Dance Team: Spirit Support

The Hofstra University Dance Team (HUDT) is an exciting and competitive collegiate dance team that performs at University athletic events as well as other events held on and off campus. The members of the team support the Hofstra athletic programs and promote general school spirit. HUDT has developed into one of the premier college dance programs in the United States and currently holds 10 National Championships and 2 World Championships. Due to the team's demanding schedule, they dedicate approximately 20 hours per week toward practice, athletic events, University events, technique, and weight/strength training.

Meet the Dance Team

Mia Andonelos
Commack, New York
Years on team: 3

Giovanna Azzara
Commack, New York
Years on team: 1

Tori Bellas
Centereach, New York
Years on team: 1

Amanda Cannella
Wantagh, New York
Years on team: 4

Isabella Cascone
Captain
Wantagh, New York
Years on team: 4

Isabella Dazza
Midland Park, New Jersey
Years on team: 4

Hailey DiCio
St. James, New York
Years on team: 3

Lauryn Egan
Amityville, New York
Years on team: 3

Gia Englezos
Queens, New York
Years on team: 1

Olivia Galante
Massapequa, New York
Years on team: 4

Haley Hepworth
Bellmore, New York
Years on team: 1

Victoria Ippoliti
Captain
Seaford, New York
Years on team: 5

Erin Kavanagh
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Years on team: 4

Isabella Klee
Reiffton, PA
Years on team: 1

Maryellen Lassen
Brooklyn, New York
Years on team: 4

Vivienne Lipnitskiy
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 1

John Lisella
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Years on team: 3

Isabella LoBue
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 4

Marina LoRe
Captain
Davidsonville, Maryland
Years on team: 5

Rhiana LoRe
Davidsonville, Maryland
Years on team: 1

Avery Mars
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Years on team: 2

Emmalee Mikulis
Tampa, Florida
Years on team: 1

JJ Moussa
Oneonta, New York
Years on team: 1

Alexandra Oakland
Holbrook, New York
Years on team: 1

Amanda Patti
St.James, New York
Years on team: 1

Danielle Quinn
Smithtown, New York
Years on team: 4

Dylan Salsedo
Smithtown, New York
Years on team: 1

Cassandra Soderholm
Vaasa, Finland
Years on team: 1

Brooke Tyler
West Islip, New York
Years on team: 3

Isabella Uberti
Massapequa, New York
Years on team: 2

Emma Velleca
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 2

Stacey Wong
Middle Village, New York
Years on team: 3

Alumni Group

Video Gallery

Dance Team Coaches

Kelly Olsen-Leon
Head Dance Team Coach
Hofstra, 2003, 2007

B.A. in Elementary Education and Mathematics from Hofstra University, M.A. in Math, Science, Technology from Hofstra University, Head Coach of the 10-Time National Champion, 2-Time World Champion, and 2017 Pan-American Champion Hofstra University Dance Team, Mathematics Teacher at West Islip School District, former Head Coach of the West Islip Varsity Kickline, former Owner and Director of Gravity Dance All-Stars, former Head Coach of the Nationally Ranked Bellport High School Dance Team, former Captain and four-year member of the nationally ranked Hofstra University Dance Team, former Universal Dance Association Head Instructor, former Head Coach of the New York Cosmos Girls, Judge for Regional, State, and National competitions, Choreographer/Consultant for high school and college dance teams and dance studios. Proud dance mom to daughter Kai

Danielle Bradle
Assistant Dance Team Coach
Hofstra, 2016, 2017

B.B.A. in Marketing and minor in Finance from Hofstra University, M.S. in Marketing from Hofstra University, Assistant Coach of the 10x National and 2x World Champion Hofstra University Dance Team, Vice President of Government Banking at Capital One, former Head Coach of the nationally ranked Stony Brook University Dance Team, former Assistant Coach of the Adelphi University Dance Team, former Captain and five-year member of the National Champion Hofstra University Dance Team, 2016 World Champion and 2017 Pan-American Champion Team, former four-year member and Captain of the New York Cosmos Girls, Choreographer for high school/college dance teams.

Kristen Olsen
Assistant Dance Team Coach
Hofstra, 2010

B.A. in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education and Psychology from Hofstra University, M.A. in Special Education from St. Joseph’s College, Assistant Coach of the 10-Time National Champion and 2x World Champion Hofstra University Dance Team, Special Education Teacher in NYCDOE- Queens, former four-year member of the New York Cosmos Girls, former Head Coach of the nationally ranked Long Island University-Post Dance Team, former Head Coach of the nationally ranked Bellport High School Dance Team, former four-year member of the nationally ranked Hofstra University Dance Team, former Head Coach of the Bellport Middle School Dance Team, former Owner and Director of Gravity Dance All-Stars.

April Gallagher
Assistant Dance Team Coach

20th year as a highly sought after teacher, trainer, and choreographer. Assistant coach of the 10x National Champion and 2x World Champion Hofstra University Dance Team. Trained dancers on some of the top Dance teams in America including University of Minnesota, Louisiana State University, University of Colorado, and University of Tennessee…many of whom also go on to be on professional cheer teams like Denver Broncos, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, and Dallas Cowboys. Worked for Universal Dance Association as both a high school and college staff member as well as Core Staff, choreographer, and judge. Former head coach for Valor Christian high school dance. Her dance team choreography, and consultant work has consistently placed in top 10 at both the high school and collegiate level.

National & World Championships