UDC Concert 2025
Wednesday, April 8, 2025
#ArtsAtWCU
Faculty and Guest Artists
Maria Urrutia, Director, Cuban Born, maria urrutia, holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College, an EdM from Temple University and a BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts. She is an Associate Professor at West Chester University. Ms. urrutia is a company member with Cardell Dance Theater, which is directed by Guggenheim fellow Silvana Cardell. She is currently working on TERRA: Bodies and Territories, a PEW Funded performance that will take place at The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in June 2025. Ms urrutia continues to collaborate with a variety of artists in addition to creating and presenting her own work. Her choreographic compositions and scholarship practice focuses on female narratives with a Cuban culture lens. She has presented work in London, Montreal, Trondheim, Miami, Ladek, Angers, São Carlos, Paris, New York and Edinburgh.
Lydia Ciaffone, Guest Choreographer, is a dance artist and educator from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the owner and director of Formerly&Tomorrow, an all-women dance collective based on the East Coast. Lydia holds a Master of Arts in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance and Music in London, England (2022), where she worked with artists such as Gary Lambert, Ruth Gibson, Lizzi Kew Ross, Theo Lowe, and Vania Gala. She has collaborated with companies such as Candoco Dance Company and Catalyst Dance Company. In 2021, Lydia was an artist-in-residence at La Macina Di San Cresci, where she presented her solo work segnalibro in Tuscany, Italy. Her choreography has been performed in England, Italy, and on various stages across the East Coast. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from The University of the Arts, under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. During her studies, she performed in works by Beth Gill, Sidra Bell, Jesse Zaritt, Paul Matteson, Anne White, and more. After graduating, Lydia began teaching dance and setting work full-time. Her international education and distinct creative processes offer a broad perspective on choreography and contemporary techniques. She has extensive experience working with diverse learners and movers, striving to expand knowledge, provide essential tools, and cultivate safe, inspiring environments for learning and artistic exploration.
Student Choreographers, Officers, and Stage Manager
Hailey Semmel, President, Choreographer, is a third year graduating Communication Science and Disorder major along with a member of the Honors College. She has been a part of the University Dance Company for six semesters and choreographed three versatile pieces. UDC continues to be an important part of her college experience and provides her with amazing memories and everlasting friendships. Hailey is incredibly thankful for the support of her amazing family, friends, teachers, and professors, and she is honored to share the stage with her talented UDC family. After graduation this May, she will continue her education at Salus University to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology. Enjoy the show!!!
Lucy Morrin, Vice President, Choreographer, is a Junior Elementary Education major with a minor in Literacy. She has been a part of UDC for 3 years and this will be her 6th show! She has loved being a part of this company and has thoroughly enjoyed this past year serving on the executive board. This semester, she is beyond excited to be choreographing for the first time! Over spring break, Lucy went to Spain with other UDC members where they attended multiple flamenco shows, museums, and a flamenco workshop. She wants to thank Gretchen and Maria for creating a comfortable space where everyone can share their love for dance, and all the amazing friends she has made in this company!
Meredith Steirer, Secretary, is a Junior majoring in communication studies and minoring in digital marketing. This is her 4rd semester with UDC and second semester on the executive board. Meredith has been dancing for over 10 years and is glad she found UDC to continue her passion through college. She would like to thank all of her teachers, friends, and family who have helped her grow into the person she is today!
Kayla Danzi, Treasurer, Choreographer, is a senior Early Grades Preparation and Special Education dual major. Kayla has 18 years of dance training. She was a competitive dancer growing up at Touch of Class Dance Studio, being a part of the Performance Team and Competitive Company. This performance marks her 8th and final concert as a company dancer, and first concert as a choreographer. Kayla would like to thank Gretchen and Maria for the best 4 years in UDC! Kayla is so excited for her last year in UDC and cannot wait to see the final product of this show!
