What started as a call for dancers in a 1943 ad for a new modern dance club in The Campus newspaper has grown into a thriving performance-based dance company with more than 100 members each year.
Orchesis, a student-run organization that welcomes anyone to dance, holds yearly shows in the fall where all dancers, choreographers, and lighting and sound technicians are recognized for their hard work and creativity. The group contributes each year to an inclusive and vibrant campus.
Every aspect of the show is student-designed, with productions showcasing multiple dance pieces and a variety of dance styles that have evolved through the years, including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip hop, jazz, and tap. Also evolving are the dance numbers, which have ranged from one of the group’s first numbers, “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev, to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John and “What About Us” by P!nk.
Many past and current participants agree that Orchesis gave them more than an opportunity to dance, citing the ability to learn about collaboration and leadership, to make new friends, and to grow their confidence. Hear, past and current members share their favorite Orchesis memories through the years.
Sherrill McClelland Primo ’68
“My roommate (Christine Herbst ’68) and I danced a duet senior year. In September 1964, during my first term as a freshman, I took a modern dance class from Elinor McGrath. Working with her became a passion, and I continued to audit the class, although only one course was required. I didn’t make my first competition but was encouraged to try again and made it. Unfortunately, Miss McGrath had to leave due to illness midyear and never finished our recital choreography. I remember the fragments of our finale to this day. Orchesis was a highlight of my college years, and I still work out in the tights (leggings) from those years!”
Sallie Gmeiner ’71
“I was part of Orchesis during all four of my undergraduate years at Allegheny (1967-1971), serving as president during the 1969-1970 school year. Orchesis and dancing played a significant role in helping me get through those four years! And, I still continue to dance to this day, currently taking seven hours of ballet, tap, jazz, and modern classes each week. I will once again perform in The Silver City Dance Center’s recital this June, which also means I will once again own costumes no woman my age should be caught dead in.”
Wendy C. Coates, M.D., ’81
“Orchesis allowed me to reconnect with my experience as a professional ballet dancer while immersed in the world of academia. Music, movement, and people made this community the best place to spend time outside of class.”
Lisa M. Culhane ’81
Memorable song: “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
“Orchesis gave students an opportunity to dance and perform. Our class was lucky to have Glenn Ford Good ’81 as our artistic muse and most gifted dancer. I remember his senior concert featuring the music of Dire Straits. The auditorium was alive with joy and movement! After graduation, Glenn went on to dance professionally in NYC. Sadly, we lost Glenn before we were 30. His memory lives on in all who knew him and had the chance to dance with and for him!”
Michael McStraw ’78
Memorable song: “Anything” by Ronnie Laws (My dance partner and dear friend, Marjie Najac ’78, opened my heart to his music.)
“There remains for me one Orchesis memory that captures that singular moment when I knew dance would fill my life. In the fall of 1977, I was cast as Fletcher in a production of ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull,’ alongside Don Delach ’79 in the titular role. My first entrance as Fletcher was a full, powerful, low-to-the-earth run that took me across the Campus Center stage in an arc from the upstage right wing to stand next to my best friend, Jonathan, downstage left. That burst onto stage, which lasted no more than two seconds, was soaring, breathtaking, majestic, and exhilarating. With that entrance, I experienced the transformational intersection of commitment, practice, purpose, and freedom that is the essence of dance. I am forever grateful for Orchesis and the treasured opportunities the organization provided.”
