Testimonials
Melanie Holmes
Growing up dancing at Alyce Carella made me into the young adult I am proud to be today. The studio became my second home and my dance family and I am still incredibly close. As I continue to dance through college, I value the exceptional training I received at Alyce Carella Dance Centre and the confidence I gained as a dancer and a young woman!
Kelsey Marino
Alyce Carella Dance Centre is one of the premier dance studios in Connecticut. With unparalleled teachers and so many different types of dance classes, students will get a complete dance education. With many years of experience, Alyce Carella leads the studio with her best foot forward to give children the best education she can. All dance teachers at the studio are masters in their craft and care deeply about the wellbeing of their students as well as their dance education. When you come to Alyce Carella Dance Studio you not only get a great dance education but you gain a second family and a home you can always come back to.
Savanna
Alyce Carella Dance Centre not only allowed me to grow as a dancer since the age of two but as a person. I became a part of a family there. Miss Alyce and Miss Laura are two lifelong friends that have taught me how to dance and so much more. As I continue my dance career in college, Alyce Carella is always a home I can return to.
Marci Brody
I have been a dancer for more than 50 yrs and was lucky enough to study with The Alyce Carella Dance Studio for many of those years. Their love and dedication of dance are contagious and the talented and creative staff is beyond belief. Every child should be lucky enough to say they studied dance at The Alyce Carella Dance Studio!
Christine K.
Many many fond memories of my childhood years dancing days at Alyce Carella. I danced for 12 years with the studio and if we have a daughter one day, we will be sure to enroll here! A place to dance your heart out with a welcoming family atmosphere, while fostering confidence, growth, and nurturing talent!
Courtney Zieller
"Alyce Carella Dance Centre has been part of some of my BEST childhood memories. As a shy kid, 14 years of tap dancing helped me overcome stage fright, hold high respect for the arts, and learn a rare talent. My parents and sister were also part of the dancing family! I hope to return to pass along my family memories down to my future children."
Kayla Maruca
Alyce Carella Dance Centre will forever hold a special place in my heart. There was a point in my life where I know I spent more time there than I did at home! I built lifelong friendships within the mirrors of that studio, ones that have taught me how to be a better person and dancer all around. My dance teachers and peers became like family to me, and for that, I am forever bonded with the studio. Performing on stage was always where I felt most complete, and every May I got to showcase my hard work beside my best friends, for Alyce Carella's annual dance recital. Now that I've graduated, I still look forward to recital weekend each year, anxiously waiting to watch those dancers shine. I've been lucky enough to continue dancing throughout my college career, on a nationally ranked D1 Dance Team, and I know I wouldn't have been so successful without the training, competitive experiences and lessons I learned at ACDC. I fall in love with dance more and more each year, and will forever recognize ACDC for strengthening my passion.
Miss Lynn Agnew
I have known Miss Alyce and Miss Laura for most of my life. Miss Laura was more my colleague, but Miss Alyce was my dance teacher. She put everyone else, students, friends, etc. before herself. I always admired Miss Alyce and her unique style of dancing as I was growing up. Her dancing school was like my 2nd home. I always felt safe, comfortable, and excited to be there. Miss Alyce had given me the opportunity to love dance, and because of that, she is the one who made me the tapper I am today, and I thank her for every minute of it. She was always patient, caring, funny, but always meant business, and wanted me to become the best I could be! It is because of Miss Alyce that I chose to become a dance teacher myself! To this day, I thank her for inspiring me with my love of dance and showing me the correct way in how to teach my own classes! She is the perfect example!
Niclole Charles-Pierre
Alyce Carella Dance Centre is an amazing dance studio! They offer a variety of dance styles, they have talented instructors, and being there you really feel like you are part of a family. I first started going to Alyce Carella Dance Centre for hip hop dance back in high school. All of the students in my dance class were friendly and supportive and my teacher was an incredible dancer and really cared about her students which I loved! As a result of my hip hop training at Alyce Carella, I was able to audition and got selected for various dance companies and teams in college and I landed various professional gigs. When I returned to Connecticut after college, it just so happened that a hip hop instructor position opened up and I was able to teach at the studio. Being apart of Alyce Carella as a teacher was a different experience than as a student but the things I loved about the studio were the same. I was able to get to know the instructors better and realized all of their amazing credentials that I didn't always pay attention to when I was a kid and as a teacher I was able to watch the students and see how hardworking and focused they were. Miss Alyce has done an amazing job creating a dance studio environment and community that is filled with talented, fun, and encouraging dancers. I had to move away about a year ago but I always think about and miss the many great times I had at the studio and I'm grateful for the skills that I learned as a dancer and teacher at Alyce Carella Dance Centre!
