CSN Dance Program is pleased to announce that Denise Darnell has officially transitioned from her interim role to a full-time, tenure-track position within the Fine Arts Department’s Dance Program
Serving as the Lead Faculty for the Dance Program, Denise will continue to collaborate with our esteemed faculty and administration to steward the program’s growth. Denise has provided dedicated leadership and stability for the CSN Dance Program since 2021. In her permanent role, she remains committed to expanding performance opportunities and providing students with the classical and industry-specific training necessary for professional careers or further academic pursuit
Help us celebrate this fantastic milestone with a congratulations below 🥂 🎉
MOVE WITH PURPOSE. TRAIN WITH INTENTION. 🌊✨
At CSN Dance Program, our curriculum goes beyond movement — developing artists, scholars, and storytellers within a supportive, academically grounded environment
✨ Whether you are starting your studies or refining your craft, CSN offers a space to grow, explore, and excel
📩 Enrollment now open
📍 Join the movement. Join CSN Dance
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📸 @d_sheffield_photography
📸 @gvision.lv
📸 @smcube20
The CSN Dance Program is designed to give dance majors a thorough exposure to the world of dance. Each student works closely with the faculty to plan their coursework and training in order to pursue their education and goals in the professional field of dance. Our dance faculty is comprised of working artists and performers who bring their expertise in technique and performance to the benefit our students. We foster creativity and rigor to insure each student’s artistic and professional needs are met.
Enrollment is now open
We are looking forward to working with our students this upcoming academic year. Please feel free to DM us ENROLL for more information or any questions you may have on enrolling or declaring as a Dance Certificate candidate.
Our curriculum includes classes in Modern Dance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Dance Improvisation, Choreography, Performance, Hip Hop, Folklorico, West African Fusion, and Contemporary Dance. We also offer Pilates, and Yoga for Dancers, as well as general education offerings in Survey of African American Dance and Dance Appreciation.
“Remember When...”
This work is an exploration of a woman shaped by the quiet devastations of the 1920s and the years that followed - a survivor of economic collapse, personal loss, and the slow erosion of certainty
Choreography: Carrie Miles
Music:
When Our Wings Are Cut, Can We Still Fly?, Gustavo Santaolalla, Performed by Kronos Quartet;
Replay, Rene Aubrey
Set Construction: Benjamin Dyer
Lighting: Ja’Saun Crawford
Dancers:
Red Rock Dance Ensemble
Lealani Burns, Jaileen Garcia, Aniah Henson, Saphira Hernandez, Naoma Wickert
Understudy - Alexa Nunez
CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2026
“Echoes of Heritage” (excerpt)
These movement excerpts are from this Springs Production of a devised theatre-dance work created and directed by Kishema Pendu Malik and Jason Nious.
The story follows Ayana, a young African American college student who has roots in Latin and West Atrican culture. Deeply connected to all three worlds yet fully claimed by none, she is overwhelmed by her competing identities
Staged by: Pendu Malik
Choreography:
Ashley Martinez, Aaron Sullivan, Pendu Malik
Music Composer:
Aamashep (Shep) Nekhi Khemshemneter
Monologue: Ayana Garcia
Costume Design: Ange Cruza
Scenic Design: Brighton Schmitt
Cast:
Veronica Gutierrez, Lealani Burns, Kai Edison, Ayana Garcia, Jasmine Lane, Naoma Wickert, Trinity Anderson, Moe Cotton, Jayvon Smith, Aaron Sullivan, Ashley Maritnez, Priscilla Flores, Kelly Lee Willams, Luna Villami,
Aamashep (Shep) Nekhi Khemshemneter
CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2026
“5678...”
Many audiences do not understand the concept of what it takes to be a performer...it takes a whole team
Directed by: Liezel Marie
@laydeeliz
Assisted by: Aaron Sullivan and Ashlyn Stephens
Music mix edit: Aaron Sullivan
Featured contributions: Aaron Sullivan,
Trinity Anderson-Owens, Naoma Wickert
Cast
Trinity Anderson Owens, Lynette Bingham, Ayana Garcia, Kimberly Gomez-Lopez, Aniah Henson, Alexa Nunez-Alvarez, Omarian Ranchez, Abigail Davelli, Nanako Sawada, Samantha Velez, Luna Villami, Susan Villatoro Noriega, Naoma Wickert
CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2026
“Hope in The Hopeless”
Choreography: Naoma Wickert
@nomaomaa
Dancers:
Ashely Martinez, Jasmine Lane, Luna Villami Lynette Bingham, Moe Cotton,
Saphria Hernandez
This piece is meant to be a message to anyone that is struggling or has felt like they have lost control over something. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The darkness will not win and you are strong enough even when you think you are not
@a_she.ly@jasminebestfan@_byeolbiich_@pretty.lyee@mxenaiii@something_saphira
CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2026
“Ill Fated Love”
Choreography: Saphira Hernandez
@something_saphira
Dancers:
Jayvon Smith and Lealani Burns
@he.performs.again@lealaniix
~a love story, seems simple, but like every real love, challenges hit. from the loving moments and cherished memories at the beginning, to the stressful, real and vulnerable self shown towards the end. unfortunately this time, it doesn’t lead to the happy ending we all know
CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2026
