WESTPORT’S ACADEMY OF DANCE PRESENTS OUR
STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
ABOUT THE STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY SHOWCASE
We are excited to present the Academy’s fourth annual Student Choreography Showcase!
Westport’s Academy of Dance Seniors had the opportunity to choreograph on their Jr. & Sr. Company peers. Over three months, students were immersed in all aspects of choreographing a work from start to finish. They were tasked with selecting their song, costumes, and lighting design and rehearsed to hone their dances with meticulous thought and care, bringing their vision to life.
We prioritize exploring various creative paths as students progress through our program. We are thrilled to offer students the opportunity to express their voices in this way, and thank you for joining us to see the culmination of their dedication and hard work.
MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
THE PROGRAM
I’ve Seen It
Choreographed By: Chloe Jordan
Music By: Olivia Dean
Thank you to the three beautiful dancers who made this piece a joy to create ♥️
Performed By:
Cami Barger
Eva Matviyenko
Ella Turner
Green Light
Choreographed By: Ella Wyman
Music By: Lorde
Performed By:
Gracie Dunst
Ashleigh Jordan
Emma McCollum
Rylie McCollum
Madeleine McMahon
Gia Narang
Revolving Door
Choreographed By: Avery Schnider
Music By: Tate McRae
Thank you to all of my dancers for bringing my vision to life. It has been amazing to work with all of you!
Performed By:
Katie Brill
Gracie Dunst
Vivianna Lostumbo
Emma McCollum
Rylie McCollum
Alyssa Minnich
Chloe Mitchell
Olivia Pascal
Dani Peffer
When the Party’s Over
Choreographed By: Andi Jacobs
Music By: Lewis Capaldi
Performed By:
Alexa Beyda
Sutton Bulkeley
Paige Foran
Madeline Lewis
Sutton Libby
Gia Narang
Ella Turner
Young and Beautiful
Choreographed By: Alexis Jacobs
Music By: Lana Del Ray
Performed By:
Cami Barger
Alexa Beyda
Ashleigh Jordan
Olivia Pascal
Juliet Varsov
It’s On Again
Choreographed By: Bianca Mastocciolo
Music By: Alicia Keys
Thank you for making my vision come to life! We’ve grown so close to each other in our time together, and despite all our snow days and missed rehearsals, you girls have managed to make it look better than I ever could have imagined! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you, girls!
Performed By:
Katie Brill
Sutton Bulkeley
Paige Foran
Sutton Libby
Vivianna Lostumbo
Dani Peffer
Fire and the Flood
Choreographed By: Kate Bulkeley
Music By: Vance Joy
“Everything is fine when your hand is resting next to mine.” This line resonated with me as it reminded me of the importance of community. It emphasizes the idea that those you surround yourself with have the ability to build you up and change your perspective. Dance and the girls here have been the community that always uplifts me, so this piece became a reflection of that. But that was only possible because of my amazing dancers! Thank you, guys, for bringing this vision to life! You all have been the best part of this process, making something that was once so daunting for me become one of my favorite memories of this year!
Performed By:
Madeline Lewis
Eva Matviyenko
Madeleine McMahon
Alyssa Minnich
Chloe Mitchell
Juliet Varsov
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Saturday, 3/28
2:30 & 4:30 pm
Sunday, 3/29
1:00, 2:30 & 4:30 pm
Runtime of each show is approximately 45 minutes.
LOOKING FORWARD
The 2026 Student Choreography Showcase stands as a cornerstone of an ongoing Master Class and Student Performance series hosted exclusively in THE BLACK BOX THEATER within our state-of-the-art facility.
Please stay tuned for ongoing program announcements and updates.
