IUDE Spring 2025 Concert: Embodied Joy

Director: Dr. Hannah Park in collaboration with the dancers
Videographer: Dr. Gilliean Lee
Performers/Choreographers: Leslie Aguirre, Angellique Byrd, Jaicelynne Chicas Samantha Colon, Adriana Cordero, Zayna Fakhouri, Brooke Flannelly, Dallas Green, Kaityln Larkin, Aaliyah Morales, Medjie Pierrot, Ariel Posner, Nicole Valdez, Jidapha Vastola
Music: Fives 45 by London Dance Collective
Note: This co-created dance film incorporates the movement train structure (inspired by Mitchell Rose’s Exquisite Corps) to explore the physical embodiment and reflections of the 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 joy. 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.

Choreographer: Dr. Hannah Park in collaboration with the dancers
Performers:Leslie Aguirre, Angellique Byrd, Jaicelynne Chicas Samantha Colon, Adriana Cordero, Zayna Fakhouri, Brooke Flannelly, Dallas Green, Kaityln Larkin, Aaliyah Morales, Medjie Pierrot, Ariel Posner, Jidapha Vastola
Music: Amiss by Michael Wall, Below Zero by DJ Nate, and Hip Thruster by NameBrandSound edited by Dr. Gilliean Lee
Videography: Dr. Gilliean Lee

Note: The dance examines each individual’s as well as group’s meaning of joy through several layers of reflections and movement investigations using embodiment highlighting choreographic elements such as action and response, pathways, formations, entrances and exits, and shape and shape flow.

Performers/Choreographers: Dr. Hannah Park, Prof. David G. Lee, Prof. Eilish Henderson, Prof. Dani H. Bensky
Music: Eights 110 by London Dance Collective
Note: Similar to “Embodied Joy” 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: Prof. Dani H. Bensky

Music: Back to Black by The Brian Ferry Orchestra

Performers: Angellique Byrd, Samantha Colon, Brooke Flannelly, Dallas Green, Kaityln Larkin, Medjie Pierrot, Ariel Posner, Nicole Valdez, Jidapha Vastola
Note: Informed loosely by the work of Bob Fosse and Jack Cole, this piece reflects the pull toward the guilty pleasures of the prohibition era in the 20’s and 30’s. A gentle nod to Great Gatsby and the elation associated with these eccentric parties of the era. This piece is about finding joy in the things that continue to draw us back in, even if they might not always be the healthiest.

It is about living in the moment and enjoying extravagance without worrying about what tomorrow will bring.

Choreographer: Prof. Eilish Henderson Guest Performers from FPA240(Intro to World Dance Forms) Class: Clyde Morris, Diana Bernard, Samuel Ferguson

Music: Untitled by Klanglos

Note: This piece is rooted in the notion that a collective energy exists between all of us. Each action has a reaction. Each ripple reverberates long after inception. How does this connectivity bring us together? How does this ephemeral thread cultivate joy?

Choreographer/Performer: Jidapha Vastola

Music: Crystalize by Lindsey Sterling

Note: This dance explores various meanings of silence that cultivates inner joty using weight as a metaphor investigating it through various layers of gestural studies integrating compositional tools such as positionings, shape and shape flow, pathways, and movement sequencing and phrasing.

The solo student choreographic project mentored by Dr. Park was recently presented as a part of student performance showcase at the American College Dance Association Northeast Conference at Rutgers University on March 13th.

Choreographer/Performer: Ariel Posner 
Music: hip-hop, Rihanna-lemonade (clean version)

Note: Using street hip hop movement vocabularies and embracing the idea of individual expression and empowerment highlighted in hip hop, the dance examines expressions of having positive outlook even when things can be challenging in life. The dance also explores connecting with the specifics of the musical contents within the music as one let loose and let the music move and uplift you.

Choreographer/Performer: Dr. Hannah Park

Music: Waende by Sabstian Selke, Daniel Selke, Ceeys
Note: Through the lens of somatics, the dance explores abbs and flow of Joy with focus on breath initiation and it radiating throughout the body highlighting the interplay with spine, limbs and gestures.

