https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/winter-2023 daily 0.75 2024-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/9d879768-786c-4d42-b85c-44587fe7a601/Photo+2.jpeg Winter 2023 - Marcel Wilson Marcel Wilson (Bronx, NY) began his dance training at the age of 15 years old, while a student at Talent Unlimited High School. He then furthered his studies at the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program on scholarship and was invited to join Ailey II, where he performed domestically and internationally for 2 years. Marcel has had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as William Forsyth, Mats Ek, George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, and Robert Battle. He’s currently an artist with The Metropolitan Opera as well as on the contemporary faculty at Manhattan Youth Ballet, directed by New York City Ballet’s Daniel Ulbricht. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/dances-summary-feed daily 0.75 2023-01-25 https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/dances-5-27 daily 0.75 2023-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1674610800795-W2CPQV286YGUYW4DD9DS/RECTIAL_LOGO.png Dances-5/27 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/dances-5-28 daily 0.75 2023-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1674610826859-42D94NCEAMMCFN2GZLXU/RECTIAL_LOGO.png Dances-5/28 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/dances-5-25 daily 0.75 2023-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1674610833697-L095T7IFT2K3MEVR8TUR/RECTIAL_LOGO.png Dances-5/25 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/dances-5-26 daily 0.75 2023-01-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1674610837005-UGPE5NPBB76MEJSRQSG7/RECTIAL_LOGO.png Dances-5/26 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/student-choreography-showcase-2023 daily 0.75 2024-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/ea580c2e-d4a9-4f97-8d48-e15e50c59535/SylvieHart.jpg Student Choreography Showcase - Sylvie Hart Sylvie has been dancing at The Academy since she was 3 years old. Over the past 15 years, she has trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and musical theater, leading to the opportunity to teach her own classes. She has studied at summer programs at Ballet Austin and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Sylvie plans to attend Syracuse University this fall where she will major in psychology and continue her passion for dance. The Academy has always been a place to call home and will forever hold a special place for Sylvie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/65cbc240-056d-43e9-937f-0b772d737799/ChristinaMeehan.jpg Student Choreography Showcase - Christina Meehan Christina Meehan has been dancing since she was 2. And a member of the WAD community for 7 amazing years. Her favorite styles of dance are jazz and ballet. She has shadowed many younger classes in the past - most recently teaching a Tap 2 class of her own which has been a fun and challenging journey. Outside of the studio, Christina has a variety of creative interests such as a decorated cookie/cake business, jewelry making, crocheting, painting, and many more. After graduating Staples High School, she is excited to be attending UConn to study Multidisciplinary Engineering with a focus on industrial design; but the studio will always hold a special place in her heart and she will make sure to come back to visit often. Thank you to each and every one of my beautiful dancers for achieving this vision with me and being so present and patient with my creative process. And thank you to Nancy and the studio for giving us seniors this unique opportunity to showcase our creative minds and hard work. In contrast with the song, my love is everlasting for you all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/24169cd5-ff05-49f4-9ed9-a814c34a9d15/Caroline_Motyl.jpg Student Choreography Showcase - Caroline Motyl Caroline Motyl has been dancing at Westport’s Academy of Dance since she was 5 years old - taking ballet, modern, tap, jazz, partnering, and hip hop. She has loved this opportunity to choreograph this piece and to work with the amazing dancers she calls her “little sisters.” Caroline explains WAD as her second home and is grateful for all the amazing teachers, friends, and memories she has made along the way. She plans to attend Tulane University in the fall, majoring in psychology, and continuing her passion and love for dance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/7e570d33-53d6-4cad-8248-310afbd0fbf6/MaddieSollinger.jpg Student Choreography Showcase - Madeline Sollinger Madeline Sollinger started her dance training at The Academy at age 4, and it has been an integral part of her life ever since. She has studied a variety of styles including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, and tap. She took a special interest in tap very early on and began taking advanced tap classes at age 10, which eventually led to her taking on a role as a student teacher at The Academy - this includes teaching her own beginner tap class for third through fifth graders. Most recently, she attended the Bates Dance Festival where she was a part of the Young Dancers Intensive and