Learn more about the team and see them in action in Hofstra Magazine
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 11 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, Captain
Commack, New York
Years on team: 4
Giovanna Azzara
Commack, New York
Years on team: 2
Alyssa Barbot
Circleville, New York
Years on team: 1
Tori Bellas
Centereach, New York
Years on team: 2
Hailey DiCio, Captain
St. James, New York
Years on team: 4
Lauryn Egan
Amityville, New York
Years on team: 4
Kaitlyn Elcik
North Massapequa, New York
Years on team: 1
Gia Englezos
Queens, New York
Years on team: 2
Jason Fauser
East Northport, New York
Years on team: 6
Madison Grier
Edison, New Jersey
Years on team: 1
Haley Hepworth
North Bellmore, New York
Years on team: 2
Angelina Iacobelli
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Years on team: 1
Janelle Lassen
Brooklyn, New York
Years on team: 1
Vivienne Lipnitskiy
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 2
John Lisella
Wethersfield, Connecticut
Years on team: 4
Avery Mars
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Years on team: 3
Gianna Mesiti
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 1
Emmalee Mikulis
Tampa, Florida
Years on team: 2
Bella Miller
Selden, New York
Years on team: 1
JJ Moussa
Oneonta, New York
Years on team: 2
Alex Oakland
Holbrook, New York
Years on team: 2
Danielle Quinn, Captain
Smithtown, New York
Years on team: 5
Dylan Salsedo
Smithtown, New York
Years on team: 2
Bella Uberti
Massapequa, New York
Years on team: 3
Marisa Vaccarelli
Bethpage, New York
Years on team: 1
Emma Velleca
Staten Island, New York
Years on team: 3
Stacey Wong
Queens, New York
Years on team: 4
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 11-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 11x 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 11-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 11x 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
2024
Division 1 Pom National Champions
Pan-American Games Pom Gold Medalists
2023
Division 1 Game Day National Champions
ICU Worlds Pom Gold Medalists (US National Team)
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
2017
Division 1 Pom National Champions
Worlds University Doubles Pom Gold Medalists
Pan-American Games 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
Dance Team Auditions
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!
Camp & Clinics
Recruitment Clinics
Fall Prep Clinic
TBD
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!
Head Dance Team Coach
Kelly Olsen-Leon
David S. Mack Fitness Center
235 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549-2350