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  1. Home
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Ivyside Dance Ensemble Spring 2025 Performance

Program Cover for the Ivyside Dance Ensemble Spring 2025 Performance

Penn State Altoona's Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences presents

Ivyside Dance Ensemble Spring 2025 Performance with Allied Motion Dance Company

Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11
7:30 p.m.
Wolf Kuhn Theatre, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts

Performances are free and open to the public, thanks to the Kjell Melin Arts for All Initiative.


Director's Note

Once again, or still, the world is in turmoil. How to respond, how to engage, how to survive? Each of the choreographers for tonight’s concert separately decided to focus their creative energy in a variety of ways through response, engagement, and survival.

Through the beauty of reliving past choreographic challenges of select ballets in Tchaikovsky Variations; addressing the challenges of perspective in Who Won the Human Race?, POV, [rococo]: manger les riches, and Daughters Unknown; making decisions on how to proceed and maybe challenge the seemingly inevitable trajectory with Draped in Duty, Furious Dancing, and Do Not Despair, we hope you will be provoked to find your own voice, be that through response, engagement or survival. All perspectives are necessary to find our way through. As the dancers on stage rely on and trust each other in their common goal of expression, we all have a common goal of responding, engaging and surviving in days of uncertainty and confusion.

I wish for you an opportunity to find your voice and speak it loudly for all to hear! Enjoy, and let us know what you think.

KT Huckabee
Director Allied Motion Dance Company and Ivyside Dance Ensemble


Program Order

Tchaikovsky Variations

Répétiteur: Jessica Jaye Mackinson, after Petipa, Ivanov, et al.
Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

  • Swan Lake, Act III, March Allegro
    Nicole Breso, Layna Henry, Xandria Hernandez, Brianni Hilaire, Riley Jandora, Charlie Popson, Olivia Sardenberg
  • The Sleeping Beauty, Act I, Lilac Fairy
    Olivia Sardenberg
  • Swan Lake, Act II, Dance of the Little Swans
    Nicole Breso, Layna Henry, Xandria Hernandez, Riley Jandora
  • The Nutcracker, Act II, Tarantella
    Brianni Hilaire
  • The Sleeping Beauty, Act II, Precious Jewels
    Layna Henry, Xandria Hernandez, Brianni Hilaire, Riley Jandora, Charlie Popson

Draped in Duty

Choreographer: Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
Composer: Bjork
Dancers: Samantha Bacza, Natalie Berrena-Barr, Jessica Jaye Mackinson, Ruth Packard, Sophia Petrucci, Olivia Ruble

Who Won the Human Race?

Choreographer: KT Huckabee
Music: Sojourner Truth, Buffalo Springfield, Dmitri Shostakovich, The Black-Eyed Peas
Dancers: Sarah Christofer, Nia Hubbard, Skyler Madtes, Isabella Tibado

Five Minute Pause

[rococo]: manger les riches

Choreographer: Jessica Jaye Mackinson
Composers: Antonio Vivaldi, White Knight Instrumental covers of The Stranglers by Dave Greenfield, Hugh Cornwell and Jean Jaques Burnel
Dancers: Nicole Breso, Sarah Christofer, Skyler Madtes, Scarlett Paez, Charlie Popson, Olivia Sardenberg

POV

Choreographer: KT Huckabee
Composers: Shake Stew
Dancers: Samantha Bacza, Natalie Berrena-Barr, Jessica Jaye Mackinson, Ruth Packard, Sophia Petrucci, Olivia Ruble, Nicholle Ventura

Daughters Unknown

Choreographer: KT Huckabee
Composers: Anton Webern
Dancers: Mother—Sarah Christofer; Daughter—Adamari Cortez, Chorus—Juliana Beyers, Genevieve Henderson, Brianni Hilaire, Nia Hubbard, Cheyenne Rider, Sage Rumburger, Isabella Tibado

Do Not Despair

Choreographer: KT Huckabee
Composers: Charles D. Tillman
Performed by The Seldom Scene
Dancers: Danielle Johnson, Nicholle Ventura
Understudy: Olivia Ruble

Furious Dancing

Choreographer: KT Huckabee and Dancers
Composers: Hal and the Big 5
Dancers: Juliana Beyers, Nicole Breso, Sarah Christofer, Adamari Cortez, Layna Henry, Genevieve Henderson, Xandria Hernandez, Brianni Hilaire, Nia Hubbard, Riley Jandora, Skyler Madtes, Scarlett Paez, Charlie Popson, Cheyenne Rider, Sage Rumberger, Olivia Sardenberg, Cassara Stanley, Isabella Tibado


Dancer Bios

Juliana Beyers is a first-year student from Staten Island, New York, majoring in kinesiology with a minor in dance studies. Beyers would like to be a backup dancer for musicians or open her own studio where she can teach and inspire other dancers.

