Meet our Studio Instructors

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 Allegro Dance Arts and has previously taught ballet at Allegheny College as well. 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.

Carleigh Murphy began her dance training at the age of 3 at Allegro Dance Arts. She also joined the Oil Region Ballet Company for four years while she was in  high school. She attended Northwestern State University, where she studied dance and earned her BFA in dance in 2024. While in school, she performed in numerous dance concerts, choreographed pieces for the Dance Organization of Students, and attended the American College Dance Association her Junior and Senior year. She began her teaching career right out of college at Allegro Dance Arts, choreographing pieces for the competition team.  She has also helped choreograph parts of the Oil Region Ballet's most recent production of "Cinderella". Carleigh has a very large passion for dance and is excited to be teaching where it all started for her. 

Grace Morrell has been dancing for over 18 years and brings a wide range of experience in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tumbling. She spent 11 years as a competitive dancer with Allegro Dance Arts and performed for six seasons with the Oil Region Ballet Company, where she held Corps de Ballet and Principal roles in both classical and contemporary productions. Grace is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Dance. While at OSU, she was a four-year member of the Movement Variations Dance Team, performing at various events including the BuckeyeThon Dance Marathon, OSU Homecoming Parade, and annual showcases. She also performed in Hatch: OSU Department of Dance 2024 BFA/MFA Concert and the 2025 Spring BFA Senior Concert: What Remains. Grace studied abroad through the Dance Denmark program, where she trained in diverse style and movement practices and performed in cities across Denmark and Germany. She has furthered her training through summer intensives and master classes at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Rock School West, Steps on Broadway, and Millennium Dance Complex. Grace’s goal as a teacher is to create a space where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Victoria Pless (she/her) has been teaching at Allegro since fall 2024. She returns to the studio to teach tap after being away for over a decade. Victoria was a lifelong dancer at Allegro Dance Arts, participating in ballet, tap, and jazz classes. Her first competition season occurred when she was 10 years old where she competed to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" with the senior tap dancers. Moving into middle and high school, Victoria focused on tap dance, participating in multiple classes and competition pieces. She often was accompanied by her younger sister, Julia, for duets and classes. She is thrilled to be back in her old stomping grounds. Victoria also works for a national public health nonprofit focused on overdose prevention and supports a graduate school course for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in public health! 

Delaynee is from Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania and a former dancer at Allegro Dance Arts. Starting at the age of two, she’s spent the last 30 years immersed in various styles of dance, tumbling, and gymnastics. She attended the Lakette’s Gymnastics Academy where she excelled as a Level 6 gymnast. As a 2017 graduate of Edinboro University, Delaynee spent all her collegiate years as a football and basketball cheerleader. Upon graduation, she was named Head Cheerleading Coach at her Alma Mater where she pioneered the university’s first competition cheerleading program. Delaynee now spends her time as a busy mom of two to her daughter, Daylin and son, Bowen. Her roots at Allegro Dance Arts span over three decades, and she could not be more happy to now teach at the studio that cultivated her love for the art of dance and tumbling.

 Alyvia Carmosino is a passionate dancer, choreographer, and instructor with over 20 years of dance training and performance experience. She has trained in a wide range of styles including contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, ballroom, lyrical, Irish, pointe, Pom, musical theater, as well as skills in partnering, acro, and tumbling, bringing versatility and depth to her teaching.

Alyvia has previously trained, taught and choreographed at Spotlight Dance Studio, where she created engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans for dancers ages 1–18. She is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive environment where students can grow both technically and personally. Her teaching style blends strong technical foundations with creativity and expression, helping dancers build confidence, discipline, and a genuine love for movement.

Throughout her career, Alyvia has taken on leadership roles, and she continued her involvement in dance/performance, as well as cheer at Penn State Behrend. She has also performed on stage, including a role as Victoria in Cats, and participated in prestigious training experiences such as Project Dance, Titans of Dance Convention, and the Rhee Gold Dance Life Teachers Conference. 

In addition to her instructional work, she is committed to helping every dancer grow—not just as a performer, but as a confident and expressive individual.

Sidney began her dance journey at Allegro Dance Arts at the age of 4 and spent four years on the competition team, specializing in hip hop and tumbling. Her passion for movement extended into cheerleading, where she cheered for five years at Slippery Rock University, earning degrees in Safety Management (2022) and Early Childhood Education (2024).

