esprit

 

 

We are excited to present our UVU Hip Hop Performance Company, Esprit d.c., in its second season! The company is directed by Martina Jorgensen. Esprit is supported by the Department of Dance and a School of the Arts High Impact Practices grant. Fueled by artistic, passionate company members, Esprit aims to bring the joy, unity, and appreciation of Hip Hop to their community.



THE UVU DEPARTMENT OF DANCE PRESENTS

Esprit d.c.

phenomenology

April 13 - 15, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.
Smith Theatre

Artistic Director
 Martina Jorgensen

 

Lighting Designer
Daymen Goodwin

 

Stage Manager
Maisie Bunker Nelson

 

Photographer
 Izzy Arrieta
  

 

 

 

PROGRAM


 

in the deep

Choreography: Jeffrey Louizia

Music: Medley Mix by Jeffrey Louzia (Kids See Ghosts, Senor Coconut, Emawk, Inflo, Shrillex & Nai Barghouti)

Performers: Featuring Emily Kearsley, Heath Apple, and Yoeli Apumayta Belleza

Ensemble: Ana Aguilar, Matt Dalebout, Jane Erickson, Dawson Fernstrom, Herby Fullmer, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Emma Jensen, Kylie Jensen, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Lexie Mattson, Jonathan Miller, Micah Pack, Kailey Parker, Ben Pena, Valeria Rodriguez, Shalia Taito, Karlee Secakuku, Breezy Seegmiller, Jonathan Torio



 

 

comfortability 

Choreography: Valeria Rodriguez

Music: Medley Mix by Kylie Jensen (Jay-Z, Kevin Lyttle, J Balvin, Mr Eazi)

Performers: Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Kylie Jensen, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Lexie Mattson, Valeria Rodriguez, Shalia Taito, Breezy Seegmiller




Unique le Même

Choreography: Johnathan Miller

Music: “Fils de Joie” by Stromae

Performers: Dawson Fernstrom, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Kylie Jensen, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Jonathan Miller, Micah Pack, Ben Pena, Karlee Secakuku



 

Look Around Us


 Choreography: Summer Hall

Music: Medley Mix by Summer Hall (Denzel Curry, KAYTRANADA, H.E.R., Armani White)

Performers: Ana Aguilar, Heath Apple, Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Matt Dalebout, Dawson Fernstrom, Herby Fullmer, Kylie Jensen, Micah Pack, Valeria Rodriguez, Karlee Secakuku

 

 

Like That
(Guest Performance by Hip Hop 1 & 2)

Choreography: Martina Jorgensen

Music: “Like That” by Memphis Bleek

PerformersAbbie Kimber, Alex Robles, Daniela Aldama, Isabella Pankratz, Jenna Georgeson, Jennifer Pugina, John Paul Story, Josh Rhoton, Kennedy Hawkins, Kiyah Clements, Lauren Bodine, Lauren Hammond, Miranda Rose, Shalia Taito, Sydney Sandoval, Vanessa Huerta



 

Right here

Choreography: Aiveni Wolfgramm

Music: Medley Mix by Aiveni Wolfgramm (Jibbs, Tayc, Monkey)

Performers: Ana Aguilar, Heath Apple, Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Matt Dalebout, Jane Erickson, Herby Fullmer, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Emma Jensen, Kylie Jensen, Emily Kearsley, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Jonathan Miller, Micah Pack, Kailey Parker, Ben Pena, Valeria Rodriguez, Shalia Taito, Karlee Secakuku, Breezy Seegmiller, Jonathan Torio




 

10-Minute INTERMISSION

 


 

 

American Boy

Choreography: Morgen Call 

Music: Medley Mix by Morgen Call (Estelle, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar)

Performers: Ana Aguilar, Heath Apple, Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Matt Dalebout, Jane Erickson, Herby Fullmer, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Emma Jensen, Kylie Jensen, Emily Kearsley, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Jonathan Miller, Micah Pack, Kailey Parker, Ben Pena, Valeria Rodriguez, Shalia Taito, Karlee Secakuku, Breezy Seegmiller, Jonathan Torio



 

 

easier if you just...

