The Fisher Dance Club is stepping into the spotlight once again as it prepares for its annual fall recital — an event that showcases both the club’s diverse talent and the creativity of its student choreographers.

Each semester, members of Fisher Dance choreograph and perform original pieces in a variety of styles, from contemporary and jazz to hip hop. Many of the choreographers also serve on the club’s executive board, taking on both leadership and artistic roles as they bring their visions to life.

Jasline Cabrera – “Waves” by Dean Lewis (Contemporary)

For Jasline Cabrera, inspiration struck the moment she heard “Waves” by Dean Lewis — the song that would become the foundation of her contemporary piece. 

“I chose my song because it was the first song I listened to that instantly inspired me,” she said. “After continuously listening to the song, I found that I really liked the meaning behind the lyrics as well.”

The dance embodies the ebb and flow of life, mirroring the unpredictable rhythm of the ocean. “The song uses the metaphor of waves to represent unpredictable ups and downs in life,” Cabrera explained. “I have incorporated a wave in my dance, as well as multiple canons throughout my dance, which symbolize these ups and downs and changes in life.”

Her choreography focuses on emotional expression, inviting the audience to connect through feeling. “While watching my dance, I hope the audience is able to feel the emotion I am incorporating into each move,” she said. “I hope the audience reflects on the art of dance and how incredible it is.”

Katelyn Solar – “Pray” by Lauren Spencer Smith (Contemporary)

Katelyn Solar’s piece, set to Lauren Spencer Smith’s “Pray,” explores themes of change, healing and growth during the college experience. 

“It’s an inspiring song that reflects the emotional ups and downs of growing and changing during this stage of life,” Solar said. “It speaks to the changes and transitions we all face — when people enter and leave our lives, shaping who we become.”

Her choreography translates those emotions into movement. Flowing arm sequences represent grace and selflessness, while leaps and jumps symbolize overcoming difficult emotions. A unison section toward the end of the piece, where all dancers move in a circle, captures the idea of wholeness and collective healing.

“The theme behind this piece is about letting go of past relationships without resentment or holding grudges,” she said. “I hope the audience feels moved and takes something meaningful from it… to find peace and grace, to be selfless and to move forward with compassion.”

Ashley Kidder – “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The Script (Contemporary) and “Maria” by Justin Bieber (Hip Hop, co-choreographed with Juliana)

One of the club’s recital coordinators, Ashley Kidder, takes on two very different styles this semester. Her contemporary piece, “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” by The Script, tells a story of longing and enduring love. “My contemporary piece aims to tell a story of longing for a person and waiting for them as long as it takes,” she said. 

“The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” is about “a man who refuses to move from the street corner where he met his love, hoping they will return to him there.” This dance “symbolizes unconditional love for someone and the hope that drives a person.”

In contrast, her hip hop collaboration with Vice President Juliana Farmen, the e-board’s vice president, to Justin Bieber’s “Maria” offers an upbeat, energetic counterpart. “We wanted to make a fun dance that our dancers enjoyed performing,” Kidder said.

Kidder explained that she approaches choreography differently depending on the genre. For a contemporary dance, she listens to the lyrics “over and over again to find the correct movements with the words.” However, hip hop is “more fun and harder-hitting compared to a contemporary dance,” she said. “The movements are more upbeat and go with the music and accents.”

Juliana Farmen – “Into You” by Arianna Grande (Jazz) and “Maria” by Justin Bieber (Hip Hop, with Ashley Kidder)

Now in her third semester on the e-board, Farmen continues to bring infectious energy to the stage.

“My personal e-board dance this semester is jazz, to the song ‘Into You’ by Ariana Grande,” she said. In addition, she is co-teaching upperclassmen alongside her friend Ashley Kidder this semester.

For Farmen, this semester is about the joy of performance. “I have come to the realization that I have the most fun in dance when I get to unlock the more ‘jazzy’ persona,” she said. “When people watch my dances in this recital, I want them to enjoy watching them as much as we do performing them.”

