Zodiaque closes in on dance perfection

Long hours, sore muscles, and countless bruises pay off later in a big way for dancers who devote their lives to perfecting their art.

The fancy footwork of the highly talented individuals in the Zodiaque Dance Company at UB not only leaves an impact on audiences now, but the experience of student involvement with the company remains long after the final curtain call.

"Even though students are majors in the company and have a B.A. or a B.F.A., Zodiaque is a training ground for performing dance majors," Tressa Gorman Crehan, director of the company, said.

Created in 1973 by Linda Swiniuch, the Zodiaque Dance Company stands apart from many other college programs by offering and emphasizing many styles of dance, including modern, ballet, jazz, and tap. Although composed primarily of junior and senior dance majors, anyone can try out. Held in the fall, the auditions attract anywhere from 80 to 90 budding performers, who must show off their skills before a panel of faculty.

"We evaluate the potential technique of a student and their open-mindedness to dance," said Crehan.

With only 26 members this year alone, getting in is no small feat.

It is a challenge that Claire Jacob-Zysman, a senior dance major, and Megan Castlevetere, a junior dance major, know well. After applying every year since they were freshmen, both girls were finally accepted last semester.

"It's an honor to be in it because that's what everyone works for. Everyone wants to get into Zodiaque," said Jacob-Zysman.

Once dancers make it into the company, rehearsals are a large component of their daily activities.

"We come back a week early from Christmas break and have two and a half rehearsals a day, three or four times a week, for one piece," Castlevetere said. "Then during the semester rehearsals are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday."

Zodiaque may be a serious commitment of both time and energy, but according to Crehan, students who are involved with the company for a year have a greater opportunity to learn and gain more from the experience.

"By students doing this for two semesters, it allows for a longer time for the process to grow as both a company and as a dancer," she said.

While striving to achieve excellence and prepare students for careers in dance, Zodiaque gives students firsthand experiences of what a dancer may deal with.

"They want to prepare you for a professional dance world, so you get to work with many choreographers, which is beneficial," Castlevetere said.

Jacob-Zysman agreed.

"You get the chance to experience different people and see how they operate," she said.

While some of these skills are specific, others can be applied more in general, everyday situations found outside the dance studio.

"It prepares you for other professional experiences such as work ethic and time management," Castlevetere said.

Twice a semester the company showcases the hard work and dedication of the students in dance concerts. When their hard work finally culminates into an amazing performance, students said it makes all of their toils and exertions worth it.

"The improvements of the individual are just as beautiful as the dance itself," Crehan said. "It's worth it to watch students grow and finally get it, as though a light bulb goes on."

For the spring semester concert, Zodiaque hosted "The Wonder of Dance," which took place at the Drama Theater in the CFA throughout February.

The concert, which featured nine dances, was choreographed by faculty members Melanie Aceto, Tressa Crehan, Karen Georger, Tracy Navarro, Tom Ralabate, and William E. Thomas, and student Brittney Griffin. Guest choreographers also included world renowned Bill Evans from Brockport and local professional Elaine Gardner.

"Everyone can enjoy dance concerts," Crehan said. "All of the students are very accomplished and perform at a high level. All of the faculty is very proud."