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EMIA 2026
WEEK FOUR PERFORMANCE
OLMSTED THEATER AT ADELPHI UNIVERSITY
AUGUST 1ST AT 2:30 PM
HOSTED BY DANIEL PADIERNA & RUDDY FRIAS
In Formation: Hear You. Hear me. Hear We.
ASCENDANCE 2026 FELLOWS
Choreographer: Maxine Lyle
Dancers: Lauren Alifano, Veronica Cheeseboro, Persephone DaCosta, Grace Deane, Uthman Ebrahim, Jennifer Gruet, Morgan Hasson, Daniella Hernandez, Michelle Isaac, Rachel Kampuries, Monica Lessard, Abigail Loper, Allison O'Donnell, Jessica Park, Lauren Rapoli, Britney Sandifer, Nyraena Simmons
Story in Six Songs
Choreographer: Alenka Cizmesija
Music: 'Road Signs Variations' - Ezzio Bosso
Dancers: Ellanora Cabrera, Alexa Coffin, Glory John, Izzy Marcinkowski, Amara Phillips, Kaya Sharpe, Alicia Steeple, Samantha Tannura
Take My Hand
Choreographer: Karen Gayle
Music: ‘Precious Lord’, ‘Take My Hand’, ‘You Got a Friend’ - Aretha Franklin, ‘The Old Landmark’ - James Brown
Dancers: Niqueya Alafita, Kyana Baldin, Elizabeth Dima, Makayla Dye, Kimberly Levy, Akosua NkitaMayala, Vaniya Patrick, Meadow Scheib, Alyssa Smith, Eleanor Solberg, Savannah Urgitano
Beat Goes On
EMERGING CHOREOGRAPHER
Choreographer: Syrai Forsythe
Music: ‘Bamboo Banga’ & ‘Come Around’ - M.I.A
Dancers: Sahara Ashford, Ellanora Cabrera, Hope Holloway, Kaya Sharpe, Alicia Steeple, Samantha Tannura
Beat Goes On explores the relationship between individuality and collective identity. Although the dancers move as one ensemble, each performer brings their own interpretation, energy, and movement quality, allowing the choreography to evolve through their unique artistry. Inspired by themes of empowerment, confidence, and strength, the work blends fierce, abstract movement with dynamic musicality to celebrate both personal expression and shared connection. Rather than asking the dancers to replicate my movement, I invited them to make it their own, demonstrating how a single choreographic vision can be transformed through different artists while remaining united as one collective.
Running Spirits
Choreographer: Fredrick Earl Mosley
Rehearsal Assistants: Daniel Padierna & Tasheka Scafe
Music: 'Rain', ‘Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence’ & ‘A Day a Gorilla Gives a Banana’ - Ryuichi Sakamoto
Live Percussion: Roderick Jackson
Dancers: Lauren Alifano, Rebekah Allwood, Love Barnes, Aurelia Birchard, Talia Blackmon, Milena Borisova, Tayla Byrd, Veronica Cheeseboro, Persephone DaCosta, Omolara Dawodu, Grace Deane, Uthman Ebrahim, Madyson Ellison, Justin Evans, Stella Finkel, Mila Friedman, EllaMary Groller, Jennifer Gruet, Mario Harper III, Grace Harris, Morgan Hasson, Morgan Hasson, Daniella Hernandez, Michelle Isaac, Rachel Kampuries, Nadia Katz, Monica Lessard, Abigail Loper, Allison O'Donnell, Jessica Park, Joshua Pringle, Lauren Rapoli, Alema Roberts, Britney Sandifer, Nyraena Simmons, Ahmani Simpson, Elise Stroud, Ellington Tanner, Makenzie Werkheiser, Addison Yan
~ INTERMISSION ~
Pressure
Choreographer: Daniel Moore
Music: 'Otto' - Woodkid
Dancer: Elizabeth Dima
Revenge
Choreographer: Ruddy Frias
Music: ‘Quorom Part 1’ - Mikel Rouse
Dancer: Omolara Dawodu
Beneath The Surface
Choreographer: Jeremy Pichardo
Music: 'Obstacle Course' - Christophe Zurfluh
Dancer: Makenzie Werkheiser
requited
Choreographer: Robert Redick
Music: ‘No Man’s Land - Piano Trio No. 1' - Ezzio Bosso
Dancer: Elise Stroud
Patience
EMIA ALUMNI
Choreographer: Justin Bowen, Paul Gamble, Kwesi Asante
Music: 'Rut' - Joe
Dancers: Kwesi Asante, Justin Bowen, Tatiana Azuri Cubi, Paul Gamble, Gabrielle Gamble, Arianna Stendardo-Gamble, Ellington Hurd-Tanner, Lucien Hurd-Tanner, Jayson Jean, Malachi Kingston, Payge Lecakes, Jeremy Pichardo, Xander Sanchez, Tasheka Scafe, Lindsay Sherrick, Charlie Siguenza, Martina Viadana, Riché Williams
Patience lives in the space between the call and the calling. It is for the artists who wait in the wings, leaning against the wall, trusting that when their moment arrives, they will dust off their shoes, step into the light, and give everything they have—before quietly returning to wait again. Created and performed by EMIA alumni, this work is both a reflection of that shared experience and the first step toward a growing alumni community: one built on enduring connection, unwavering support, and the belief that every return to the stage is worth the wait.