got the opportunity to learn from and perform works by many different choreographers around the country. Here, she also got to explore courses in composition and choreography, and was able to bring those skills to life through the opportunity to choreograph with and for her peers at The Academy. Madeline is attending Tulane University in the fall where she plans to continue to foster her love for dance and the passion that WAD has created within her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/home daily 1.0 2024-03-02 https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/winter-2024 daily 0.75 2024-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1a094f6a-628b-4ba0-a759-b5804c1631a2/image0.jpeg WINTER 2024 - Tiffany Mangulabnan Tiffany Mangulabnan is a trailblazing force in the dance world, and her contributions to the art form are nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Tiffany's journey began with the Philippine Ballet Theatre at the age of 20, where she quickly rose to prominence as a principal dancer. Upon relocating to New York City in 2012, Tiffany's career reached new heights as she danced with BalletNext under the guidance of former American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet principal dancers Michele Wiles and Charles Askegard. In addition, her freelance career has been a testament to her versatility, performing with prestigious companies like The Metropolitan Opera and various contemporary and modern ballet ensembles, including Gabrielle Lamb’s Pigeonwing Dance and Gleich Dances. Tiffany's choreography, rooted in classical ballet technique, stands out for its emphasis on fluid, large, and gooey movements and meticulous attention to detail. Her work has been showcased at esteemed venues and festivals nationwide, earning praise for its unique and captivating qualities. We are honored to have her as our guest choreographer and look forward to sharing her inspiring work with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/student-choreography-showcase-2024 daily 0.75 2024-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/0e229b53-f1e4-4307-bbbb-c092eecf0dd8/Tessa+Cassell.jpg SPRING 2024 - Tessa Cassell Inspired by her older sister, Tessa began dancing at the academy when she was three years old. Since then, she has performed in 12 years of both The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland. In her time at WAD, she's trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop, and has formed a particular passion for contemporary ballet and modern. Additionally, Tessa spent three summers at the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory. Next year, Tessa will be attending the University of Richmond. She is excited to continue her passion for dance and performing by double majoring in dance and environmental studies. Throughout her 15 years at Westport’s Academy of Dance, Tessa has not only developed her skills in dancing and teaching but has also acquired the ability to collaborate and foster meaningful connections with others. These skills are sure to shape her life's journey, and she is so thankful for her time at WAD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/b2acbd8b-7459-4b8b-812e-51420946d729/Katherine+Frank.jpg SPRING 2024 - Katharine Frank Katharine Frank has been dancing at WAD since she was 3 years old. Her favorite styles of dance are modern and ballet. Katharine has taken ballet since she was 3 but throughout the years, started taking pointe, variations, partnering, hip hop, jazz, modern, and musical theater. This studio has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, and she calls it her second home and her second family. Next year, Katharine plans on going to either Syracuse University or University of South Carolina, with a major in communications, and a continued love for WAD. I would like to thank each one of the 7 amazing dancers I have in my piece. Each and every one of you have put in so much energy and effort into this piece and that means more than you know to me. Thank you all for making this the most memorable experience for me. And thank you to the 21 dancers in the group piece, I can speak for each and every senior that this was the best group to work with. And of course thank you to the 3 seniors who have been my best friends for my whole life, there's no WAD without you guys. Last but definitely not least, thank you to all my teachers who have made such a strong impact on my life, and allowing me to have this opportunity to create my own dance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/87df59a5-6057-4b9c-b084-e68f53cd879e/Catherine+Hassell.jpg SPRING 2024 - Catherine Hassell Catherine Hassell has been taking classes at Westport’s Academy of Dance since she was 5 years old. Her favorite styles of dance are modern and ballet as they encourage her to move freely. For 12 consecutive years, The Nutcracker at Westport Academy of Dance has been an integral part of Catherine’s life, shaping her love for performing. Additionally, Catherine greatly enjoys participating in Alice in Wonderland every spring. Catherine dedicates her free time outside of the studio to honing her skills in the art of design and video editing. This upcoming fall, Catherine anticipates delving deeper into her creative pursuits as a Film and Television major at NYU Tisch. At NYU, Catherine hopes to maintain her passion for dance and use her knowledge of film to capture the joy of movement. Catherine would like to thank her teachers and peers at Westport’s Academy of Dance for their continued support as she choreographed her first and most rewarding piece. