WSCC Allegro Dance Theatre
Brooke Desones | Choreographer
Brooke Desnoës is one of the most gifted teaching artists of her generation, with
over twenty years of experience at the international level. She is pushing the boundaries
in dance, Brooke has developed a dance program at WSCC built upon strong classical
roots, which is committed to exploring and redefining where the art form is headed.
Her pre-professional training program opens the doors to successful professional careers
for her students. Mrs. Desnoës trains her students “from the inside out” and provides
them with an educational experience of the highest caliber.
Brooke Desnoës received her early dance training in her native Alabama and went on to dance with ballet companies across the Southeast and in Europe. She has danced a varied repertoire including leading roles in many classic ballets such as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Cinderella,” “Paquita,” and “Romeo and Juliet,” as well as works by contemporary choreographers. After a period of teaching at The Washington School of Ballet in Washington D.C., under the direction of Mary Day, Brooke Desnoës founded L’Académie Américaine de Danse de Paris (AADP) which grew to become one of the largest and most reputable ballet schools in Europe under her direction. Mrs. Desnoes has been on faculty at Wallace State since fall of 2018.
Ricky Burks | Musical Direction
A versatile musician with training in both jazz and classical idioms, Ricky Burks
earned his B.S. in Music Education from the University of North Alabama in 1990 and
his M.A. from the University of North Alabama in 2000. Mr. Burks has utilized his
performing skills with a number of ensembles, including such groups as the Edd Jones
Orchestra, the Muscle Shoals Area Big Band, the Sammy Kaye Orchestra, Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Steel City Sound and the Russ Morgan Orchestra. He
was also a founding member of the Night Life Saxophone Quartet, which has been featured
on National Public Radio. In addition, he has served as an adjudicator and clinician
throughout the Southeast. Mr. Burks directs the jazz band and saxophone ensemble
at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, where he has been employed since 1990
as woodwind instructor and director of bands. Currently, Mr. Burks serves as the Chairperson
of the Fine and Performing Arts at Wallace State Community College.
Allegro Dance Theatre | Wallace State Dancers
 Chloe Carter is 17 years old and currently enrolled in the fast track program at WSCC. She has danced
for 14 years and train in Ballet, Ballroom, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Hip-Hop,
Lyrical, Pointe, Jazz funk, breakdance, and Acro. For the past two years, she works
as assistant at Bella Moxi Dance Convention and others such as Dusty Button, Lindsay
Lancaster, and Michael Dameski. Chloe has been awarded of the Steven Boyd Memorial
Award and Choreography Solo Award. She currently works at the Factory Dance Productions
in Cullman, Alabama and works toward an Associate Degree in Dance Education from WSCC. |
 Marigrace Dunn is from Cullman, Alabama. She began her training in ballet at the age of 13 at Courtney’s
Dance Artistry. Marigrace is an Elite team member and student teacher at Genesis Performing
Arts where she focuses on baton twirling. She is part of the pharmacy technology program,
through dual enrollment, at Wallace State and will graduate as a certified pharmacy
technician in the spring. She is also a member of Wallace State’s Allegro Dance Theatre
Company under the direction of Brook Desnoes. |
 Haley Greatorex is from Birmingham, Alabama. She began her training at Beverly’s Dance when she was
3 years old. At the age of 6, Haley moved to North Jefferson Academy of Dance. When
she was 16, she started dancing at Westwood Ballet. Haley received a dance scholarship
to Wallace State Community College and is pursuing a degree in Dance Education. Her
dream is to one day have her own dance studio. Haley is also a member of Wallace
State’s Allegro Dance Company under the direction of Brooke Desnoes. |
 Elizabeth Griffith is from Gadsden, Alabama. She began her training in ballet at the age of 3 at Downtown
Dance Conservatory and at age 10 moved to Glory and Grace Dance. Elizabeth received
a dance scholarship to Wallace State Community College her senior year of high school
and is dual enrolled, pursuing a degree in Dance Pedagogy. She is also a member of
Wallace State’s Allegro Dance Company under the direction of Brook Desnoes. |
 Lacey Johnson is from Pinson, Alabama and has been dancing for 18 years. She started training in
ballet, tap, and jazz at Miss Kelley’s Dance Studio in Trussville, AL at the age of
2. When she was 18 she started dancing at Wallace State and received a scholarship
to dance with the Allegro Dance Theatre at Wallace. Lacey plans to transfer to the
University of Alabama at Birmingham to major in Broadcast Journalism. |
 Nicholas Smith is a native from Charleston, West Virginia but calls Alabaster, Alabama home. He has
spent ten years as a cheerleader which led him to cheer at Wallace State where he
was recruited into the Singers. Learning choreography for their shows piqued his interest
in dance to where he joined the Allegro Dance Company. Currently pursuing a degree
in dance education he plans to open up a gym dedicated to cheer and dance.
|
 Brooke Leigh Sinyard is a dance pedagogy student at Wallace State. As a child she took ballet, then later
piano lessons, and as a teen she participated in the Decatur Youth Symphony as a violinist.
As she grew up she developed a love for the arts whether it be singing, dancing, or
playing an instrument. She currently devotes her time to learning about how humans
can benefit from music and dance as she wants to pursue a career in the medical field
in the realm of music and dance medicine. She is currently participating in her pedagogy
internship at Brooke Desnoës Ballet Academy. She dedicates all her success in her
life thus far to the love and unwavering support of her parents Wendy and Bryan Sinyard,
her Brother Blayne Sinyard, and her boyfriend Nicholas Watford. |
 Breanna Turner is from Cullman, Alabama. She is currently enrolled at WSCC as a Dance Education
Major with a short-term certificate in Pedagogy. At Wallace, Bre is a member of the
WSCC Dance Allegro Theatre. Outside of school, Bre works at The Factory Dance Productions
as the Director of the Combo Program. |
 Isaiah Washington is from Decatur, Alabama. He began dancing his senior year of High school at Austin
in Show choir. Isaiah received a Singers Scholarship to Wallace State from Mrs. Tiffany
Richter at the end of his senior year, and now doing Show Choir at Wallace State and
he is also in Ballet. This is his second year at Wallace State, and he is majoring
in Dance Performance and will be transferring Schools Next year 2020 to The University
of Alabama starting in the fall and will be taking dance. He is also a member of Wallace
Sate Allegro Dance Company Under the direction of Brooke Desnoes. |
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