What do you remember?
Choreographer: Heidi Cruz-Austin
Music: ‘Fortanach’ - Sebastian Piano, ‘Six Breaths: VI Breath, The Last Breath’ - Ezio Bosso, The London Cello Ensemble
Dancers: Nasya Baine, Jordan Dease-Medley, Elizabeth Delcid, Korynn Gholston, Aleah Heithoff, Zion Hines, Hope Holloway, Tabitha Knudson, Leah Lieberman, Addiel Lucero, Abu Muhammad, Melody Orecchio, Portia Robinson, Jonah Thomas, Camille Yarrow, Noah Zogheib
This piece investigates the friction between recorded history versus embodied memory
Ashes to Asé
Choreographer: Ian J. DaSilva
Rehearsal Assistant: Jeremy Pichardo
Music: ‘Circlesong Two’ - Bobby McFerrin & ‘Chango (Inle-gue)’ - Latin Xpress
Dancers: Isabella Alessandrino, Gianna Alvarez, Sahara Ashford, Muna Blake, Chase Burl, Chloe Draper, Syrai Forsythe, Jayda Hill, Jayson Jean, Ana Levi, Ciera Lindsey, Pe'Ashayla Litchmore, Michael Middleton, Jeremy Pichardo, Alexander Sánchez, Lucien Tanner, Fiona Zhang
In remembrance of Cecelia DaSilva
Spirit of Maculele
Choreographer: Roderick Jackson
Percussionists: Jordan Dease-Medley, Justin Evans, Jayda Hill, Jayson Jean, Michael Middleton, Abu Muhammad, Melody Orecchio, Alema Roberts
Dancers: Niqueya Alafita, Kyana Baldin, Aurelia Birchard, Talia Blackmon, Milena Borisova, Tayla Byrd, Omolara Dawodu, Elizabeth Dima, Makayla Dye, Madyson Ellison, Stella Finkel, Mila Friedman, EllaMary Groller, MarioHarper III, Grace Harris, Nadia Katz, Kimberly Levy, Akosua NkitaMayala, Vaniya Patrick, Meadow Scheib, Ahmani Simpson, Alyssa Smith, Eleanor Solberg, Elise Stroud, Savannah Urgitano, Makenzie Werkheiser, Addison Yan
EMIA 2026 TEAM
FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Fredrick Earl Mosley
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & BOARD CHAIR
Candace Carponter
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Sheryl Pollard Thomas
PROGRAMS DIRECTORS
Daniel Padierna, Sheryl Pollard Thomas, Robert Redick
FINANCE MANAGER
Cassandra Carponter
DIGITAL MEDIA & MARKETING MANAGER
Riché Williams
COMMUNICATIONS & ARCHIVE MANAGER
McKenzie Brewer
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, ADELPHI
Gabriel Vargas
STAGE MANAGER & LIGHTING DESIGNER
Maggie DeFrees
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Daniel Padierna
PROGRAM DESIGN & SOUND OPERATOR
McKenzie Brewer
COSTUME & WARDROBE COORDINATOR
Isaiah K. Harvey
BACKSTAGE HANDS
Jade Bowen-Jean, Daniel L. Moore, Jeremy Pichardo, Lindsay Sherrick
PHOTOGRAPHER
Aidan Rivera
VIDEOGRAPHER
Cat Caruncho
COVER PHOTO
Thom Palko
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