Marcie Moreau
My daughter Grace has been dancing at Alyce Carella Dance Centre for ten years. She began as a vivacious two-year-old toddler and has evolved into a poised and confident young girl and I believe much of her self-assurance is a result of her time at Alyce Carella Dance Centre. While a good dance school provides a child with a professional environment and qualified teachers to build a foundation in dance, and without a doubt, Alyce Carella certainly delivers, however it is only a few truly unique and exceptional dance schools that go beyond and provide children with a community to grow not only as dancers but as people. We have found this very community at Alyce Carella Dance Centre. Their level of commitment for each child extends to include a top-quality curriculum of preeminent technical and artistic skills needed to develop as a dancer and teachers who cultivate and encourage children to use dance as a personal expression on the dance floor and throughout their lives. The time, effort, and dedication of Alyce, Laura and all the teachers and staff at Alyce Carella Dance Centre set it apart from any other dance school. I consider myself truly fortunate to have found Alyce Carella Dance Centre.
Kim Signor
I spent at least 15 years taking lessons at Alyce Carella Dance Centre. I have so many great memories of creative, entertaining dances, and super fun dance recitals! Over those years I became a strong dancer, a fit athlete, and I loved the performances, but it is from my experience in class that I learned much more. I developed confidence, discipline, and dedication to take on life's challenges. Under the powerful instruction of Miss Alyce and Miss Laura, I would escape into the deep concentration and demand for dance. I was taught to practice and master techniques, to never give up and to not ever say "I can't"....what seemed impossible was only "not yet" possible. These are skills that are necessary for survival not only in a dance studio but in all aspects of life: strength in social interactions, completing college, developing a hard-work ethic, independent living, independent travel, and raising a family...I continue to use that discipline. The kind of learning that happened in those years had life value that few can understand, especially those who do not respect dance as a difficult sport. I am grateful for my years as a student at Alyce Carella Dance Centre, I have fond memories of good times, maddening challenges, and fantastic dances. I can also still bust a fun dance move when necessary! When you go to the recital, you will be swept away into the love and energy they've created at this school and hopefully you'll see the hours dedicated work it took to be that awesome!
Donna Schwartz and Mollie Petrizzo
My daughter Mollie has been dancing at Alyce Carella for the past 8 years, ever since she attended a class with the Brownies and begged me to sign up. She has done hip hop, jazz, and lyrical and for the most part, has been trained by the wonderful Miss Laura. My daughter is now a “dancer”, and I credit this in large part to the training and nurturing that she has had at this school. She has received excellent training, corrections, and encouragement. She has learned that dancing is hard work and that nothing worth doing is worth doing at less than 100%. Besides the dance aspect, the center has such a warm environment. The love for what she does shows in every encounter one has with Miss Alyce. She has such great pride, and rightly so, for her students, many of whom have been with her from preschool right through to high school graduation. A word about Miss Laura- a good teacher inspires, and does not coddle. A good teacher demands the best from her students and does not settle for less. A good teacher may be tough, yet always caring. Thank you, Miss Laura.
Lori Bordonaro
After my first jazz class at Alyce Carella as a child, I was hooked on dance! Over the years I was fortunate to be part of "jazz company" and had the opportunity to assist teaching classes. Thanks to Alyce Carella I made life long friends from the studio. My dance background gave me the poise and confidence to succeed in my career and in my life. And my most poignant memory...dancing mother-daughter tap. It's is one of the last memories I have of my mom. And for that, I will forever be grateful.
Michael Morgan
I have had the honor to be considered an Alyce Carella Dancer and Alumni. Not only did she become my teacher, but she was also a mentor and friend. I started out as a Student and was humbled to have been asked to teach for her. She taught me so much about dancing, the art of teaching dance, and encouraged me to pursue my passion for dance outside a classroom. I was a student for over ten years and have come back every now and then to take class, and the feeling of walking into that room has never changed. She has attended shows I’ve choreographed, and a performer and fundraising events I was part of. Always being a wonderful supporter. She was always willing to lend an ear, give advice, and help you with your Dance path, and even your path in life. I am forever grateful for all the opportunities and the education I gained under her. The dance education I received enabled me to become a Dancer Teacher in my own right, helped me as a performer and gave me the confidence to believe in myself. Alyce Carella is a legend – she will live on through her students, her daughter, and grandchildren, but to me, she will be my Dance Teacher and mentor – the one who saw more in me that I did Thank you, Miss Alyce, for all that you gave to me!
Gayle Wintjen and Steven Madonick
Our daughters have danced at Alyce Carella Dance Centre for eight years. As someone who danced as a child and through college, it was important to me that my children learn to dance with outstanding instructors who understood the technique, but who also made dance fun. Alyce Carella Dance Centre is such a studio. Starting at young ages, the girls learned to tap and ballet, and soon graduated to different styles, all while building upon the important techniques that they have learned. Over the years, not only have they become terrific dancers, their experiences performing in recitals have challenged them to give 110% effort and they have gained the confidence to perform in front of large audiences. Today, our whole family dances by participating in mother/daughter hip-hop and father/daughter tap. We love sharing these amazing experiences with our daughters and sharing in their passion for dance. As a family, we could not have asked for a better dance studio.
Sandra Davis
My daughter Cecilia has been dancing at the Alyce Carella Dance Studio since she was 3 years old. She started with Tap with Miss Laura and then added Ballet. This past year, she took 4 dance classes plus Mother/Daughter Hip Hop. Over the past 8 years, I have watched her become a fantastic dancer who carries herself with poise and grace.
