Allison DeBona―a 2002 graduate from Chartiers Valley―has been a professional dancer for six years. Daughter to school board member, Debra Rice, and sister to three CV alumni and a junior at Chartiers Valley High School, this prima ballerina has been making Chartiers Valley proud since she first earned her spot on a professional dance troupe.
After graduating college at Indiana University, Allison moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to begin her dance career at Ballet West. She performed in numerous productions as a demi soloist, however she received the opportunity of a lifetime after the BBC proposed to make a new reality TV series with Ballet West last year.
“We interviewed with them and the rest is history,” Allison recalls. “It's crazy for something like a TV show to fall in your lap when you really think about it.”
But it’s no surprise this CV alumni has landed herself a spot on TV. Allison has not put down her ballet slippers since she was a toddler. After taking her first dance lesson at the age of three, Allison began dancing with the Parou Ballet Company before joining the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet.
She did not even let high school get in the way of her dream to become a professional dancer, and pioneered as the first CV student to take half day courses to accommodate for her dance schedule.
“CV allowed me to be the first student to participate [in] the 'High School Program' at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet,” says Allison. “My junior and senior year I took all my academics in the [morning] and left to dance at PYB from 11:00 am until 5:30 pm.”
“I don't think I would be professional now if the school didn't understand how serious I was about making ballet my career.”
Today, Allison is dancing for millions of people every week on the TV show, Breaking Pointe.
“The craziest part is being in magazines on the shelves when you’re in line to pay for groceries. Nothing prepares you for that.”
The show follows dancers from the Ballet West Dance Company. The audience is taken behind the scenes of a professional dance company revealing the drama and competition involved in the fast paced life of a professional ballet dancer. Allison is featured as one of the nine main cast members on the show.
However, Breaking Pointe did not come without its fair share of challenges.
According to Allison, “accepting the bad along with the good [has been the most challenging]. It's hard allowing people to be that intimate with your life because everyone has something to say. I just try to focus on my reality and ignore [the rest].”
Despite the challenges, the reality show has also opened doors and created unique opportunities for Allison.
“I did get to live one of my life long dreams,” Allison recalls. “I am going to be on the cover of Dance Magazine's July issue with Rex Tilton from the show.”
But the most fulfilling part of this entire experience is not the magazine covers or even performing.
“The most rewarding [part] has been all the teaching I'm doing. It's amazing to be a part of so many young dancers lives!” explains Allison.
Even though high school is long gone for Allison, she still has fond memories of her time at Chartiers Valley.
“Showcase was obviously a highlight, and I did do drill team for one year. Honestly, I had a blast in high school!” recalls Allison. “[I even remember] getting in trouble for talking too much in Mr. Copetas' class!”
As for current students at Chartiers Valley, Allison would advise them to stay balanced.
“Work hard, but also try to have fun with your friends. It keeps you healthy.”
To find out more about Allison and Breaking Pointe, you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @allidebona or watch her on Breaking Pointe which returns to the CW on Monday, July 22 at 9:00 pm.
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