Having taught a wide range of styles — from tap and ballet to musical theatre and hip hop — she enjoys adapting her creative process. “When I teach a contemporary or ballet class, I try to create a storyline… so we all have the same image in our heads,” she said. “For other dance styles, I just like to have fun with it and see what happens.”

Libby Meaker – “Someone to Stay” by Vancouver Sleep Clinic (Contemporary)

For choreographer Libby Meaker, her contemporary piece “Someone to Stay,” by Vancouver Sleep Clinic, is deeply personal — a reflection on mental health, loneliness and the need for connection. 

“I chose my song because it resonated with me emotionally,” Meaker said. “I really wanted to have the audience be able to make that deep connection with the piece as it is an important topic.”

Her choreography tells a story of internal struggle and human vulnerability. “My choreography takes us through the mind, especially with the idea of feeling so alone,” she explained. “It touches on the idea of depression and even anxiety. The style delicately crafted a beautiful story of people as a whole needing someone to stay and the idea of walking with so many people but still not having someone.”

The dance aims to shed light on the hidden struggles that many experience in silence. “My dance talks about mental health and raises awareness about the idea of people being able to look like everything is ok but in the end it isn’t,” Meaker said. “It’s an extremely important topic to talk about,” and while some elements may have hidden meanings, she explained, there are parts and movements that she hopes the audience may be able to connect with.

Through movement and music, Meaker hopes to leave a lasting emotional impact. “I really hope that the audience is able to connect with the music and hopefully even realize that if they feel this, that they are not alone,” she said. “It’s so hard to feel as if people are going through the same thing that you are going through when your mind is telling you that you are alone, but it is so very important for everyone to realize we are all in this together.” She feels sure that by the end of the performance, “there won’t be a dry eye in the audience.”

Having choreographed in multiple styles, Meaker said her approach shifts with the tone of each genre. For a lyrical piece like this, she loves to create deep connections and, highlight the quiet moments in the dance that would go unnoticed in another genre. But for a jazz piece, “I love being able to add some sassiness and create something that will raise the audience’s mood!” 

Felicia Karandy– “Breakaway” by Brae Cruz (Contemporary)

For senior Felicia Karandy, “Breakaway” by Brae Cruz serves as both a tribute and a farewell. The song, centered on growth, love, and letting go, captures the bittersweet emotions that come with graduation.

“I chose the song ‘Breakaway’ because it’s about someone moving away or moving on from a part in their life but still holding so much love for it,” Karandy said. “I thought it was perfect for the senior dance. It represents how I feel as a senior, it’s not easy to say goodbye but we have to take risks and make changes so we can grow.”

Her choreography mirrors the emotional journey of moving forward while holding on to cherished memories. “I think my choreography reflects the connections we’ve made here at Fisher,” she said. “Throughout the dance, we all have a partner that we’re constantly interacting and dancing with. It represents how the people you meet in college become such a big part of your life and how they shape you into the person you become.”

The piece, she said, carries themes of reminiscence, friendship and love — emotions that many seniors and audience members will likely relate to. “I think this semester especially feels different because this dance means much more to me,” Karandy said. “I’m dancing next to the people who have shaped my time here and in dance since freshman year. It’s special to me because I get to share the stage with these individuals only a few more times before graduation.”

Kirstin Webster – Co-Recital Coordinator

For co-recital coordinator Kirstin Webster, Fisher Dance has been a place to continue growing as both a dancer and a person.

“After high school, I was not sure if I would have the opportunity to dance again,” Webster said. She is thankful that Fisher Dance Club has allowed her to continue to follow her passion.

 “The friendships that I have formed and the memories I have made through Fisher dance are priceless.”

The Fisher Dance Club Fall 2025 Recital will be held on Nov. 14, 15 and 16, showcasing a wide range of styles and stories that celebrate expression, movement, and community. From the heartfelt vulnerability of contemporary to the high energy of jazz and hip hop, Fisher dancers continue to inspire — one performance at a time.