The Sacred Heart University Dance Company traveled to Bari, Italy, this past summer to participate in the World Dance Movement (WDM), an international dance festival.
Throughout their time in Bari, the dancers were able to take dance classes and learn choreography from Italian choreographers Sabatino D’Eustacchio, Federica Angelozzi, and Australian choreographer Shannon Atkins. At the end of the week, the dancers performed the pieces they learned.
Sophomore Moira Larson was inspired by the three choreographers she learned from. She enjoyed the partnering style that the teachers taught the dancers.
“They had us dance with lights attached to our hands that we used to help convey the story and create interesting pictures,” said Larson. “I always left that class sweating, but very fulfilled!”
The SHU Dance Company members had the opportunity to dance alongside and compete with dancers from across the world, including Australia, the Czech Republic, and Malaysia. Some SHU dancers even competed in the World Dance Movement Dancer of the Year competition, where they performed their solos in front of a panel of judges. This competition drew the highest level of dancers from across the globe.
Alumni Kelsey Jacobsen performed a contemporary solo choreographed by Dance Program Coordinator Kelly McGill, alumni Katie Plitt competed a contemporary modern solo that she self-choreographed, and Senior Sydney Bosma competed a jazz solo choreographed by Assistant Director of Dance Taylor Krebuszewski. Bosma felt excited to perform her solo on the Italian stage, as it was something she had never gotten to experience. “If you told me I were to perform a solo in Italy, I definitely would not have believed you,” said Bosma. “That was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Junior Rachel Minto felt that she had learned so much throughout her trip with other dance company members. “One thing I learned is that I will never forget to always put my all into my movement and be myself,” said Minto. “Even if, at times, I do not feel as confident or feel like I am not picking up the choreography as well as I usually do, as long as I put my all into it, my passion will shine through.”
WDM’s mission is to be a respected source for bridging cultures through dance. The festival prides itself on being a space where dancers from around the world are given a stage through which they can “learn from and inspire each other both artistically and culturally.” Larson’s favorite part of the festival was the performance at the end of the week. She says she could feel the WDM’s mission throughout her experience in Bari.
Source: Instagram, @sacredheartuniversitydance
“I remember feeling so thankful as I was looking out at the city and up to the stars and feeling it was so surreal to be doing what I love, with people I love in such an incredible place,” said Larson.
“People from across the globe had just danced on that same stage, and I wanted to take in every second of my performances and soak up the magical energy around us.”
