We recently connected with Nina Balistrere and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nina, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

I run a special needs dance class for all ages I have special needs dancers dance in all shows

Nina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I began dancing at eight years old, and fell in love with it once I put on my pointe shoes! I ended up attending Goucher College, majoring in Dance Performance/Choreography with an emphasis in Dance Education.
I started teaching right out of college at various dance studios. I realized that I did not want to engage in politics at the places I had taught and decided to open up my own dance studio in 2017.
The primary focus for my dance studio is to teach excellent technique and give my dancers the opportunity to perform, ( annual Nutcracker and spring recitals), find their inner strength and positive self worth. I have high expectations but I also allow the dancers freedom to experience other forms of extracurricular activities outside of dance.
I offer ballet, pointe, modern, lyrical, tap, jazz and hip hopped choreography! I also offer a Special Needs dance class for all ages! My 24 year old daughter actually attends this class as well!
I feel that my college degree in dance sets me apart from the other dance studios in the area and I am fortunate to give my dancers all of the creative outlets I explored during my college years.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Before I got married in 1994, I was training at my home studio for the role I had always wanted to dance…..”the Sugar Plum Fairy” in the Nutcracker! I was 24 years old at the time. I told my teacher that I would not accept payment rather, have that as my wedding gift from her.
I spent three weeks of the summer in Georgia, at a summer dance intensive training for this role. I spent over $2,000 for gas, food, housing, as well as the summer intensive fee.
When I returned to Reading at my home dance studio, my dance teacher told me I would not be dancing the part and it was given to the dancer I traveled with to the summer dance intensive. The dancer actually knew she was going to have the role even before we left.
I was devastated, hurt and angry, on so many levels.
I married, lived away for a few years and then at age 26 I asked my dance teacher once again if I could have the role of “the Sugar Plum Fairy”. She, once again, agreed and I began training at a prestigious dance studio in Carlisle. While in training, she explained to me that the Board of Directors would like a “well known name” to dance the role of sugar Plum and that I was not to be dancing it yet again. I told her that I am a “well known name” in Reading that she could not do this to me again. She said well then you need to find your own dance partner, and buy your own costume. I said “fine” I can do that.
Needless to say, I did perform the role… there was not a great amount of support or positivity given to me during the whole process. I did perform, with the male dancer I hired from New York, in my $200 tutu I bought, and with a heavy heart.
Though I persevered, to dance my dream role it was very bittersweet in the end.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

word of mouth teaching good technique

Contact Info:

• Website: allegrodancepa.com
• Instagram: i think its the same
• Facebook: Nina Balistrere/allegrodance

Image Credits
Nina Balistrere Allegro Dance Students