Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts UConn Spring 2023 Dance Showcase featuring University Ballet Company & UConn Dance Company Tuesday, April 18th, 2023
pm
7:00
UNIVERSITY BALLET COMPANY
presents
Swan Lake and Variations
Cast SWAN LAKE
Staged by: Angelia Prip, Karolina Zimny, and Lydia Ngu
Eight Swans
Alexandra Groves, Angelia Prip, Catherine Cala, Jaclyn Kurys, Karolina Zimny, Lydia Ngu, Sage Hanlon, Samantha Muia
Corps de Ballet Swans en Pointe
Alana Tagliabue, Alyssa Frechette, Emma Radini Ratnavel, Hailey Bernier, Isabel Nieves, Jenelle Henry, Julia Sanders, Lauren Busavage, Marissa Longo, Meghan Jezik, Tessa Christensen
Corps de Ballet Swans on Flat
Alyssa Smart, Anna Bondar, Ariana De La Rosa, Becca Abdella, Camila Porras, Claire Grant, Daniella DiBlasio, DaSyah Crespo, Elizabeth Ly, Ella Niewood, Hannah Sullivan, Hope Romain, Kailee Chhun, Katie O'Brien, Lily Coombs, Gabrielle Brocki, Maddie Mooney, Madeline Mason, Madison Bigelow, Olivia Dybinski, Zoe Seese
Dance of the Little Swans
Staged by: Alyssa Frechette and Alexandra Groves
Alana Tagliabue, Isabel Nieves, Jenelle Henry, Julia Sanders
CONTEMPORARY BALLET - RUNAWAY
Choreographed by: Karolina Zimny
Alana Tagliabue, Alyssa Smart, Angelia Prip, Anna Bondar, Becca Abdella, Catherine Cala, Daniella DiBlasio, DaSyah Crespo, Elizabeth Ly, Ella Niewood, Emma Radini Ratnavel, Hailey Bernier, Isabel Nieves, Jaclyn Kurys, Kailee Chhun, Karolina Zimny, Katie O’Brien, Lauren Busavage, Lily Coombs, Lydia Ngu, Maddie Mooney, Madeline Mason, Madison Bigelow, Marissa Longo, Olivia Dybinski, Sage Hanlon, Samantha Muia, Zoe Seese
PAQUITA VARIATION 8
Staged by: Sage Hanlon
Alyssa Frechette, Catherine Cala, Emma Radini Ratnavel, Hailey Bernier, Karolina Zimny, Lauren Busavage
PAQUITA VARIATION 1
Staged by: Karolina Zimny
Alana Tagliabue, Angelia Prip, Isabel Nieves, Lydia Ngu, Sage Hanlon
PAQUITA VARIATION 4
Staged by: Catherine Cala
Alexandra Groves, Julia Sanders, Marissa Longo
Meghan Jezik, Samantha Muia, Tessa Christensen
MODERN
Choreographed by: Samantha Muia and Katie O’Brien
Alyssa Smart, Angelia Prip, Anna Bondar, Ariana De La Rosa, Becca
Abdella, Catherine Cala, Daniella DiBlasio, DaSyah Crespo, Elizabeth Ly, Ella Niewood, Emma Radini Ratnavel, Hailey Bernier, Isabel Nieves, Jaclyn Kurys, Julia Sanders, Kailee Chhun, Karolina Zimny, Katie O’Brien, Lauren Busavage, Lily Coombs, Lydia Ngu, Madeline Mason, Madison
Bigelow, Marissa Longo, Meghan Jezik, Olivia Dybinski, Samantha Muia, Tessa Christensen, Zoe Seese
COPPELIA FRIENDS VARIATION
Staged by: Katie O’Brien and Meghan Jezik
Alyssa Smart, Becca Abdella, Camila Porras, DaSyah Crespo, Daniella DiBlasio, Elizabeth Ly, Ella Niewood, Gabrielle Brocki, Kailee Chhun, Maddie Mooney, Madeline Mason, Zoe Seese
ESMERALDA VARIATION
Staged by: Tessa Christensen
Alexandra Groves, Catherine Cala, Sage Hanlon
GISELLE VARIATION
Staged by: Julia Sanders
Hailey Bernier, Katie O’Brien, Madison Bigelow, Samantha Muia
CUPID VARIATION
Staged by: Lydia Ngu
Alyssa Frechette, Meghan Jezik, Tessa Christensen
KITRI VARIATION
Staged by: Emma Radini Ratnavel
Claire Grant, Lauren Busavage, Lily Coombs, Olivia Dybinski
BLUEBIRD VARIATION
Staged by: Becca Abdella
