IUDE Fall 2024 Concert: Colors of Hope

Director: Dr. Hannah Park in collaboration with the dancers

Videographer: Dr. Gilliean Lee

Choreographers/Performers: 
Leslie Aguirre, Breanna Baker, Jezebel Brito, Angelique Byrd, Melissa Chavez, Jaicelynne Chicas, Samantha Colon, Samantha D'Agostino, Blessing Forson, Kaitlyn Larkin, Aaliyah Morales, Medje Pierrot, Kaylee Pintado, Jidapha Vastola, Nicole Valdez, Avia Willis 
Nicole Winkelymeyer

Music: Twinkle Berry by Brent Lewis edited by Dr. Gilliean Lee

Note: This co-created dance film incorporates the movement train structure (inspired by Mitchell Rose’s Exquisite Corps) to explore the physical embodiment of visuals surrounding the space through experimentation with limbs, gestures, and actions. The process involved reflecting on self, connecting with senses, and being attuned to and inspired by the space in which the dance was created/improvised, focusing on its architecture and relating to each individual’s idea of hope. The performance is used as an introduction to each dancer as well as each dancer’s explorations on dialoguing with themselves on the screen. Some compositional ideas incorporated are Elements of Dance related to body manipulation, mirroring, exploration of pathways, exploration of entrance and exits, and varied shape and motion possibilities. 

Videography: Dr. Gilliean Lee (with recordings by Elizabeth Riccio)

Choreographer: Dr. Hannah Park in collaboration with the dancers

Performers: Leslie Aguirre, Jezebel Brito, Angelique Byrd, Melissa Chavez, Jaicelynne Chicas, Samantha Colon, Samantha D'Agostino, Kaitlyn Larkin, Aaliyah Morales, Medje Pierrot, Kaylee Pintado, Jidapha Vastola, Nicole Winkelmeyer

Music: Tasteology II-Chill by Carl Borg and Beads on the Wind by The Human Experience and 
Theo Brama edited by Dr. Gilliean Lee

Note: Using concerns about environmental sustainability that the dancers discussed through brainstorming and collaboration, the dance explores environmentally sustainable behavior through movement and dance composition processes as the dancers use embodiment for critical reflection and advocacy. Dr. Park is invited to present a paper about the creative process for this piece and its theoretical underpinnings, accompanied by a brief video collage, as a part of Korea Society of Dance’s International Symposium’s Dance in the Anthropocene on Nov. 22nd. 

Performers: Dr. Hannah Park, Prof. David G. Lee, Prof. Jessa Rose, Prof. Eilish Henderson

Music: Dynamic by Mike Wall

Note: Similar to “Colors of Hope,” this film, presented as a dance film only (with no live performers), is used as a way to introduce and present the faculty members/choreographers

Choreographer/Performer: Jidapha Vastola

Music: Someone to Die For by Sam Smith

Note: This dance explores a deep longing and hope for finding a special person in life. It investigates a variety of emotions involved throughout the journey of searching for that someone by exploring the details of movement dynamics. 
 

Choreographer/Performer: Samantha D'Agostino

Music: Do Your Thing by Basement Jaxx

Note: The dance explores what dance is and its possibilities for embracing confidence and letting go of inhibitions, radiates boldness through examining dynamics and expressive movement, and also experiments with the relationship with the delicacies of the music in the score’s layered beats and groovy vibe. It emphasizes a deep connection with the music and the dance’s meaning to the performer to communicate the distinctive artistry to the audience.
 

Choreographers/Performers: Angelique Byrd, Jidapha Vastola

Music: Let the Light In by Lana Del Rey

Note: Expressions of inner struggles and hope for connection and one’s need to reach out are expressed through this duet that highlights the concept of the importance of communication and how the lack of it can have consequences for all involved. 
 

Choreographer: Prof. Eilish Henderson in collaboration with the dancers

Performers: Jeremy Rodriguez and Alivia McCord

Music: Dawn Chorus by Thom Yorke (the track will fade out at around 4 minutes)

Note: The dance explores reflections of time, space, earth and sound that reverberate as the dancers journey through multifaceted reflections of existence. The wind becomes a guide to learn the preciousness of time. Cycles shed light on the passing of each moment. Can you see the beams shine through?
 

Choreographer: Prof. David G. Lee

Performers: Breanna Baker, Angelique Byrd, Jaicelynne Chicas, Samantha D'Agostino, Aaliyah Morales, Medje Pierrot, Kaylee Pintado, Jidapha Vastola, Nicole Valdez

Music: On My Mama by Victoria Monet

Program Note: This dance continues the hip hop legacy of resilience and community through hip hop, party dances, and street and club dances rooted in black and brown culture in NYC. Together we celebrate joy, positivity, and moving forward together.

