ALLYSON PETER
BioAllyson Peter is a NYC based dancer, singer, and actor. Originally from outside Philadelphia, Allyson (Ally) began dancing at 3 years old and never looked back. In 2021, she graduated summa cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Communications and Minor in Dance. While in school, she simultaneously trained, and continues to train, in the heart of NYC at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and more.
Ally is a devout member of the NYC dance and theatre communities, and her artistic journey has been greatly enriched by the choreographers and performers of New York City who continually push boundaries and expand the possibilities of dance and theatre. She has had the pleasure of dancing in independent projects choreographed by Ray Hesselink, Elyn Collier, and Zoey Lytle, and performing in NYC alongside the Ellie de Waal Dancers.
Her theatre credits include: A Christmas Carol (Tuacahn), A Christmas Story (Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), Footloose and A Chorus Line (North Coast Theatre Festival), and White Christmas and On The Town (Arizona Broadway Theatre).
When not performing, Ally finds fulfillment in sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation of dancers— choreographing and teaching at dance studios throughout the NYC area and adjudicating at dance competitions. She also enjoys channelling her creative energy into drawing, painting, and crafting. She loves to go hiking, bake for friends whenever she has the chance, and as a self-proclaimed ice cream connoisseur, if she’s not in dance class, you can probably find her sitting on a park bench enjoying some of New York City’s finest ice cream ;)
I sat down with myself to ask the most pressing questions my fans (my stuffed cow named Moouis Armstrong) would like to know:
What is your dream career?
1
Well, Liza Minnelli did most of what I wanted to do. Of course, she did a lot of it before I was born, but it didn’t hurt any less when I found out I wouldn’t be starring as Sally Bowles in Bob Fosse’s film adaptation of Cabaret. Other than that, my dream is to have a career where I get to wear all of the hats: performer, teacher, choreographer, bowler, fedora, etc. I love to be onstage, and I love getting to talk about dance and theatre to anyone who will let me.
My current short term goal? Find the modern day Kander & Ebb to write me a solo act about how it’s Ally with a “Y.”
It really depends on the setting, but for my weekly students, I am always thinking about what we are going to do next week the moment class ends. I am learning from them as much as they are learning from me, and I want class to always feel like it is specifically for them and no one else. I believe in my kiddos, so I am always thinking about where I can help them continue with a concept and where I can challenge them.
How do you prep to teach a dance class?
2
Curiosity has gotten me into every good thing in life. I only ever want to ask “what if?” Sure, I occasionally get myself into trouble, but it’s more fun that way.