Keene State Dance students recently got the chance to attend the American College Dance Association’s (ACDA) Northeastern conference at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., from Feb. 27 to March 3. The conference consists of classes, workshops and performances all designed for college dance students.
“There are so many benefits to attending these conferences,” said Dance Professor Cynthia McLaughlin. “They are exposed to so many dance forms that we do not offer at Keene State. They meet other dancers from all over the region and nation. They receive professionally adjudicated feedback. They take classes with influential scholars in the field. They see an enormous amount of original work performed by students like themselves. They have the opportunity to perform in front of a highly educated dance audience. They get to live in a world where dance is the most important thing.”
“The students always remark that their time at ACDA is extremely impactful,” she said.
A group piece from Fall 2025’s Choreography Showcase, “HERD,” was performed by KSC students during their time at the conference. Junior Grace Dowd also performed a solo, “this is a true story.” Dowd’s solo was voted to perform at ACDA’s Encore Concert, the first time Keene State has received a nomination in twelve years.
“Gracie first began working on this solo as an assignment as a first-year student in my class Contemporary/Modern II,” McLaughlin said. “She then revisited the work when she took the class a second time this past semester. Gracie is an extremely dedicated student who shows strong potential and has demonstrated great responsibility and initiative. Granting her this opportunity to choreograph and produce a solo definitely pushed Gracie to a new level as a performer and choreographer.”
Senior Allyson Mahoney has attended three ACDA conferences in her time at Keene State, and said she feels the conference strengthens the bond between the dancers who attend.
“Being able to travel and focus on only dancing for a few days brings out our love for dance and each other in an inspiring way,” Mahoney said.
Mahoney said her favorite ACDA memory was watching a piece be performed that she and fellow dance student Ashley Doyle choreographed.
“It was surreal to see our piece performed on the stage with a full audience. I am so proud of our dancers and us, it was definitely a highlight of my collegiate career,” she said.
First-year Molly Cronin said her favorite part of ACDA was the dance classes.
“Being able to broaden my curiosity, community and experimentation through new styles and techniques of dance was an incredible experience,” Cronin said. “Specifically, the class Disco Revival: Dance & Culture with Gabriel Mata from American University. The class felt like one big party of exploration and groove. It was an experience full of energy and pride. I definitely carried that class with me for the rest of the conference and on.”
Cronin said she found the conference especially enlightening as a first-time attendee.
“As a freshman, it was breathtaking to witness how the conference provided a unique space to learn from one another and share work within collegiate dance,” she said. “I have never experienced anything like it!”
Emily Sloane can be contacted at
