Allegra Dance Studio is Sold… Meet the New Owners

Longtime dance instructors Carrie Paige and Emily Isidori have purchased Allegra Dance Studio from its founder Claudia Fletcher DeVita. The news, which was announced to staff last week, was emailed to parents on Wednesday.

The dance studio has trained countless dancers since it opened its doors 43 years ago, including children of some of the early students.

Isidori, who specializes in ballet instruction, and Paige, who teaches everything except hip-hop, are excited to take the reins at Allegra.

“We’ve been here so long, our goal is to make the transition seamless. The integrity and traditions will remain in tact,” Paige said.

Isidori, who has two young children of her own and teaches special education part-time in the Bronx in addition to teaching at Allegra, said there will be a couple changes at the studio.

“We’re going to start offering classes for two-year-olds,” Isidori said. “It’s a win-win because they end up coming here later anyway.”

Other tweaks Paige and Isidori have in store include offering master classes. “You don’t need to travel to New York City, and you don’t have to go here to take a master class here,” Isidori said. “Everyone’s invited.”

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Ashley Rich, who attended the Ailey School and is best known for being a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance,” will lead a jazz master class at Allegra from 1:00-2:30 pm. (Sign up at the studio, call 203-629-9162 or email [email protected])

Left to right: Lily Wenzel, a 6th grader at Greenwich Catholic School who has been dancing at Allegra since she was seven; Paige; Isidori; and Kimberly Polak who is also a 6th grader at Greenwich Catholic School and has been dancing at Allegra since she was four. Credit: Leslie Yager

Arriving a few minutes early for dance class, Lily Wenzel and Kimberly Polak, both 6th graders at Greenwich Catholic School, talked about their loyalty to Allegra.

“I like all the teachers, and I like to learn all the styles and choreography,” Lily said.

Paige and Isidori said there are so many girls who start dancing very young, and continue to dance at Allegra through high school. “And it seems that for several years the captain of the GHS dance team is one of our dancers,” Paige said, giving Margo Buck and Megan Plancher as examples.

Paige and Isidori said that in addition to new master classes, the summer program will expand. “Our summer program is when the light bulb goes off for the kids,” Paige said. “In the fall they come back and sign up for different classes than before.”

This summer, Paige and Isidori plan to offer a new camp for 5-7 year olds, and a freer, flexible schedule. Dancers will be able to sign up for a half day from 9:30-12:30 and try three styles of dance. Alternately, they can sign up for a full day from 9:30-3:30 and try three styles of dance, plus choreography. Dancers can sign up for a half day, full day, a full week or four weeks.

Other changes include the addition of combo classes, including Ballet-Tap and Ballet-Jazz.

In the newly painted purple reception area at Allegra, Gail Mead, Emily Isidori and Carrie Paige. Credit: Leslie Yager

The wall on the flight of stairs to the second floor studio feature photos of Paige, Isidori and Allegra founder Claudia Fletcher DeVita. Credit: Leslie Yager

The wall on the flight of stairs to the second floor studio feature photos of Paige, Isidori and Allegra founder Claudia Fletcher DeVita. Credit: Leslie Yager