2026 Dance Spring Festival
There were leaps, twirls, and smiles galore as LIHSA performing arts students performed spectacularly at the Spring Dance Festival on May 14th. Click here to read more and see photos from this very special performance.
Dance faculty L’aura Bagziunas, Chris Brick, & Natalie L’Etoile shared this message in the evening’s program:
The performance celebrates the depth, versatility, and artistry of our students through a dynamic collection of works created by our faculty, resident artists, and dancers.
A cornerstone of the LIHSA Dance Department is our ongoing partnership with the American Ballet Theatre. Through this distinguished collaboration, our students receive year-long ballet instruction from ABT Resident Artists Wendy Palmer Clark and Stephen Capanella. Their guidance cultivates strong technical foundations, discipline, and artistry, while instilling a deep appreciation for classical ballet. We are proud to share that works developed through this residency will be performed this evening.
This semester our Dance Repertory Company had the privilege of working with Richard Hinds, an accomplished Broadway choreographer and director, as our Spring Resident Artist. Ricky worked closely with our dancers to create original repertory works, while also collaborating with our Musical Theatre Department in their Theatre Dance classes, taught by Chris Brick and Natalie L’Etoile. We are excited that the Musical Theater students will also be performing this work tonight, highlighting the powerful cross-department collaboration that defines the LIHSA experience.
In our technique classes, students engaged deeply in a wide range of styles and practices. In Contemporary, dancers explored contact improvisation and improvisation-based processes, developing trust, responsiveness, and individual creative voice. In Modern, students trained in both the Limón and Horton techniques, building strength, dynamic range, and a deeper understanding of movement from breath, weight, and opposition. In Jazz, dancers focused on the foundations of classic jazz technique, strengthened both their historical knowledge and stylistic versatility.
Throughout a demanding and fast-paced semester, our students balanced rigorous academic and artistic schedules with remarkable dedication. They consistently showed up with focus, determination, and professionalism, supporting one another while pushing themselves to grow as artists. Their commitment, resilience, and passion are evident in every piece you will see tonight.
We are incredibly proud of our dancers and deeply grateful for the continued support of our families and community. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the artistry, growth, and perseverance of these exceptional young artists.
Direction………………L’aura Bagdziunas, Chris Brick, Natalie L’Etoile
Resident Artists………Stephen Campanella, Wendy Palmer-Clark, Richard Hinds
Sound and Lighting Design………..McGuire Theatre at SUNY Old Westbury
Playbill Design………….…….. Chris Brick
LET’S BE BAD
Dance Repertory Resident Artist Choreographer: Richard Hinds
Rehearsal Assistants: Haley Mitchell and Hannah Schade
Music: “Let’s Be Bad” from SMASH (Original Cast Recording)
Music by Marc Shaiman | Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman Performed by: PM Dance Repertory Company:
Giovanna Cerino, Destiny Edmonds, Rebekah Fink, Abigale Lett, Archie Lithgow,
