Alexi is a member of one of the premier dance orgnaizations at UVA, so it's fitting that she is providing an introduction to getting involved in the arts at UVA. If you're interested in studying or being involved in the arts here, don't miss the UVA Arts website!
As a reminder, if you are viewing this on a mobile device, you'll want to click the "View Web Version" link at the bottom to get the Disqus comment box to appear.
My
name is Alexi Comella and I am a third-year student from outside Chicago
studying history and public policy. I have been a dancer my entire life, and
when I started school at UVA, I knew that I wanted to continue dancing in
college as well. Lucky for me, UVA has great opportunities to get involved in
the arts, particularly within student organizations or CIOs. CIOs, or
contracted independent organizations, are our 800+ student groups that are
independent from the university. Each group’s leaders are responsible for
membership, appealing to Student Council for funds, and pursuing their mission.
I think this is a great opportunity for us Wahoos to take charge of the groups
we’re passionate about.
Student
organizations are a great opportunity for making friends and finding your place
at UVA! Not only are these student groups a place to come together with people
who share your same passion, but they are social organizations as well. You can
find my dance friends and I outside the studio hiking humpback rock early in
the morning, studying in the library together late at night, or laughing over
burgers on any given Saturday. As an out of state student, I found my home and
my place at UVA through my dance group and through these amazing friends I was
able to make my first year in college.
The
dance organization I am a part of, the University Dance Club, is just one of
over a hundred visual and performing arts groups on grounds. There are dance
groups ranging from those that practice and perform any and all styles of dance
to those that specialize in salsa dancing, aerial dancing, ballet and more. UVA
boasts a unique array of a cappella groups, from one that was featured in Pitch
Perfect (shoutout Hullabahoos) to a group that is specifically for people who
can’t sing at all (shoutout No Tones)! There are arts organizations like comedy
groups, choirs, a symphony orchestra, a fashion organization, photography club,
and so! much! more! I love UVA for a lot of reasons, but I am so happy I go to
a school that has a diverse arts community within an amazing array of student
organizations.
