The Cabrini Dance Team participated in their first dance festival at West Chester University on Saturday, Jan. 24.
With the help of Dr. Michelle Filling, English professor and Cabrini’s new Dance Team coach, the girls were able to submit a successful audition tape and made it in the highly competitive competition over many other schools in the Philadelphia area.
“I’m really proud of the girls, they’ve grown a lot since the fall,” Filling said. “It was a great honor for them to be selected, it inspired them to be performing with other dancers and representing their school.”
Filling began working with the girls this year, and is part of the WCU alumni dance chapter.
“Having Dr. Filling as our coach has really helped the team and has given us so many more opportunities,” Elle Bowers, freshman undecided major, said. “She brings our dancing to a new level and challenges us with different activities and events.”
Among 18 performances, the Cabrini Dance Team’s “The Haunting” performance to Disturbia by Rihanna captured tons of attention. The girls wore eye-catching pink, white and black zombie costumes.
“It was a bonding experience for the girls,” Filling said. “It was nice to see a bigger dance scene and see them noticed more on campus.”
The team learned the first part of their dance for their audition tape. Once they were selected, they had over a month to learn the rest and make sure it was perfect.
“They love performing for the basketball games, but it was nice for the team to perform at a venue where the audience is there to see dance and appreciate all the hard work they had put into it,” Filling said.
The winter dance festival’s proceeds went to a dance scholarship at WCU. The University set up a whole day of events.
The girl’s attended a master dance class and rehearsals throughout the day.
“It’s nice to award students who are interested in arts, so they can pursue their education,” Filling said.
“Being invited to the dance festival was a big thing us. It gave us great publicity and gave us a lot of confidence about our team,” Lauren Bariglio, freshman special and elementary education major, said.
