costume.  

Thank you both for the support - so many of our dance families donated as well.  So glad to be a part of a dance studio that cares for others and shows support to the community." 

Full circle history:
Between December 11th, 2007 to our son Axel's death on 9-11-09, our family was a part of Brighter Tomorrow's. Their philosophy: no one should have to face a childhood cancer diagnosis alone.
Over the years, we've kept in touch with founders Sherrie Decker and Liz Canan and their families. Since 2015, Allegro's Performance Company and National Honor Society of Dance Students have had the privilege of providing a meal for this group of families, which can total 70-80 persons, as well as provide a dance performance. 
Elizabeth Seavey, an Allegro dancer and Performance Company member, decided she wanted to do more than just dance for this group. She created a team called the Shining Stars to walk in the annual Go for Gold event for Brighter Tomorrow's. Lizzy raised money, took initiative, and created a team-  reaching far and beyond what was expected. Here's where the very personal place comes in for me- each year, Go for Gold honors the children who have died of childhood cancer. This year it was a balloon release.  I asked Lizzie if she would let Axel's balloon soar into the sky. 
She did. 
Good work, Lizzie, Seavey family, Brighter Tomorrow's, and Allegro. Life coming full circle is something to be proud of both in and outside of the dance studio. 

We thought we would share our Ballet Evaluations recap with you in a video blog. Once again, our thanks to Miss Bev for joining us at Allegro.
​ ​Enjoy!

InspiRED, the 5th Edition of Rochester Ensemble of Dance performed last evening.  I left the studio at 10:55pm after vacuuming, putting away 91 assorted chairs, 6 tables and 10 floor pillows with the kind and generous help of many others.  As I watched the light crew strike while I dust mopped the floors, many thoughts filled my head.  

Those thoughts stayed and simmered and grew overnight until I found myself, this beautiful Saturday morning, with a pencil in my hand.  Yes, that is correct, pencil & paper.  Sorry Macbook Air.  Sorry Google Docs.  Sorry Rachelle :-).

RED originated as a Showcase on recital weekend to highlight and provide additional opportunity for advance dancers to perform well rehearsed Spring Dance Concert pieces.  That filled the bill for a couple of years.  Parents of middle and high schoolers loved the abbreviated, advanced performance.  Then the Showcase separated from SDC weekend held in April rather than in June.  Performance company begged to be included.  Younger students also wanted the change to be a part of it.  Then - in Allegro Style - I brought it to the faculty.  "What is our goal with this production?  How do we best serve the artistic needs of our advancing students?  How do we further the Allegro mission of creating a lifelong love of the art forms?  Could we possibly include the entire Rochester community in this process?"

As with many things contained in a tightly closed hand, the idea flourished once my hand opened up and others bounced to and from the idea with artistic thoughts of all sorts!  But thought must commit to action in order for measurable results to occur.  With dedicated faculty and my willingness to let it grow - it did.  

Rochester Ensemble of Dance was born - an "evening of creativity and inspiration."  RED is now comprised of original works.  Many champions have graced the roles of director, producer, choreographer, student mentor, stage crew and more.  Choreographers from within Allegro, guest choreographers (both local and from Minneapolis) audition, cast, rehearse, costume and produce a collegiate style performance open to dancers from age 8 and above community wide.  There is also a student choreography element, adding to the educational component from choreography class, encouraging self creativity and confidence including the priceless opportunity to work with a mentor.   Rochester Ensemble of Dance is perhaps one of the biggest and best little known gems in the Rochester performing art scene.  

Last night, I encouraged and congratulated performers, worked with and thanked the team and volunteers, greeted guests, distributed programs, listed to the choreographer talk back and helped with the transformation of studio to stage and stage to studio.  Introspectively I re-stacked the building blocks both hidden and tangible that went into our evening of creativity and inspiration.  And it was good.  My busy hands felt open with life and energy, community and the love of dance flowing through them, flowing through all.  

brittany vukovich tom burson jesse schmitz boyd janet johnson trudy stevens elizabeth stubbs jen oniell autumn rife katie cook kennet oberly stuart pimsler dance rachelle bernard kathy chase austin meinholz melanie johnson carol engle jennifer glaws emily winn elisabeth michealson ben hain heidi oehler lauren dodds

There are only a couple more months of school until summer break! Like any other kid, I’m excited, but not because I don’t have class. This summer, I am fortunate enough to go to New York and study dance at The Ailey School in Manhattan for six weeks. The Ailey School is a primarily Modern dance school, and this will be my third summer attending. This is a big deal for me because not only is it my first year in the Professional Division, but I was granted a Level 2 Scholarship, meaning I don’t have to pay tuition. It is one of the limited numbers of scholarships awarded on the school’s audition tour, but it doesn’t include housing fees. So it isn’t full-ride, it’s full-tuition, which is still pretty amazing.

​Normally, scholarships require a formal audition, which only occur twice a year in New York (April and July); I auditioned at a studio in St. Paul in February. The audition itself isn’t as scary as it seems at first—I thought it was a lot of fun. We drove up early in the morning, around 7:00, since the audition was at 9:00. We put our bags along the back wall of the studio and were assigned numbers. The auditioners gave us, I think, 15 minutes for self-warm up and stretching before starting. The audition took about two hours; the first hour was ballet and the second hour was modern. At the end, they gave us information packets, answered any questions, and told us we would get an email two weeks later.

I couldn’t believe I had been accepted into the program, much less been awarded a scholarship. I’m so honored to have this opportunity, and I’m so excited!!! I would encourage more dancers to audition for summer programs because even if you don’t get in, it’s still a fun experience to learn from. Plus if (and when) you get into a program, you get to meet so many new people, make more friends, and do new stuff, which is totally worth it!

Article written by: Katrina Manansala - Level 5 ballet, pointe and classical variations student at Allegro School of Dance and Music.  Look for Katrina performing in Rochester Ensemble of Dance this month.  She is a National Honor Society Member and has participated in Allegro's Pre Professional program.  Pictures below are of Katrina's experience with Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive 2016. Congrats from all of us at Allegro, Katrina!  We are so proud of your hard work.

Want to write an article for an Allegro Blog?  
​Submit yours via email to rachelle@allegrodancemusic.com.   

Do you ever wonder about those adorable beanie babies and colorful scarves your little one loves to dance with?  They are important components in our Leap N' Learn curriculum.  Our classes are welcome environments that encourage effort and creativity which bring out the most positive side of dance!

Enjoy the photos below of all the freshly laundered props hun up to dry!  Did you know miss Allison helps prompt us when it's time to wash our props?  We also sanitize the barres and all door knobs 2 times per week.  

Interested in learning more?  Just ask your child's teacher or our friendly office staff about Lean N' Learn or any other question you might have!  Check out Leap N' Learn website for lots of great information at ​http://leapnlearn.com/for-parents.