Katie Frain
Graduated HOD: 2023
College: University of South Carolina
What you are doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I am pursuing a dance minor.
How do you plan to continue dance after college? I am planning to continue dancing in any way I can after college. I would like to continue to perform and expand my knowledge on various styles of dance, as dance will always be what fulfills me and brings me joy.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: The most important thing that House of Dance has taught me is to consistently trust in my potential and never doubt my capabilities. My friends and teammates’ constant support helped push me out of my comfort zone and try new things everyday. I learned that believing you can do something is more than half the battle, and that a positive mindset propels you forward in anything you do.
Cate Weidenbach
Graduated HOD: 2023
College: University of Minnesota
What are you doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I am taking dance classes through the university and drop-in classes through different dance clubs.
How do you plan to continue dance after college? After college, I hope to take drop-in classes throughout Minneapolis and Boston as well as teach dance to young children!!
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: The most important thing House of Dance taught me is my time management skills and work ethic. I learned from a young age what hard work means, and how to balance everything on my plate. Now that I am in college, I feel like House of Dance prepared me for all the crazy college things I have to juggle, even if they aren’t related to dance.
Riley Mitchell
Graduated HOD: 2023
College: University of Arizona (Currently Attending)
What are you doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I am taking ballet and improv through the university and hope to take more classes next semester. I have also been attending open classes through clubs.
How do you plan to continue dance after college?I would like to continue to take classes near wherever I live!
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: House of Dance has taught me to never give up on my goals. There might be setbacks but as long as you continue to work you can achieve them.
Lola Kokott
Graduated HOD: 2023
College: Purdue University (currently attending)
What are you doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I am a part of Dance2xs, which is a student choreographed hiphop group at Purdue! We do a couple performances/competitions around the Midwest every year.
How do you plan to continue dance after college?
I think dance will always be a part of my life, so I will always push myself to take class. Also, I hope to choreograph for others as well to give back to the dance community because I am grateful for all that it has done for me!
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: House of Dance has taught me to have a strong work ethic. Focusing my energy and time into my aspirations has opened so many opportunities and made my goals seem so much more attainable. It sounds cliche, but If you put your all into something you love, you will get so much back in return.
Sophia Kendall
Graduated HOD: 2023
College: Endicott College (currently attending)
What are you doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I am currently part of the the Endicott College Dance Ensemble!!
How do you plan to continue dance after college?
I want to travel and take more classes, and also hopefully teach others to share my love for dance.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: House of Dance taught me how to use dance as a form of expression, which has driven me to continue dancing throughout my college career:)
Alexa Gilbert
Graduated HOD: 2020
College: Tufts University (currently attending)
What are you doing for dance if part of a team, company or club:
I joined a dance team on campus called Spirit of the Creative (SOC)! We put on entirely self-choreographer shows at the end of each semester and I have choreographed several pieces for those shows. I am currently a co-director and was an assistant director last year. We have performed at WOD Boston and other shows around campus.
I have also danced with the Hazzel Jinx Collective, another Boston-based team, and we performed at Prelude New York and Open House New York.
How do you plan to continue dance after college?
I plan to continue taking classes in the Boston area and hopefully join a local dance team.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: House of Dance taught me so much about teamwork and how putting in time and effort into what you do really makes a difference. I made amazing friends throughout my time on Senior Crew who I am still close with and Hilary continues to provide opportunities and advice even after graduating.
Megan Frain
Graduated HOD: 2021
College: San Diego State University
What are you doing for dance if part of a team, company or club:
While in school at SDSU I have decided to minor in dance to continue to grow in the art form. Along with taking dance classes, I am also part of the senior capstone project, where I will be performing with other dancers in April at the annual show. Along with performing in this piece, I have also helped with the choreography and artistic direction. I plan to be a part of senior capstone for my remaining years here at SDSU.
How do you plan to continue dance after college?
I plan on incorporating dance into my life after graduation as much as possible. I am hoping to continue performing, and also dive into choreographing pieces as well. I am learning about many different aspects of dance in my classes, which I am hoping to utilize once I graduate.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult:
The most important thing that House of Dance has taught me is that your mindset is valuable. When looking at other dancers and observing their strengths, feel empowered by them, rather than uninspired. No two dancers are the same, and each individual has their own skill set that you can draw from in order to improve yourself.
Mikaela Happas
Graduated HOD: 2014
Current Job: Media Buyer/Marketing
How is dance used in your everyday life?
I use Social Media as a way to keep my dancing current and also have choreographed many concept videos on YouTube. One of my biggest accomplishments is performing two solos on the Kesha Cruise in 2019 for 2,000 people that was judged by Kesha, Jonathan Van Ness, Thorgy Thor, Bob The Drag Queen and Detox
How do you plan to continue dance?
Through videos, social media & any future stage performance opportunities.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult?
Confidence. People say all the time that they admire my confidence. It is one of the things I love most about myself; my ability to be confident with who I am, not care what other people think and do whatever I desire, without letting the thought of people judging me, stop me.
Josefina Ortiz
Graduated HOD: 2021
College: Umass Amherst: Dance Major
How is dance used in your everyday life?
I’m part of the UMass Dance Company + have done student choreography. The routines were a more industry style that brought a different aspect to the more classical styles the dance company usually practices. I am hoping to keep choreographing in the future semesters as well.
How do you plan to continue dance?
After college I want to continue taking classes and performing in shows. If possible, I think it would be cool to incorporate dance into my career out of my business major, but I do not yet know exactly how that will come about.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult?
The most important thing that House of Dance has taught me is that I should go into everything with an open mind and give every opportunity a fair chance because so many good things can come from new experiences, and if not it can be used as a lesson for the future. House of Dance always pushes us to take on new challenges such as more difficult classes or new styles and I think that this has allowed me to have a more open mindset.
Justina Ortiz
Graduated HOD: 2024
College: Umass Amherst
What you are doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I am on Dance Company at Umass. It’s a student run dance club that rehearses every week for our end of semester show.
How do you plan to continue dance after college? Taking classes!
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: House of Dance has taught me the importance of showing kindness and supporting others to help them grow, and to help us grow together as a team. I want to carry this mindset through any team activities that I do in the future.
Belle Peredna
Graduated HOD: 2024
College: Umass Amherst
What you are doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: This is my second year preforming with UMass Dance Company! We have performances once a semester that are entirely student choreographed and organized.
How do you plan to continue dance after college? I hope to continue taking classes!
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: House of Dance has taught me to be confident which is something that I will use throughout my life. It can be intimidating to truly be yourself, whether you’re dancing on stage or simply navigating through everyday life. But through my experiences at the studio, I have learned that being myself and sometimes feeling uncomfortable is how you unlock new opportunities and feel genuine, admirable confidence.
Alyssa Yaffe
Graduated HOD: 2024
College: University of Washington
What you are doing for dance if part of a team, company or club: I take classes through the UW department of dance. Additionally, I am a part of a student run club that runs classes 2-4 times a week and gives me the opportunity to teach some of these classes! This club puts on annual performances with opportunities to dance and choreograph pieces.
How do you plan to continue dance after college? Take classes whenever I can! Dance is so important to me and I can never imagine not having it in my life.
What most important thing did House of Dance teach you that has helped you in college/starting life as an adult: The most important thing HOD taught me was how to work as a team and hold yourself accountable. Being in such a tight knit environment helped me understand what it means to pull your weight as a member of a team, hold yourself and others to the absolute highest standards, and work with those around you toward a common goal.