Ariana De La Rosa, Anna Bondar, Kailee Chhun, Katie O’Brien, Zoe Seesen
CINDERELLA: SENIOR SOLOS AND DUETS
All self-staged
Cinderella Act I Variation
Lydia Ngu
Fairy Godmother Variation
Karolina Zimny
Cinderella Act III Variation
Angelia Prip
Spring Fairy Variation
Emma Radini Ratnavel
Summer Fairy Variation
Alyssa Smart and Madeline Mason
Fall Fairy Variation
Olivia Dybinski
Winter Fairy Variation
Becca Abdella and Marissa Longo
Outgoing Executive Board
PRESIDENT: Angelia Prip
VICE PRESIDENT: Karolina Zimny
TREASURER: Katie O’Brien
SECRETARY: Samantha Muia
MEMBER CHAIR: Lydia Mgu
TECH CHAIR: Alyssa Frechette
Incoming Executive Board
PRESIDENT: Samantha Muia
VICE PRESIDENT: Katie O’Brien
TREASURER: Julia Sanders
SECRETARY: Catherine Cala
MEMBER CHAIR: Daniella DiBlasio
TECH CHAIR: Sage Hanlon
Incoming Junior Board
FUNDRAISING CHAIR: Lauren Busavage
PROGRAM CHAIR: Sophia McManus
NEW MEMBER CHAIR: Jaclyn Kurys
INVENTORY CHAIR: Isabel Nieves
ATTENDANCE COORDINATOR: Meghan Jezik
Thank You To
Michele Damon
Beverli Christensen
Beth Lyman
Linda Seese
Michael Muia
The Busavage Family
Rod Rock, Director, and the Jorgensen Staff
Julia Crane
Tara Vakil
Bella Bondar
Chrys Prip and the Prip Family
UBC would like to congratulate our graduating seniors and wish them well on their post-graduation plans! Here is a little bit about each of them in their own words:
Angelia Prip (Outgoing President)
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Paquita Variation 1, Modern, Cinderella Act III Variation
Angelia graduated with Honors from the School of Business in December and completed a spring semester internship while finishing her last semester with UBC. She will be starting her full-time job working in mergers and acquisitions consulting in June. She’s been dancing for 17 years and founded UBC in her freshman year at UConn. Since then, she’s been so proud and excited to see the company surpassing some of her biggest dreams and hopes for it. She feels lucky to have so many people along the way who’ve believed in her, been there for her, and helped UBC succeed. She’d like to thank her family; especially her sister Tatiana <3; all of the dancers in the company; all her mentors and advisors; and the other members of the e-board. She wishes all of the other dancers an amazing performance tonight and feels so lucky to share the stage with some of her favorite people!
Karolina Zimny (Outgoing Vice President)
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Paquita Variation 8, Modern, Fairy Godmother Variation
Karolina Zimny is an Environmental Science Major with a Concentration in Sustainable Systems at UConn. She is planning on attending law school and soon entering the legal field. Karolina has been dancing since she was 5 years old in New Milford, CT. Entering her freshman year at UConn, she helped cofound UBC and operated the role of Vice President till present day. Karolina is very proud of how much UBC has accomplished within these past years and excited to see the club’s future endeavors <3. Karolina would like to thank her dance teachers, all of UBC, and her Eboard for the constant support throughout the years. She would also like to thank her parents, friends, and younger self for never giving up on her dreams. Merde!