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/ba082ba3-3c23-42a4-8ddd-51f82506055d/Claire+Roberts.jpg SPRING 2024 - Claire Roberts Claire has been dancing since she was two years old and has been at WAD since she was four. While at The Academy, she has studied ballet, jazz, and modern. Having performed in numerous Nutcrackers and recitals, Claire enjoyed choreographing her first piece as a new way for her to experience dance. Claire is grateful for the opportunities she has had at WAD and for the close friendships she has made. Claire plans to study chemistry at Yale University this fall and continue dancing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/autumn-2024 daily 0.75 2024-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/3509e741-ef25-4f54-b1cd-de54157317fa/DanielleDiniz-24.jpeg AUTUMN 2024 - Danielle Diniz Danielle is a dynamic choreographer who blends diverse jazz styles, incorporating contemporary, Latin fusion, and theatrical elements. She is thrilled to be a guest choreographer for Westport’s Academy of Dance and to have created works celebrating jazz dance's technique, nuance, and energy. Recently, Danielle completed her Artist in Residence position at Tribeca BMCC through the CUNY Dance Initiative, where she choreographed and directed a full evening of repertory. In early 2024, she became Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Choreography Enterprises. She has choreographed for the Ailey BFA program, the New York Dance Project, St. Paul's ballet program, and Ballet Hartford. She has upcoming projects with Accent Dance, Chrysalis Ballet, and Eastern Contemporary Ballet. Danielle's work has been commissioned by renowned organizations, including Jacob’s Pillow, Stars of American Ballet, Performance Santa Fe, and Avant Chamber Ballet. She has presented choreography off-Broadway and at venues like the McCallum Theatre/Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the New York Theatre Barn Choreography Lab. Her achievements include a New York Foundation for the Arts/City Artist Corps grant and awards such as the New York Dance Project Choreography Competition. In addition to her creative work, Danielle is a junior board member of Jazz Choreography Enterprises, a choreographic mentor for We Are Queens, and a faculty member at Steps on Broadway Academy and Manhattan Youth Ballet. She holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in Shakespearean Studies and a minor in Dance from Cornell University. We are excited to showcase her inspiring work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/student-choreography-showcase-2025 daily 0.75 2025-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/31aa1601-4db9-45fe-8efb-26352b5bbcb0/Charlotte.jpg SPRING 2025 - Charlotte Barrato Charlotte has been dancing at WAD since she was three years old. While at The Academy, she has studied all kinds of different dance styles, with jazz/modern being her favorite. Having performed in numerous Nutcrackers and recitals, Charlotte has enjoyed choreographing her first piece as a new way for her to experience dance. Charlotte is grateful for the opportunities she has had at WAD and for the close friendships she has made. She would like to thank all her teachers for supporting her throughout her journey, and especially her mother, Mrs. Tollie, who has inspired her to choreograph after watching her create such beautiful performances of her own! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/335aa671-0058-4047-aa58-adb17a86fd80/Ava.JPG SPRING 2025 - Ava Chun Ava Chun has been dancing at the Academy since she was 5 years old. Through every Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland, Ava’s love for dance has grown more deeply. Ava finds so much joy in expressing herself through her movements. With styles like hip-hop and jazz, Ava has always been able to bring her special charm to the stage. But it’s not only the dancing that has made WAD so special to her. Every single person at WAD has helped shape her into who she is today. Each teacher and friend has allowed her to call WAD her second home. Although she will miss it dearly next year, Ava is honored that she could experience something as special as Westport’s Academy of Dance. Next year, Ava wants to continue her passion for dance as she attends Elon University. She plans to major in Elementary Education and minor in dance. Although it won’t be the same, Ava hopes to carry everything she’s learned at WAD to Elon. She would like to dedicate this piece to her grandparents. Although it’s been a challenge to choreograph, it’s also been the greatest experience of her life. If it weren’t for the 9 girls in her piece, she wouldn’t have been able to do it. Each rehearsal always left her with a smile on her face. Thank you for making this the best experience she could ask for. She would also like to thank her teachers for everything they’ve taught