WinterWorks
Event Dates
(EDT)
(EDT)
(EDT)
(EDT)
Admission
$25–30 advance / $30–35 day of show
Discounted admission with Berklee ID
Free–$5 advance / $5–10 day of show
WinterWorks is an annual dance concert that features the mainstage debut of Boston Conservatory’s first-year contemporary dance students performing new works created for them by alumni guest choreographers currently working in the field. Produced by faculty member Diane Arvanites, the program also presents dances by sophomore, junior, and senior student choreographers.
Program Information
Welcome Note
Welcome to WinterWorks 2025. WinterWorks is an annual dance performance that features the mainstage debut of our Contemporary Dance first-year students performing commissioned work by alumni guest artists currently working in the field. We welcome each guest artist and hold dear this year’s alumni contributors, Esther Pauline Farley and Jessie Lee Thorne. Alumni guest artist residencies are made possible through the Dance Division’s Alumni Commissioning Project. WinterWorks also puts forward dances by creative sophomore, junior, and senior student choreographers. This year’s concert showcases the many choreographic talents of our student population who might eventually become alumni guest artists. Always exciting and unexpected, WinterWorks is a celebration of creativity, imagination, and firsts.
—Diane Arvanites, producer, WinterWorks
—Diane Arvanites, producer, WinterWorks
From the Dean
The students are always at the center of our mission in the Dance Division, and our goal is to help them realize their fullest potential, not only as performers, but also as creative and entrepreneurial artists. We guide and educate them, helping them grow as young adults who are finding their way in the world, giving them opportunities to experience different points of view and ways of seeing the life around them. They learn how to be engaged citizens in order to make the world a better place through the arts. I think you will agree that these young creatives and dance artists are inspiring, passionate, and deeply committed to what they love to do: dance.
—Tommy Neblett, Dean of Dance
—Tommy Neblett, Dean of Dance
Lullaby for the Glasses Left Behind (world premiere)
Choreography: Gabrielle Honoré (BFA '26, contemporary dance)
Music: Gabriel Fauré (Requiem, op. 48, V. Agnus Dei)
Costume Design: Gabrielle Honoré
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Nora Augenstein, Michael Braun, Mackenzie Campbell, Kayenne Charles-Pierre, Campbell Colimore, Lilly David, Angela Hamlin, Tess O’Riordan, Esmé Stone, Emma Jane Zaher, Yadi Zhang, Brooke Zide
Music: Gabriel Fauré (Requiem, op. 48, V. Agnus Dei)
Costume Design: Gabrielle Honoré
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Nora Augenstein, Michael Braun, Mackenzie Campbell, Kayenne Charles-Pierre, Campbell Colimore, Lilly David, Angela Hamlin, Tess O’Riordan, Esmé Stone, Emma Jane Zaher, Yadi Zhang, Brooke Zide
Baião (world premiere)
Choreography: Emily Adie (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Music: Barbatuqeus (“Baião Destemperado,” “Barbapapa’s Groove”)
Costume Design: Emily Adie
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Andy Claverié, Emma Daniels, Shiori Hamanaka, Sally Mai, Tracy Xu
Music: Barbatuqeus (“Baião Destemperado,” “Barbapapa’s Groove”)
Costume Design: Emily Adie
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Andy Claverié, Emma Daniels, Shiori Hamanaka, Sally Mai, Tracy Xu
Loses Sunglasses, Keeps Pounding Drums (world premiere)
Choreography: Brianna Sullivan (BFA '26, contemporary dance)
Music: Neil Peart (“Best Drum Solo Ever”)
Costume Design: Brianna Sullivan
