UDC Concert 2026
#ArtsAtWCU
Faculty and Guest Choreographers
Maria Urrutia, Faculty | Director
Cuban Born maria urrutia is a performer with Cardell Dance Theater (CDT). In addition to her work with CDT she continues to create solo and duet work that focuses on her latina and familial stories. These works including In Absence, Empty Moments and Contrast, which have been performed | shown in London, Paris, Edinboro, NYC and Miami. Her most recent endeavor includes a TEDX talk titled Dance, Feminism and the Swan Song.
Professor urrutia teaches at West Chester University in the Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as the Honors College. She holds an M.F.A from Goddard College, M.A. from Temple University and a B.F.A from The University of the Arts.
For more on her work visit www.maria-urrutia.com
Tammy Carrasco, Guest Artist, is dance-artist based in the Philadelphia area who has also lived, choreographed, and taught in Raleigh-Durham, New York City, Columbus, OH, Rochester, NY, and St. Pete, FL. Her choreography credits include Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Dumbo Dance, Jennifer Mueller/The Works, Triskelion Arts, Movement Research at Judson Church, and national Fringe Festivals along the east coast. Tammy has performed professionally in her own work and with Heidi Brewer, Robbie Cook, Cara Hagan, Dana Katz, Melinda Mcguire, and Helen Simoneau Dans, and most recently for Silvana Cardel Dance Theater. Tammy has taught and staged work at colleges nationally and internationally for the past 10 years, and is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Bryn Mawr College. She holds an MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University, BFA from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and is a Walnut Hill School for the Arts alum. For more about Tammy and her creative work, visit tammycarrasco.org
Student Choreographers, Officers, and Stage Manager
Lucy Morrin, President/Choreographer, is a senior elementary education major. This is her fourth and final year with UDC in which she has been a part of several student pieces and choreographed two of her own. Since her fall semester freshman year, she has fallen in love with dance more than ever before and has found a home at UDC. As a previous competition dancer, UDC has opened a new world of dance for her. She has been dancing for about 19 years and hopes to keep dancing after graduation. Lucy wants to thank the entire fall 25 cast for sharing their talent, her hard-working and kind exec board for facilitating a fun and organized semester, and Gretchen for continuing to grow this company year after year!
Teagan Bittner, Vice President/Choreographer, is an elementary education major at West Chester University. This is Teagan’s 3rd year with UDC, and she has loved taking on more responsibilities as Vice President this year! This is Teagan’s fourth time choreographing for UDC, and she is grateful to be creating with such talented dancers and humans. She began her versatile dance training at 2 years old, valuing new styles and discovering new ways to move. Teagan would like to give a big thank you to everyone involved with UDC for their support!
Meredith Steirer, Secretary/Choreographer, is a senior majoring in communication studies and minoring in digital marketing. This is her 6th semester with UDC, and she has the honor of choreographing her second piece for this spring's show. Meredith has been dancing for over 10 years and is glad she found UDC to continue her passion through college. She would like to thank all of her teachers, friends, and family who have helped her grow into the person she is today!
Elya Bergstein, Historian, is a junior majoring in Media and Culture with a minor in Digital Marketing. She has been dancing for 16 years and has been a part of the University Dance Company for five semesters. Elya has loved growing both as a dancer and as part of the UDC community and is excited to serve on the executive board this year. Her background in social media management and passion for creativity make her eager to document and promote all the company’s achievements. She is incredibly grateful for the friendships, growth, and memories UDC continues to bring her each semester.
Ryann Beyer, Social Chair, is a Junior this year at West Chester University, majoring in Pre- Physical Therapy and minoring in dance. This year, she is a part of the executive board as the social chair for the 2025-2026 school year. She has been dancing for 15 years, starting at her hometown studio, Danstation School of Dance. She continued her love of dance at West Chester, being a part of UDC since her freshman year. She wants to thank her dance teacher, Miss Becky, and her mother, Lesley Beyer, for encouraging her to put herself out there. She loves meeting new people and working with everyone.
Olivia Bissol, Choreographer, is a computer science major with a dance minor. She has been dancing for 18 years and is in her third year with UDC. This is her second time choreographing for the company. Before college, she graduated from Council Rock North and trained at The Dance Academy in Holland, PA. In college, she joined the school’s dance team and spent three weeks in Italy studying with Staib Dance. Olivia would like to thank her dancers for their hard work and incredible performance.
Brianna Evanik, Choreographer, is a junior who is majoring in Sports Medicine with a minor in Dance. She plans to matriculate into the Master's in Athletic Training program here at West Chester University in the fall. She has been dancing for 18 years, and this is her third year performing with UDC. Additionally, this is her second time choreographing for the company. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her and is excited to share the stage with everyone.
Mariah Marrero, Choreographer, is a sophomore psychology major and a dance minor who has been a part of UDC for 2 semesters. As a first-time UDC choreographer, she is excited to share her work on stage. Mariah is also a member of the West Chester University Dance Team and teaches at a local dance studio, where she enjoys sharing her love and passion for dance with others!
Carly Nelson, Choreographer, is a senior Media and Culture major and a dance minor. She has been a part of the University Dance Company for 8 semesters, and this is her second time choreographing. She is also a part of the Kappa Delta sorority and teaches dance on the side at a local studio! She loves sharing her passion for dance with everyone and can’t wait for you to see all the hard work everyone put together!
Kailee Rivello, Choreographer, is a senior Early Grades Preparation (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-12) dual major. She is also a member of the Honors College on campus. This is Kailee’s eighth and final semester dancing with UDC. Before attending WCU, Kailee trained at Delaware County Performing Arts for thirteen years. She performed at both the recreational and competitive levels. Kailee concludes her memorable experience with UDC as a first-time choreographer.
Abby Sklenarik, Choreographer, is a senior majoring in Business Management with a minor in Digital Marketing. This is her fifth semester dancing with UDC and her second time choreographing. She has been dancing for 18 years and was a captain of the WCU Dance Team. She thanks her family for all their support over the years and for helping her accomplish her goals. She also wants to congratulate her beautiful cast for their dedication and hard work this semester.
Brenna Walukonis, Choreographer, is a Senior with a marketing major and dance minor. She has been dancing for the past 19 years. This is her seventh semester with UDC and her third time choreographing. Brenna has also been Irish dancing for the past 15 years, where she has performed throughout the East Coast, as well as having the opportunity to compete in prestigious competitions in the U.S and Canada. She is currently the vice president and a choreographer for the WCU Irish Dance Team. Brenna also teaches dance to young students and helps them gain more experience and further their technique in dance. She is thrilled to have been given the opportunity to show her passion for dance by choreographing for UDC again this semester.