Allisons Dance Centre

[Guest Alive2Dance]

I wasn't sure where to put this under, but I figured I should ask because this is my new studio. Has anyone in the FL area heard of Allisons Dance Centre or the Bradenton Ballet Reperatory? If so what do you think about them? It would be great to find someone who knows about my studio and may have more information about it than me.

[Victoria Leigh]

No, I'm sorry, but I have not heard of that school. However, I do know a good school in that area run by a former principal dancer with Sarasota Ballet, Diana _______? Sorry, can't remember the last name at the moment.

[Guest Alive2Dance]

I wish I could go to the Sarasota ballet but it is too far for my mom to drive me to it often. I know a girl at my school who is a year younger than me who attends there and she is supposed to be spectacular. Her name is Shelby Elsbree and is always on the cover of local magazines. Maybe I will end up going there when I am old enough to drive, but who knows.

[Victoria Leigh]

But there is a GOOD school in your area! Please investigate another school. The teacher is Diana someone....I will find out the name for you, but meanwhile I'm sure you can find it. Bradenton is not a very big city.

[Guest Alive2Dance]

Thank you, if you find out the name tell me. Since I just started at this school, which is a good school in my opinion and I love it, I'm not looking to change anytime soon. I feel like I'm improving and learning the correct technique. The teacher is Allison Norton...here is her background just in case you were wondering. Maybe you've heard of her but not her studio.

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Allison Erwin Norton, a former soloist with Ballet Repertory and Ballet Guild of Jacksonville, Florida, is the owner and artistic director of Allison's Dance Centre inc. She is also the Artistic director of the Bradenton Ballet Repertory, noted in the community for it's annual full-length production of "The Nutcracker." Allison's training includes study at the Royal Academy of Dancing, London, England; David Howard Dance Centre, New York City; and Fobert Joffrey's American Ballet Center, New York City. While performing at the age of thirteen, Allison caught the eye of the late Walter Terry, famed dance critic and historian. The author of numerous books on dance, Mr. Terry selected Allison as honor dancer for recognition at the Southeeastern Regional Ballet Association Conference. Later in the same year Allison's talent was noted by Robert Joffrey, which resulted in a coveted place in the scholarship classes at the American ballet Center in New York City. While studying at the Royal Academy of Dancing in London, she was chosen as one of two Americans to perform a solo role in the Academy's production of "Sleeping Beauty."

In addition to a successful background in dance, Allison appeared in several regional television commercials and the motion picture "Night People." In New York City, she was on the staff of major motion picture producer Dino deLaurentiis, and was chosen by ABC television for the FYI series.

 

Allison taught as a guest instructor for Dance Masters of America, Florida Chapter. Additionally, she choreographed and judged numerous local and regional pageants and competitions. She trained and coached students capturing the titles of Miss Dance of Florida, Mr. Dance of Florida, Junior Miss Dance of Florida, and Miss Florida Pre-Teen. Allison's former students have been accepted by Houston Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, have been awarded scholarships for university study, and have danced professionally throughout the northeastern United Stated. Allison moved to the Sarasota-Bradenton area from Jacksonville, where she was the owner/director of Allison's performing arts center for 8 years. She resides in Sarasota with her husband and three sons.

[Mel Johnson]

Ms. Leigh, are you perhaps thinking of Diane Partington?

[Guest Alive2Dance]

That sounded very familiar so I looked it up in the phonebook. It sounds great because it says pre-professional training not just advanced. Maybe when I'm old enough to drive in about 2 years I'll see if I would take the time to drive there.

Edited July 20, 2004 by Alive2Dance

[Victoria Leigh]

Yes, thank you Mr. Johnson! That is exactly who I was thinking of.

 

Alive, if you want professional quality training, the time to get it is now, not when it's too late. Sounds to me like the school you are in just might have a lot of interest in competitions, which is fine if you like that and do not plan to study ballet seriously. I'm guessing about that with the school, based on the teachers interests shown in her bio.

[Guest Alive2Dance]

I definatley see where you got that impression. A long long time ago she did competitions with the studio, but does not do them anymore. I feel like she takes the time to correct me and watch me. She's told me multiple times about how I have the dancer body, the drive, and the intelligence to succeed in ballet. I really love the studio, but if I ever start to feel differently its good to have options. Thank you very much. And some of her students have gone on to study dance in college or professionaly after high school.