Lydia Ngu (Outgoing Member Chair)
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Paquita Variation 1, Modern, Cinderella Act I Variation
Lydia Ngu is a Digital Marketing and Analytics Major and Human Development and Family Sciences Minor at UConn. She has been dancing ballet since she was 5 and has earned the bulk of her training at Lexington School of Ballet (LSB). Throughout her time at LSB, she became well-versed in classical ballet repertoire and started participating in outside dance programs like AAB and ABT Summer Intensives, and MYB Nutcracker. Since coming to UConn, Lydia has been involved with UBC since her Freshman year and is the first Membership Chair for the company. Her favorite UBC memories include game nights, pot-luck parties, and typical rehearsal shenanigans. After graduation,
Lydia is going to London to pursue a summer internship specializing in Digital Marketing. Lydia would like to thank all of her dance friends and teachers she has met along the way, especially the rest of UBC Eboard for being the best team ever. She would also like to thank her friends at UConn, especially Emily, Ruby, and Abby for always supporting her secret lifestyle and being the best friends she could have. Finally, Lydia would love to thank Momma Ngu for always being her #1 supporter and her bestie for life! <3
Olivia Dybinski
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Modern, Kitri Variation, Fall Fairy Variation
Olivia Dybinski is a senior double majoring in Applied Math and Statistics. She has been with UBC since it was founded in Spring 2020! Olivia grew up in Berlin, CT and has been dancing since she was 3, training in all styles. She is also part of an a-capella group on campus ( shout out DTB <3 ). She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her in dance and beyond!
Becca Abdella
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Modern, Coppelia Friends Variation, Winter Fairy Variation
Becca is a senior Mathematics-Statistics major from Central Massachusetts. She has been dancing for about 12 years and doing ballet for about 7. In addition to UBC, Becca is also the general vice chair for SUBOG’s comedy committee! She enjoys spending time with her friends, watching movies, and playing with her dogs. She would like to give a big shoutout to everyone in UBC for all the great work this semester as well as her mom for the constant support during her rants about anything and everything!
Madeline Mason
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Modern, Coppelia Friends Variation, Summer Fairy Variation
Madeline has been dancing since she was three. She has experience in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and Irish dance. Madeline hopes to pursue a career in photography and design. She transferred to UConn last year wanting a community to belong to and found that at UBC. Madeline is grateful for her time with UBC for helping her find a passion for dance again. She will continue this passion after she graduates.
Alyssa Smart
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Modern, Coppelia Friends Variation, Summer Fairy Variation
Alyssa grew up dancing at The Center For Dance Arts until coming to UConn and joining the University Ballet Company. The memories and friendships that were made while dancing with UBC are unforgettable. She is going to miss the whole company, but is so happy to be ending her dance career with such amazing people! Congrats UBC seniors!
Marissa Longo
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Paquita Variation 4, Modern, Winter Fairy Variation
Marissa is a biological sciences major with a molecular and cell biology minor. She started dancing at age 3 and was an assistant teacher at her old studio for 5 years. While she has done ballet for more than 10 years it was never her favorite style, but the semesters she was able to spend with the ballet company have given her a new appreciation for it. She would like to thank UBC for giving her the opportunity to continue her dance education, as well as her family for supporting her passion for 19 years.
Emma Radini Ratnavel
Swan Lake, Contemporary Ballet - Runaway, Paquita Variation 8, Modern, Spring Fairy Variation
Emma is a third-year honors Neurobiology and Physiology student from Ridgefield, Connecticut. She has been dancing ballet since the age of three, and grew up dancing with The Ridgefield School of Dance, Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and the Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker. Emma is grateful for memories dancing with UBC, teaching ballet classes, choreographing dances and the friendships! Emma loves teaching and choreographing ballet and skating; she is a USFSA certified figure skating coach and serves on the e-board of the UConn Figure Skating team as secretary. Emma competes with the UConn Ballroom and Skating teams, is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, Generations Connect and Public Health House. She serves as the liturgical leader at the Catholic Center where she cantors, sings, plays violin and lectors. Emma grew up skating and dancing to music she played in the symphonic orchestra from ballets including Swan Lake, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Coppélia, Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty, Carmen Suite and Cinderella. She continues to play soccer, tennis, basketball, track, guitar, piano and referees soccer/basketball. Emma is completing her honors thesis in neuroscience research and graduating a year early as a University Honors Laureate. Her ambition is to go to medical school to serve as a doctor. She can’t believe that this is her final show with UBC, as she never planned on graduating early! Special thanks to her parents, little brother Matthew, grandparents, family and friends for being her biggest supporters and cheering her on at all her performances!
