One of Williams’ most cherished arts events, Compchorea, took place from February 27 to March 1 in the Daren Performing Arts Center. This festival featured 24 unique performances, blending music and dance. Primarily student-led, it showcased student-composed pieces alongside works directed by Bo Parish and Jeff Cregeur.
The event’s blend of dance and music allowed students to explore their passions in both fields. This was true for Ace Bairos ’27, who not only choreographed three dance pieces, performing in a total of twelve, but also sang in two performances. “It was amazing to combine my love for dance and music, and I’ll always remember the energy and teamwork that made it all so rewarding,” Bairos said.
Another highlight of Compchorea was the opportunity to work with esteemed faculty members Bo Parish and Jeff Cregeur. Parish carefully selects each of her dances and collaborates closely with her dancers to bring a fresh perspective to every performance. Josephine Rimmer ’27, who choreographed and performed in several pieces, reflected on the invaluable experience of training under her. “I am also extremely grateful to learn from Ms. Bo, with her extensive dance training. Her patience is incredible, and she never fails to create a beautiful performance for the community,” Rimmer said.
For some, Compchorea inspired a desire to participate. Raymond Dolan ’28, who only watched the event the previous year, was eager to join this time and learn under Cregeur’s direction. He loved the transition from viewer to performer, saying, “Now, to be able to work with Cregeur and the Vocal Lab students, as well as perform my own pieces — I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity.”
Cast
Vocal Lab Choir
Zara Asim ’26
Ace Bairos ’27
Scarlett Behm ’25
Orchid Burns ’27
Raymond Dolan ’28
Leo Fowler ’25
Kasen Orenstein ’27
Sarah Shan ’27
The Williams School Jazz Band
Bond Su ’28, flute
Ken Wang ’26, clarinet
Nicholas Carseli ’29, saxophone
Yuran Li ’26, guitar
Hudson Foisie ’28, bass
Julia Battista ’26, percussion
Production Crew
Assistant Director for Dance: Josephine Rimmer ’27
Stage Manager: Liam Boland ’25
Assistant Stage Manager: Sophia Behm ’27
Dimmer Board Operator: Ouranab Murtaza ’27
Sound Board Operator: Emily Smith ’27
Lighting Design: Andrew Brown (Choreographer)
Scenic and Lighting Setup: Production Class
Stage Crew: Thomas Carpenter ’27, Connor Gingras ’27, Hailey Greenberg ’27, Valentin Vasquez ’30
House Manager: Arnell Peck ’25
Program Cover: Sarah Harvey ’27
Production Class (Under the Direction of Andrew Brown):
Liam Boland ’25, Sophia Behm ’27, Thomas Carpenter ’27, Ouranab Murtaza ’27, Paul Petersen ’27, Hogan Porter ’28, Emily Smith ’27
List of Performances
Frug
Choreographed by Bob Fosse / Adapted and restaged by Bo Parish, with contributions from the dancers
Performed by: Ace Bairos ’27, Sarah Harvey ’27, Gabrielle Ivy ’28, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Isabella Newton-Lobo ’27, Vanessa Noble ’26, Isabella Pepas ’28, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Chenyang (Ashley) Shao ’27, Nora Simonelli ’28, Isabella Wilcox ’27
Music by Cy Coleman
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas
Performed by The Williams School Jazz Band
Composed by Osvaldo Farrés
Blue
Choreographed by Ace Bairos
Performed by: Ace Bairos ’27, Anjeliah Llanos-Reyes ’27, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Kasen Orenstein ’27, Madden Remmert ’28, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Isabella Wilcox ’27
Music by Billie Eilish / F. O’Connell
Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
Choreographed by Lena Cosentino ’29 and Claire Xenelis ’29
