WESTPORT’S ACADEMY OF DANCE PRESENTS OUR AUTUMN 2024 GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER SHOWING

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

An afternoon of dance artistry as our talented Junior II, Junior Company, and Senior Company students take the stage to perform three original works choreographed by the extraordinary Danielle Diniz. This performance marks the culmination of a 9-week Master Class at The Academy, and promises to be a celebration of movement, grace, and creativity.

Danielle Diniz is a versatile choreographer and educator, blends diverse jazz styles with elements of contemporary, Latin, and theatrical dance, creating dynamic, nuanced works that have been featured by prestigious organizations like Jacob's Pillow, Ailey BFA, and New York Dance Project.

Thank you for sharing in our students' dedication and hard work alongside the artistry of our cherished guest choreographer. Enjoy the Show!

Note from the choreographer: This afternoon please find a mixed repertory program, highlighting a myriad of jazz dance’s facets. Whether demonstrated through contemporary aspects and pop music or a fun and fast traditional musical theater lens, it’s been a pleasure exploring the different iterations and trajectory of jazz with the dancers. Historically a social dance style teeming with opportunities for individuality, these young artists sustain its life with their brilliant personalities, wonderful technique and commitment to stylization. To the dancers: THANK YOU, ALL! You have brought light and joy to each in-studio moment and each step in your pieces. Your dedication to technique shines equally alongside your beautiful presences. I'm so grateful for you sharing your time and your talent so we could create such exciting new works! To everyone at Westport's Academy of Dance, many thanks for this opportunity!

 MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHER

Danielle Diniz

Danielle is a dynamic choreographer who blends diverse jazz styles, incorporating contemporary, Latin fusion, and theatrical elements. She is thrilled to be a guest choreographer for Westport’s Academy of Dance and to have created works celebrating jazz dance's technique, nuance, and energy.

Recently, Danielle completed her Artist in Residence position at Tribeca BMCC through the CUNY Dance Initiative, where she choreographed and directed a full evening of repertory. In early 2024, she became Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Choreography Enterprises. She has choreographed for the Ailey BFA program, the New York Dance Project, St. Paul's ballet program, and Ballet Hartford. She has upcoming projects with Accent Dance, Chrysalis Ballet, and Eastern Contemporary Ballet.

Danielle's work has been commissioned by renowned organizations, including Jacob’s Pillow, Stars of American Ballet, Performance Santa Fe, and Avant Chamber Ballet. She has presented choreography off-Broadway and at venues like the McCallum Theatre/Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the New York Theatre Barn Choreography Lab. Her achievements include a New York Foundation for the Arts/City Artist Corps grant and awards such as the New York Dance Project Choreography Competition.

In addition to her creative work, Danielle is a junior board member of Jazz Choreography Enterprises, a choreographic mentor for We Are Queens, and a faculty member at Steps on Broadway Academy and Manhattan Youth Ballet. She holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in Shakespearean Studies and a minor in Dance from Cornell University.

We are excited to showcase her inspiring work.

THE PROGRAM

Jr. II

Title: Confident

Music: The Original Broadway Cast of & Juliet, Music by Max Martin

Performed By:

Reese Abrams
Olivia Jackson
Madeline Lewis
Sutton Libby

Vivienne Martino
Emma McCollum
Elle Sasson
Emma Taylor


Jr. Company

Title: Playing the Game

Music: 1992 Broadway Revival Cast, Music by Frank Loesser

Performed By:

Sutton Bulkeley
Caitlin Hand
Eva Maroney
Alyssa Minnich

Madeleine McMahon
Dani Peffer
Ella Turner


Sr. Company

Title: Too Darn Hot

Music: 1999 Broadway Revival Cast, Music by Cole Porter

Performed By:

Eliza Gurley
Alexis Jacobs
Andi Jacobs
Rylie McCollum
Rylie McCollum

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Saturday, 11/16
3:30 & 5:00 pm

Sunday, 11/17
1:00 & 2:30 pm

Approximate runtime of each performance is 25 minutes.

LOOKING FORWARD

The Autumn 2024 Guest Choreographer Showing is part of an ongoing Master Class and Student Performance series offered to Academy students that incorporates various talent from the broader dance and performing arts community. This ongoing series takes place in THE BLACK BOX THEATER within our new facility.

Please stay tuned for ongoing program announcements and updates.