Courtesy of Nour Tantush

Each semester, Yale Dancers, the oldest dance company at Yale, puts together a full show with 25-30 pieces of student choreography. 

The company consists of 31 members; eight of whom are first years, who were tapped in September. The company truly prioritizes being a tight-knit family.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting the old taps and connecting with people I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to otherwise,” said Ainsley Kroon ’28. “They make such a big effort to include us (the YD babies) and ensure that we get an opportunity to get to know each other as well.”

This semester’s show, “Heavenly Bodies,” will run from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9 at the ACES Educational Center for the Arts theatre. Each year, the presidents of the company choose the theme which is exemplified in the final piece of the show.

Inspired by the 2018 MET Gala theme and chosen and choreographed by co-presidents Isabel Shi ’26 and Asher Mehr ’26, the theme is exemplified by the final piece of the show performed to Florence and The Machine’s “End of Love.” 

“We chose the song because it embodies the theme and we love the song. Dancing comes easier when you love the music,” said Shi.

During this piece, all 31 members of the company will stand on stage donning ethereal white garb. 

While the Met Gala’s theme centered on “fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” the co-presidents said they wanted the theme “Heavenly Bodies” to demonstrate a more majestic, contemporary dance style. 

“In the past, the company piece has predominantly been jazz, but we wanted to highlight a different side of Yale Dancers,” said Mehr.

The company has been preparing for the show for about six weeks. All members were required to attend four hours of weekly classes and training, in addition to picking up an hour of practice for every piece the dancer picked up. During the week leading up to the show, members have to practice for about four hours each night.

The pieces are two to three minutes long and choreographed by members of the group. The solos, duos and trios — also known as interludes — are shorter pieces that span one and a half minutes. These shorter pieces were only really rehearsed for about three hours in total, said Molly Smith ’25.

“I’m choreographing a piece different from anything I’ve ever choreographed before. The new taps are bringing their A-game with choreography and new skills. It’s challenging in a really fun way,” said Smith, who’s been a part of the company since her first year. 

While the company has performed at Dance Jam and Parents Weekend, “Heavenly Bodies” is the first full main-stage performance of the 2024-25 school year.

Each fall semester, the first years come together and choreograph their own new tap piece. It serves as a great way for the new taps, or YD Babies, to get to know each other better. This year’s new tap piece will be to “Together” by Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

This year’s tap class, said Mehr, is incredibly talented. 

“The most exciting thing of the fall show is the new tap class choreographs their own piece together. It’s so amazing to see them come together and do their own thing,” said Mehr. 

Most members come from competitive dance experiences; some dancers are even nationally ranked. 

That being said, Yale Dancers is a shift in dance for many. But to Kroon, this difference is “definitely not a bad thing.” 

While it is still at an incredibly high level, the space offers students a chance to delve into passions outside of the classroom and share their talent with the Yale community. 

According to Smith, the hours of practice and training are a “great outlet” to maintain her mental health.

“It’s given me a space to practice and perform dance purely for my own enjoyment and happiness. A lot of people come here from competition backgrounds and really high stress, but this environment is totally recreational at a really high level,” said Smith.

Auditions for Yale Dancers will open again in the spring 2025 semester.