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Eliana Balzano, Halley Campo, Lilly David, Ava Gregg, Electra Nearey, Tess O’Riordan, Ana Perez Yudin, McKinley Tolliver, Chloé Wasser
Music: Neil Peart (“Best Drum Solo Ever”)
Costume Design: Brianna Sullivan
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Eliana Balzano, Halley Campo, Lilly David, Ava Gregg, Electra Nearey, Tess O’Riordan, Ana Perez Yudin, McKinley Tolliver, Chloé Wasser
Falling into Place (world premiere)
Choreography: Derek Lee (BFA '26, contemporary dance)
Music: Polmo Polpo (“Like Hearts Swelling”)
Costume Design: Derek Lee
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Sophia Cobo Ruiz, Lilia Holladay, Dimitris Michailidis, Logan Monaco
Music: Polmo Polpo (“Like Hearts Swelling”)
Costume Design: Derek Lee
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Sophia Cobo Ruiz, Lilia Holladay, Dimitris Michailidis, Logan Monaco
I See; You See (world premiere)
Choreography: Angelina Curtin (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Music: Sigur Ros (“Untitled #3 (Samskeyti),” “Untitled #9 (Smaskifa)”)
Costume Design: Angelina Curtin
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Kiley Nomura, Abby Osterink, Ella Schroeder, McKinley Tolliver, Rebecca Zigmond, Julia Zingler
Music: Sigur Ros (“Untitled #3 (Samskeyti),” “Untitled #9 (Smaskifa)”)
Costume Design: Angelina Curtin
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Kiley Nomura, Abby Osterink, Ella Schroeder, McKinley Tolliver, Rebecca Zigmond, Julia Zingler
(Im)Perfect (world premiere)
Choreography: Logan Monaco (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Music: Steve Lacy (“Sunshine (feat. Fousheé)”); Greg Haines (“The Spin”)
Costume Design: Logan Monaco
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Suriya Allain, Caitlin Eswein, Kevin Higgins, Joelis Martínez-Santiago, Madi McAlister, Brianna Smith, Brooke Zide
Music: Steve Lacy (“Sunshine (feat. Fousheé)”); Greg Haines (“The Spin”)
Costume Design: Logan Monaco
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Suriya Allain, Caitlin Eswein, Kevin Higgins, Joelis Martínez-Santiago, Madi McAlister, Brianna Smith, Brooke Zide
Miserere (world premiere)
Choreography: Ana Perez Yudin (BFA '26, contemporary dance)
Music: Meditation Music (“SynodicMoon 210.42 Hz Gis – Short mid 80 BPM Rhythm”); Henryk Górecki (Miserere, op. 44, II. Miserere nobis); Hexperos (“Walking Roots II”)
Costume Design: Ana Perez Yudin
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Eliana Balzano, Cheyenne Carrington-Greene, Angela Hamlin, Karina Jiménez, Kylie Nomura, Emersyn Novach, Tess O’Riordan, Brianna Sullivan
Music: Meditation Music (“SynodicMoon 210.42 Hz Gis – Short mid 80 BPM Rhythm”); Henryk Górecki (Miserere, op. 44, II. Miserere nobis); Hexperos (“Walking Roots II”)
Costume Design: Ana Perez Yudin
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Eliana Balzano, Cheyenne Carrington-Greene, Angela Hamlin, Karina Jiménez, Kylie Nomura, Emersyn Novach, Tess O’Riordan, Brianna Sullivan
Antibes (world premiere)
Choreography: Esther Pauline Farley (BFA '21, contemporary dance)
Rehearsal Direction: Dean Vollick
Rehearsal Assistance: Molly Jane Dunne, Tamia Jauné, Aja Simms
Music Credits: Timothy Archibald (“Untitled 111”)
Costume Design: Jen Greeke
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Nyla Aikens, Morgan Beyer, Muna Blake, Harin Chung, Samara Cohen, Lucia Fornos, Emily Fusco, Siena Hill, Ashlee Holloway, Marissa Lazovick, Kyana Luyando, Sam Sharp, Colette Walsh, Qianhui Wang, Ayden Wilson, Ayla Yildiz, Leah Zripko
Program Note: Inspired by Paul Signac’s Antibes, The Pink Cloud—a distant memory. —Esther Pauline Farley, choreographer
Rehearsal Direction: Dean Vollick
Rehearsal Assistance: Molly Jane Dunne, Tamia Jauné, Aja Simms
