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

“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.

“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.

“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 Papanikolau, 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