Choreography: Emily Kearsley 

Music: “Figures” by Jessie Reyez

Performers: Emily Kearsley




 

Lived experience

Choreography: Jonathan Torio, Kailey Parker, Jessy Licona Ibarra

Music: Original Mix by Matthew Chan and Jonathan Torio (Pinikpikan, Troyboi, Superfície, Matthew Chan, Jonathan Torio)

Performers: Ana Aguilar, Heath Apple, Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Matt Dalebout, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Emma Jensen, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Lexie Mattson, Johnathan Miller, Micah Pack, Kailey Parker, Jonathan Torio



 

comma

Choreography: Kylie Jensen

Music: Medley Mix by Kylie Jensen (Amber Mark, Arlo Parks, Tame Impala)

Performers: Ana Aguilar, Jane Erickson, Kylie Jensen, Emily Kearsley, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Lexie Mattson, Kailey Parker, Valeria Rodriguez, Karlee Secakuku, Jonathan Torio



 

 

respect the culture
(Guest Performance by solace)

Choreography: Emily Kearsley 

Music: “Count Me Out” by Kendrick Lamar

Performers: Samuel Adrian, Ahlia Aguilar, Shayla Batchelor, Charley Benedict, Damian Fuiava, Lia Halvas, Emily Kearsley, Spenser McCarthy, Jillian Mellenthin, Bayli Ramey, Tristin Seumanu, Fairy Taméz, Alexis Urianza




 

cyber
(esprit d.c. film)

*This film was recently chosen to represent UVU at the ACDA Northwest Regional Conference


Originally set for stage by Kylie Jensen, CYBER is a reimagined collaboration between Esprit d.c., and the UVU Broadcasting Department

Resetting by Kylie Jensen and Martina Jorgensen 

Directed by Brendan Larkin

Performers: Featuring Kylie Jensen and Heath Apple

Ensemble: Ana Aguilar, Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Tiffany Asay, Matt Dalebout, Tucker Dengin, Jane Erickson, Herby Fullmer, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Liz Harrison, Emma Jensen, Emily Kearsley, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Jonathan Miller, Zoe Nielson, Micah Pack, Kailey Parker, Ben Pena, Valeria Rodriguez, Shalia Taito, Karlee Secakuku, Breezy Seegmiller, Sadie Thomas, Jonathan Torio

 

 

Sonder

Choreography: Martina Jorgensen, Ammon Brown, Jeffrey Louizia, Ashlynn Bagley, BuddyLove

Music: Medley Mix by Christian Walker (The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, METTE, Travis Garland, Joji, The Pharmax Boys, G-Ross & Javier E., Earth, Wind & Fire)

Performers: Ana Aguilar, Heath Apple, Yoeli Apumayta Belleza, Matt Dalebout, Jane Erickson, Dawson Fernstrom, Herby Fullmer, Meshayla Gardinier, Jeremiah Gay, Summer Hall, Emma Jensen, Kylie Jensen, Emily Kearsley, Anika Laws, Jessy Licona Ibarra, Lexie Mattson, Jonathan Miller, Micah Pack, Kailey Parker, Ben Pena, Valeria Rodriguez, Shalia Taito, Karlee Secakuku, Breezy Seegmiller, Jonathan Torio



 

 

choreographer biographies


 

jeff
jeffrey boom louizia

 

