When these girls aren’t in class studying nursing, psychology, or communications they’re hard at work perfecting the routines they hope will take them to the top at competitions. After learning that the Fairfield Dance Team would no longer have a competing portion, former members Krista Kaspar, Alyssa Zucaro, Micaela Moffa and Amanda Piscitello joined with Kayla Kuzneiwski to form a new and improved competition team called Fairfield Dance Fusion. The officers held tryouts in September in the hope of forming a team of impressive dancers that would win their first year at competition. Although competing hasn’t begun yet the Fairfield students are anxious to see what they’ve got!
Meet the Team
Krista Kaspar- Co-PresidentYear: 2014Hometown: Parsipanny, NJHC: What is the update on competitions for the club and who choreographed your routines this year?KK: We have two scheduled competitions during the end of February and March at New Fairfield High School and University of Delaware. We are also performing during the Dance Ensemble show, which is on campus at the Quick Center on March 14th. Kayla Kaspar, my sister and alumni of Fairfield choreographed the dance. She was a member of many of the dance clubs on campus when she attended.
Kayla Kuzniewski: Co-PresidentYear: 2016Hometown: Malverne, NYHC: What has been the highlight of being a part of FU Dance Fusion? KK: The best part of being a part of FU Dance Fusion has been having the opportunity to work in various styles with different choreographers throughout the fall.
Micaela Moffa: Vice PresidentYear: 2016Hometown: Wyckoff, NJHC: You started the Instagram account (@fairfielddancefusion) tell me how does that work for the team?MM: I came up with the idea of starting the Instagram and I currently run the account, but the whole team contributes ideas to make the account more interesting. For example Dancer of the Day, which is an idea Amanda thought of!
Alyssa Zuccaro: SecretaryYear: 2015Hometown: Seaford, NYHC: What do you hope to accomplish in the next year with Dance Fusion?AZ: What I hope to accomplish in the next year is to get more dancers involved! We really want to get the word out about our new club and to recruit more members.
Amanda Piscitello: TreasurerYear: 2016Hometown: Wethersfield, ConnecticutHC: When did you start dancing and how is competitive dancing different then performing in a recital?AP: I started dancing when I was in 1st grade (now 14 years!) and I mostly competed with my high school dance team. Competing is so different from a recital because the routines need to be flawless and the its sometimes more stressful going through that process, however no feeling is better than going out in front of the judges and nailing a performance. Then to get awarded in return justifies all the hard work and effort that went into the routine.
Nicole LambiYear: 2017Hometown: Cumberland, RIHC: How do you manage being both a student and a participant in Dance Fusion? What are some of your tips for getting it all done?NL: Since rehearsal for Dance Fusion is on the weekends, I make sure to not save all of my homework for Saturday and Sunday. I take advantage of the time I have during the week so that I can enjoy rehearsal and not have anything else to worry about.
Courtnie MillerYear: 2015Hometown: Hillsdale, NJHC: What’s your favorite dance move?CM: I love to do leg extensions, pirouettes, and leaps!
Danyelle LepardoYear: 2017Hometown: Staten Island, NYHC: What would you like the Fairfield students to know about Dance Fusion?DL: I would like Fairfield students to know that Dance Fusion is made up of hardworking, talented girls that strive to put on the best performance they can!
Allison KoppYear: 2016Hometown: Buffalo, NYHC: What do you hope to accomplish in the next year with Dance Fusion?AK: I hope that Dance Fusion gets more attention on campus. As a new club, we aren’t well known yet. We were asked to perform at Relay for Life and the Dance Ensemble show, which will be great experiences to showcase our routines. I hope we do well at competition and get more chances to perform, which is something we all love to do!
Jessica MartinYear: 2015Hometown: Andover, MAHC: What has been the highlight of being a part of FU Dance Fusion?JM: The highlight of being on Fairfield Dance Fusion, for me, was having our “Master Classes” first semester. We had professional choreographers come in from New York City to teach us two-hour classes. Most of the classes were focused on technique and conditioning, and then they would usually teach us a combination. Being able to learn from professionals and hosting them at Fairfield was definitely a highlight for us and helped us all improve both as a group and individually.
Katelyn DonovanYear: 2016Hometown: Coventry, RIHC: When did you first start dancing?KD: I first starting dancing when I was three years old and have been ever since! I couldn’t imagine my life without dance and I am so happy to be continuing throughout my time at Fairfield University!
Brianna MeyerYear: 2017Hometown: Manasquan, NJHC: What would you like the Fairfield students to know about Dance Fusion?BM: Fairfield Dance Fusion is run by students; there is no coach. We all work to clean and perfect the dances ourselves. We are all play roles as teachers and as students to one another. We are a group of girls, friends that is, who love to dance and we support each other.
Erin FlemingYear: 2017Hometown: Wayne, NJHC: What has been the highlight of being a part of Dance Fusion?EF: Being apart of Dance Fusion is one of most rewarding experiences. We all work together to help each other become better dancers and get to experience great choreographers together. Being on Dance Fusion itself has been the highlight of my freshman year here at Fairfield.