Nicole Breso is a first-year student from Miami. She is majoring in psychology and minoring in dance studies with hopes of becoming a pediatric psychologist. She plans to continue dancing with Ivyside Dance Ensemble until transferring to University Park to complete her degree.

Sarah Christofer is a third-year student from Tyrone, PA. She is majoring in communications and minoring in dance studies. Christofer has danced in multiple Ivyside Dance Ensemble concerts and collaborative productions on campus, including A Tribute to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and Flights of Fancy. She hopes to continue dancing for the Ivyside Dance Ensemble throughout her time at Penn State Altoona.

Adamari Cortez is originally from California. She is in her fourth year of college. When she's not dancing, she is studying for a degree in criminal justice.

Genevieve (Gen) Henderson is a third-year student majoring in security risk analysis with a cybersecurity concentration. She grew up in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh. Henderson hopes to continue dancing with Ivyside Dance Ensemble until graduation, then continue exploring her passion for dance recreationally.

Layna Henry is from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and is a third-year student studying psychology. This is her second semester in Ivyside Dance Ensemble, and she is happy to be dancing again after a seven-year hiatus. After earning her degree at Penn State Altoona, she hopes to attend graduate school and work toward a Ph.D.

Xandria Guadalupe Hernandez is a first-year student at Penn State Altoona. She is double majoring in English and political science with a minor in dance studies. Hernandez sees herself joining an adult competition company to continue her dancing career.

Brianni (Bri) Hilaire is from Queens, New York. She is a first-year student and plans to major in criminology. Hilaire would like to continue dancing as a student and hopes to perform within larger venues with well-known artists.

Nia Hubbard is a fourth-year student from Philadelphia majoring in nursing with a dance studies minor. Her favorite styles of dance are tap and modern. Hubbard enjoys dancing with Ivyside Dance Ensemble and expanding her idea of movement and “dance.” She loves to perform and plans to continue performing and creating choreography post-graduation.

Riley Jandora is a first-year student from Hollidaysburg, PA. She is majoring in early childhood education. She has been dancing her whole life and is excited to perform with Ivyside Dance Ensemble. She is grateful for all the opportunities dance has provided her and looks forward to what the future holds.

Skyler Madtes is from a small town in upstate New York called Old Forge. She is a fourth-year student studying criminal justice. She has danced with Ivyside Dance Ensemble all four years at Penn State Altoona and is grateful for all the memories and friendships it brought along the way.

Scarlett Paez is a first-year student from New Jersey majoring in biology and minoring in dance studies. She hopes to become pre-med. This is her second performance with Ivyside Dance Ensemble, and she hopes to continue with the company during her time at Penn State Altoona.

Charlie Popson is a second-year student majoring in human development and family studies. Popson has been a ballet dancer their whole life and is enjoying learning new styles with Ivyside Dance Ensemble. Popson is also a crew member for the theatre, so they can be found both onstage and off. They hope to remain involved in the performing arts for their remaining time at Altoona and in the years that follow.

Abbie Quinn is a third-year student from Altoona. She is majoring in multi-disciplinary studies and double minoring in dance and entrepreneurship. She hopes to own and teach at her own dance studio after college. Although not on stage this semester, Quinn has been aiding on the technical side of the ensemble.

Cheyenne Rider, from Maryland, has always enjoyed the arts. Dance, especially, has greatly impacted her way of life. While not planning to pursue it professionally, Rider would like to remain involved with dance in the future. She has made it her goal to become a dance physical therapist in the hopes of helping dancers properly rehabilitate and care for their bodies in a way that allows them to perform at their fullest. It was for this reason that Rider chose to major in kinesiology and is now in her second year at Penn State Altoona.

Sage Rumberger is a second-year student from Tyrone, PA. Her major is early childhood education. She plans to teach dance at a studio in the future.

Olivia Sardenberg lives in Chicago, but her family is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She’s a first-year student who plans to major in criminal justice. Sardenberg was previously part of the Momenta Dance Company. She plans to continue dancing in college and incorporate into her life after graduation.

Cassara Stanley is from Altoona. She is a fourth-year student studying early childhood education and minoring in dance studies. She plans to continue dancing and to keep growing her performance ability. Stanley coaches hip hop at Rail City Allstars and hopes to continue coaching dance and to incorporate it in her travels in the future.

Isabella Tibado is from Winter Haven, Florida. She is in her last semester of college and intends to graduate with a degree in nursing and a dance studies minor. She has performed with the Ivyside Dance Ensemble since her first year. She will always be thankful for the opportunity to perform, further her education with dance, and make many meaningful connections with the other dancers and choreographers. She plans to take all she has learned from her dance education and time with Ivyside Dance Ensemble to continue to perform and choreograph.