Jeffrey Boom Louiziawas born and raised in Boston, MA. Jeffrey Louizia discovered his love for dance right in the middle of his home. Being a part of a culture where dance is the center of everyday life. He knew that it was written in the stars that dance was going to be a massive part of his life. Attending a performing arts high called Boston Arts Academy, he became proficient in many styles of dance. Jeffrey has studied extensively in ballet, tap, modern jazz, modern, hip hop, and  krump as well as traditional Haitian Folk dance. He has studied with such dance masters as Dianne Walker of "Black & Blue", Mark Morris, Bill T. Jones and Mandy Moore. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Dean College. Mr. Louizia’s performances have taken him all across New England, up and down the Eastern US seaboard, West Coast, and internationally. His strong base in choreography has led him to choreograph for MC Hammer,  The Disney Show, The Andi Mac show, Kia, doTERRA, and to co-choreograph for one of the top hitmakers in pop named Poo Bear who wrote major hits for artists like Justin Bieber, and to choreograph for a national touring band called The Salamanders. Jeffrey is the director for the Millennium Dance Complex Hip Hop Boom Crew in Salt Lake City.  Since moving to Los Angeles he has been in many music videos and industrials including Featured Dancer in the movie Dear Dumb Diary, Sketchers, Black Eyed Peas “Rock Your Body,” Taio Cruz “Dirty Picture,” Ace Hood ft lil Wayne and Rick Ross "Hustle" and American Idol winner Alexandra Burke’s “Start Without You.” He also performed with Odyssey Dance Theater for 5 years performing productions Thriller and Romeo and Juliet, touring the US and Europe. Jeffrey Louizia's ultimate passion is to teach, motivate and inspire as well as being inspired by all who share and do not share his love for dance. He truly believes that by using the platform of dance, we can practice believing in ourselves and really discovering our capabilities to maximize on our life and embrace our infinite worth! Unapologetically being ourselves and vibrating to our max, revealing what he calls the realest version of you!!

 

 

morgen

morgen call

 

Morgen Call is a professional dancer, instructor and choreographer who has a love for creative movement and artistic expression. She started dancing at the age of 9 when she instantly knew she had a passion for dance. Morgen attended and trained at Pioneer High School for the Performing Arts along with many other studios including The Dance Club, Millennium Dance Complex SLC and various others outside of the state. She has a strong foundation in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, House, Jazz Funk, Freestyle & Improvisation. Morgen has had the privilege of traveling the world to perform in shows for Fashion Week and has been a featured dancer in commercials such as Fabletics and KIA.  She is currently in her third season of dancing professionally with Junction Dance Company and is an instructor for their Youth Program. Morgen teaches Jazz Funk at Millennium Dance Complex SLC where she welcomes all levels and provides a safe space to explore creativity, advance in skills, and have fun! She aspires to help young movers find their own voice within dance without comparison or judgment. Morgen is grateful to be a part of a dance community that stands for unity, love, and inclusion. 

 

 

aiveni

Aiveni wolfgramm

 

Aiveni Wolfgramm found his love for dance through his late cousin, Siaosi Brown. Inspired by a YouTube parody video from NigaHiga, they learned a style called ‘finger tutting.’ They would collaborate frequently and perform for their family reunions and high school talent shows. Siaosi provided an opportunity for Polynesians to be recognized for more than sports and express the artistic nature in their veins. Aiveni plans to nurture the beautiful seed he planted for as long as he can. Aiveni has trained in Popping, Locking, House and New Jack. His style consists of fast, intricate movements with a lot of hand gestures (thanks to his early foundation in Finger Tutting). Aiveni’s performing opportunities include: Touring in China, competing in WOD Hawaii/ California, Colorado’s Verve, performing at the US Bank Stadium, performing with local companies like Junction, Boom Crew and Nutribe and dancing for local artist music videos. He’s had the pleasure of teaching weekly at Millennium Dance Complex and setting pieces on Utah companies and crews like Junction, Underground, Boom Crew and Esprit. Aiveni hopes to promote an uplifting and fun environment in whatever space he can take. Teaching what’s been taught to him and passing it down however he can- student by student, friend by friend.