Choreographer/Performer: Dr. Hannah Park (Presented on the screen)

Music: Keep by Frahm

Note: The dance celebrates the somatic aspects of movement exploring internal motions focusing on attuning to the inner fluids. 
 

Performers: Leslie Aguirre, Breanna Baker, Jezebel Brito, Angelique Byrd, Melissa Chavez, Jaicelynne Chicas, Samantha Colon, Samantha D'Agostino, Blessing Forson, Kaitlyn Larkin, Aaliyah Morales, Medje Pierrot, Kaylee Pintado, Jidapha Vastola, Nicole Valdez, Avia Willis

Music: Another Day of Sun: La La Land Original Soundtrack by Justin Hurwitz (Music), Benj Pasak and Justin Paul (Lyrics) edited by Jessa Rose VanHerwynen
Note: Cellphones have become a necessity for communication and connection, but what are the side effects to our mental health, the way we see the world, or even our posture? This musical theater jazz piece explores a world where technology has taken over, but through the power of music and movement, hope in our humanity is restored.

Leslie Aguirre is a Senior from the Bronx, NY majoring in Psychology. This is her sixth semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. She has been dancing for almost ten years. She has experience in multiple styles of dance including contemporary, jazz, ballet, pom, hip-hop, and Acrobatics. 

Breanna Baker is an early graduate senior who is majoring in Speech Pathology. She has been dancing her whole life and has experience in many dance forms, her favorite being ballet. She has been an active member with the Iona University Dance Team for the past several years yet is a new member of the Iona University Dance Ensemble and has enjoyed her time continuing her love of dance with the dance ensemble in her final semester. 

Jezebel Brito is a freshman from Bronx, NY majoring in Psychology with a minor in pre-law. This is her first year with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. Jezebel has been dancing for four years and has trained in contemporary, jazz and hip-hop. She has always had a passion for dancing and started competing throughout high school. She is grateful to be dancing on stage again and being a part of Iona University Dance Ensemble.

Angelique Byrd is a sophomore from New Rochelle, NY majoring in Arts leadership with a minor in Political Science. This is her second semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. Angie has been dancing for nine years and has done many styles such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, and hip- hop. Angelique is so grateful to have this opportunity at Iona University. She is passionate about and dedicated to the arts of dance and would like to thank all her friends and family for the support along with Dr. Hannah Park for welcoming her into the ensemble and embracing her growth as a dancer. 

Melissa Chavez who also goes by “Mel” is a Freshman, majoring with a dual degree in Chemistry and Education, and has a traditional Mexican dancing background with  several performances in dances from Michoacán, Jalisco & Oaxaca. This is her first semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. 

Jaicelynne Chicas is a sophomore originally from Houston, Texas majoring in Social Work. She has been dancing since the age of three and has danced in various styles but hip-hop remains her favorite. She danced all through high school both at the school and a youth dance company. She is happy to be a part of IUDE and looks forward to next year. 

Samantha Colon is a Freshman from Yonkers and is undecided. This is her first semester with Iona University Dance Ensemble. Samantha has been dancing since the age of two and has danced many styles such as ballet, hip-hop , tap, jazz and lyrical. She always loved preforming and danced all through high school. She is so excited to continue dancing at Iona and is very happy to be part of IUDE. 

Samantha D'Agostino is a Senior from Long Island, NY majoring in Speech Pathology. This is her seventh semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble and she is a co student leader of the ensemble. She has been dancing for nineteen years and has been trained in various styles including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and musical theatre. Samantha would like to thank her family for the generous support and Dr. Park for this great opportunity to continue her passion for dance performance and training at Iona.

Blessing Forson is a senior majoring in Biology with a pre-med concentration. She has been dancing since she was ten years old but took a break from it until she rediscovered her interest in dance in high school where she was a part of the school’s dance team. She has danced in a variety of dance genres including hip hop, West African dance, and praise dance. This is her third semester with the dance ensemble. 

Kaitlyn Larkin is a freshman in the Honors program. She has been dancing since she was five years old and has been exposed to various dance styles including Irish dance, hip hop, jazz, ballet and contemporary. She has experience in dancing with a dance team. Overall dance has been part of her life for a long time and she hopes to keep improving and working towards being better every day through continuing with dance at Iona University. 

Aaliyah Morales is a senior from the Bronx, New York majoring in Arts Leadership with a dance concentration and is a co- student leader of the Iona University Dance Ensemble. Aaliyah has been dancing since the age of three and has danced in various styles including contemporary, hip hop, jazz, salsa, bachata, bollywood, musical theater, and ballet. She enjoys being on stage and performing and has attended various dance competitions and Salsa Congresses across the United States and Puerto Rico.

Medje Pierrot is a freshman majoring in business with a minor in computer science from Mount Vernon currently residing in Peekskill, NY. She has danced on and off in studio, recreational and school settings since she was eleven years old and has danced with cheer teams and holiday parades and choreographed as a dance captain in the past. Her interests in trying out various activities also led to dancing traditional Latino and Hispanic dances as well as various other cultural dances such as dances from  Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean and Africa. This is her first semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble.

