For Adele Ciociola ’25, dance has long been a part of her life. From working rigorously in various studios to being active in Andover’s dance program, Ciociola has experimented with a variety of dance styles and often comes up with her own choreography for performances. On campus, she is the Co-Head of Blue Strut (Strut), Andover’s jazz dance group, and participates in performances such as the Andover Dance Festival and Grasshopper.
“I started dancing competitively at the age of eight, and I was dancing recreationally since I [was] six. When I first started dancing, I was at a very jazz-based studio, so it was very fun. [During] Covid-19, I went to a pre-professional studio. The training became a lot more rigorous, and there was greater technical focus. I did more ballet and contemporary. And there, we would go to competitions. We also did a lot of performing, putting on shows, and recording[s],” said Ciociola.
One of the unique aspects of Andover’s dance program is the independence and creative freedom available to students. Ciociola shared how she has been partaking in Andover dance groups and performances, and how she has been able to make her own creative choices, such as choreographing her own performances.
“I feel like Andover’s dance program is a lot more student-directed. I’m part of Blue Strut… [and] it’s been really fun choreographing and picking music and costumes… taking a more active role in my dance pursuit. There are a lot of student-run shows too… Grasshopper was student-run, which was really nice, [as well as the] Andover Dance Festival, which is the updated Dance Open… For that, I’m doing my solo, and I’m also choreographing [a] contemporary group dance… I’m really excited [about] seeing the vision and then getting to work with my friends and other good dancers this year,” said Ciociola.
In the world of dance, Ciociola draws inspiration from her home studio’s owner. She commends the owner’s commitment to cultivating a love for dance through daily classes. This environment encourages individuals to push their boundaries, making it an enjoyable and favored space. Reflecting on peers who became professional dancers, Ciociola highlights the studio’s unique ability to nurture talent in a joyous atmosphere.
“My biggest inspiration is probably my studio owner at home because running a studio is really hard [because they have to go] there every day [to] teach class and instill a love for dance into these kids, while also making us test our limits… That experience [is] super enjoyable and fun and makes everyone want to keep going back. At my old studio, all the girls in the year above me became professional dancers and are now dancing professionally in college. And I think just to be able to curate talent in that way, while still making it enjoyable and [the studio] your favorite place to be is really amazing,” said Ciociola.
Given dance’s large role in her life, Ciociola plans on bringing dance with her into college and beyond. Although she has no plans of becoming a professional dancer, her passion for the art form continues to inspire her.
“I definitely am not planning on becoming a professional dancer. I think I will dance in college, kind of similarly to how I dance here, through clubs and if there’s a sports option. I think it’ll always be part of my life. I definitely, even when I’m at home, [will] go back to my studio and take [a] class. I really enjoy dancing. But when I made the decision to come to Andover, I decided that I wasn’t going to be a professional dancer. That’s just not the path that I want to put myself on. I think I enjoy it as something that I love to do and it’s not something that I want to make a career out of for that reason,” said Ciociola.
