West Chester Dance Works is in pursuit...

...of service, artistry, and connection.

Through the power of dance, we reach into our communities, step into new ones, and expand the unity that binds us all. Dance is our vehicle, and togetherness is our destination.

Learn more about our Annual Campaign here:

https://givebutter.com/WCDWinpursuit

In Pursuit

CONCERT

PROGRAM

FEATURING

-All WCDW Performing Companies

-Glorify Performing Arts

-Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts’ Adult Hip Hop

2:00 p.m. Pre-Concert Reception including Food Tasting and Cash Bar

2:30 p.m. Concert Seating Begins

3:00 p.m. In Pursuit Dance Concert

“For the enjoyment of all guests and to respect the performers, we kindly ask that you refrain from flash photography and video recording during the performance.

Thank you for your cooperation.”

1. Life, Liberty…Happiness

(An Excerpt from Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the Line)

FEATURING: Signature & Training Company

Choreographer: Diane Matthews

Music: Oh Freedom by Kim and Reggie Harris

Dancers: Audrey Hammitt, Inaijah Meaux, Adam Nsereko

“ ‘Rachel Harris: One Woman Over the Line’ tells the true story of Rachel Harris, an enslaved woman who escaped and lived free in West Chester, PA in the 1830’s, only to be recaptured. This project brings history to life with a regionally significant story that engages the audience through dance, projected historical images, live and recorded music, percussion, and narration. Rachel’s story illustrates how, during a dark time in American history, many people of varying backgrounds took risks and contributed to the pursuit of freedom.”

2. Don’t Worry, Be Happy

FEATURING: Junior Performers

Choreographer: Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo

Music: Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

Dancers: Jeneeta Durham, Taylah Easter, Zuri Hudson, Vivienne Hutnick, Ava Kajubi

“Be happy, look at me, I'm happy!”

3. Glory to God

FEATURING: Annointed Too

Choreographers: Nikki Matthews and Kiara Bass

Music: Glory to Your Name (Yahweh Chant) by BrvndonP, Marcus McFarlin

Dancers: Leah Broussard, Olivia Cooke, Avianna Mooring, Madison Taylor

“Father, glorify your name” John 12:28

PAUSE: ANNUAL CAMPAIGN VIDEO

4. Just Be Held

FEATURING: Annointed

Choreographer: Diane Matthews in collaboration with the dancers

Music: Just Be Held by Casting Crowns

Dancers:

“Life has many demands and people are pulled in many conflicting directions. "... when you're tired of fighting, chained by your control, there's freedom in surrender, lay it down and let it go."

5. Stop Runnin'

FEATURING: DM Dance Machine

Choreographer: Candace Matthews-Bass

Music: Runnin' by Naughty Boy fea. Beyonce'

Dancers: Haylee Benz, Leah Broussard, Samantha Brun, Cameron Fisher, Sophie Krewson, Aniyah McGibboney, Adam Nsereko, Araoluwa Osimokun, Olasumbo Vincent

“Facing challenges is not easy. We can prevail when we choose to stop running.”

6. Give Me Jesus

FEATURING: Glorify Performing Arts

Choreographer: Melody Mendoza

Music: Give Me Jesus by Moriah Peters

Dancers: Audrey Hammitt, Aleksa Lawry, Rachel Noonan

“A visual prayer of surrender depicting the intentional choice to cast aside life's anxieties and fix our gaze on Jesus.”

INTERMISSION - 20 MINUTES

Last chance to purchase raffle tickets and bid on remaining silent auction items! Please see WCDW staff for assistance. Drinks also available for purchase at the bar.

7. Just Getting Started

FEATURING: DM Dance Machine

Choreographers: Kiara Bass and Candace Matthews-Bass

Music: Mix- including (Missy Elliot, Joe Budden, Method Man, Timbaland and many more)

Dancers: Haylee Benz, Leah Broussard, Samantha Brun, Cameron Fisher, Sophie Krewson, Aniyah McGibboney, Adam Nsereko, Araoluwa Osimokun, Olasumbo Vincent

“A dance about the importance of strong starts. Approaching a new situation with enthusiasm may be the fuel to help keep it going.”