I knew she had a passion for dance but it really became evident to me how strong her passion was this Spring. She had her appendix removed in April a few weeks before the Dance Recital in May. Her first question for the doctor both before and after her surgery was ‘how long before I am able to dance?’
The second thing that really highlighted her love of dance was a poem that she had to write for 5th-grade graduation. In the poem, she basically said that I may not have thought she noticed that I drove her to all of her dance classes but that she did and it taught her that I supported her doing what she loved.
When I watched her doing her Tap Routine for the recital this Spring, I realized that she has become a fantastic dancer and it brought tears to my eyes... Thank you Miss Laura for teaching my daughter to dance and for nurturing her love and passion for dance.
Kim Gurbermen
Ever since I was a little girl I have known about Alyce Carella Dance Center. I took my first dance class Mother-Daughter Hip Hop, with my girls only a few years ago. I have to say I love every moment of the class! My daughters Kelly and Ashley have been taking dance at Alyce Carella Dance Center since they both were three years old. Kelly started as a three-year-old in Creative. Today she now takes 6 classes a week. My youngest Ashley started with tap and has never looked back either. She takes three classes a week and this past year she started to take mother-daughter hip hop and father-daughter tap with her Dad and sister. What we love about Alyce Carella is the ability to try all different kinds of dance. After Kelly’s first year of dance I talked to Ms. Alyce and about what class Kelly should take as a 4-year-old (ballet or tap) and to my surprise Ms. Alyce said that Kelly is very busy and she would be great at the tap dance. She has not looked back since. Every year Kelly and Ashley grow more and more into two wonderful dancers. Whether you are looking to have fun or you are a serious dancer who is looking to excel, Alyce Carella Dance Center has a place for you. The opportunities are endless.
My girls have made some amazing memories and lifelong friends. The studio is really their second home. We love what all of their teachers have to offer. The teachers have amazing patience, understanding, love for dance, and the confidence they teach to the children and adults that take classes from them. The dance will always be a big part of our family. Thank you, Ms. Alyce, Ms. Laura, Ms. Tanya, Ms. Ashley, and all the other amazing dance teachers that have helped us all learn to dance!
Gena Rose
My daughter Cecilia has been dancing at the Alyce Carella Dance Studio since she was 3 years old She started with Tap with Miss Laura and then added Ballet. This past year, she took 4 dance classes plus Mother/Daughter Hip Hop. Over the past 8 years, I have watched her become a fantastic dancer who carries herself with poise and grace.
I knew she had a passion for dance but it really became evident to me how strong her passion was this Spring. She had her appendix removed in April a few weeks before the Dance Recital in May. Her first question for the doctor both before and after her surgery was ‘how long before I am able to dance?’
The second thing that really highlighted her love of dance was a poem that she had to write for 5th-grade graduation. In the poem, she basically said that I may not have thought she noticed that I drove her to all of her dance classes but that she did and it taught her that I supported her doing what she loved.
When I watched her doing her Tap Routine for the recital this Spring, I realized that she has become a fantastic dancer and it brought tears to my eyes.. Thank you Miss Laura for teaching my daughter to dance and for nurturing her love and passion for dance.
Karin Montiel
Alyce Carella Dance Centre is like our second home. My two daughters have been dancing there since they could walk. My 11-year-old has danced in 10 recitals and my eight-year-old has danced in five. The teachers and the other moms look after all the kids as if they were their own. I credit the school with the fact that my girls have no fear of performing and being on stage. They absolutely shine and show off their progress with pride. I love how the school focuses on stretching, technique, and really feeling the music versus just memorizing steps for a big show. The girls have made close friends and wonderful memories here. I even took a Mother/Daughter Hip Hop class with them which was a blast!
Jenna Budney
My name is Jenna, I’m 20 years old and I’m a current junior at Loyola University Maryland. My dancing career at Alyce Carella started when I was two years old. During my time there, I met some of my best friends and I was able to build my confidence through dance. I was a shy girl in elementary and middle school, but coming to the dance studio I was able to show my “true colors”.
At the studio, I did all types of dance but my favorite style was Ballet, whom I studied under Tatsiana Galitskaya. I joined her class when I was in 3rd grade and she grew to be someone I always will look up to. Starting my freshman year of high school, I was student teaching 5 of her classes.
Overall, I have had the best experience at Alyce Carella and it gave me a great foundation for dance in college. This summer, I will be teaching Contemporary at the studio, and in college, I teach a Lyrical class! Alyce Carella Dance Center was my second home!
Amanda Brier
Since the age of 3, my daughter Abigail has been dancing at Alyce Carella Dance Centre. She started first with 1 creative movement class and now 5 years later she is taking Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, and Lyrical. She has been so fortunate to foster a strong relationship with Ms. Laura, who has been one of her core teachers since day 1, who helps challenge her to continue growing and learning as she evolves as a dancer. As a parent I see my daughter strive to learn her steps and routines and continue to see her excitement before and after every class she attends. Ms. Alyce and her team do an amazing job of making sure each student feels important and included in every class that is taught. Thank you for all that you do!