How does a Dance Major Spend Trinity Days?- American College Dance Association Review

Isabella Chirkis ’27

Editor in Chief

From Feb. 19th to Feb. 22nd on Trinity Days, Trinity College’s Theatre and Dance department brought the 4 dance concentrated majors across the program to the American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference in Cambridge, New England. During the program, students were able to take a variety of dance classes, from a range of tap, jazz, ballet, swing, flamenco and more. Each night of the conference, students were able to watch performances done by students and staff across the New England area. The performance was especially special when one of Trinity’s own, Sydney Young ’26 performed her solo “The End of Love” by Florence and the Machine. It was so inspiring to be able to see all of the ranges of work and genres that students and staff have created within their time at college. 

Going to this conference was especially inspiring to me. I grew up as a ballet dancer, and have not taken a ballet class since high school. Trinity’s Theater and Dance Department offers Modern Dance Technique I/II, Kathak, African Dance, Hip Hop, Choreography (Making Dances) and Improvisation (Improvisation as Composition.) Throughout my college experience, I have learned things from taking these classes multiple times, but nothing beats going back to the fundamentals and dancing the genre I feel I was born to do. Before coming to Trinity, I was told that classes in ballet, tap and jazz would be offered, but that has not been the case since I got here 3 years ago. Thus, being in a ballet class taught by Hannah Littman, along with a group of students who were all eager to learn and have fun was the peak of my experience at the conference. It inspired me to continue to push myself and take ballet classes during the summer when I can, because it is a part of me that should have never been lost during college. 

Other highlights of the experience were taking tap and jazz classes, two genres that I grew up doing. Unfortunately I did not have my tap shoes, but the beginner class taught by Sarah Young was a great time for me. We did improvisational work within small groups, and I had the ability to introduce myself to other dancers at the conference. Everyone was extremely friendly and supportive, and although the dancers came from a wide range of experience, people always clapped for one another and had a smile on their face. The Contemporary Jazz class I took with Derek Crescenti was high energy and so much fun. I had not taken Jazz since I was in middle school, and accidentally taking an advanced jazz class (oops) where I just had fun, and didn’t worry about missing the steps of the choreography was so freeing. The instructor was having just as much fun as the class and often referenced the “JOD” (joy of dance) reminding everyone that mistakes are never that serious.  

I was able to also take classes within genres I was not familiar with, for example Flamenco, taught by Yu-Ling Hu, was extremely challenging but was mesmerizing to watch, and Swing Into It! A Swing class taught by Ann Ross had me smiling and giggling the entire time. 

In the breaks between the conference, us students were able to explore Boston and Cambridge, trying out new food places and finding cool hangout spots. The matcha gelato at Mido Matcha is definitely worth a try! Overall, this was such a unique experience that I hope the department continues to do annually. Although there are not many dance majors at Trinity, we were all able to bond over something that we all love and experience this conference together.