Dance

Spring 2026 Issue

Our community continues to flourish! Read on to learn more about the happenings in the Vassar Dance Department! Please contact Henry Brylawski (hbrylawski@vassar.edu) to be added to the email list.

Correlate Graduating Class Of 2026

A group of eight individuals is seated in a theater setting. The foreground shows four seated figures, two on either side, with one figure extending an arm across the shoulders of another. The background features four standing figures, positioned in a semi-circle. The lighting is soft and warm, illuminating the faces and creating a relaxed atmosphere. The seating is arranged in a tiered fashion, enhancing the visual depth of the composition.

Congratulations to the amazing seniors graduating with a Correlate in Dance! (From left to right):
Top row: Maria Dean, Clara Alger, Paige Glover, Cruz Nunez
Bottom row: Zack Garipoli, Cecilia Kittross, Sophia Maron Schaeffer, Mallory Peterson

Spring Master Classes

We were honored to host four master classes this semester, taught by expert choreographers covering a variety of genres: Cameron McKinney (Nagare floor work), Adam Barruch (contemporary), Keith Alexander (Hip Hop), and Daniel Ulbricht (Ballet).

A group of dancers is positioned in a spacious dance studio, with wooden paneling and large windows allowing natural light to fill the room. The dancers are engaged in a choreographed performance, demonstrating various poses and movements. The floor reflects the overhead lights, creating a glossy surface beneath their feet. Light streams through the windows, casting soft shadows on the polished floor, highlighting the energy and dynamism of the group.
Keith Alexander’s Hip Hop masterclass
A group of dancers stands in a studio with a polished wooden floor, their arms extended gracefully to the sides. They wear a variety of leotards and tights, with some wearing ballet slippers, while others showcase footed tights. Natural light streams through large windows, illuminating the space and casting soft shadows. The wooden walls and decorative light fixtures add warmth to the studio environment, enhancing the atmosphere of the dance practice.
Daniel Ulbricht’s Ballet masterclass

VRDT Repertoire

Our spring VRDT recital featured two works by historically significant choreographers: Episodes by George Balanchine and A Choreographic Offering by José Limón.

Five dancers stand in a line on a dark stage, each striking a pose with arms extended in varied gestures. They wear black leotards and pink ballet shoes, showcasing their athletic build and poise. The spotlight illuminates the dancers against a black curtain backdrop, highlighting their movements and creating a dramatic contrast. The stage is slick and reflects their forms, adding a visual depth to the composition.
Episodes
A figure in an orange dress gracefully poses against a vivid blue background. The arms are raised above the head, emphasizing a dynamic upward movement, while one leg is lifted, showcasing an elegant extension. The soft texture of the dress contrasts with the smoothness of the background, enhancing the visual interplay. Subtle lighting highlights the figure, creating depth and drawing attention to the fluidity of the pose.
A Choreographic Offering
Two figures are depicted in a dynamic dance pose, positioned on a reflective stage. On the left, one figure wears a vibrant red top with a yellow tie, stretching an arm upward while balancing on one leg, with the other leg extended gracefully to the side. On the right, another figure wears a green top and yellow tie, mirroring the pose with a lifted arm and a bent leg, creating a sense of symmetry. The background features a deep blue hue, enhancing the depth of the scene.

Byrne Notice by Jon Lehrer

Jon Lehrer created a new piece for VRDT to three songs by David Byrne. Byrne Notice will enter the repertoire of Jon Lehrer Dance Company for this summer’s tour.

City by Pascal Rioult

VRDT seniors Maria Dean and Cruz Nunez perform an excerpt of City, a poignant work by Pascal Rioult, a former dancer who worked with Martha Graham and went on to an illustrious choreographic career.

Dance photos taken by Les Muldorf and Declan Gill ’29.

Two figures are engaged in a dance performance on a polished stage. One figure holds the other aloft in a dynamic pose, showcasing a balance of strength and grace. The figure being lifted wears a flowing green dress, while the other is dressed in a textured, lighter-colored garment. The background is a deep blue, enhancing the focus on the dancers and creating a dramatic contrast with the stage lit in soft highlights.