Kaylee Pintado is a junior from the Bronx majoring in Criminal Justice. This is her third semester in the IUDE and her third year in the university’s Latin dance club Bailando Con Sazón. Kaylee has always been into the performing arts through singing and acting but she has only been dancing for five years. She would like to thank her family and friends for being her biggest supporters and Dr. Park for giving her the opportunity to be a part of the IUDE community.

Jidapha Mae Vastola is a sophomore from Hong Kong majoring in entrepreneurship and minoring in environmental science. This is her third semester participating in the IUDE. Jidapha danced for over eight years in dance styles including ballet, jazz, and hip hop and has always loved to dance. Jidapha is very happy to be a part of the IUDE.

Nicole Valdez is a Junior majoring in Business administration. She has two years of formal dance experience yet finds joy in dancing. This is her first semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. 

Avia Willis is an international student from Jamaica, now commuting from Mount Vernon. She majors in Biology with a pre-medicine track. She grew up being exposed to dance hall and practicing it. This is her third semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. She considers dance as more than a hobby but a powerful medium for one’s rejuvenation both physically and mentally

Nicole Winkelymeyer is a freshman from Rockland County majoring in nursing. This is her first semester with Iona University Dance Ensemble. Nicole has been dancing since she was three years old and competing since she was nine in all styles of dance. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary/lyrical and ballet on pointe. She is very excited to continue her love for dance through the Iona University Dance Ensemble.

 Dr. Hannah Park, director of the dance program and the Iona University Dance Ensemble, is an educator, performer, choreographer, and scholar who has performed works by Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Mark Morris, Neil Greenburg, Kay Cummings, Gus Solomon Jr., Kun-Yang Lin, Jin-Wen Yu, Lisa Kraus, Philip Grosser, Ananya Dance Theatre, Lori Belilove, and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company, among others. Her choreographic works have debuted both in the States and in Korea, and she has presented papers and workshops nationally and internationally including conferences at the National Dance Education Organization, National Dance Association, American College Dance Association, International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, Dance and the Child International (daCi), and Body Mind Centering Association. She currently serves as a consultant for NY State Education Department’s Assessment in Dance and the Korean International Society of Dance Studies. She holds her PhD in Dance Philosophy with dance education concertation from Temple University and MFA in contemporary dance performance and choreography from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is a certified Laban Movement Analyst and somatic practitioner.  

Prof. Eilish Henderson is an interdisciplinary artist and scholar working with subjects of the body based in Brooklyn, New York.  Eilish received her M.A. in Dance Education from NYU: Steinhardt in 2023. She is currently on faculty at Westchester Community College and Iona University. Eilish has presented her scholarship at venues including National Dance Education and International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association/NDEO Conference in New York.  Eilish is the artistic director of project-based dance collective, SHADOWSWELL. Her work has been presented as a part of Queer Butoh Festival at The Brick, WADE Dance Festival, Emerging Artists Festival, “The Body as Archive” at Smush Gallery, and Agropoli Dance Festival in Italy. 

Prof. David G Lee earned his BFA in Dance Performance from the University of California, Irvine, where he was a member of Donald McKayle's dance company. He later attained his MA in Dance Education: Dances of the African Diaspora from New York University, receiving the Outstanding Leadership in Social Justice in Dance Education award. In Los Angeles he worked on commercial projects, music videos, and with various dance companies such as JazzXchange, Family Business, Academy of Villains, California Contemporary Ballet, and Gotham Dance Theater. Additionally, he served as the company director of Rogue Makers. In 2019, David competed at Hip Hop International in the adult small group and mega crew divisions, securing 3rd and 2nd place, respectively, and representing the United States. Since relocating to New York, he has showcased his work at Sybarite, Club NYC, Unkempt Dance Festival, Bloom Dance Festival, Inhale/Exhale (PA), and a residency with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company. As a dance educator, David is a teaching artist for Battery Dance and Mark Morris. In 2023, he presented his workshop "Leading with Inclusion: Waacking and Queerness" at the National Dance Education Organization Conference. His current choreographic research centers on the Asian American experience, exploring the rich cultures and narratives that define the reality of being Asian in America.

Prof. Jessa Rose VanHerwynen is a musical theater performer and NYS certified dance educator. She holds a BA in Theater Performance (Wagner College) and a MA in K-12 Dance Education (NYU). As a performer, Jessa has performed in National/Regional Tours, as well as regional theaters across the country. As a teacher, Jessa has worked in public and private schools throughout Westchester, NYC, and Connecticut for 6 years. She is currently teaching at Locust Performing Arts Center in Stamford CT. Jessa has also choreographed 8 musicals in schools throughout the Tri-State area.