Donation Link (Scan the QR code)
UBC gratefully accepts donations to help fund our company. We greatly appreciate any contributions made and wish to thank you for helping our shows become a reality. All donors, unless they wish to remain anonymous, will receive recognition for being an integral part of our ballet family. Thank you!
UCONN DANCE COMPANY
“Happier Than Ever”
Music: Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
Choreographed by: Layla Redente
Performed by: Abby Hurd, Alaina Gobbi, Emma Grau, Caroline Wilkins, Bella Friedrich, Lex Kreuscher, Caroline Badot, Trevor Mazzei, Meghan Stanton, Olivine Harvey, Sammi Esposito, Emma Sherman, Rachel Carbone
This semester I decided to step out of my comfort zone to create an emotional and strong contemporary piece. These dancers truly worked so hard and I am so proud of the outcome.
“Bad Idea”
Music: Bad Idea - Ariana Grande
Choreographed by: Emma LaFrance
Performed by: Ashley Johanson, Madeline Peling, Samantha Snevily, Emma LaFrance, Rachel Carbone, Jill Maranda, Bridget Quiroga, Kayla Holmes, Amber Kohl, Caitlyn Tavares, Madison Veilleux
For my first time choreographing for UDC I wanted to create a fun jazz piece that incorporates my style of playing with the back beats and lyrics! These dancers worked so hard and I can’t wait to see how fabulous we look out on the stage together!
“Where They From”
Music: Where They From - Missy Elliott
Choreographed by: Haley Jackson
Performed by: Amber Olgac, Jamie Mandano, Haley Jackson, Caroline Wilkins, Erica Hindle, Lauren Melocowsky, Jill Maranda, Caroline Badot, Sara Donnelly, Kylee Raiano, Mikayla Clemens, Jenny Tortorici, Amber Kohl, Caitlyn Tavares
This piece is a fun, sassy, hard hitting dance that brings in an element of street hip hop. I have always loved Missy Elliot and I was so excited to have an opportunity to make a dance to one of her songs.
Guest Performance by: Ruby Fruit
“The Producer”
Music: The Producer - Labrinth
Choreographed by: Karla Perez
Performed by: Madeline Peling, Abby Hurd, Jamie Mandano, Erica Samaras, Alaina Gobbi, Erica Hindle, Sofia Papanikolau, Bella Friedrich, Alexis Kreuscher, Caroline Badot, Trevor Mazzei, Kylee Raiano, Jenny Tortorici, Emma Sherman, Bridget Quiroga, Emma Stone, Madison Veilleux
This contemporary piece is meant to depict the idea that someone’s success cannot be measured or defined by anyone but themselves. No one knows you nor your capabilities better than yourself, so you can’t let other people hinder your aspirations.
“Swan Upon Leda”
Music: Swan Upon Leda - Hozier
Choreographed by: Jamie Mandano & Aliza Kennelly
Performed by: Aliza Kennelly, Claire Sullivan, Ashley Johanson, Jamie Mandao, Erica Samaras, Rachel Carbone, Emma Stone, Lauren Melocowsky, Mella Friedrich, Amber Kohl, Meghan Stanton, Bridget Quiroga, Olivia Parker
The message of this song surrounds the importance of women’s rights in society. We wanted to share the beauty and resilience of women in dance.
“My Mind”
Music: My Mind - Yebba
Choreographed by: Alaina Gobbi
Performed by: Amber Olgac, Abby Hurd, Layla Redente, Emma Grau, Karla Perez, Samantha Snevily, Emma LaFrance, Caroline Wilkins, Lucy Carlos, Sofia Papanikolau, Caroline Badot, Meghan Stanton, Olivine Harvey
“My Mind” is a contemporary piece based on the storyline that you never know what someone is going through. I had so much fun choreographing this dance and I could not have asked for a better semester!