8. Make a Change

FEATURING: Junior Performers

Choreographer: Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo

Music: Man In the Mirror by SQUARE (originally by Michael Jackson)

Dancers: Jeneeta Durham, Taylah Easter, Zuri Hudson, Vivienne Hutnick, Ava Kajubi

“Looking inward to make a difference outward—this dance reminds us that real change starts with the person staring back in the mirror.”

9. Alabaster

FEATURING: Annointed Too

Choreographers: Nikki Matthews and Kiara Bass

Music: Alabaster by CASS, Eris Ford

Dancers: Leah Broussard, Olivia Cooke, Avianna Mooring, Madison Taylor

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

PAUSE: SENIOR RECOGNITION

10. Room Shifters

FEATURING: Adult Hip Hop (Our Diane Matthews SChool of Dance Arts Feature)

Choreographer: Shareese Asparagus

Music: Don't Jealous Me by Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr. Eazi & Lord Afrixana

Dancers: Kirsten Anderson, Jess Antos, Nicolette Benson, Amanda Krenos, Bess Lender, Dunya Markovic, Grace Mu, Emily Murphy, Gabriella Napoli, Nina Nserko, Jen Pomante, Tyler Propfe

“Leave your Mark, Shake the Room.”

11. You Make Me Brave

FEATURING: Glorify Performing Arts

Choreographer: Melody Mendoza

Music: You Make Me Brave by Bethel Music & Amanda Cook

Dancers: Christianna Carfagno, Audrey Hammitt, Aleksa Lawry, Rachel Noonan

“This dynamic work explores the shift from internal fear to outward strength, celebrating the courage found when we step out in faith and trust in God's sovereignty.”

12. We’ve All Come

FEATURING: WCDW’s Technique Class

Choreographer: Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo

Music: America by Aeon Wanderers and Lara Downes (originally by Simon and Garfunkel)

Dancers: Haylee Benz, Leah Broussard, Samantha Brun, Olivia Cooke, Jeneeta Durham, Talyah Easter, Cameron Fisher, Zuri Hudson, Vivienne Hutnick, Sophie Krewson, Ava Kajubi, Aniyah McGibboney, Avianna Mooring, Adam Nsereko, Araoluwa Osimokun, Madison Taylor, Olasumbo Vincent

“When time slips out of focus, what becomes of Her? In the space between memory and motion, hope and doubt, young voices move forward, asking if She is still there...”

Raffle Winners Announced

Curtain CAll

“We express our deepest gratitude to the following sponsors, whose generosity has made a significant impact on our organization.”

Chester County Community Foundation

GREATER PHILADELPHIA CULTURAL ALLIANCE

JD2 ENVIRONMENTAL

Johnson & Johnson

Pincus Family Foundation

The Presbytery of Donegal

UPTOWN KNAUER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Vanguard

WCDW Artistic Directors & Choreographers

Diane Matthews

Diane Matthews is the Director and Founder of West Chester Dance Works and the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts. She is also the Artistic Director of the Signature/Training Company and the Annointed companies. “Ms. Diane” began her dance training at the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, where she was awarded a full scholarship to study ballet, modern jazz, tap, and gymnastics. She continued her education at West Chester University and Philadelphia College of the Arts. She was one of the original members of Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) and a featured soloist with the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company. Ms. Diane has been teaching, performing, and choreographing for various schools, universities, and organizations for over 40 years.

Candace Matthews-Bass

Candace Matthews-Bass trained at the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts (DMSODA) for 16 years, studying ballet, tap, jazz and tumbling. While at Drexel University, Candace was captain of Drexel’s first Dance Team and a member/choreographer with the Drexel University Dance Ensemble. She graduated with a BS in Psychology and went on to complete her MA at Eastern University. Candace has danced professionally with Body Language Modern Dance Company, Freedom Theatre and West Chester Dance Works as both a corps and principle dancer for over 25 years. Additional performing includes freelance projects and contracted performances at colleges and sports venues throughout metropolitan Philadelphia. “Ms. Candi” is entering her 23rd year as director of West Chester Dance Works’ dance team “DM Dance Machine” and serves as the Artistic Coordinator and choreographer for “Expressions of Praise”, the intergenerational dance ministry of Grace Baptist Church of Germantown. Candace has been teaching dance at studios, colleges and conferences for over 30 years.

