"What the company means to me is a connection; Its a connection to the people in the studio who end up becoming your family. It's a connection to the big world of performing and auditioning, a taste of what its really like. Most importantly though, its a chance to just dance, and for people who love and appreciate dance to help cultivate the love of it in kids all over everywhere. Its a wonderful amount of jolly good fun."
- Maya Cohen, age 13

"The Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble has been my personal instruction manual on growing up, teaching me lessons in responsibility, commitment, and independence. Fortunately, to keep these lessons fun, the Youth Ensemble also provided me with an incredible group of girls to keep me motivated and laughing."
- Jamie Bagliebter, age 17

"When I first tried out for the Youth Ensemble I was very scared. All the girls and all the teachers are so nice. I thank everybody for their help during my first year even though I am only an apprentice. I am having so much fun and I hope to continue this over the years. Dance is very important to me, and I get to become a better dancer through Dance Cavise."
- Amanda Barfield, age 14

"Youth Ensemble, to me, means commitment. It means that you want to go the extra mile and you are willing to put in extra time to dance. Lastly, to have fun!"
- Mariana Barreto, age 11

"The Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble is my second family. My past four years in company have been such an incredible and rewarding experience"
- Kimmie Behrman, age 14

"OCDT has been like a second family to me. This amazing company has helped me to grow as a dancer and friend, but mostly to grow as a person."
- Guilia Frontini, age 15

"The Youth Ensemble allows me to share my love of dance with others who don't always get the chance. I also get the opportunity to work with many different people and learn more about dance."
- Amanda Diekmann, age 11

"Off Center Dance Theatre's Youth Ensemble has meant a lot to me and continues to do so. It has given me opportunities to share my passion of dance with less fortunate kids such as the children at Blythedale Children's Hospital. To see even just one of thirty kids smile from our dancing makes all the rehearsing worthwhile. The Ensemble has also allowed me to meet other dancers who I wouldn't haven met otherwise and learn from incredible choreographers. It is refreshing to dance with younger girls and always a pleasure to learn new works of dance. I am thankful for being part of a company which can incorporate all these things into one."
- Estee Fremont, age 17

"The OCDT Youth Ensemble has been my second family. The directors, choreographers, and fellow members have taught me not only how to dance, but provided me with skills, memories and experiences I will cherish for the rest of my life. Thank You!"
- Christina Guhl age 17

"Over the past seven years, the Off Center Dance Theatre has given me the opportunity to learn, to grow, to excel and to succeed. This applies not only to dance, but also as an individual in everything that I have challenged myself to do! I am so thankful for al the memories, and I know I will always have them with me as I go off to Muhlenberg College this fall."
- Lindsay Hachey, age 17

"Youth Ensemble is sharing what I love to do with others who may not be as lucky as I am to be able to dance but who will cherish it as I do."
- Aurelie Hasse, age 14

"Off Center Youth Ensemble has provided me with both a stage on which I can perform, and a family with whom I can share, my deepest passion...dance."
- Lauren Holstein age 17

"The Youth Ensemble means a great passion to me; working with a group of fun, talented, and beautiful girls and doing what I love to do (dance) is amazing."
- Ximena Iacono, age 15

"It seems like such a long time ago that I began what would be one of the most significant aspects of my adolescence. My first year in the company was unquestionably the most exciting, because I discovered how much I loved performing. As the youngest member, I idolized the older dancers and dreamed that some day I would be as good as they were. My development as a dancer gave me several qualities that I probably would not have otherwise acquired had I not been a member for so long. The friendships and memories that I have made over the past eight years will stay with me forever. Without Joe, I don't know where we would all be right now. He pushed us to a higher level of dancing, and made us laugh along the way. Dance is more than an outlet for me, it has become the true love of my life. Even though it is going to be extremely difficult to leave Dance Cavise, I have faith that somehow I will succeed in my in my career. The Youth Ensemble has given me that assurance."
- Lauren Jasinski, age 17

"The Youth Enssemble has helped me grow as a dancer and as a person. I love being a part of it"
- Jessica Madris, age 13

"Off Center Dance Theatre Ensemble means to me that..."Hey, I did it!". When I went for tryouts I thought, "Oh, my gosh. I am really not going to make it!" Then Joe told me he was surprised and that I made it as an apprentice, and I was just like, "Wow!"
- Desiree Parasconda, Age 10

"Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble resembles a great experience to me. Each new dance teaches me more. Working with less fortunate children and teaching them to experience dance is an opportunity that I would have never have had without being part of this company."
- Megan Pollard, age 16

"The Off Center Dance Theatre Ensemble means alot to me. It makes me feel very special to do what I love while also giving underpriviledged children a chance to experience that great feeling. I truly love being a part of this company."
- Julie Serow, age 10

"The Youth Ensemble gives me an opportunity to do what I love to do the most with a group of my friends."
- Jaclyn Trifiletti, age 17

"Off Center Dance Theatre's Youth Ensemble has been a great experience to me because it has given me the opportunity to work with all different kinds of people.
- Emily Turco, age 13

"Being in the Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble has developed from a fun hobbie into a lifestyle. I look forward to coming to dance every day and I have made the most amazing friends for life here. Dance Cavise is my second home."
- Jamie Yasgur, Age 16

"The Off Center Dance Youth Ensemble is my opportunity to show off my hard work during my classes. My classes are my time for hard work, and the Youth Ensemble is my reward. I love to perform and The Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble gives me that chance."
- Cara Zimbalist, age 15

" Youth Ensemble means having fun with friends, and performing in front of audiences."
- Laura Jaffee, age 13

“The Youth Ensemble to me is not only a new wonderful opportunity to dance but it is a way to make friends, and learn different types of dance from different choreographers. Dancing is a real emotional outlet for me. It feels especially great to perform for children, such as those at Blythedale Hospital and to see the look of pleasure on their faces.”
- Rebecca Aftergood, age 13

“For me the Youth Ensemble means a dream come true. I could never have imagined being selected to be part of such a great group and I am just so happy about it! I think it is such an honor to dance and contribute to the happiness of those people watching us. It made me feel great when I saw the audience at Blythedale Hospital smile and enjoy what was happening on stage. I also find that contributing to the success of a team, in making ill and disabled people feel better, can be very rewarding emotionally.”
- Hannah Blaser, age 11

“I love OCDT because I get to be with all of my great friends and do what I love best….DANCE! Although it is a lot of hard-work and practice, when I see a smile appear on a child’s face that we work with in the different hospitals, I realize all of our rehearsing has been worth while!”
- Ali Brotmann, age 11

“Off Center Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble is not just a normal group of girls...they are my best friends and my second family. I believe the best thing about being part of OCDT is the way we somehow always leave a piece of our hearts and our passion for dance with the people we perform for—the way we always make them feel that anything is possible. Although we learn a lot from our teachers, we learn equally as much from each other and from the amazing people we perform for. The most important thing I have learned from OCDT is that everyone is unique and, no matter how different we might be as individuals, we all share the same passion for dance and the joy that it can bring to both us and other people.”
- Amanda Diekmann, age 13

“This is my first year with OCDT, and I’m loving every bit of it! To me, OCDT is my home away from home, my second family. Whenever we do workshops with disabled children, I feel like the luckiest person alive to be able to make a difference in someone else’s life and to be a part of this amazing community! Thank-you so much Jamie, Joe, and Miriam (and everyone else I forgot to mention ) for letting me be a part of this.”
- Ellie Greenhouse, age 11

>“Off Center is not just a performance group. It’s a power. I can make anyone wonder, smile, and clap. Sharing dance, and especially sharing passion, with children is an incredible power that only Off Center could have given me. Thank you!!!”
- Aurelie Hasse, age 18

“Being part of the Youth Ensemble means that I can do the two things I love the most, dancing and helping others. Dancing helps me express myself in ways that other things can not. When I am dancing I feel as though I can do anything. When we dance for children that are less fortunate, their faces light up and that makes me feel good. The Youth Ensemble is not only a great way for us to express ourselves, but to help others express themselves as well.”
- Rebecca Henkind, age 10

"For me, the Youth Ensemble is an expression of a passion that I have. It is the creation of art through friendship, love and movement."
- Mariela Iacono

“What better way to spend one’s time by dedicating it to a passion filled with fire. A fire composed of work, strength, motivation, ambition, and devotion. To be able to see someone’s soul for a second, to be able to evoke a moment and relive it through movement, to look inside the eyes of one’s accomplices and witness a unique zeal radiate within them. To work with choreographers where vivacity is of second nature, and to perform for those with, perhaps less corporal ability, but with more love for dance than one could ever imagine. To be able to touch that special child’s heart and have it rejoice in an aura of excitement. The Ensemble dancers are bonded by a single task, automatically becoming one soul, one heart, one movement. This is what the Youth Ensemble means to me.”
- Ximena Iacono, age 18

