The dance team from Fresno City College received national recognition from the American College Dance Association earlier this month at a historic annual showcase held in Beckett, Massachusetts from Feb.19 to Feb. 22.

Two pieces from Fresno City College were selected. One was “Chasm of Paradoxes,” by student choreographer, Jacob Gasca. The other was from a guest choreographer.

Dance major Haley Gilpin said each year, the American College Dance Association hosts a program where colleges from all over the nation go to other conferences hosted in various locations. For Gilpin and the rest of the students in her dance group, their journey began in Modesto, California.

Each college is required to bring either one or two choreographed performances or, “pieces.” Performances were held nightly during the conference. Gilpin said each night of the conference, performances are held.

At the end of the conference, the adjudicators select the top ten pieces they believe best represent and showcase the current creative climate in colleges.

The 10 groups were then chosen to perform at a gala held at the end of the conference.

“What happened for the first time in present City history, both of our pieces made it into the Gala,” Gilpin said. “One student and one guest choreographer.”

Gilpin said out of those ten, the top three were selected and then sent to nationals.

“The guest choreographer piece was selected to go to nationals in the top three,” Gilpin said. “Then we had our student choreographer piece that was selected as an alternate.”

According to Gilpin, May is when the group made their way to Washington D.C. for nationals. It was held at Georgetown University.

“All of these top threes from the different regions all go to this one place,” Gilpin said. “Then it’s the top 33 pieces from across the country.”

Then came nationals, which Gilpin described not so much as a competition, but a showcase or presentation of all the pieces that had been selected.

Alexandra Tiscarino, a member of the adjunct faculty specifically for the American College Dance Association, said choosing which pieces get selected was a hard decision.

Deciding factors are often budget in the sense of how many students they can take and the reasons a piece should be selected. 

The decisions made proved to be the right ones. From nationals, the team continued to ascend even higher.

“So Jacob’s Pillow is the next step,” Gilpin said. “And that is now outside of collegiate level dance. That is the professional world.”

Only five colleges were chosen to go to Jacob’s Pillow and they were one of the five. Other colleges included UC Irvine, Rutgers and Bates. 

“So it was like, thing after thing, and we didn’t even think we’d make it in the Gala.” Gilpin said. “I mean, it was insane.”

Gilpin explained that many modern and contemporary styles of dance were featured at the event, such as hip hop, theatrical dance performances and cultural pieces. 

“It feels crazy, the most special part is not the recognition itself but knowing why we got it,” Gilpin said.

The adjudicators of the event held a feedback session where the dancers were able to hear their notes on their performances. 

“We all meet as a faculty and we talk about which piece we think would represent the school and represent the diversity and the variety that we have,” Tiscarino said. “It’s hard because so many people make wonderful work here.”

“I almost started crying,” Gilpin said. “They were saying how there was something different about how we performed and the reason we got selected was because of the connection to each other and to what we do.” 

Despite the toughness of the decision given the exceptional diversity of work, the selection was labeled by the adjudicators as a “no brainer.” 

Gilpin said the experience has been surreal. 

“We’ve never done anything like this before, Fresno City College has only been selected for the Gala one time many, many years ago. So it also feels very historic.” 

The team was excited and honored to find out they would take part in nationals.

“We get accepted, we’re like, oh my god, okay let’s just appreciate this,” Gilpin said. 

However, the surprises kept coming when the team found out they were selected to perform at the Gala. 

“We really did not expect any of this,” Gilpin said. 

Gipin said she’s been dancing her whole life. 

“It’s what makes me the happiest and I feel like I can truly express myself the most when I’m dancing.” Gilpin said. “It’s an expression of my soul.” 

When it comes to inspiration, Cristal Tiscarino, the lead dance instructor here at FCC, is who inspires Gilpin most. “She wants everybody to feel included.” 

Alexandra said anytime she gets to see the students perform, it is a lovely experience because she sees the stage as a sacred space.

“The best way I can explain it is like going to the Super Bowl,” Tiscarino said. “So I think it just amplifies the excitement and being proud of the students and the work they’re doing.”

Gilpin had a spinal fusion surgery a little over a year ago. She said dance itself is what also motivated her to continue with dance at a time when she thought she might only choreograph moving forward. 

However, a body in motion stays in motion and she continues to dance.

“I feel like I have to, even when I don’t want to, and I do want to. But at the times I feel like I don’t, I feel like I should and I deserve to keep it going,” Gilpin said in relation to her recovery and as it pertains to dance. 

Gilpin said for those who aspire to dance, going into dance with zero expectations opens up so many more opportunities and gratitude for the art and as well as for the self. 

“Just let yourself enjoy it,” Gilpin advised. 

Moving forward, Gilpin said she would love to incorporate dance into her career. Ideally, she would have her own dance company.