Music Credits: Timothy Archibald (“Untitled 111”)
Costume Design: Jen Greeke
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Nyla Aikens, Morgan Beyer, Muna Blake, Harin Chung, Samara Cohen, Lucia Fornos, Emily Fusco, Siena Hill, Ashlee Holloway, Marissa Lazovick, Kyana Luyando, Sam Sharp, Colette Walsh, Qianhui Wang, Ayden Wilson, Ayla Yildiz, Leah Zripko
Program Note: Inspired by Paul Signac’s Antibes, The Pink Cloud—a distant memory. —Esther Pauline Farley, choreographer
—Intermission—
On One (world premiere)
Choreography: Matthew Crittenden (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Assistant: Lauren Smith (BFA '28, contemporary dance)
Music: Nicholas Britrel (“The Middle of the World”); Jeremy Zuckerman (“The Rules”)
Costume Design: Matthew Crittenden
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Matthew Crittenden, Tamia Jauné, Ololade Robinson, Aja Simms, Makayla Williams
Program Note: By confronting negative forces, racial stereotypes, and other divisions, On One provides a transformative experience that empowers the audience to embrace their differences and transform adversity into strength and meaning. —Matthew Crittenden, choreographer
Assistant: Lauren Smith (BFA '28, contemporary dance)
Music: Nicholas Britrel (“The Middle of the World”); Jeremy Zuckerman (“The Rules”)
Costume Design: Matthew Crittenden
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Matthew Crittenden, Tamia Jauné, Ololade Robinson, Aja Simms, Makayla Williams
Program Note: By confronting negative forces, racial stereotypes, and other divisions, On One provides a transformative experience that empowers the audience to embrace their differences and transform adversity into strength and meaning. —Matthew Crittenden, choreographer
I Am Forgetting the Sound of Your Voice (world premiere)
Choreography: Kevin Higgins (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Rehearsal Assistance: Caitlin Eswein (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Music: Original composition by Olek Nivette (“Kevin”)
Costume Design: Kevin Higgins and the dancers
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Caitlin Eswein, Shiori Hamanaka, Tarra Liu, Maia Madrigal Frid, Joelis Martínez-Santiago, Madi McAlister, Kiley Nomura, Abby Osterink, Ella Schroeder, McKinley Tolliver, Madison Wagaman, Julia Zingler
Program Note: I look into the mirror and can’t recognize this face, I don’t know the sound of this voice. When did I become you? —Kevin Higgins, choreographer
Rehearsal Assistance: Caitlin Eswein (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Music: Original composition by Olek Nivette (“Kevin”)
Costume Design: Kevin Higgins and the dancers
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Caitlin Eswein, Shiori Hamanaka, Tarra Liu, Maia Madrigal Frid, Joelis Martínez-Santiago, Madi McAlister, Kiley Nomura, Abby Osterink, Ella Schroeder, McKinley Tolliver, Madison Wagaman, Julia Zingler
Program Note: I look into the mirror and can’t recognize this face, I don’t know the sound of this voice. When did I become you? —Kevin Higgins, choreographer
Lacuna (world premiere)
Choreography: Yuniel Betancourt (BFA '27, contemporary dance)
Music: Piero Piccioni (“Mexican Dream,” “Mexican Dream (Alternate Version)”)
Costume Design: Yuniel Betancourt
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Amanda Bacallao, Yuniel Betancourt, Cara Breeding
Music: Piero Piccioni (“Mexican Dream,” “Mexican Dream (Alternate Version)”)
Costume Design: Yuniel Betancourt
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Amanda Bacallao, Yuniel Betancourt, Cara Breeding
Escape the Fall (world premiere)