her. Through every correction, they’ve taught her how to be herself. Westport’s Academy of Dance is truly the most incredible place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1b6e9f68-217b-4c53-9f8d-60813a3db002/Eliza.JPG SPRING 2025 - Eliza Gurley Eliza began dancing at the Academy in 6th grade, where she quickly fell in love with ballet. Throughout her years at the academy, she has widened her reach of ballet in different forms, such as performing in the Nutcracker, a tradition she will deeply miss. Eliza is grateful to be given an opportunity to view dance from both the choreographer and the dancer, a task that was a thrilling challenge. Eliza plans to continue her ballet training either at a school or company. This summer, she will continue to train and hopefully reach opportunities that will allow her to expand her artistic abilities. She is so thankful for all the teachers who taught her these past six years; you all have made a major impact on her life and shaped who she is today. She’d like to also thank her fellow classmates from the past and present for teaching her the importance of teamwork and loyalty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/a00094ab-df74-43e1-82b6-ee378bc81cac/Megan.JPG SPRING 2025 - Megan Healy Megan started dancing at the academy when she was three years old. She has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, and hip hop. Throughout her years at the academy, Megan has had the opportunity to perform in both The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland. The academy has been a huge part of Megan’s life, and she is forever grateful for the memories she has made. Next year, Megan will be attending Bentley University with a major in accounting. Megan hopes to follow her passion for dance while exploring new opportunities along the way. Megan would like to thank her teachers for creating a space where she could learn, grow, and express herself. Their dedication and encouragement have made a lasting impact, and Megan will always cherish her time spent at WAD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/77651897-eb8a-4629-8f1f-e3d4494f86c2/Sophia.JPG SPRING 2025 - Sophia Lostumbo Sophia has been dancing at Westport's Academy of Dance since she was five years old and has loved exploring many different styles of dance during her time here. She has cherished every second with this amazing community and considers the studio a second home. As the curtain closes on her time at the Academy, Sophia is honored to spend her final year dancing alongside these incredible people, especially her little sister. She is so grateful for the opportunity to culminate her journey with this unique choreography experience. Seeing dance through the lens of a choreographer has allowed her to challenge herself creatively while fostering essential collaboration and leadership skills. Sophia is so thankful for the love of movement instilled in her by WAD and plans to share and build upon her love of dance in college. She would like to thank the 6 incredibly talented dancers in her piece for their unwavering dedication, patience, and hard work during each and every rehearsal. She would also like to thank all of the academy staff and company members for making the studio feel like home. Most importantly, Sophia would like to thank her parents for being a constant source of support. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/0f89c2d3-2ae5-4762-885e-35d126337d40/Logan.JPG SPRING 2025 - Logan Noorily Logan Noorily has been dancing at Westport’s Academy of Dance since she was six years old, training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Throughout the years, WAD has remained a constant in her life, with its teachers and dancers fostering a strong sense of community and family. Next year, Logan will attend Wake Forest University, where she plans to major in biology and possibly minor in dance. She hopes to continue choreographing while in college. Logan would like to thank her teachers and peers at WAD for their utmost support, as well as the 10 dancers in her piece. She would also like to thank Liora for partnering with her on this creative and rewarding journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/1984d619-b887-4044-94ca-fe030319c635/Liora.JPG SPRING 2025 - Liora Perkins Liora Perkins has been dancing at Westport’s Academy of Dance since 1st grade. Over the years, she has developed a love for ballet, jazz, and modern dance, with each style offering a different way to express herself. Liora has also had the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland for many years, both of which have been key in fueling her passion for dance and the stage. Next year, she will be attending Tulane University, where she looks forward to continuing her dance journey while also embracing new academic and creative opportunities. Liora would like to thank all the dancers in her piece and her choreography partner, Logan, for their hard work and collaboration. She is also deeply grateful to her teachers and peers at Westport’s Academy of Dance, whose support has made the studio feel like a second home and has been essential in shaping her growth as both a dancer and a person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/90f507e6-1ffc-4d01-9f88-a6021c9f05c2/Shelby.JPG