Emily Schulingkamp, Historian, Choreographer, is a senior Psychology major with a Health Science minor. She has been dancing for 18 years, her love for dance started at a young age at Jane Lopoten School of Dance, and it has been growing and flourishing since then. This is her 6th semester performing with the University Dance Company. She is honored to be the Historian for the company and one of the student choreographers for this show. She would like to thank her family, friends, dance teachers, professors, and the University Dance Company for their ongoing support and love, she would not be where she is today without them! She can’t wait to perform on the stage one last time and is so thankful for UDC for the most wonderful memories of her college career.
Jorja Quirk, Social Chair, grew up in Montgomery county PA. She was trained at a dance studio in bucks county called Kelly Richards school of dance. Her dance teacher Kelly Richards shaped her into the dancer she is today. Joja has been dancing since she was 2 and competitively dancing since she was 6. Jorga is now on West Chester University’s Dance team where they specialize in pom, jazz, and hiphop. She continue to broaden her horizons with dance by taking master classes and teaching at many different studios. Jorja would also like to bring appreciation to her mom, Jill Quirk, for being her absolute biggest supporter. Jorja is so grateful to have the opportunity to have dance in so many aspects of her life and how it has lead her to so many amazing things.
Teagan Bittner, Choreographer, is studying Early Childhood Education here at West Chester University, and she has been a proud member of UDC for the past 2 years. This is her second time choreographing for UDC, and she has loved taking on this responsibility and creating works with such talented dancers. Teagan began her versatile dance training at the age of 2, and values trying new things and discovering new ways to move. Teagan also currently teaches dance at Pennsylvania Academy of Dance Arts located in Collegeville, PA, and she hopes to instill her same passion for dance in all her students. Teagan would like to give a big thank you to everyone involved with UDC for their support and for this amazing community!
Gina Byrne, Choreographer, is a junior with a major in Secondary Education for English with a minor in dance. She has been dancing in the company for two years, this semester being a first-time choreographer. She is also the captain of the WCU Dance Team and has been teaching dance at Horizons Dance Conservatory for three years. Gina enjoys teaching English and dance as those are two things she is passionate about. She would like to thank her family, friends, cast members, teachers and professors for all that they did to guide her to where she is, and for the constant support they continue to give her.
Brianna Evanik, Choreographer, is a sophomore sports medicine major with a dance minor. She has been dancing for 17 years, and this is her second year performing with UDC. Additionally, this is her first year as a choreographer and she could not be more excited. Outside of the studio, Bri is also a group fitness instructor at the campus recreation center. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in everything and is excited to perform alongside this amazing cast.
Emily Gilligan, Choreographer, is a senior, early grades preparation major with a minor in dance and special education. This is her fourth year performing with the company. Emily is currently on the West Chester University Dance Team. Outside of school, she works as a teacher and choreographer, helping to develop the next generation of young talented dancers. Emily has 19 years of training in all disciplines of dance. She would like to thank her amazing family, friends, and teachers for always supporting her throughout the years.
Hannah Linkowsky, Choreographer, is a senior Early Grades Prep PreK-4 major with minors in Spanish and Dance Performance. This is her fourth semester with UDC and her first piece of choreographic work for the company; her previous solo work, Prayer to Saint Thomas, was performed at the Spring 2024 Northeast American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference in Rochester, New York. Before coming to West Chester, Hannah trained for twelve years at All For Dance studio in Robbinsville, New Jersey as well as with several youth theatre organizations. Hannah is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to present her newest piece, Birthright, for her final semester with UDC.
Carly Nelson, Choreographer, is a junior majoring in nursing and minoring in dance. She has been dancing for 18 years, starting at the young age of 2! This is her 6th semester dancing in the company and 1st time choreographer. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. She thanks Gretchen and Maria for believing in her and giving her this opportunity. She also thanks her amazing family and friends for always giving her the confidence to shine bright on stage. She also congratulates the cast, crew and directors for putting together an incredible show!