Choreographer Bios

KT Huckabee (director, choreographer) received her B.F.A. in dance from East Carolina University, her M.F.A. in dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her certification in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York, which she utilizes for all her teaching, choreography, and body work in consultation situations with individuals and groups. Huckabee came to Penn State Altoona in 1998 to start the dance program and assist in the development of the integrative arts major. She is currently a teaching professor of dance and is Performing Arts Coordinator. Huckabee utilizes her love of collaboration to find new inspirations for creativity, movement, and program development.

Jessica (Jaye) Mackinson (choreographer) received her training at the Milwaukee Ballet School. She attended summer intensives at the School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, the Vail International Dance Festival, and Chautauqua Dance. Mackinson has performed professionally with Milwaukee Ballet, BalletMet, Charlotte Ballet, Rockford Dance Company, Madison Ballet, and Elements Contemporary Ballet. She has worked as a dance educator, director, and choreographer for over twenty years. Mackinson earned her bachelor’s from Rockford University where she also served as a professor of dance. She is currently on faculty at Nittany Ballet, PBR Dance, and Penn State Altoona, and serves as executive director of Fermata Ballet Collective.

Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer (choreographer) is a principal with Allied Motion Dance Company and a dance educator at Dance Fusion in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. As an educator at Dance Fusion, Rossi-Lanzendorfer has received numerous awards for excellence in choreography and has been nominated as both entertainer of the year and choreographer of the year at Star Dance Alliance. She received higher education at Seton Hill University and Penn State Altoona, where she was a founding member of Penn State's Ivyside Dance Ensemble. Her dance background includes intensive training with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in New York City and a recent performance in What Problem with the Bill T. Jones Company on tour. Her current projects include choreography for Penn State Altoona and management of the Community Choreography Project for the Central PA Theatre and Dance Festival. Rossi-Lanzendorfer is a professional tattoo artist at Railroad City Tattoo in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Production Team Bios

Maxwell Doherty (technical director) recently worked on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and The Wonderful World of Animation. He is a graduate of the Penn State School of Theatre where he worked on productions including Brigadoon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seawall, Angels in America, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Legally Blonde.

Sasha Krasnov (stage crew) is a criminology major and is part of the backstage crew. They love learning about different aspects of theatre.

Audrey Wawrynovic (costumer) is from Philipsburg, PA. They intend to study integrative arts at Penn State Abington. To pursue their passions, they wish to find a career in teaching sewing, design, costume production, tailoring, or designing with their own company.

Benjamin Weaver (theatre technical assistant) is a 2021 graduate of Centenary University with a degree in technical theatre. His credits include scenic designer of 1984, Avenue Q, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sweat (NEXTStage Rep) and The Wake of Jamey Foster (Penn State Altoona), scenic artist for A Christmas Carol (Centenary Stage Co.), and assistant scenic designer for The Evolution of Mann (American Theatre Group) instagram: @yellowbensets


Production Team

  • Choreographer/Director—KT Huckabee, Jessica Jaye Mackinson, Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
  • Technical Director—Maxwell Doherty
  • Theatre Technical Assistant—Benjamin Weave
  • Lighting Designer—Benjamin Weaver
  • Projections Designer—Christian Howard
  • Costumer—Audrey Wawrynovic
  • Stage Crew—Sasha Krasnov

Upcoming Performances

  • Ivyside Pride Performance
    Thursday and Friday, April 24-25
    7:30 p.m.
  • University Jazz Band
    Saturday, April 26
    7:30 p.m.

Acknowledgements

  • Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean
  • Dr. Leigh Ann Haeffner, interim vice chancellor, Academic Affairs
  • Dr. Nicholas Pyeatt, interim division head, Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences
  • Jonathan O’Harrow, director, Strategic Communications
  • Marissa Carney, media and public relations coordinator, Strategic Communications
  • Melissa Wilt, graphic designer, Strategic Communications
  • Kylea Myers, theatre and gallery coordinator, Misciagna Family Center
  • Christian Howard, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
  • Maxwell Doherty, technical director, Misciagna Family Center
  • Benjamin Weaver, technical theatre assistant, Misciagna Family Center
  • Kathy Bumberger, janitorial worker, Facilities and Operations

Performances are free thanks to the Kjel Meling Arts for All Initiative.

Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the box office at the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts by calling 814-949-5452 in advance of your participation or visit.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts

  • Events and Programs
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    • Ivyside Dance Ensemble Spring 2025 Performance
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You can support the performing arts at Penn State Altoona by giving a gift today!

  • Text AltPerfArts to 41444.
  • Make a gift online.

See Also

  • Art Collection Database
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Penn State Altoona

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