 

marty
martina jorgensen

 

Martina Jorgensenis a recent graduate from Utah Valley University with a BFA in Modern Dance Performance. While pursuing her degree at UVU, Martina performed for Synergy, CDE, and Mos.A.I.C dance companies where she had the opportunity to work with many incredible guest choreographers including Mike Esperanza, Carl Flink, and Kumiko Kashiwagi. Martina was chosen to be a part of the re-staging and performance of Doris Humphrey’s masterful work, Passacaglia, by Jennifer Scanlan and Nina Watt alongside members of Repertory Dance Theater as a guest, student performer, and has also performed with Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company as a guest in Daniel Sharon’s work, Aberrations of Light. Since graduating she has choreographed and performed nationally and internationally, most recently traveling to China to perform with the Sino-American Cultural Exchange Program with Hip Hop Crew, FWD. Martina has taught for RDT’s Dance Center and choreographs for studios and companies throughout the state. She is so excited and grateful to be back home at UVU, now teaching Hip Hop courses and having the opportunity to build and direct a new Hip Hop Crew, Esprit d.c. Martina has always had a passion for creating and sharing meaningful art, and she is excited for the chance to make artistic opportunities more accessible to many populations, to help build dance in academia, and endeavor to connect cultures with dance as a bridge. 

 

ammon
ammon brown

 

Ammon Brown is a Utah based choreographer, teacher, and freestyle artist. Throughout his life, dance has been an integral part of his family culture, friend circle, and has also served as an individual creative outlet. Ammon is trained in a variety of styles including Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and traditional Polynesian forms. He attended Weber State University on a dance performance scholarship as well as Utah Valley University where he performed with Mos.A.I.C Dance Co. While living in South Africa for two years, Ammon found a love for teaching and sharing with others through dance. He continues to choreograph and teach at studios and Universities throughout Utah.

 

 

ashlynn
ashlynn bagley

 

Ashlynn Bagley has been dancing since she was three years old. She danced at L2D in Kaysville, Utah where she was trained in jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, and hip hop. In high school, she was a part of Davis High’s Dance Company and was the school’s Dance Sterling Scholar. She danced two seasons with Mos.A.I.C Dance Co. at UVU. She was also a part of Boom Crew at Millennium Dance Complex SLC for a year where they competed at the World of Dance Championships. She loves teaching and choreographing and especially loves the dance community and how it can bring people together.

 

 

buddybuddylove

 

BuddyLove is an artistic human being. Who has dived into the dance community of Utah. Finding love for the art in ways through freestyle movement, Hip-hop, dancehall, house and other styles of dance. This has led him to work professionally for HSMTMTS, Diplo, Nick Cannon, Banks & more. He loves to share this art with others and express authentically. His new love is teaching others and creating a space to grow and dive in people’s passion to movement!

 

 

More information on  UVU Department of Dance.

 

 

 

Esprit d.c. would like to extend a special thank you to Sarah Donohue, Monica Campbell, Ammon Brown, Buddy Hills, Chacho Valdez, Dj Skratchmo and all who have shared their time, energy, and talents with our company.

 

esprit

 

land

 

Dean's Message

Courtney Davis

Our mission is to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda.

The arts possess the unparalleled power to inspire, educate, liberate, and transform. They elevate moments, mark milestones, soften edges, and generate profound meaning. Experience the beauty and wonder of the arts with us this season at The Noorda and begin at once to live!

Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts

 
 

land acknowledgment

Land acknowledgement 

Utah Valley University acknowledges that we gather on land sacred to all Indigenous people who came before us in this vast crossroads region. The University is committed to working in partnership—as enacted through education and community activities—with Utah’s Native Nations comprising: the San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Uintah & Ouray Reservation of the Northern Ute, Skull Valley Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, and urban Indian communities. We recognize these Native Nations and their continued connections with traditional homelands, mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as their sovereign relationships with state and federal governments. We honor their collective memory and continued physical and spiritual presence. We revere their resilience and example in preserving their connections to the Creator and to all their relations, now and in the future.

With this statement comes responsibility and accountability. We resolve to follow up with actionable items to make the School of the Arts at UVU and The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts an inclusive, equitable, and just space for all. There is much work to be done, and we are committed to putting these words into practice.

Artwork by Shane Walking Eagle (Sisseton Dakota).

 
 

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