SHU Dance Company Attends Dance Festival in Italy
SHU group performs in Castellana Grotte alongside professional dancers
Thirty-four Sacred Heart University dance company members traveled to Italy in July to participate in the World Dance Movement (WDM) Festival.
The festival’s mission is “to build connections between dance and diverse cultures in order to inspire and transform dancers around the world.” With participants from nearly 35 countries, the festival is an opportunity for dancers to immerse themselves in various cultures while learning from an international faculty of unparalleled talent.
Dancers attended five days of classes, including two professional choreography workshops each day. They learned routines they later performed on an outdoor stage in Castellana Grotte alongside numerous professional dancers of diverse training backgrounds.
Emma Ricotta ’26 found dancing with people from around the world a great experience, although challenging at times. “I was placed in a country with no knowledge of the language, which was an obstacle since no one around us spoke English,” said Ricotta. “However, I came to realize how beautiful it was to be in such a situation and to be able to learn about the culture.”
One day during the festival, select members of the dance company performed in three pieces specifically chosen by WDM. These pieces were presented in the “Con Te Mimmo” performance. SHU dance alumni and current students choregraphed and performed the numbers.
Taylor Krebuszewski, assistant director of the University’s dance program, said the experience was unique and beneficial. “The WDM Festival provides our dancers with culture, connections, performance opportunities and recognition at an international level,” said Krebuszewski. “Many students have found career opportunities by attending the festival, whether through recognition for their choreography, by getting offers to appear in television shows or by receiving scholarships to international training programs.”
The International Royal Caribbean Cruise Line held auditions at the festival, and 10 Sacred Heart dancers put their talents to the test. “I left this audition class feeling more confident with myself and less fearful,” said Alessia Provost ’26. “I learned that in any audition, so many things are out of your control and that it is important to remember what you do control. In any future dance endeavors, I will enter confidently, focus on myself and not compare myself to others.”
Eighteen dance company members received special awards and scholarships at a WDM gala held at the end of the trip. Dance company members received funding toward dance intensives, dance classes, scholarships to dance companies abroad and more.
The WDM Festival occurs every summer and the University has been able to participate for the last three years. The dance company hopes to attend each year.