Spring 2023 Video
“Selah”
Music: Selah - Cover by Chester Salcedo
Choreographed by: Emma Grau
Performed by: Layla Redente, Karla Perez, Samantha Snevily, Emma LaFrance, Lucy Carlos, Trevor Mazzei, Meghan Stanton, Jenny Tortorici, Emma Sherman, Amber Kohl, Caitlyn Tavares, Kylee Raiano
I am so proud of this piece and these dancers. We all worked so hard and we can’t wait for you to experience this intense and powerful dance!
“3 Divas Have Mercy”
Music: Have Mercy - Chloe Bailey, Diva - Beyoncé, 7 Rings - Ariana Grande
Choreographed by: Samantha Snevily
Performed by: Ashley Johanson, Amber Olgac, Alaina Gobbi, Layla Redente, Emma Grau, Karla Perez, Samantha Snevily, Emma LaFrance, Haley Jackson, Sofia Papanfvgbikolau, Alexis Kreuscher, Bridget Quiroga, Olivine Harvey, Mikayla Clemens, Laura Riley, Laura Riley, Olivia Parker, Sara Donnelly, Lauren Melocowsky
For my first time choreographing for UDC, I wanted to encapsulate the style I feel most confident in. I know that although hiphop is not everyone's style, I wanted to create a piece where dancers could have fun and be their most confident selves. I know they all will kill it on the stage, and be the confident queens they all are.
“An Evening I Will Not Forget”
Music: An Evening I Will Not Forget - Dermot Kennedy
Choreographed by: Erica Samaras
Performed by: Claire Sullivan, Ashley Johanson, Erica Samaras, Lucy Carlos, Emma Stone, Bella Friedrich, Olivine Harvey, Mikayla Clemens, Laura Riley, Lauren Melocowsky
This piece focuses on the confusion of love. We all experience love in many ways, whether that be with a parent, sibling, partner, friend, etc. However, this feeling of love is oftentimes complicated. An Evening I Will Not Forget showcases the internal journey and struggles of loving someone who has hurt you and eventually accepting the hurt that sometimes lingers.
Music: 90210 - Travis Scott
Choreographed by: Abby Hurd
Performed by: Madeline Peling, Abby Hurd, Alaina Gobbi, Layla Redente, Emma Grau, Karla Perez, Haley Jackson, Erica Hindle, Lucy Carlos, Sofia Papanikolau, Emma Stone, Jill Maranda, Alexis Kreuscher, Trevor Mazzei, Sara Donnelly, Sammi Esposito, Kayla Holmes, Jenny Tortorici, Caitlyn Tavares, Olivia Parker
My dance is about living life on the edge and the unseen struggles people face even in the most beautiful places. My dancers embody darkness and desperation.
Senior Video
Senior Dance
Music: Rivers and Roads - The Head and the Heart
Choreographed by: Amber Olgac
Performed by: Aliza Kennelly, Claire Sullivan, Jamie Mandano, Erica Samaras, Erica Hindle
As a heartfelt tribute to our wonderful seniors on the company, I wanted to create a piece that emulated the bittersweetness of graduation. Congratulations seniors, we are so proud of you!
Finale
Music: Let’s Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez
Choreographed by: Caroline Wilkins & Rachel Carbone
Performed by: The cast of UDC
Finale is extra special as it is the one time all company members are able to come together and dance as a whole. This number gives off the best energy to close out another amazing UDC Showcase.
Thank you to the Jorgensen Staff, our stage managers, UConn Hillel, Storrs Congregational Church, our Guest Performance by Ruby Fruit, our advisor Rodney Rock, and our friends and family for their endless support.
Executive Board
PRESIDENT: Aliza Kennelly, Senior
VICE PRESIDENT: Claire Sullivan, Senior
TREASURER: Jamie Mandano, Senior
SECRETARY: Madeline Peling, Junior
PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: Amber Olgac, Junior
SHOWCASE MANAGER: Ashley Johanson, Junior
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CHAIR: Abby Hurd, Junior
“90210”