Choreography: Nigel Clifford (BFA '26, contemporary dance) in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Rachmaninoff (Vespers, op. 37, IX. Blessed Art Thou, O Lord); National Choir of the Ukraine (“Dumka”)
Costume Design: Nigel Clifford, Hannah Sum
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Sophia Cobo Ruiz, Dimitris Michailidis
Music: Rachmaninoff (Vespers, op. 37, IX. Blessed Art Thou, O Lord); National Choir of the Ukraine (“Dumka”)
Costume Design: Nigel Clifford, Hannah Sum
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Sophia Cobo Ruiz, Dimitris Michailidis
You and Me and All the Stars of the Galaxy We Call the Milky Way (world premiere)
Choreography: Ana G. Delgado Cruz (BFA '25, contemporary dance), Kimberly Vasileva (BFA '25, contemporary dance)
Music: Monty Python (“Galaxy Song”)
Costume Design: Ana G. Delgado Cruz, Kimberly Vasileva
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Ana G. Delgado Cruz, Kimberly Vasileva
Program Note: A playful duet of unexpected pathways, focusing on juxtaposed flow. —Ana G. Delgado Cruz and Kimberly Vasileva, choreographers
Music: Monty Python (“Galaxy Song”)
Costume Design: Ana G. Delgado Cruz, Kimberly Vasileva
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Ana G. Delgado Cruz, Kimberly Vasileva
Program Note: A playful duet of unexpected pathways, focusing on juxtaposed flow. —Ana G. Delgado Cruz and Kimberly Vasileva, choreographers
Strenuous (world premiere)
Choreography: Michael Braun (BFA '26, contemporary dance)
Music: Teebs (“Prayers I”); Niels Duursma (“Sketch KL1688”)
Costume Design: Michael Braun, Cara Breeding
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performer: Cara Breeding
Music: Teebs (“Prayers I”); Niels Duursma (“Sketch KL1688”)
Costume Design: Michael Braun, Cara Breeding
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performer: Cara Breeding
TOO LAT3 (world premiere)
Choreography: Hailey Fleming (BFA '25, contemporary dance)
Music: Xhin, Lucy (“Link – Lucy Remix”)
Costume Design: Hailey Fleming, Amber Lew
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Kanella Benavides, Kevin Higgins, Emily Winkelbauer
Music: Xhin, Lucy (“Link – Lucy Remix”)
Costume Design: Hailey Fleming, Amber Lew
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Kanella Benavides, Kevin Higgins, Emily Winkelbauer
The Enemy of My Enemy Is… (world premiere)
Choreography: Jessie Lee Thorne (BFA '15, contemporary dance) in collaboration with the dancers
Choreographic Collaboration: Laja Field
Rehearsal Direction: Russell Clarke
Rehearsal Assistance: Ali Cederholm, Ana G. Delgado Cruz, Ekko Greenbaum
Music Credits: Movie Sounds (“I’m Not As Drunk As I Think I Am”); A001 (“Gyno”); Hollywood Trailer Music Orchestra (“Silent Movie Chaos,” “The Great Train Heist,” “Dumb Luck”); Gold-Tiger (“Comedy Jazz”); selected by Jessie Lee Thorne and mixed by Gaboosh
Costume Design: Jen Greeke
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Emilia Cohen, Dante Dhar, Grayson Gizdic, Alex Grant, Akalah Jo-Burdine, Natalie Marlowe, Audrey McNinch, Taylor Moxey, Lucy Nagraj, Sayler Nguyen, Elvis Pietrzak, Aubrynn Schneider, Lauren Smith, Maddox Stott, Sarah Swoope, Alexis Taborda
Program Note: This piece is inspired by the brilliance of Buster Keaton and Donald O’Connor, as well as the silent film era’s playful, physical storytelling. —Jessie Lee Thorne, choreographer
Choreographic Collaboration: Laja Field
Rehearsal Direction: Russell Clarke
Rehearsal Assistance: Ali Cederholm, Ana G. Delgado Cruz, Ekko Greenbaum
Music Credits: Movie Sounds (“I’m Not As Drunk As I Think I Am”); A001 (“Gyno”); Hollywood Trailer Music Orchestra (“Silent Movie Chaos,” “The Great Train Heist,” “Dumb Luck”); Gold-Tiger (“Comedy Jazz”); selected by Jessie Lee Thorne and mixed by Gaboosh
Costume Design: Jen Greeke