Choreographer: Prof. David Cartahena Lee in collaboration with the dancers

Performers: Leslie Aguirre, Angellique Byrd, Jaicelynne Chicas, Samantha Colon, Adriana Cordero, Zayna Fakhouri, Brooke Flannelly, Dallas Green, Kaityln Larkin, Aaliyah Morales, Medjie Pierrot, Ariel Posner, Nicole Valdez, Jidapha Vastola

Music: all I want is the bass by Moussue T.

Note: House was born out of the ashes of disco, on the dance floors of Chicago and New York by marginalized black, brown, and queer safe communities. It’s a dance about who you are, and it’s a culture of joy and community. This dance explores the feeling of joy when you put on headphones in your room to being out and about with your friends!

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.

Angelique Byrd is a sophomore from New Rochelle, NY majoring in Arts leadership with theater concentration and minoring in Political Science. This is her third semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. Angelique has been dancing for over nine years and has done many styles such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, and hip- hop. Angelique is grateful to have this opportunity to dance at Iona University. She is passionate about the arts of dance and would like to thank all her friends, family, and instructors for the support. Dance brings positivity to her.

Jaicelynne Chicas is a junior 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 second 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. 

Adriana Cordero is a junior from Yonkers, NY majoring in Speech Pathology. This is her second semester performing with the Iona University Dance Ensemble. She has been dancing since the age of three and is trained in various styles of dance such as Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. She has always had a passion for dance. This is her third-year dancing for Iona University’s Latin dance club, Bailando Con Sazon. This is her second year serving as the President for Bailando Con Sazon. She would like to thank her family, dance teachers, and Dr. Park for this opportunity to continue her love for dance and performing on stage.

Zayna Fakhouri is a Junior and majoring in entrepreneurship and marketing. This is her second semester in the Iona University Dance Ensemble. She's been dancing since a very young age but started taking it seriously in high school bye performing in the international gala, pep rallies, and talent shows. She is also heavily involved in the dance club at Iona and like to teach Hip-Hop combos occasionally.

Brooke Flannelly is a freshman from Long Island, NY majoring in Accounting. This will be her first time performing with the Iona Dance Ensemble! Brooke has an acting background and has performed on stage for plays and musicals when she was in middle school and high school. Other than Iona Dance Ensemble she is a part of the Iona Players and Iona Singers. She hopes you all enjoy the show!

Dallas Green is a freshman at Iona University, where she is pursuing a major in Business Management. She has engaged in a variety of dance-related activities, including figure skating and studio dance. Her passion for dance is deeply rooted in her love and appreciation for music. This marks her first experience with Iona University Dance Ensemble, and she is enthusiastic about the new journey in dance that lies ahead. She would like to express her gratitude to her family, Dr. Park, and her dance instructors for their unwavering support.

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 majoring in Arts Leadership with a dance concentration and is a student leader of the Iona University Dance Ensemble. This is her eighth semester with theIUDE. 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. Aaliyah has attended various dance competitions and Salsa Congresses across the United States and Puerto Rico. As of January 2020, Aaliyah is a World Salsa Summit champion and most recently, she is drawn to teaching dance and is currently developing her skills in dance teaching in various community and studio settings as she continues to perform professionally  with a salsa dance company, Kates’ Dance Company.

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 Ensembl

Ariel Posner is a Junior from New Rochelle, New York majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Dance. She has been dancing from a young age and had a passion for movement and dance. Dance has become a medium for her to let go and release and she appreciates dance as a powerful tool for body mind connection in life. This is her 2nd time with the Iona University Dance Ensemble and she is happy to join the ensemble again to explore various dances.

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 second semester with the Iona University Dance Ensemble.

Jidapha Mae Vastola is a sophomore from Hong Kong majoring in entrepreneurship and minoring in environmental science. This is her fourth 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. She recently had a pleasure of presenting her two different solo choreographic projects at NY State Dance Education Organization Conference at NYU and American College Dance Association North East Conference at Rutgers University through Dr. Park’s guidance and is grateful for the opportunities.

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. He is currently on a faculty at NYU and Queens Community College.

Prof. Danielle Hannah Bensky is an active jazz and musical theater dancer, choreographer, director who currently works with Disney Theatrical and has performed in the past with Disney Cruise Line. She trained in both ballet and musical theatre jazz from New Jersey Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Neighborhood Playhouse and was a long time program director for Rye Day School in Rye, NY. She enjoys teaching and coaching and directing jazz and musical theatre jazz dances in various settings.