Performed by: Lena Cosentino ’29, Alexa Gjonaj ’31, Madeline Reid ’31, Claire Xenelis ’29
Music by B. Knowles, C. Stewart, T. Nash / Beyoncé
Zero
Choreographed and Performed by Sihan (Harry) Chen ’27
Music by 魔鬼花园 (Devil’s Garden)
“Sadness and Joy” from the musical The Notebook
Performed by: Ace Bairos ’27 and Zara Asim ’26
Composed by Ingrid Michaelson
Rumor Has It
Choreographed and Performed by: Brooke McLoughlin ’25 & Josephine Rimmer ’27
Music by A. Adkins, R. Tedder / Adele
The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
Performed by: Leo Fowler ’25
Composed by The Script
Disturbia
Choreographed by Ace Bairos ’27 and Isabella Wilcox ’27
Performed by: Alexa Gjonaj ’31, Sierra Hurst-Ruales ’29, Margaret Keenan ’29, Madeline Muench ’31, Elle Reid ’29, Madeline Reid ’31, Julia Wang ’27, Claire Xenelis ’29
Music by R. Allen, C. Brown, B. Kennedy, A. Merritt / Rihanna
Baby Boy
Choreographed by: Vanessa Noble ’26, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Kalra Simplice (Special Guest)
Performed by: Ace Bairos ’27, Gabrielle Ivy ’28, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Vanessa Noble ’26, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Kalra Simplice
Music by S. Carter, S. P. Henriques, I. Kamoze, B. Knowles, S. Storch, R. Waller / Beyoncé
So What
Performed by The Williams School Jazz Band
Composed by Miles Davis
A Fallen Star
Choreographed by Bo Parish
Performed by: Ace Bairos ’27, Jane Barnard ’28, Nova Frink ’25, Sarah Harvey ’27, Gabrielle Ivy ’28, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Vanessa Noble ’26, Isabella Pepas ’28, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Chenyang (Ashley) Shao ’27, Isabella Wilcox ’27
Music by F. Welsh & I. Summers / Florence and the Machine
Good Morning
Choreographed and Performed by: Hogan Porter ’28 and Josephine Rimmer ’27
Music by N. H. Brown and A. Freed
“For Good” from the musical Wicked
Performed by: Vocal Lab Choir
Composed by Stephen Schwartz
Muted
Choreographed and Performed by: Sierra Hurst-Ruales ’29
Music by Tom Odell
Beautiful
Performed by: Kasen Orenstein ’27
Composed by Christina Aguilera
Cravo e Canela
Choreographed by Josephine Rimmer ’27
Performed by: Veronika Altamirano ’25, Ace Bairos ’27, Julia Cote ’25, Sarah Harvey ’27, Gabrielle Ivy ’28, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Isabella Newton-Lobo ’27, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Nora Simonelli ’28, Chenyang (Ashley) Shao ’27
Music by R. Bastos, Lo Borges, M. Nascimento
“Halloween” from the musical Rent
Performed by: Raymond Dolan ’28
Composed by Jonathan Larson
Eternal Flame
Performed by: Scarlett Behm ’25
Composed by The Bangles
Go With the Flow
Choreographed and Performed by: Sierra Hurst-Ruales ’29 and Kasen Orenstein ’27
Music by N. Furtado / Alessia Cara
Me and The Devil
Choreographed and Performed by: Ace Bairos ’27 and Gabrielle Ivy ’28
Music by R. Johnson / Soap & Skin
Blue Rondo a la Turk
Performed by The Williams School Jazz Band
Composed by Dave Brubeck
Let’s Go Crazy!
Choreographed by Bo Parish
“Holiday” Choreographed by Stephanie Freeman Staniszewski ’00
“Holiday” restaged by Ace Bairos ’27, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Isabella Wilcox ’27
Performed by: Veronika Altamirano ’25, Ace Bairos ’27, Orchid Burns ’27, Julia Cote ’25, Nova Frink ’25, Sarah Harvey ’27, Gabrielle Ivy ’28, Brooke McLoughlin ’25, Isabella Newton-Lobo ’27, Vanessa Noble ’26, Isabella Pepas ’28, Madden Remmert ’28, Josephine Rimmer ’27, Chenyang (Ashley) Shao ’27, Nora Simonelli ’28, Isabella Wilcox ’27
Music by Michael Jackson, C. Hudson, L. Stevens-Crowder / Madonna, Prince