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Emilia Cohen, Dante Dhar, Grayson Gizdic, Alex Grant, Akalah Jo-Burdine, Natalie Marlowe, Audrey McNinch, Taylor Moxey, Lucy Nagraj, Sayler Nguyen, Elvis Pietrzak, Aubrynn Schneider, Lauren Smith, Maddox Stott, Sarah Swoope, Alexis Taborda
Program Note: This piece is inspired by the brilliance of Buster Keaton and Donald O’Connor, as well as the silent film era’s playful, physical storytelling. —Jessie Lee Thorne, choreographer
Production Credits
DANCE DIVISION STAFF:
Dean of Dance: Tommy Neblett
Interim Chair of Dance: Marissa Parmenter
Assistant to the Dean: Isabella Sun
Administrative Assistant: Margaret Falcone
CREATIVE TEAM:
Artistic Director/Producer: Diane Arvanites
Rehearsal Directors: Russell Clarke, Dean Vollick
Costume Designer: Jen Greeke
Lighting Designer: Paul Marr
BOSTON CONSERVATORY AT BERKLEE PERFORMANCE SERVICES STAFF:
Director of Performance Services – Hanna Oravec
Assistant Director of Production – Rebecca Donald
Principal Stage Manager – Bethany Rachel
Production Stage Manager – Bethany Rachel
Production Assistant Stage Manager – Kendra Waugh
Mainstage Technical Director – Taylor Kaufman
Assistant Technical Director – Caleb D. Harris
Costume Shop Manager – Alison Pugh
Assistant Costume Shop Manager – Leah Foley
Wardrobe Manager – Blue Barber
Wardrobe Assistant – Taz Meyers
Stock Manager/Draper/Stitcher – Kathy Scott
Drapers/Stitcher – Becca Jewett, Sam Martin
Stitchers – Grey Bayliss, Aryn Murphy, Natasha Newcomb, Jackie Olivia, Lindsey Weaver
Costume Production Assistant – Jackie Olivia
Costume Shop Intern – Heily Rivas
Lighting Supervisor – Jacob Inman
Production Electrician – Gabe Goldman
Sound Supervisor/ A1 – Steve Deptula
Sound Engineer – Maddy Poston
Properties Manager – Hannah Spangler
Fly Console Operator – Nick LaRosa
Performance Technology Technicians – Goran Daskalov, Sara Pagiaro
Assistant Director of Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Senior Ticket Operations and Patron Services Manager – Kelley Brennan
STUDENT PRODUCTION STAFF:
Costume Shop Assistants – Elizabeth Hillman, Amber Lew, Ainé Lindsay, Olivia Pike
Student Assistant Stage Manager – Carson Hollingsworth, Demitra Ypsilantis
Light Board Operator – Willow Garrison
Sound Board Operator – Maggie McClure
Wardrobe Crew – Evan Danyliw, Catie Gorton, Sadie Moore
Run Crew – Ava Schara
Dean of Dance: Tommy Neblett
Interim Chair of Dance: Marissa Parmenter
Assistant to the Dean: Isabella Sun
Administrative Assistant: Margaret Falcone
CREATIVE TEAM:
Artistic Director/Producer: Diane Arvanites
Rehearsal Directors: Russell Clarke, Dean Vollick
Costume Designer: Jen Greeke
Lighting Designer: Paul Marr
BOSTON CONSERVATORY AT BERKLEE PERFORMANCE SERVICES STAFF:
Director of Performance Services – Hanna Oravec
Assistant Director of Production – Rebecca Donald
Principal Stage Manager – Bethany Rachel
Production Stage Manager – Bethany Rachel
Production Assistant Stage Manager – Kendra Waugh
Mainstage Technical Director – Taylor Kaufman
Assistant Technical Director – Caleb D. Harris
Costume Shop Manager – Alison Pugh
Assistant Costume Shop Manager – Leah Foley
Wardrobe Manager – Blue Barber
Wardrobe Assistant – Taz Meyers
Stock Manager/Draper/Stitcher – Kathy Scott
Drapers/Stitcher – Becca Jewett, Sam Martin
Stitchers – Grey Bayliss, Aryn Murphy, Natasha Newcomb, Jackie Olivia, Lindsey Weaver
Costume Production Assistant – Jackie Olivia
Costume Shop Intern – Heily Rivas
Lighting Supervisor – Jacob Inman
Production Electrician – Gabe Goldman
Sound Supervisor/ A1 – Steve Deptula
Sound Engineer – Maddy Poston
Properties Manager – Hannah Spangler
Fly Console Operator – Nick LaRosa
Performance Technology Technicians – Goran Daskalov, Sara Pagiaro
