Student Choreography Concert: Dancing Through Life

RAE BROCK
PHOTOGRAPHER

KYLE CHOKAS
COPY EDITOR

2/3/2025

Every year, the Alma College Dance Team puts on a student-led choreography performance with performances held on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m., and two additional performances held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The Student Choreography Concert is run, choreographed and performed completely by Alma College students. This year, the directors for the program were Kyleigh Hill (‘25) and Leia Lehrer (‘25).

“The Student Choreography Concert is an opportunity for students to choreograph on their peers, as well as student dancers to participate in their peers’ creative process. It is a program completely run by students who have a passion for choreographing, dancing and performing,” said Hill.

Over the years, the Student Choreography concert has grown immensely in size. The event used to take place in the dance studio, but it has since moved to Presbyterian Hall due to the growth that it has experienced in its time. 

“You will see a wide range of dance styles and stories communicated through the work of each individual choreographer,” said Lehrer. The concert had everything from contemporary to ballet to tap performances. 

Each piece conveys a different message through different genres of song and styles of dance; from self-discovery to LGBTQ romance to struggles with mental health, the dances captured these deep and sometimes heavy topics to express stories through the art of motion. 

“Inspiration comes from many different places but mainly from the dancers themselves and from the music and hitting accents within it,” said Lehrer. 

The music selected for each piece was carefully chosen to match the vibe of the choreographer’s routine. These included the jazzy beats of Frank Sinatra, the faster-paced music of Tyler the Creator and Kayne West and the soft beats of boygenius and David Kushner. 

“We are so lucky to work alongside Chloe [Seare] on the lighting design for each piece, which really adds to the whole viewing experience. You will see how much work every single person has done to have successful performances,” said Hill. Seare, Heritage Center Technical Supervisor, oversaw lighting and sound for the event. 

As directors of the program, Hill and Lehrer are not only focusing on the pieces they’ve created but also managing everything behind the scenes.

“We keep track of all the important materials, such as music files, casting information, and contracts. As the directors, we make the calls that allow the show to run smoothly and communicate that information with all those involved,” said Lehrer.

There is beauty behind the dances that were performed—the talent and performance of the dancers left the audience awestruck. With the performance itself, the music, the lighting and the design, the performances were thoroughly enjoyable, even for those who haven’t seen many dance performances before. 

The fifteen students who choreographed pieces, including the Hill and Lehrer are as follows: Alyssa Hart (‘27), Ava Kelly (‘25), Emily Zatelli (‘25), Jocelyn Silk (‘25), Kimi Mayhew (‘27), Katie Henstock (‘26), Lillian Riddle (‘27), Lily Kennebrew (‘25), ReAnna Stopjik (‘25), Rebecca Kobylas (‘25), Shadain Pink (‘25), Shannon McGlynn (‘25) and Stephanie Krueger (‘25). 

It is no doubt that the hard work of all the dancers, choreographers and everyone behind the scenes resulted in a memorable performance.