Heather Hoffman Margo ’93
Memorable songs: “Brown Rice” by Shadowfax, “Boat on the River” by Styx, “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin, and “Blasphemous Rumours” by Depeche Mode
“Orchesis was the only student-run dance club during my time on campus. It was a great outlet for students who wanted to perform and choreograph various styles of dance. During my time, we brought a guest artist to campus with the support of the Dance Department, CORIS, and The Black History Month Committee. Professional dancer Howard Lucas provided master classes in jazz dance and gave a lecture on the history of jazz dance. We also would combine with the International Club each fall to present the International Dance Festival. International students would teach various dance styles or traditional dances from their home countries, and we would all perform them. I enjoyed learning a traditional Pakistani wedding dance as well as belly dancing. Orchesis was a fulfilling experience for me as a dancer, performer, and choreographer. Orchesis was a great organization to be a part of and has given me many wonderful college memories. I have also had the honor of watching my daughter, Sara ’26, continue the tradition of being a dancer and choreographer for Orchesis. I am so happy to see Orchesis continue as a successful organization that provides an artistic outlet for the students.”
Erin Williams Yeager ’05
Memorable song: “New Kids on the Block Medley”
“Orchesis was EVERYTHING to me during my four years at Allegheny. In my opinion, there was no other organization that brought so many people together from different walks of life. Whether you had a background in dance or were trying it for the first time, you could participate. In my choreographed piece my junior year, I had a dance club scene in the background that gave ANYONE the chance to be on stage. It was so much fun seeing it all come together with the work of the amazing lighting and stage crew members! And having so many people come to watch the shows — just fantastic! Those performances were definitely the highlight of my time at Allegheny.”
Casey Fenton ’11
Memorable song: “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” by Pitbull
“The years I danced in Orchesis were some of the best, most stressful Novembers of my life. I served as a choreographer for three years, was on the board for two years, and was also the 2010 president. Back then, Orchesis and its legacy were larger than life. It was the main event of the first semester. From auditions in September through opening night in November, the buildup and camaraderie were unmatched. Looking back, our shows and the talent within them were quite impressive for being an entirely student-run organization at a school with only a dance minor. More than anything, Orchesis helped me become more versatile as a dancer and refined my leadership skills. From hip hop to lyrical, to ballroom, to tap (in straight jackets!), we did it all. After graduation, I went on to become a professional dancer for a decade in NYC and Vegas and was also the dance captain for Norwegian Cruise Lines; I like to think that Orchesis had a small part in that. To the hundreds of dancers I ever shared a stage with over my four years in Orchesis, I see you, love you, and hope you are absolutely killing it in life, just like you did on stage. Xoxo!”
Kerri Barron Good ’15
Memorable song: “Cell Block Tango” of “Chicago”
“I think for a lot of dancers, you give it your all through high school, and then, when you graduate, there can very suddenly be a halt to all things dance. Studios aren’t really built for adult dancers, and teaching doesn’t provide the same outlets to perform the way dancers are used to. Orchesis was the perfect outlet for those of us who still loved to dance, couldn’t imagine life without it, and wanted to extend that creative outlet beyond high school. Working with your peers to create a performance was so special, and Orchesis instantly became a family of passionate folks who still loved to dance. It was one of the most special spaces at Allegheny for me.”
Tony Ennis ’23
Memorable songs: “River” by Bishop Briggs, “Havana” by Camila Cabello, “Don’t You Cry For Me” by Cobi, and “Ribs” by Lorde
“I loved being in the company as a dancer for four years and on the board (recording secretary for 2021 and 2022) of Orchesis, as well as a choreographer in 2022 with my co-choreographer Lirona Wainer Yaffe ’24. Each year, I dipped my toes into different styles and gained a plethora of friendships through dance! I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I love dancing and have continued it post-college, but I wish I could be back on Shafer Stage with my fellow classmates and alumni! I’m so proud of the company for being amazing year after year, with creative and talented dances performed.”
Olivia Colflesh ’26
Memorable song: “Vienna” by Billy Joel
“For me, my favorite Orchesis memories are all the tech weeks I’ve been a part of, especially the last two years when I got to experience them as a choreographer. The tech weeks can be long, but I love how, during tech week, you can really see the show come together — from separate pieces to a fully formed production and community. I can’t imagine my Allegheny experience without Orchesis. It has not only provided me with an artistic outlet but has also helped me believe in myself, my dance ability, and encouraged me to help others do the same.”