Intensive Course In Dance: Choreography, Performance and Production

Five individuals stand side by side in front of a brick building adorned with large windows featuring diamond pane glass. They are positioned in casual attire: one wears denim overalls over a white top, another in a black tank, followed by a figure in a dark button-up shirt. The group is framed by sunlight, casting soft shadows on their clothing, and the warm tones of the brick contrast with the greenery visible through the windows, creating a vibrant, inviting atmosphere.
From left to right: Ada Lovelace ’27, Olivia Sparks ’26, Cecilia Kittross ’26, Clara Alger ’26, and Lilli Palmer ’27.

Five advanced student choreographers created Our Many Faces, a compelling evening of dance featuring original works that weave together explorations of the relationship between self and community. Thoughtful, varied, and thematically rich, the concert offered a vibrant reflection of emerging choreographic voices.

Senior Theses

A figure stands smiling amidst long, drooping branches of willow trees, creating a natural frame. The figure wears a brown leather jacket over a black and white checkered shirt, complemented by a bright pink scarf that adds a pop of color. The background reveals a blurred, lush green lawn, enhancing the organic atmosphere of the scene. Soft, diffused lighting suggests an overcast day, contributing to the serene environment.

Dance is a Weapon: Edith Segal and Dance Education as a Tool of Social Reform

by Clara Alger ’26, History major with a Dance correlate

This thesis investigates Edith Segal, an unsung hero of the 1930s communist dance movement, and how her founding contribution to radical dance made her a pioneer in utilizing dance education as a tool for social change.

B(lack)odies Will Not Be Ruined: Black Joy, Fugitive Practice, and the Cultivation, Embodiment, and Breath of Dance Amongst African American Communities

by Olivia Sparks ’26, Africana Studies and Psychological Science majors

This thesis reframes Black joy as a fugitive, sustained, embodied, and relational practice that operates as a mode of resistance, knowledge production, and collective care within and against the conditions of antiBlackness. As part of this thesis project, Olivia choreographed inhale. exhale. joy., to translate this framework into performance, utilizing improvisation, partnering, multimedia, and everyday gesture to illuminate how joy is cultivated, shared, and continually reimagined through Black movement and communal experience. 

A close-up image features an individual smiling and looking directly at the camera, with braided hair adorned with colorful beads in hues of brown, yellow, and black. The individual wears a light-colored sleeveless top and a silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. The background includes light-colored walls and furniture, with soft lighting illuminating the scene. The overall composition captures the details of the hairstyle and the textures of the necklace and clothing against a subtle indoor setting.

VRDT Reunion in NYC!

A group of seven individuals stands together in a dimly lit setting, displaying a variety of cheerful expressions. They are positioned closely, engaging in conversation while holding drinks and plates of food. The background features a large floral mural with rich, dark colors, and there are decorative light fixtures casting a soft glow. The overall atmosphere suggests a social gathering, enhanced by the lush greenery visible in the corners.

Inspired by last year’s VRDT Homecoming, 30 VRDT alums held a reunion in April, gathering at L’wren in Brooklyn to celebrate the VRDT community and to dance the night away!

Of Note

A wooden shelving unit displays an extensive collection of books organized into two sections. The upper shelves contain books with predominantly dark covers, including titles related to dance and performance, while the lower shelf features a mix of colorful spines and varied sizes. The layout showcases a blend of neatly arranged books alongside slightly disordered ones, with some leaning against each other. The overall atmosphere is one of scholarly pursuit.

Dance Library Expands

Abigail Kimball ’65 donated dozens of significant dance books to our growing library.

A person with curly hair smiles while wearing a patterned shirt featuring shades of blue and green. They are dressed in a dark blazer and are positioned in the foreground of a softly blurred interior space, where hints of warm lighting create a welcoming atmosphere. The background reveals indistinct figures and shapes, suggesting a lively gathering. The overall composition highlights the subject's expression and attire against a softly illuminated environment.

New Music Director for Dance: Patrick Gallagher

Patrick Gallagher has worked as a dance musician since 2006, most recently at the Juilliard School, Manhattan Youth Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Center, and Peridance. Patrick has broad professional experience in both music and dance. At Vassar, he accompanies ballet and contemporary modern dance classes, and compiles the music needed for dance performances.

Save the Date

April 16–18

Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre Spring Concert

February 6

Modfest Performance

May 1

Choreography, Performance and Production Showcase

Get tickets here