Performances at NHSDF, YAGP, and Local Musicals Highlight Student Excellence
At Chester Valley Dance Academy, our students train in a variety of dance styles, preparing them for incredible opportunities beyond the studio walls. Through dedication, high-quality training, and a passion for performance, CVDA dancers shine in competitions, festivals, and local theater productions. Here’s a look at where our talented students have recently performed.
School Musicals
Our dancers don’t just excel in dance-specific programs—they also bring their talents to the stage in local musical productions! At Lionville Middle School, CVDA dancers filled the stage with energy and talent in their production of “Music Man”.
Eulalie MacKeeknie Shinn played by Jillian Thompson
Gracie Shinn played by Alexis Rullo
Mrs. Squires played by Lia De Ocampo
Featured Dancers - Jillian Dyke, Jaanvi Haria, Kensie Ray, Kate Swan, Alexis Rullo, and Lia De Ocampo.
Ms. Cathy Moran, owner and Director of CVDA, choreographed the show, assisted by CVDA dancers Lilly and Riley Szymendera, and Sophia Moran. The production came to life with costuming by our very own Stephanie Farrelly and set design and construction by Jim Farrelly.
Meanwhile, our students will also be featured in Downingtown East High School’s production of Sweeney Todd. We wish the following CVDA Dancers the best of luck as they bring this production to life; Ava Congdon, Colm Dunlap, Lucy Farrelly, Sophia Moran, Maisie Thompson, Page Warfel, Becca Blevins, Justine Dyke, and Brendan Moran.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting show and support our CVDA dancers in action!
Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)
Four of our dancers—Ava Cibelli, Mia Cibelli, Mya Mazzarese and Sophia Moran—competed in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) in Philadelphia. This prestigious competition and scholarship program is a global platform for young dancers, focusing on both ballet and contemporary techniques.
Each CVDA dancer took an array of master classes at the Rock School for Dance in Philadelphia, performed a classical variation, and received valuable feedback from a distinguished panel of professionals:
These dancers exemplify the strength, artistry, and technique that define CVDA’s training program. We are so proud of their hard work and success! We would also like to thank Miss Kim Martin for staging these beautiful variations on our dancers.
National High School Dance Festival (NHSDF)
CVDA Dancers had an unforgettable experience at the National High School Dance Festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As members of the Academy of Notre Dame Dance Company and Villa Maria Academy Dance Company, they traveled to Point Park University to participate in this prestigious event. The National High School Dance Festival is the largest of its kind, offering students opportunities to attend master classes led by collegiate professors, perform in front of industry professionals, and audition for summer intensives and scholarships. Their participation in this festival not only showcased their talent but also provided them with valuable experiences that will help shape their dance careers.
Throughout the event, schools participated in multiple adjudication concerts, where selected choreographic works were showcased. Dancers from the Academy of Notre Dame were selected to perform a piece by guest choreographer Danielle Bower, “Andante con Moto” and dancers from Villa Maria Academy had the honor of presenting “The Journey”, choreographed by Taylor Sparks, in one of these prestigious performances.
CVDA Senior Amelia Dedda reflects on her time at the festival, “I got the opportunity to take new classes that I have never tried before like Afro-Cuban and Intro to Argentine Tango. I loved watching the student choreography and gala performances at night and seeing all of the amazing dancers from schools as far as Australia! The most exciting part of the trip for me was that we were selected to perform in one of the shows this year! It was an amazing experience that taught me so much about dance!”
Monica Young and Kaitlyn Fedyk participated in scholarship auditions and earned scholarships to summer collegiate programs. They each received a scholarship to Point Park University’s summer program. Additionally, Monica received a scholarship to Webster University and Kaitlyn received a scholarship to the Bates Dance Festival Their success in these auditions is a testament to the strong technical foundation and artistic versatility they have developed at CVDA. Through rigorous training in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and more, our dancers refine their technique, build confidence, and gain the skills necessary to excel in professional and collegiate settings. The high-quality instruction at CVDA ensures that our students are not only prepared for opportunities like these but can also thrive in them, standing out among talented dancers from across the country.
CVDA Training Opens Doors for Our Dancers
These performances are just a glimpse into the opportunities our dancers experience outside the studio. Whether competing at national festivals, performing classical ballet variations on a prestigious stage, or showcasing their talents in school musicals, CVDA students are prepared to excel wherever their dance journeys take them.
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