Amisha Phagu, Gianna Rusche, Melanie Sangurima, Brie Suares
THE QUEEN’S ARRIVAL
Choreographer: Natalie L’Etoile and Dancers
Music: “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by George Frideric Handel Performed by: Ms. L’Etoile’s AM Modern:
Juliette Marckesano, Natalia Melendez Smaguin, Alexandra Negri, Lily O’Connor, Sadie Saccone, Lila Salhuana, Chloe Scaramuzzo, Liahna Sisko
LIEUTENANT KIYE
ABT Resident Artist Choreographer: “Lieutenant Kiye” by Sergei Prokofiev Wendy Palmer Clark
Music:
Performed by: Ms. L’Etoile’s PM Ballet:
Giovanna Cerino, Destiny Edmonds, Rebekah Fink, Amisha Phagu, Brie Suares
PSEUDOPODIA
Choreographer: Natalie L’Etoile and Dancers
Music: “Omega” by Ardie Son
Performed by: Ms. L’Etoile’s AM Dance Repertory
Ava Azzaretto, Sadie D’Amico, Erin Fackler, Stella Madden, Juliette Marckesano, Natalia
Melendez Smaguin, Alexandra Negri, Lily O’Connor, Sadie Saccone, Lila Salhuana, Chloe Scaramuzzo, Liahna Sisko, Timmy Wallace
INNER GROOVE
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Rehearsal Assistant: Hannah Schade
Music: “Surf Rider (Mixed)” by Lord Fascinator
Performed by: PM CONTEMPORARY
Giovanna Cerino, Destiny Edmonds, Rebekah Fink, Abigale Lett, Archie Lithgow, Amisha Phagu, Gianna Rusche, Melanie Sangurima, Brie Suares
ON MY WAY
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Rehearsal assistant: Kiera Wildeman
Music: “Comin’ Home Baby” by Mel Torme
Ava Azzaretto, Sadie D’Amico, Giulianna DiSalvo, Erin Fackler, Stella Madden, Performed by: Ms. L’aura’s AM Modern:
Anna McCormick, Lina Murale, Emma Palmieri, Hanalei Smith, Timmy Wallace
ECHOS
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Music: “Eli’s Coming” by Affinity
Performed by: Ms. L’aura’s PM Dance Repertory
Giovanna Cerino, Destiny Edmonds, Abigale Lett, Gianna Rusche
RADETSKY MARCH
ABT Resident Artist Choreographer: Wendy Palmer Clark Music: “Radetsky March” by Johann Strauss Performed by: Ms. L’Etoile’s AM Ballet:
Juliette Marckesano, Natalia Melendez Smaguin, Alexandra Negri, Lily O’Connor, Sadie Saccone,
Lila Salhuana, Chloe Scaramuzzo, Liahna Sisko
LIVE IN LIVING COLOR
Dance Repertory Resident Artist Choreographer: Richard Hinds Rehearsal Assistants: Haley Mitchell
Music: “Live in Living Color” from the musical Catch Me if You Can
Music by John Williams
Performed by: Chris Brick and Ms. L’Etoile’s AM Musical Theatre Dance
Paula Barrera, Maria D’Angelo, Julia Dean, Carlee Dickson, Dante DiGiorgio, Deveren Flynn,
Diana Fogel, Kathleen Jeudy, Solana Lopez, Kieran Maguire, Kayla Mancuso, Cameron Nasabi,
Bennett Neglia, Elizabeth Paulino, Brianna Pucci, Sophia Sacoulas, Morgan Smith, Jack Sullivan, Zachary Tell, Madison Vitale, Angelica Viviani, Lily Wasoski, Alexa Wolpin
CONTROL
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Rehearsal Assistant: Hannah Schade
Music: “Black Car” by Leon Else Performed by: PM Jazz
Giovanna Cerino, Destiny Edmonds, Rebekah Fink, Abigale Lett, Archie Lithgow, Amisha Phagu, Gianna Rusche, Melanie Sangurima, Brie Suares
ACT II
ICE WALK
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Rehearsal Assistant : Kiera Wildeman
Music: “Gogo (Lulu Rouge Remix)” by Kura
Performed by: AM Contemporary
Ava Azzaretto, Sadie D’Amico, Giulianna DiSalvo, Erin Fackler, Stella Madden,
Juliette Marckesano, Anna McCormick, Natalia Melendez-Smaguin, Lina Murale,
