WIDENER DANCE COMPANY HIGHLIGHT
Widener Dance Company (WDC) is an amazing organization that gives students the opportunity to express themselves through dance. Joining WDC allows students to create meaningful relationships while doing what they love!
President Erin Coffey, a senior at Widener University, took the time to explain what Widener Dance Company is and gave insight into the wonderful leadership opportunities that come along with the club.
What is Widener Dance Company?
“Widener Dance Co. is a student-run organization celebrating many different styles of dance! We have many leadership opportunities! Our eboard, chairs, and choreographers are all current undergraduate students at Widener. This semester we offered classes such as ballet, contemporary, tap, musical theater, hip hop, spoken word, and pointe. We also give all members the opportunity to choreograph their own pieces if they are interested in doing so.”
How can someone get involved with Widener Dance Company?
“Follow us on Instagram and join us on presence! That way you can stay up to date on our events! At the beginning of each semester, we offer a trial week, where all Widener students (undergraduate and graduate) are able to try as many classes as they want to without any commitment! If they enjoy a certain class(es), then they return the next week!”
Do you have any upcoming activities or events?
“We will be having a Musical Arts Mixer with Widener’s acapella group, Keepin’ It Trill, Thursday Nov. 11 at 7pm in Alumni!
We will also be having our annual fall recital Saturday 11/20 at 12pm and 7pm and Sunday 11/21 at 12pm! All three shows are the same, and tickets for Widener students/faculty/and staff are only $3!”
What are the benefits of joining Widener Dance Company?
“We offer many leadership opportunities through our executive board, chair positions, and class teachers/choreographers
Also, if you want to continue dancing, or learn how to dance, WDC is a very beginner friendly company. Members can continue to pursue their love for dance or new members who haven’t danced before can start their dance journey!”
Who are your current E-Board members?
“President: Erin Coffey
Vice President: Madison Panek
Treasurer: Gretchen Aulenbach
Secretary: Ashley Raspanti
SGA Rep: Emma Granahan
Public Relations: Mallory Culver
Fundraising Chair: Rosa Lydon-Quiroz
Recruitment Chair: Cheyenne Luckhardt
Community Service Chair: Alyssa Seaman
Events Chair: Jenna Rosenthal
Conduct Committee: Meaghan Appuliese”
I was also given the opportunity to interview Widener Dance Company’s executive board members. They were kind enough to give insight into their favorite part of WDC and why they joined the organization!
Erin Coffey
What is your position?
“President - I oversee and run WDC!”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I love dancing and I wanted to continue in college! I found WDC and quickly got involved!”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My favorite memory was our first ever Dancing with the Stars event! We all weren't sure how it would turn out, but it ended up being so much fun!”
Madison Panek
What is your position?
“Vice President.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I decided to join WDC to continue dancing in college and meet some great people with common interests!”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“Meeting so many amazing, well-rounded people!”
Gretchen Aulenbach
What is your position?
“Treasurer; I created WDC’s Clothing Order and handle all funds.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I decided to join WDC because dance has been my passion for my entire life. Dancing and choreographing are one of the main ways that I relieve stress, and it makes me so happy that there is a creative outlet like this available at Widener.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My favorite memory from WDC was my first recital. It felt amazing to be back on stage and performing again.”
Ashley Raspanti
What is your position?
“Secretary - I record meeting minutes and help in whatever way needed.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I decided to join so I could dance throughout college and to be more involved.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My favorite aspect is being able to do the recital every semester!”
Mallory Culver
What is your position?
“Public Relations- I’m in charge of all social media for the company! I post and make all flyers that are posted as well as any highlights found on Instagram!”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I have been dancing since I was three years old and wanted to continue my love for it! I knew that it was student run and loved the idea of student choreography. Growing up in a studio and a performing arts high school I was never exposed to student choreography. I also wanted to expose myself to other student that share the same passion as me!!”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My favorite memory is the tie dye event my freshman year!”
Rosa Lydon-Quiroz
What is your position?
“Fundraising chair.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“Dance company is a family that allows everyone to enjoy their love for dance.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My first dance recital and Meg’s small group.”
Cheyenne Luckhardt
What is your position?
“Recruitment chair and tap teacher.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I’ve been dancing since I was about four and WDC gave me the opportunity to keep doing something I had such a strong passion for so long.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“Tapping again for the first time since I was little at recital freshman year.”
Alyssa Seaman
What is your position?
“As Community Service Chair I connect the Dance Company with programs in Chester who look for volunteers. This year I was able to establish a connect with CityTeam and do a can drive to donate in time for the holidays.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I decided to join WDC because it provided me with the opportunity to make friends and learn a form of art I had never had the opportunity to learn before.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My favorite memory from my time in WDC would be after my freshman year recital when I realized that I performed in my first recital with all of my friends. I never danced before college so I felt a great amount of pride in knowing that I could do what I once thought was impossible all while making new friends that I’ll have forever.”
Jenna Rosenthal
What is your position?
“Events Chair- I plan all WDC events.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I joined because I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and wanted to be able to continue that in college.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“Learning recital dances.”
Meaghan Appuliese
What is your position?
“Choreographer, Conduct Committee.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I joined to continue to teach and dance because it is what I love to do.”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“Choreographing my small group sophomore year.”
Mikayla Thompson
What is your position?
“Choreographer chair, I send reminders of what’s going on throughout the week and create the recital order.”
Why did you decide to join WDC?
“I joined company dance at Widener because I wanted to continue dancing throughout college & I love performing!”
What is your favorite aspect or memory of WDC?
“My favorite memory with Widener dance is coming up with choreography for my small group with Alexis & Erin's ballet class this year!”
Check out Widener Dance Company’s social media pages!
Instagram - @widenerdanceco