The University of Rhode Island Dance Company held its Spring 2026 Showcase on Saturday, combining strict technique and musical styles to form a cohesive multi-act performance.
After a semester of practice and preparation, URI Dance Co. put together a two-act show featuring 32 dances spanning different dance styles, including jazz, tap, pointe, hip-hop, ballet and lyrical.
The show began with a number that featured the officers and teachers of Dance Co. Set to “Von Dutch” by Charli XCX, the dance displayed the talent of the crew and set the mood for the performance.
The first act featured seven solos, each in its own style. Two of the company’s seniors, Carly Valente and Olivia White, performed their last solos.
To “Freedom” by Beyoncé, White delivered a high-energy dance with quick and stern dance moves. Valente performed a solo to “Fine Line” by Harry Styles, capturing the deep emotion of completing her final dance with the company.
Two duos came in the first act of Maddie Gaulin and Kaylee Thrul, Veronica Nelson and Katie Langevin. The first duo brought Bruno Mars’ “Natalie” to life in a tap style, hitting the ground hard with each beat. The second featured a song from the early 2010s, rocking the crowd to “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO.
Between the individual and duo performances were large group acts, featuring multiple styles of dance.
The numbers included a jazz dance to the tune of “Rich Girl” by Gwen Stefani, a lyrical dance to “Hey Jude” by The Beatles, a hip-hop dance to “Hot in Herre” by Nelly, a ballet number to “Everlasting Love” by Natalie Cole, a pointe dance to “It’s so Easy” by Olivia Dean and a tap dance to “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton.
The second act featured six solos. One solo, by Meghan Tremblay, utilized symbolism and imagery, wearing a light blue dress using free-flowing dance moves, standing for the shore mentioned in “The Ghost on the Shore” by Lord Huron.
To “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” by Jeff Buckley, Catherine DeAngelo and Peyton Ferry delivered a number which featured two souls moving closer and farther away from each other, representing a relationship that is torn.
Isabella Luisi and Tessa Izzo used their performance to deliver a message to the audience, to “Let It Be,” as The Beatles put it in their song.
The lone trio of the show, featuring Katie Mills, Raine Cripps-Furlong and Ada-Loeding Matthews, gave a street-style hip-hop performance of Flo Rida’s “Right Round.”
Six group dances were featured that blended the genre of music with the style of dance. Through tap, the group brought the power of “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne to life. To a mashup of famous Pink Floyd songs, the lyrical dance group punctuated the words of each song.
To conclude the group dances, the seniors of the company performed a number to “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, signifying the end of their long and heartfelt journey with URI Dance Co.
The finale featured every member of the company. While the moves were simple, the number captured the spirit of the showcase.
For the dancers, the show can almost pass by, but the feeling is amazing, according to DeAngelo.
“It felt great,” DeAngelo said. “I get on stage and I kind of black out and I don’t remember anything, but I had such a good time. I always have a good time.”
For the seniors, their final performance brought some sadness but allowed a moment to appreciate their time in URI Dance Co., according to Valente.
“I feel sad, but I’m filled with so much gratitude and grace,” Valente said. “I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. I wouldn’t change this experience for the world. Of course, I wish I had a couple more semesters in me, but it was a beautiful ending, and it was a beautiful show.”
As the semester comes to a close, URI Dance Co. is looking to the future and beginning to think about its Fall 2026 Showcase. More information about the company is available on their Instagram page.