Assistant Director of Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Senior Ticket Operations and Patron Services Manager – Kelley Brennan
STUDENT PRODUCTION STAFF:
Costume Shop Assistants – Elizabeth Hillman, Amber Lew, Ainé Lindsay, Olivia Pike
Student Assistant Stage Manager – Carson Hollingsworth, Demitra Ypsilantis
Light Board Operator – Willow Garrison
Sound Board Operator – Maggie McClure
Wardrobe Crew – Evan Danyliw, Catie Gorton, Sadie Moore
Run Crew – Ava Schara
About the Artists
Diane Arvanites, producer and artistic director of WinterWorks, teaches composition, modern partnering, and somatic techniques. She has been an associate professor at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee on faculty since 1994. She is a body activist, a movement educator, and a creative artist. Honored as a Distinguished Alumni of Boston Conservatory in 2002, Arvanites has had an extensive history as an award-winning choreographer and educator, and as the co–artistic director of Prometheus Dance with Tommy Neblett. Arvanites received her BFA from Boston Conservatory in 1980. Learn more about Arvanites.
Esther Pauline Farley, alumni choreographer, is a multimedia artist dedicated to storytelling through movement. She was a company member of Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. She founded Bodies of Water Dance and serves as its artistic director, leading the company in exploring emotion and connection. She is honored to be back at Boston Conservatory. Learn more about Farley.
Jessie Lee Thorne (she/they), alumni choreographer, is a queer artist weaving between the worlds of live performance and film. A founding member of The TL Collective, she spent seven years touring internationally. Her award-winning films and choreography have been showcased at festivals and theaters worldwide. Thorne shares her craft through workshops, exploring the intersection of movement and storytelling across disciplines. Learn more about Thorne.
Esther Pauline Farley, alumni choreographer, is a multimedia artist dedicated to storytelling through movement. She was a company member of Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. She founded Bodies of Water Dance and serves as its artistic director, leading the company in exploring emotion and connection. She is honored to be back at Boston Conservatory. Learn more about Farley.
Jessie Lee Thorne (she/they), alumni choreographer, is a queer artist weaving between the worlds of live performance and film. A founding member of The TL Collective, she spent seven years touring internationally. Her award-winning films and choreography have been showcased at festivals and theaters worldwide. Thorne shares her craft through workshops, exploring the intersection of movement and storytelling across disciplines. Learn more about Thorne.
Special Thanks
As always, thank you to this year’s adjudicators: Brian McGinnis, Kurt Douglas, Ruka White, Daniel McCusker, and Lonnie Stanton. All are remarkable educators and colleagues. Thank you to each and every student choreographer and dancer who participated in both the audition process and this year’s performances. Thank you to Tommy Neblett, dean of dance, Marissa Parmenter, interim chair of dance, Isabella (Sun) Wang, and Margaret Falcone, for supporting this annual concert, myself, the choreographers, and the dancers. A grateful thank you to the amazing production crew who make it possible to put the production on stage in a beautiful professional and seamless way, and lastly to our audience for taking in all that these young artists have to offer.
—Diane Arvanites, Producer of WinterWorks
—Diane Arvanites, Producer of WinterWorks
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