WESTPORT’S ACADEMY OF DANCE PRESENTS
OUR 2023 STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
ABOUT THE STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
We are excited to present the Academy’s first ever Student Choreography Showcase!
Westport's Academy of Dance Seniors had the opportunity to choreograph on their Jr. & Sr. Company peers. Some chose to work independently while others worked as a duo to create their pieces. Over the course of 3 months students were immersed in all associated with choreographing a work from start to finish. They were tasked to select their song, costumes, and lighting design to make their vision come to life. Then rehearsed and honed their dances with meticulous thought and care.
Exploring various creative paths as students grow and progress in our program is something we prioritize. We are thrilled to be able to offer students the opportunity to express their voice in this way, and thank you for joining us to see the culmination of their dedication and hard work.
MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS
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.
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.
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.
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.
Video written, captured and edited by: David Fernandez
THE PROGRAM
Caroline Motyl’s and Madeline Sollinger's Choreography
"Cover your crystal eyes, and feel the tones that tremble down your spine”
Title: Crystal Eyes
Music By: Of Monsters and Men
Christina Meehan’s Choreography
"When you fall into even the darkest places and it seems as if all your love for life has run out, the people in your life are there to lift you back up and make you stronger than you were before.”
Title: Enduring Souls
Music By: One Republic
Sylvie Hart’s Choreography
Title: Kill For Your Love
Music By: Labrinth
Group Choreography
"An ode to growing up”
Title: You’re The Only Friend I Need
Music By: Lorde
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Saturday, 5/6
2:00, 3:30 & 5:00pm
Sunday, 5/7
1:00, 2:30 & 4:00pm
Runtime of each show is approximately 30 minutes.
LOOKING FORWARD
The 2023 Student Choreography Showcase is part of an ongoing Master Class and Student Performance series offered to Academy students that incorporates various talent from the broader dance and performing arts community. This ongoing series takes place in THE BLACK BOX THEATER within our new facility.
Please stay tuned for ongoing program announcements and updates.
