Manhattan University Dance team performs their hip-hop routine at NDA Nationals, placing 6th overall.
@MANHATTANDANCETEAM/ INSTAGRAM
Brooke Della Rocco, Senior Writer
Manhattan University’s Jasper Dancers concluded their 2025-2026 season in early April, returning from the NDA National Finals in Daytona Beach, Florida, with a sixth place finish in hip-hop.
The MU dance team presented their jazz and hip-hop routines at their annual showcase on March 28, before traveling to nationals. Led by head coach Madeline Donahue and assistant coach Brylee Watkins, the team excelled in the Division 1 categories.
Donahue highlighted the hard work that was exhibited behind the scenes to make the dances more precise on stage.
“The way that the dances grew is just a testament to the shift in mindset of the dancers and how they were able to focus and lock-in on what they needed to do,” Donahue said. “That grind didn’t stop once we got to Daytona, that was something that they continued. When we were there [at nationals], we practiced until 11 p.m. at night, we practiced almost 8 hours a day, and that drive and push to fight for something that they wanted just proved how hungry they were to do well. It really paid off.”
Nikita Shany, a freshman on the team, spoke about the personal challenges that accompanied the long practices and preparation required.
“The most challenging [part] was practicing every single day, because my body could not take it,” Shany said.
Despite the physical toll that the sport took on their bodies, the Jasper Dancers remained extremely positive through team support and motivation. Across the season, the team held private talks to discuss motivational strategies with encouragement and support remaining key elements in maintaining team morale.
Donahue mentioned a slight disadvantage in team size and how they overcome it year after year.
“Being a smaller team in the Division 1 category, it’s really hard to stand out and to be a strong contender for something like finals,” Donahue said. “Opposed to doing the classic things that other teams do…we try to pick some songs and ideas that will make us stand out.”
Freshman Kat Zyla, shared a similar sentiment, and highlighted the strengths of a smaller team.
“Having a small team is a little bit of a disadvantage dance wise, but it’s not a disadvantage team wise,” Zyla said. “I think because we were so small, we were able to be really close and I think that really helped keep a positive season.”
While their jazz routine did not make it to the finals round, the girls expressed their pride in their performances and their satisfaction with the placement of their hip-hop routine. Moving forward into next season, Zyla expressed how she hopes to approach a new year on the team.
“I feel like [I am] going into next year with a blank slate and not even worrying about what we got last year,” Zyla said. “Obviously striving for better is always what we’re gonna do…This year, I feel like we were able to work so hard because there wasn’t much pressure put on us to [place] higher than last time. I feel like it’s gonna help us grow if we just come in [with a] blank slate.”
Coach Donahue highlighted her excitement for the coming year as well, emphasizing how the reward for their hard work will make all the difference.
“This was a younger team when you think about it,” Donahue said. “Aside from our two captains, last year was everybody’s first year at nationals. Getting to see how much work they put in, but actually seeing the reward at the end of it — that feeling of making it to finals and that feeling of getting to walk out of there with a banner that says ‘finalist,’ it plants a bug in you.”