This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Columbia Barnard chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This week’s celeb, Ivy Vega BC ’15, and the chair of Orchesis Dance Group and PR Director of this year’s MaMa Project!
Name: Ivy Vega
Year: 2015
Hometown: West Orange, New Jersey
School and Major: Barnard, Psychology and Dance
How did you find out about Orchesis and get involved in the dance group?
I don’t actually remember how exactly I found out about Orchesis. Probably at some activities fair during NSOP or something. I do vividly remember my first audition, however. The room was packed with an upwards of 70 people and like the typical freshman that I was, I was super intimidated and really nervous about making a good impression (in hindsight, this seems so silly because Orchesis auditions are so low-key and fun). Anyway, long story short, because of a mini fashion emergency, I wound up dancing in just a sports bra and shorts (competition kid through and through) and I found out later that I was dubbed “sports bra girl” by the upperclassmen. Yup, never living that one down. But yeah, I’ve been a part of Orchesis since Fall 2011 and I definitely don’t plan on stopping anytime soon :)
What is your role on Orchesis board and how has taking on an executive position changed your experience of Orchesis?
I first got involved with Orchesis board as PR Chair my sophomore year and was elected Chair last semester. Liana Gergely (shout out to my MaMa!) asked me to be PR Director for The MaMa Project this year and I gladly accepted. Having these positions has done nothing but make my experience all that much better. I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet such amazing, talented people of the Barnard/Columbia community. Some I’ve known since my freshman year but I meet new people every day and I love that. I definitely consider many of them my closest friends.
What has been the best part of being a part of Orchesis? Any memorable moments?
Oh geeze. The best part? I really don’t know… all of it is great! Aside from Orchesis and MaMa, I’m also a dance major so I take regular dance technique and academic classes. I guess something I really value is being so close to all of my professors since the department is so tight-knit. I really have gotten to know them on a personal basis and I know that I can always go to them with any concerns.
Every opportunity I’ve gotten to perform on this campus has been special in its own way. But I have to say my most memorable performance experience was one of the first pieces I danced in for Orchesis: Hey Ya choreographed by Orchy-legend Kyley Knoerzer (BC’13). I owe a lot to being cast in that piece because that’s were I met some of my best friends. Also, the choreography was absolutely incredible but that goes without saying.
What should people be looking forward to for this year’s orchesis show?
We cast a lot of really great choreographers this semester and they all created really diverse pieces so you can be sure that the show will have something for everyone. We’ll be finalizing the show title in the coming weeks so I can’t give that away just yet but mark your calendars because the show will be on April 19th! There’ll be more information to come so make sure to like our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CUorchesis, and follow us on Instagram: ColumbiaOrchesis