She has years of experience working with young athletes, from assisting with the Allegro cheer team at 18 to teaching toddlers through high schoolers at a cheer gym in Boyers, PA. For the past two years, she has volunteered with Meadville cheer and currently serves as the head cheer coach at Allegheny College.

Sidney is excited to bring her energy and experience into the classroom as a new teacher at 1st District Elementary and is thrilled to return to Allegro—this time as a teacher and mentor, where her dance journey first began.

Lydia Link is excited to share her passion for dance at Allegro Dance Arts, where she trained for eight years as a competitive dancer. She believes that strong fundamentals and proper technique are the foundation of every successful dancer.

Lydia is passionate about creating a structured, encouraging environment that supports early development while helping each student build confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love of dance. 

Her goal is to provide balanced instruction that allows every dancer to grow at their own pace while developing skills that will serve them both in and out of the studio.

"Miss Denise" Robison began her dance journey at Kristine's School of Dance at age 3.  As her love for dance evolved she continued to expand her knowledge through the Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School, SUNY Buffalo, and Robert Christopher Teachers Training. She brings more than 37 years of dance experience, leadership and artistic dedication to the classroom.  In 2004 she became part owner of Kristine's School of Dance until retiring in 2019.  

In addition to her dance studio experience, Denise has an extensive background in musical theatre.  She has performed with the Academy Theatre in productions including Chicago (Mona- Lipschitz), Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, 2019's run of Mamma Mia (Rosie) and Holiday Inn.  She has also served as an instructor and choreographer for the Academy Theatre's Summer and Winter Theatre Camps. 

Denise has shared her passion for dance throughout the community, serving as an instructor and choreographer for the Meadville Housing Authority Summer Camp during her time at Kristine's School of Dance.  She was the Saegertown Junior/Senior High School Basketball Cheerleading Advisor for nine years and Dance Team Advisor for three years.  She has also choreographed for the Junior Miss and Miss Saegertown pageants.  

Denise is passionate about inspiring dancers of all ages, helping each student develop confidence, strong technique, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance.  She is so excited to teach again and share her experience and enthusiasm with every dancer who steps into her classroom!

Alyssa (Beck) Cole is thrilled to be returning to her dance home at Allegro, this time with her daughter, Amelia, by her side. Alyssa’s journey with dance began at Allegro at the age of two, where she cultivated a lifelong passion for the art form. Throughout her time at the studio, she graced the stage in many featured roles, including performances as the Dew Drop and twice as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She further honed her skills and dedication as a member of the competition team from age 7 to 18.

Alyssa’s connection to Allegro deepened when she previously taught at the studio while attending Mercyhurst University. At Mercyhurst, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health, minoring in Dance, as well as serving as the captain of the Mercyhurst Dance Team. Following her undergraduate studies, Alyssa pursued a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Professionally, she has dedicated her career to enhancing the patient experience across all Allegheny Health Network hospitals.

She is so excited to be back where her own love of movement began. She eagerly anticipates creating joyful memories and fostering a new generation’s passion for dance and movement! 

Lauren Kavounas was born and raised in Meadville, Pa. where she danced at Allegro Dance Arts from age 3 to age 18. Lauren performed Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary. She also competed for Allegro Dance Arts competition team in many different styles of dance. Her Hip-Hop team went to Nationals in NYC. She performed in five Nutcracker Ballets. Her most memorable roles were Clara and Dew Drop. 

Along with developing a passion for dance, she also developed a love for choreography and teaching. During high school and through college, Lauren taught and choreographed Hip-Hop and Contemporary pieces for Allegro Dance Arts. She continued her passion for teaching with a bachelors in Early Childhood/Special Education (Prek-8) and taught special education elementary school students for seven years. She also continued her education with a Masters Degree in Education with a Reading Specialist Certification. While being an elementary school teacher, she taught dance club for two different elementary schools and also helped with the school talent shows. 

Lauren lives in Meadville with her husband Alex and son Jonathan. You might have seen them at Ms. Alyssa’s Little Steps Together class this past year! Lauren is so excited to return to Allegro Dance Arts to share her love of dance.