Stonehill Dance Organizations

Sport type: Club sport
Dance styles: Jazz, hip hop and pom

The Stonehill College Dance Team (SCDT) is an audition-based team that performs at all home football and basketball games as well as Skyhawk Madness. In the spring semester, SCDT competes in the New England Dance Championship (regionals) and the DTU College Classic (nationals).

SCDT practices 3x per week with extended practices in March leading up to Nationals. 

SCDT offers leadership opportunities for its dancers, including Rookie Mentor, Fundraising Lead, Social Media Manager, and Team Captain. 

How do I audition?

Official SCDT auditions are held in April and June. Audition prep clinics take place early in the spring semester and may serve as a formal audition if needed. Specific details are shared on Instagram or by contacting Coach Michelle. Coaches look for strong technique, performance value, the ability to pick up and mirror choreography, and the capacity to apply corrections during the audition.

Contact Information

Coach: Michelle Montinieri - mmontinieri1@stonehill.edu

Instagram: @stonehilldanceteam

TikTok: @stonehilldanceteam1

Type: 1-Credit Academic Course

Dance styles: Lyrical, contemporary, ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop

The Stoneworks Dance Company (SWDC) is the official dance company of Stonehill College. This one-credit class is required for dance majors, but a dance major is not required to join the company. Stoneworks hosts performances each semester that showcase student-choreographed pieces created and performed by company members. Performances are held in Hemingway Theatre in the Duffy Academic Center.

The SWDC class meets on Monday nights, and attendance is mandatory for all company members. Additional rehearsals are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday at varying times, with members’ availability considered when scheduling.

SWDC also provides choreography opportunities. Dancers can choreograph small group pieces for the semester performance. Seniors in SWDC contribute to the production by overseeing program design, social media, music management, casting and scheduling, costuming, and full-company choreography.

How do I audition?

SWDC hosts auditions at the beginning of each semester. Dates are shared via Instagram and Stonehill email. Senior company members assist director Valerie Robertson during auditions. They look for a strong technical background, a professional and friendly attitude, and a willingness to take feedback and grow.

Contact Information

Director: Valerie Robertson – vrobertson@stonehill.edu

Instagram: @stonehillswdc

YouTube: Stonehill College Stoneworks Dance Company (@StonehillCollegeStoneworks)

Club Type: Campus Club

Dance classes offered: Ballet/pointe, hip hop, contemporary, modern, tap, lyrical and jazz

Dance Club is a campus organization that welcomes both dancers and non-dancers to dance, learn and have fun. No auditions or previous dance experience are required. The club hosts a recital each semester in Hemingway Theatre in the Duffy Academic Center to showcase what members have learned.

Each dance style is offered in its own class throughout the week, taught by experienced instructors. Class sign-ups take place at the start of each semester, when students select the classes they want to take.

Dance Club also provides choreography opportunities. Any member may create a solo or small group dance to perform in the recital. Members can apply for an E-Board position, which requires an application and interview. Positions include president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Contact Information

Current Dance Club President: Nicole Bernache – nbernache@students.stonehill.edu Instagram: @stonehilldanceclub

Club Type: Campus Club

Dance styles: Hip hop, step

Ruckus Hip Hop and Step Team is a campus club that welcomes both dancers and non-dancers to dance, learn and have fun. No fee, audition or prior experience is required to join. In the fall, Ruckus performs at Skyhawk Madness and other campus events. In the spring, the team performs at the DiverCity Festival and hosts a spring recital in Merkert Gymnasium.

Ruckus meets twice a week for full-group practices. New members can join by attending the first rehearsal of the fall or spring semester.

The team also offers choreography opportunities. Any member may choreograph a piece for the spring recital. Members may also apply for an E-board position, which includes an application and interview process. Positions include president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and public relations. E-board members have an additional opportunity to choreograph for Skyhawk Madness.

Contact Information

Current Ruckus President: Nicola Campiasono – ncampiasano@students.stonehill.edu

Instagram: @StonehillRuckus

TikTok: @StonehillRuckus

The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Collegiate Program

The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Collegiate Program recognizes the achievements of exceptional dance students. Its mission is to inspire exploration of dance education, choreography, performance, research, community outreach and advocacy while cultivating future leaders in dance education and performance.

NHSDA hosts events throughout the year, including guest workshops and classes. These events are typically open to all students, regardless of NHSDA membership.

Members may also apply for an E-Board position. Roles include president, vice president, outreach coordinator and junior chapter representative.

How to apply for NHSDA

To qualify for membership, students must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA at the time of induction and earn 45 points across three major categories in the NHSDA National Collegiate Point System. Students must also meet the requirements of at least six of the 10 total categories in artistic merit, leadership and academic achievement. All inductees are required to become members of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).

Contact information

Current NHSDA President: Niki Rourke – nrourke@students.stonehill.edu

Chapter Sponsor: Valerie Robertson – vrobertson@stonehill.edu