Alexandra Negri, Lily O’Connor, Emma Palmieri, Sadie Saccone, Lila Salhuana, Chloe Scaramuzzo, Liahna Sisko, Hanalei Smith, Timmy Wallace
THE PROMENADE
Choreographer: Natalie L’Etoile and Dancers
Music: “Symphony #6 in F Major” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by: Ms. L’Etoile’s PM Modern
Giovanna Cerino, Destiny Edmonds, Rebekah Fink, Amisha Phagu, Brie Suares
PROUD MARY
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Rehearsal Assistant: Kiera Wildeman
Music: “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner
Performed by: AM Jazz
Ava Azzaretto, Sadie D’Amico, Giulianna DiSalvo, Erin Fackler, Stella Madden,
Juliette Marckesano, Anna McCormick, Natalia Melendez-Smaguin, Lina Murale,
Alexandra Negri, Lily O’Connor, Emma Palmieri, Sadie Saccone, Lila Salhuana,
Chloe Scaramuzzo, Liahna Sisko, Hanalei Smith, Timmy Wallace
THE GEOMETRY OF JOY
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas
Rehearsal Assistant: Hannah Schade
Music: “Little Bitty Pretty One” by Thurston Harris
Performed by: Ms. L’aura’s PM MODERN
Abigale Lett, Archie Lithgow, Gianna Rusche, Melanie Sangurima
RADIO
Musical Theatre Dance Resident Choreographer: Richard Hinds
Rehearsal Assistant: Haley Mitchell
Music: “Radio” from Original Broadway Cast of Memphis Music by David Bryan | Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Performed by: Chris Brick & Ms. L’Etoiles PM Musical Theatre Dance
Nevaeh Abraham, Nicholas Allen, Adrian Andrade, Allison Angell, Xen Bazemore,
Sydney Buchwald, Olivia Carmody, Marilena Castoro, Lyla Dankner,
Cooper daSilva, Lucianna DiLiberto, Avery Ferrara, Tiffany Gfrerer, Cora Jones,
Olivia Marchese, Stacy Martinez, Anderson Maziero, Drue Miller, Cassidy Paul,
Emerson Rathbun, Jackson Reiser, Denver Rose, Nicholas Schiavo, Sophia Schoen, Johnnie Specht, Hannah Waller, Chloe Zittel
EXCERPTS FROM PAQUITA
ABT Resident Artist Choreographer: Choreography after Marius Petipa Stephen Campanella
Rehearsal Assistants: Hannah Schade and Kiera Wildeman Performed by: Ms. L’aura’s AM and PM Ballet
Anna McCormick, Lina Murale, Emma Palmieri, Hanalei Smith, Timmy Wallace AM: Ava Azzaretto, Sadie D’Amico, Giulianna DiSalvo, Erin Fackler, Stella Madden,
PM: Abigale Lett, Archie Lithgow, Gianna Rusche, Melanie Sangurima
SHE IS
Choreographer: L’aura Bagdziunas Rehearsal Assistant: Kiera Wildeman
Music: “She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel
Performed by: Ms. L’aura’s AM Dance Repertory Company
Giulianna DiSalvo, Anna McCormick, Lina Murale, Emma Palmieri, Hanalei Smith,
ALLOTOPIAN WORLD
Choreographer: Natalie L’Etoile and Dancers
Rehearsal Assistant: Hannah Schade
Music: “Ramalama (Bang Bang)” by Roisin Murphy
Performed by: Ms. L’Etoile’s PM Dance Repertory Company
Rebekah Fink, Archie Lithgow, Amisha Phagu, Melanie Sangurima, Brie Suares
WHERE I WANNA BE
Dance Repertory Resident Artist Choreographer: Richard Hinds
Rehearsal Assistants: Haley Mitchell and Kiera Wildeman Music: “Where I Wanna Be” from Boop! The Musical
Music by David Foster | Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
Performed by: AM Dance Repertory
Ava Azzaretto, Sadie D’Amico, Giulianna DiSalvo, Erin Fackler, Stella Madden,
Juliette Marckesano, Anna McCormick, Natalia Melendez-Smaguin, Lina Murale,
Alexandra Negri, Lily O’Connor, Emma Palmieri, Sadie Saccone, Lila Salhuana,
Chloe Scaramuzzo, Liahna Sisko, Hanalei Smith, Timmy Wallace, Kiera Wildeman
