Spirit Support

Dance Team

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 1 World Championship.  Due to the team's demanding schedule, they dedicate approximately 18 hours per week toward practice, athletic events, University events, technique, and weight/strength training.

Image
Dance Team
 

 

 

Meet the Dance Team

Image
Mia Andonelos
Mia Andonelos
Commack, New York
Years on team: 2
Image
Amanda Cannella
Amanda Cannella
Junior Captain
Wantagh, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
Isabella Cascone
Isabella Cascone
Wantagh, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
Isabella Dazza
Isabella Dazza
Midland Park, New Jersey
Years on team: 3
Image
Hailey DiCio
Hailey DiCio
St. James, New York
Years on team: 2
Image
Lauryn Egan
Lauryn Egan
Amityville, New York
Years on team: 2
Image
Olivia Galante
Olivia Galante
Massapequa, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
Victoria Ippoliti
Victoria Ippoliti
Senior Captain
Seaford, New York
Years on team: 4
Image
Erin Kavanagh
Erin Kavanagh
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Years on team: 3
Image
Maryellen Lassen
Maryellen Lassen
Brooklyn, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
John Lisella
John Lisella
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Years on team: 2
Image
Isabella LoBue
Isabella LoBue
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
Marina LoRe
Marina LoRe
Senior Captain
Davidsonville, Maryland
Years on team: 4
Image
Alyssa Maikowski
Alyssa Maikowski
Commack, New York
Years on team: 1
Image
Gabriella Marinelli
Gabriella Marinelli
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
Avery Mars
Avery Mars
Trinity, Florida
Years on team: 1
Image
Johnna Palmese
Johnna Palmese
Branford, Connecticut
Years on team: 3
Image
Danielle Quinn
Danielle Quinn
Smithtown, New York
Years on team: 3
Image
Brooke Tyler
Brooke Tyler
West Islip, New York
Years on team: 2
Image
Isabella Uberti
Isabella Uberti
Massapequa, New York
Years on team: 1
Image
Emma Velleca
Emma Velleca
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 1
Image
Stacey Wong
Stacey Wong
Middle Village, New York
Years on team: 2


Dance Team Coaches

Image
Olsen

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, 2016 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.

Image
Danielle Bradle

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 National Champion Hofstra University Dance Team, Vice President of Government Banking at Flushing Bank, 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.

Image
Olsen

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, Volunteer Assistant Coach of the National 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.

National Championships

2023

Division 1 Game Day National Champions

2022

Division 1 Pom National Champions

2021

Division 1 Pom National Champions (Virtual)

2019

Division 1 Pom National Champions

2018

Division 1 Pom National Champions

World University Pom Gold Medalists

Pan-American Games Pom Gold Medalists

2017

Division 1 Pom National Champions

Worlds University Doubles Pom Gold Medalists

2016

Division 1 Pom National Champions

World University Pom Gold Medalists

World University Doubles Pom Gold Medalists

ICU Worlds Pom Gold Medalists (US National Team)

2013

Division 1 Hip Hop National Champions

World University Jazz Doubles Gold Medalists

2012

Division 1 Hip Hop National Champions

World University Jazz Gold Medalists

World University Doubles Jazz Gold Medalists

2006

Division 1 Hip Hop National Champions

Clinics and Auditions

2023-2024 HUDT Audition Process

  • Step 1: Register for and attend one of our College Prep Clinics. Prep clinics are held in the summer, fall, and winter. All dancers who plan to audition must attend at least one prep clinic in their junior or senior year.
  • Step 2: Submit the Audition Application by the assigned due date. Applications are sent out in the spring of a dancer’s audition year.
  • Step 3: Register for and attend one of our Recruitment Clinics. These clinics are held in the spring of a dancer’s audition year.

Email Coach Kelly at kelly.olsen@hofstra.edu with any questions or for more information!

Participant Waiver

2023 Recruitment Clinic Information

Date/Times: Saturday March 11th 10 am, Sunday March 19th 5 pm, Saturday April 8th 10 am, Saturday April 15th 5:30 pm

Location: David S. Mack Fitness Center, North Campus

*Pre-Registration Required (All Clinic Details Can Be Found On The Registration Form) – Register Here

Email Coach Kelly at kelly.olsen@hofstra.edu with any questions or for more information!

Interested in a camp or clinic with the Hofstra University Dance Team for your team or program? We can even come to you! Our camp and/or clinic can be created around your needs! Contact us for more information!

Participant Waiver

Contact Us

Head Dance Team Coach

Kelly Olsen-Leon
David S. Mack Fitness Center
235 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549-2350