SPRING 2025 - Shelby Weisman Shelby started dancing at the age of 3 and eventually joined the academy in 1st grade. Throughout the years, she has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, and partnering at the studio. She also loves performing in both The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland each year. Throughout her time at Westport’s Academy of Dance, Shelby has been able to grow as a dancer, teacher, and now as a choreographer. The journey of choreographing her own dance has been extremely rewarding and eye-opening, and she is excited for people to finally see her vision come to life. Shelby is beyond grateful for the opportunity to choreograph a piece of her own and display all she has learned in her time at WAD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/autumn-25 daily 0.75 2025-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2822734b-6229-44a2-8469-2bf94d843895/Amelia+Lowe.png AUTUMN 2025 - Amelia Lowe Amelia is most famously known for her time on So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 as a member of their top 20. In addition to this she made it into the top 12, allowing her the opportunity to perform across the country with the So You Think You Can Dance Tour. Since her time on the show, Amelia has appeared as a principal dancer in episodes of Boardwalk Empire and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She's also been featured in multiple commercials including a nationwide commercial for Wendy's, Target, the New York Stock Exchange, General Electric and American Express. Amelia got the chance to be a featured dancer at the premiere for The Great Gatsby. She has performed for emerging choreographer, Lindsay Nelko at the Capezio Ace Awards and Warren Carlysle at the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. Amelia is currently living in New York while teaching in the tristate area as well as for dance conventions across the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://www.theblackboxatwad.com/student-choreography-showcase-2026 daily 0.75 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2e80cfb4-c4b2-45d6-9dd4-0fc400146854/WAD_TheBlackBox_Horiz_Logo_black_1500px.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/e1748c8a-1ec2-4a19-a1cc-021f9f60f0a6/Copy+of+Kate.JPG SPRING 2026 - Kate Bulkeley Kate has been dancing since she was three years old and has been dancing at Westport’s Academy of Dance since 1st grade. Over the years, she has explored various types of dance and has truly fallen in love with it. Through Nutcracker performances and serving as an assistant ballet teacher, Kate’s passion for the sport has grown, and she has become even more excited and inspired to share dance with those around her. Kate would like to thank her teachers at the studio for truly impacting her and teaching her about gracefulness, creativity, and love. They have given her a second home. Kate would also like to thank her fellow dancers; she is inspired by their confidence and beauty every day! Next year, Kate plans on minoring in dance and finding a studio or club to continue teaching dance to younger kids. And while there may be unknowns in her future, she feels confident and ready because she knows she always has her WAD family cheering her on, something she will cherish forever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/3d48edec-a6f1-4b7a-bff4-5b15a70b5922/Copy+of+Alexis.JPG SPRING 2026 - Alexis Jacobs Dance has been a critical part of Alexis’s life since she was three years old. She has trained outside of WAD at The Washington Ballet, BalletMet, Charlotte Ballet, Nutmeg Conservatory, and Alvin Ailey, focusing primarily on ballet technique. The highlight of her dance career has been performing in the academy’s productions of The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland. Next year, she plans to continue her training at Elon University in North Carolina while majoring in Journalism. When Alexis was younger, she loved every style except ballet. It wasn’t until she was thirteen years old that she began to see herself fitting into the ballet world. Since then, ballet has become her favorite style, and she always looks forward to Mrs. Catalina’s classes each week. She would like to thank Mrs. Catalina for giving her the confidence and motivation to fall in love with ballet. Alexis’s piece is inspired by her love of ballet technique and elegance, blended with the contemporary elements she learned from Mrs. Grace. She would like to thank Cami Barger, Alexa Beyda, Ashleigh Jordan, Olivia Pascal, and Juliet Varsov for bringing her vision to life and for bringing their passion, humor, and commitment to every rehearsal. She could not have asked for a better group of girls to grow up with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/81195930-30d8-4f27-859b-0cb3584e27e2/Copy+of+Andi.JPG SPRING 2026 - Andi Jacobs Dance has been Andi’s passion for as long as she can remember. She has trained with the Rock School, Bolshoi Ballet, Joffrey, CPYB, and the School of Philadelphia Ballet, but the highlights of her dance career have been performing in The Nutcracker and Alice with Westport’s Academy of Dance. She has been a WAD dancer since the age of four, and this