“The Youth Ensemble is one of the greatest ways for me to show my passion for dance. For me one of the most meaningful things to see are the kids in the hospitals and schools enjoying what I do best-dancing. During our gigs, I get to meet some of the older dancers from other classes. I think that after I made the Youth Ensemble, I have become very secure with being on stage in front of an audience, since we have so many opportunities to perform.”
- Cali Kurlan, age 11

“For the seven and a half years I’ve been dancing, becoming a member of OCDT has been my goal. To me it means pleasure, challenge, and pride—and it also means family, friends, and a home away from home. Becoming part of the company started a new chapter in my dance life, one in which I can share my love of dancing with audiences young and old. It’s a way to give back through something I know and love.”
- Jordie Lesser-Roy, age 11

“Being a member of Off Center means doing what I love most and making a difference in the hearts of people who are less fortunate. Off Center also makes my heart race when I experience the joy of performing. This company makes me feel many wonderful and different emotions…. I love it!!!”
- Kacie McNamara, age 12

“I find great joy to be involved in such an amazing company filled with such amazing people. The chance to do what I love and spread my joy to audiences is incredible. When we visit hospitals and dance for everyone there, I have this wonderful feeling of happiness in my heart on the bus ride home. We have so many things to gain as members of OCDT; respect from other students in the school, the chance to be with dancers that inspire you, and opportunities like “Dancefest” and OCDT’s Invitational. This is a home away from home for me. A home where jokes are told, laughter is heard, memories are made, and occasionally, you get a day off from school! Thank You to all owing me the pleasure of being a part of this!”
- Desiree Parasconda, age 11

“The Youth Ensemble gives me a chance to pursue my passion for dance and to help me as both a person and a dancer each and everyday. We all work together like a family to create a piece of art so that we can share that with our audience. The friendships that I have built with the other company members and choreographers will stay with me forever. Because of our dedication, Dance Cavise is like my second home and I wouldn’t give that up for anything.”
- Michelle Pinto, age 18

“Off Center Dance Theatre is my way of connecting dance to all of those around me. The philanthropic work and the performances let me use dance as a form of expression to others. The company allows me to work and learn from creative choreographers while sharing the stage with talented dancers that have grown to be like family. Most importantly, Off Center gives me the opportunity to do what makes me the happiest; bringing dance to others by performing.”
- Megan Pollard, age 18

“Off Center is a place where I can express myself and I get to hang out with amazing people who share the same love.”
- Cristina Savone, age 14

“To me, OCDT is my therapy. I go into dance class and the rest of the world disappears. All of a sudden all of my problems are gone. Performing for others and putting smiles on their faces is the best feeling in the world. When people enjoy watching what I love to do, I get the greatest sense of satisfaction. My life would not be complete without OCDT.”
- Julie Serow, age 13

“What does OCDT mean to me? The company is like a second home to me in every sense of the word. We share everything, laughter, tears, good times and hardship. It gives my life purpose and a feeling of belonging. Some people ask how dancing can be a “community service”. I am actually giving myself, my personal being, to the community. I have been dancing since I was very young but until I started dancing with OCDT I had not learned how to be completely generous, uninhibited with my emotions. I never experienced the incredible high that comes from knowing you have had a powerful affect on another human being. I’ve seen children with cancer smile. I’ve seen children bound to wheelchairs dance their hearts out. I know my contributions are not insignificant; I am a part of something great! I know I can make a difference. If you look up “generosity” in the dictionary there should be a picture of Joe Cavise. Joe teaches us by example and inspires us to be great dancers. I know that generosity is the core of the OCDT mission and I hope I can be a part of it forever.”
- Chelsea Traylor, age 15

“The Youth Ensemble is a place where unbelievable things happen. It is a place where a group of completely different girls are bonded together by a common thread, the love for dance. Our love for dance is so strong that it can even make magic.”
- Emily Turco, age 14

“Off Center has allowed me to share my passion for dance with a wonderful group of girls. It has been my haven and my second family for the past six years.”
- Jamie Yasgur, age 18

Click here to see what last year's ensemble members had to say about their experiences.