Courtney Parker, Choreographer, (she/her) is a fourth year Honors student majoring in Secondary Education: English with a minor in Theatre Arts. Courtney serves as choreographer for multiple organizations outside of UDC, including the Annual BC/EFA Benefit Concerts and High Street Harmonix. Courtney also performed in the recent WCU production of RENT as an ensemble member and a dance captain. Other WCU performance credits include Be More Chill (Ensemble, Dance Captain, u/s Jenna Roland), The Birthday Wish (Character), Kiss Me Kate (Isabelle, Dance Captain), Into the Woods (Giant, Sleeping Beauty, u/s Florinda, Lucinda, & Little Red), and Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte). Courtney also serves as the Vice President for University Theatre, the Dramaturg for Alpha Psi Omega, and the creator of VariDance. She’d like to thank her parents for their consistent support and love, and she asks you to always support the arts!
Jade Salmon, Choreographer, is a junior Criminal Justice Major. She has been dancing for 19 years, and this is her 4th semester with the university dance company. As a student here at WCU she has gotten the privilege to be apart of the university track and field team and a member of the dance team, competing at various competitions and championships. She would like to thank Maria for taking a chance on her to showcase her talents and to tell a story like never before. She also would like to thank her mom especially for always pushing her to see and go beyond what is expected of her and Jade’s family and friends for their endless support and love.
Brenna Walukonis, Choreographer, is a Junior with a marketing major and dance minor. She has been dancing for the past 18 years. This is her fifth semester with UDC and second time choreographing. Brenna has also been Irish dancing for the past 15 years where she has performed throughout the East Coast as well as having the opportunity to compete in prestigious competitions in the U.S and Canada. She is currently the treasurer and a choreographer for the WCU Irish Dance Team. Brenna also teaches dance to young students and helps them gain more experience and further their technique in dance. She is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to show her passion for dance by choreographing for UDC again this semester.
Laura Whittaker, Choreographer, is a senior majoring in communications and media with a minor in dance performance. She has been dancing for 19 years, and this is her final semester performing with the company. She has served on the executive board last year and is enjoying her time as a third time choreographer. She applauds the cast for an amazing performance this semester. She also thanks her awesome family and friends for their ongoing love and support. She would not be where she is today without them!
Katy Polowczuk (she/they), Stage Manager, is a 5th year student at West Chester University. She is a General Theater Major who plans to graduate in the spring of 2025. Katy has been an Assistant Stage Manager for the Spring UDC Concert 2024 and is so excited to be taking on the role of Stage Manager for the Fall Concert. She loves the Dance Concert and is so proud of this group for creating such an amazing show all together.
Emma Brophy (she/her), Assistant Stage Manager, is a junior majoring in Theatre Arts with a Concentration in Musical Theatre and minoring in Spanish at West Chester University. Emma’s WCU Theatre Credits include: Rocky Horror Picture Show 2024 (Narrator/Ensemble); Be More Chill (Spot Op); Three Sisters (Costume Crew); Kiss Me, Kate, Me, War, and Toy Grenade, and UDC Fall 2022 (Box Office Attendant), BC/EFA Benefit Concert Performer (2022, 2023, and currently 2024). She is so excited to be a part of this amazing production!
Calley Kender (she/her), Assistant Stage Manager, is a junior Musical Theater major with a minor in creative writing. She has been an ASM on Three sisters and a Spot Op for Be More Chill. Outside of school, she works at Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center as a teacher's assistant and a stage manager over the summer, teaching kids about the different parts of theatre. She is so excited to get to help these wonderful dancers put on a beautiful show for everyone.
Ty Tansy (he/him), Assistant Stage Manager, is a 4th year Theatre Design/Production student at West Chester University who found his passion for lighting when his technical school's director asked him to program the lighting for how rock band. Memorable productions he has worked on at WCU include Into the Woods, Spring Awakening, University Dance Company concerts, Student Written One Acts, Me War & Toy Grenade, the Studio Music Ensemble's Future Nostalgia, and Be More Chill. Outside of school, he works as a performance technician at Longwood Gardens, a lighting overhire at People's Light, and a lighting programmer at his local church. He also had the opportunity to volunteer at events such as the Berks County Jazz Festival, USITT, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra's performance in Sunnybrook Ballroom. For more, visit his website: https://www.thebigtanz.com