studio will always be a special place to her. She has long awaited the opportunity to choreograph her own piece, and watching her ideas come alive was more rewarding than she ever imagined. Next year, Andi will attend Washington University in St. Louis, where she plans to double major in English and Computer Science. She will continue her dance career on campus, joining their vibrant performing arts scene. Andi would like to thank each of her dancers — Alexa, Ella, Sutton B., Paige, Sutton L., Maddie, and Gia— for shaping her vision into reality. She would also like to thank the wonderful Academy teachers for fostering her love of dance. This performance could never have happened without their years of instruction and their dedication to each and every student https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/e16ad338-01fa-4e94-a722-54dab609be95/Copy+of+Chloe.JPG SPRING 2026 - Chloe Jordan Chloe has been dancing at Westport’s Academy of Dance since she was three years old. Over the years, she has trained in many styles, but ballet, modern, and contemporary have always been her favorite vehicles for her passion for movement. Through performances in productions such as The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland, and the variety of recital pieces throughout the years, Chloe’s love for dance has continued to grow alongside her. WAD has been more than just a studio for Chloe. It has been a place where she has built some of her closest friendships and discovered the joy of creating and refining movement with others. She is grateful for the opportunity to choreograph this piece on three such lovely dancers and friends. Although Chloe is still deciding where she will attend college, she knows that dance will always remain an important part of her life, no matter where she ends up. She would like to thank her parents and friends for constantly cheering her on and encouraging her to keep pursuing what she loves. While not explicitly stated, Olivia Dean’s song “I’ve Seen It” explores the idea of learning to recognize love. Through choreographing this piece and spending time creating it with the girls, Chloe has been able to see the love they all share for one another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/fad63d9b-af59-4b15-9a59-b9c08ce82053/Copy+of+Bianca.JPG SPRING 2026 - Bianca Mastocciolo Bianca started dancing at WAD when she was 5, and since then, her love for dance has only grown. Throughout her time at WAD, she trained in ballet, pointe, musical theater, modern, jazz, and hip hop. Each year, she took part in The Nutcracker, which was always the highlight of her year. Bianca plans to stay in touch with the studio as much as she can by attending drop-in classes and staying in touch with her friends. She cherishes the memories she’s made at WAD. While she doesn’t know where she is going to college yet, she knows she will always have a home at WAD. Lastly, Bianca wants to thank everyone: her dancers, her fellow company members, her teachers, and her parents for creating such a welcoming and enjoyable space at the studio. If it weren’t for the girls she dances with, the studio would not have felt like the home it has been to her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/2061d54f-2bbb-4f67-9353-3369f53b610f/Copy+of+Avery.JPG SPRING 2026 - Avery Schnider Avery has been dancing since the age of 3 and joined the Academy at 7. Over the past 10 years, she has trained in multiple dance styles, including ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz, and modern. She has also had the opportunity to dance in the annual Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland performances. Next year, Avery will be majoring in Biology and will be on the Pre-Med track. She also plans on continuing her dance journey wherever she ends up. Her past 10 years at Westport’s Academy of Dance have taught her not just about dancing but about community and friendship. She is forever grateful for the relationships she has built with her friends and especially thankful for the nine dancers who brought her vision to life. She would finally like to thank her friends, teachers, and especially her family for their support throughout this entire student choreography process. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63d0885e9a9e5f25d6289d5e/ae01a5b6-920c-4545-9233-a43f0d122d01/Copy+of+Ella.JPG SPRING 2026 - Ella Wyman Ella began dancing at Westport’s Academy of Dance in eighth grade, but has been dancing since she was three years old. She has trained in ballet, hip hop, modern, and jazz, and has participated in both of WAD’s productions: The Nutcracker and Alice. Ella has found a second family at the Academy, has built wonderful relationships with her teachers, and has learned dedication and passion through dancing at the studio. Ella plans to attend the Ohio State University next year, majoring in Business. She hopes to incorporate dance into her next chapter, as she feels it is important to have it in her life as both a creative outlet and a form of exercise. She would like to thank the dancers who participated in her dance for all of the hard work they put in to make this happen. And of course, her teachers, for being role models in bringing their creative dreams to life!