ULV Dance Team Prepares for Ontario Reign Performance
The 西瓜影视;Verne Dance Team poses after a Homecoming halftime performance. (Courtesy Taylor Fukunaga)
Driven by passion, creativity, and community, student dancers take center stage in a performance ready to light up the Toyota Arena
When the music starts at the Ontario Reign ice hockey halftime show on Tuesday,听the 西瓜影视;Verne Dance Team will take center stage in one of their biggest performances yet.听For the dancers, this is more than a routine; it鈥檚 the result of late-night practices, creative collaboration, and a shared passion that brings together students from across campus.听
鈥淲e dance for each other,鈥� said team captain Taylor Fukunaga, who helps choreograph the team鈥檚 hip-hop pieces. 鈥淲e train together, we work together, and at the end of the day, we鈥檙e one big team. I hope people can see that when we perform.鈥� That sense of unity is at the heart of the ULV Dance Team experience that prioritizes connection.
For Emily Saldivar, a senior and team captain, the upcoming performance carries even more meaning: it will be her final time performing with the team.鈥淚t鈥檚 not about being the most technical dancer,鈥� said Saldivar. 鈥淵ou just have to bring your passion and your dedication. That鈥檚 what we value most. I鈥檓 excited to perform on the ice. It鈥檚 such a different experience,and to have my family there, my friends鈥� it鈥檚 really special.鈥�听
The Ontario Reign performance will feature original choreography and a mix of nostalgic, high-energy music designed to connect with a wide audience. 鈥淚 think people should expect something really dynamic,鈥� Saldivar said. 鈥淭he choreography is creative, and it鈥檚 something we haven鈥檛 done before.鈥�
For many dancers, the performance is also a chance to showcase their own creative voices. Jeniyah McCarty, a legal studies major and captain, contributed choreography to this year鈥檚 routine. 鈥淚 dance because it lets me express my feelings,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to explain emotions sometimes, but through dance, you can just feel it. I鈥檓 really excited for people to see what we鈥檝e created.鈥�听During rehearsals, dancers work together to merge different styles and ideas into one cohesive performance. 鈥淭here was a moment in practice where everything just clicked,鈥� McCarty said. 鈥淲e had different visions, but they came together seamlessly. That鈥檚 when I knew this was going to be really good.鈥� 听
Behind the scenes, the team balances demanding rehearsals with academics, jobs, and campus involvement. Many members rely on careful scheduling and discipline to make it all work. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about time management,鈥� said Brianna Valdez, a freshman on the team. 鈥淲e鈥檙e constantly planning, studying in between everything, but once we鈥檙e in practice, we give it 100 percent.鈥�
Even with the challenges, dancers say the experience is deeply rewarding. 鈥淚 joined to meet new people and stay involved,鈥� said Kevlyn Martinez, a returning sophomore member. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 become so much more than that. It鈥檚 shaped my college experience and helped me grow more confident.鈥�听
For others, dance serves as both an outlet and a sense of home. 鈥淚鈥檝e been dancing my whole life,鈥� said Bre Symone, a recent team captain. 鈥淏eing on this team gives me a space to be myself and just escape for a little while. It鈥檚 something that鈥檚 always been mine.鈥� That sense of belonging is echoed across the team, where friendships often turn into something closer to family. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a sisterhood,鈥� said Maylah Chanel, a recently appointed team captain. 鈥淲e support each other, we grow together, and performing together is one of the best feelings.鈥� 听
As the team prepares to take the stage, excitement continues to build, not just for the performance itself, but for what it represents.听Performing at a professional arena like the Ontario Reign game offers a rare opportunity to showcase the importance of the arts at ULV and beyond. 鈥淭his is about more than just us,鈥� Martinez said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about representing our team and our university, and showing people what we can do.鈥�听
For Fukunaga, the experience comes down to something simple. 鈥淚 dance because it brings me joy,鈥� she said. 鈥淣o matter what鈥檚 going on, when I鈥檓 dancing, I feel like myself.鈥澨鼳nd when the music hits, everything else fades away. 鈥淵ou stop thinking,鈥� she added. 鈥淵ou just perform.鈥�听
Tickets are available at:
