Performance Through Dance: An insight into different dance groups at the College of William and Mary
If there’s a style of dance you’re looking to get involved with, good news! There’s probably a group on campus for you. From educational to competitive, dancers of all levels can find a place to thrive. The College of William and Mary offers clubs and teams in various styles of dance, including, but not limited to, tap, ballet, modern, bhangra, salsa, hip-hop, Irish, Afro-Caribbean, line, and ballroom. I had the chance to sit down with members from Pointe Blank Dance Company, Syndicate Hip Hop Dance Team, and Orchesis Modern Dance to get further insight into the audition, rehearsal, performance, and behind-the-scenes processes of each group.
Pointe Blank Dance Company is a student-run organization specializing in jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop. Within Pointe Blank, there is a smaller tap company that holds a separate audition process for those interested in joining. The company has around 50-60 members, varying by semester. The general audition process occurs once at the beginning of each semester, consisting of a warm-up across the floor followed by a dance sequence taught by members of the company. After being an active member for at least one semester, dancers can volunteer to choreograph up to two pieces for the semesterly performances.
Dancers rank the pieces they want to participate in and are generally able to be in any piece they would like, but those interested in tap pieces have a separate audition. Each piece rehearses for an hour weekly on a fixed schedule, so dancers often choose their pieces based on their availability. Semesterly performances consist of approximately 18-20 dances in various styles, culminating in an all-company finale piece.
Victoria Stoner ’26 spoke about her time in the company. As someone who has danced since she was three years old, Stoner joined Pointe Blank her freshman spring and has since participated as a ballet dancer and contemporary choreographer, as well as danced in other numbers. She served as the group’s social chair during her second and third years and has regularly participated in other relaxed traditions with the company. Some of Stoner’s favorites include pre-rehearsal dinners, big-little clue weeks, and performance watch parties.
“Pointe Blank has given me the opportunity to expand on what I can do as a choreographer [and] as a creator, and that’s something I’ve really enjoyed about the company,” Stoner said.
Syndicate Dance Team is made up of approximately 40-50 dancers specializing in hip-hop. This student-run group also puts on semesterly performances consisting of 15-20 student-choreographed dances. Additionally, Syndicate holds guest performances throughout the year during Family Weekend and the Homecoming Parade. Performances are given a different title each semester, revolving around a central idea that plays on the word Syndicate. For example, the fall 2024 showcase was called “Syndissance,” and the spring 2024 showcase was “Syndecades.” Syndicate also hosts multiple free student workshops a semester, where members offer instructional and fun hip-hop classes.
Syndicate holds auditions semesterly that are open to dancers of all levels. Members teach a short, 30-second combo, performed in small groups by auditionees, followed by some freestyle. Dancers who have been members for at least one semester and wish to choreograph sign up on a sheet, to which dancers can then add their names. Once the dancers are confirmed, a rehearsal schedule is determined, usually consisting of an hour of rehearsal per week.
Outside of dance, Syndicate members participate in traditions such as trips to Yorktown Beach, big-little pairings, and semesterly formals, which include a superlative ceremony. Bella Guastaferri ’26, who joined Syndicate in fall 2024 after dancing various styles for 12 years, reflected on her experience with the group.
“Syndicate is one of my favorite activities I’ve joined on campus,” Guastaferri said. “Everyone in the company is so talented and also so down to earth, supportive, and kind, so it’s been a great environment to be in. And I always look forward to practice and rehearsal.”
Finally, Orchesis Modern Dance Company is the College’s official dance company, consisting of 30-40 dancers and three professors. The company has semesterly performances, called Dancevent and Evening of Dance, in the fall and spring, respectively. Dancevent consists of three to four pieces choreographed by professors, each about 12-15 minutes long. Evening of Dance is student-choreographed, and generally features nine to 10 pieces, each around five to six minutes long. For the spring, student dancers who wish to choreograph write an application including their artistic vision, song choice, cast of dancers, and costumes. Professors of the company choose the pieces they feel are the strongest for performance in that showcase.
When deciding the cast for student-choreographed pieces, the choreographer teaches the company a 30-second segment of their dance. Then, dancers rank which dances they would like to perform in, while choreographers rank which dancers they envision in their piece. In the fall, rehearsals often occur twice a week for two hours each, while spring pieces meet for an hour and a half weekly. Auditions consist of a series of combinations taught by current company members, which are then performed by auditionees in groups of three to four. Dancers may then be called back for solo performances, which range from improvisational dance, a self-choreographed piece, or a past solo.
Faith Dailo ’26 shared that Orchesis has been one of her most formative experiences as a student at the College. Since joining in the fall semester of her first year, Dailo has served as social chair, visibility chair, and group choreographer. In addition to dances, Faith mentioned the memories that have made Orchesis so enjoyable, including her family line, wine and cheese nights, and giving roses to new members and graduating seniors.
“Orchesis is my favorite thing I’ve joined on campus and probably what I will take away the most from my college experience,” Dailo said. “I wasn’t expecting to dance at all at college, and I feel like it was meant to be on the first day of classes when I saw the flyer for auditions.”
Being able to speak with members from different dance groups on campus was such a wonderful experience, allowing me to show you what makes each group unique and enjoyable. Performance dates are posted on each group’s social media, and I highly encourage taking the time to attend as many as you can. After attending a few myself in past semesters, I have been wowed by the talent and dedication of our College’s various dance groups.