Kiara Bass

Kiara is a 2021 George Mason University graduate, receiving her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with concentrations in clinical and developmental psychology. During her time at George Mason University she danced with Urbanknowlogy 101 (UK101), George Mason University’s first hip hop dance team. While performing with UK101 she held two executive roles as the team’s Head Artistic Director and President. She also had the opportunity to study modern dance and Afro-Cuban dance styles during her years at George Mason University. Excited to return to her home studio, Kiara has been dancing for over 18 years and started at the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts in 2002. During her time at the studio she studied Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary/Modern, and praise dance. In her later years with the studio, she began teaching and choreographing for the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts, WCDW’s Annointed too, and DMSODA’s summer sessions. Kiara was also a member of West Chester Dance Works’ DM Dance Machine, Junior Performers, and Annointed Too.

Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo

A Long Island native, Kelly graduated from Adelphi University where she studied dance and psychology. She continued to earn her M.A. in Childhood Education with the Advanced Certificate in Special Education. Kelly has been teaching ballet, tap, modern dance, contemporary, and dance composition at various schools for over 20 years, and obtained her New York State Dance Teaching Certification in 2014. Kelly was a dance educator at her alma mater, Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA), where she worked with gifted and talented students interested in pursuing a career in the arts, as well as coordinated a collaborative program that brought dance to students with disabilities. Kelly has had the privilege of dancing professionally with companies including Patricia Kenny Dance Collection, Dance Householder, H.T. Chen and Dancers, and Jamal Jackson Dance Company. Having the opportunity to tour both nationally and internationally has made Kelly a better dancer, teacher, and person. This is her 10th season with West Chester Dance Works, where she serves as Junior Performers Director and teaches studio and company technique classes. She also works as the company assistant, focusing on grant writing and donor communication. She is grateful to her talented students and beautiful family for their endless inspiration!

Nikki Matthews

Nikki is a former student of the Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts where she studied jazz, ballet, modern, and hip-hop dance styles. She has also performed with four of the West Chester Dance Works’ companies, including Junior Performers, DM Dance Machine, Annointed Too, and Signature & Training Company. Nikki began teaching as a high school student specializing in the studio’s youngest dancers ages 3.5-6 years old, and has since been teaching and choreographing for all ages over the last 10 seasons. Now the Director of Annointed Too, Nikki focuses her energies on building the company’s youth dance ministry, guided by her faith and inspired by her young daughter.

Glorify Performing Arts

Melody Mendoza

Glorify Performing Arts was founded by Melody Mendoza in 2018 with a mission to present compelling, professional productions to encourage and empower Christians in their walk of faith, inspiring them to step forward boldly to reach the world. Since then, we have developed 21 original, faith-based productions that explore the beauty of the Christian faith through the art form of ballet. Beginning in the fall 2022, along with MainStage productions, we have toured to 19 local schools, inspiring students from preschoolers through college in their faith. Connect with us @glorifyperformingarts.

2025-2026 WCDW Company Members 

Signature & Training Company

Jerry Nathaniel Betts, Audrey Hammitt, Nasirah Henderson, Amanda Krenos, Aleksa Lawry, Madison Lewis, Aniyah McGibboney, Inaijah Meaux, Adam Nsereko

DM Dance Machine

Haylee Benz, Leah Broussard, Samantha Brun, Cameron Fisher, Quinn Galey, Sophie Krewson, Regina Lijoi, Aniyah McGibboney, Adam Nsereko, Araoluwa Osimokun, Olasumbo Vincent

JUNIOR PERFORMERS

Jeneeta Durham, Taylah Easter, Zuri Hudson, Vivienne Hutnick, Ava Kajubi

Annointed Dance

Annointed Too

Leah Broussard, Olivia Cooke, Arianna Mooring, Madison Taylor

WCDW Leadership

Founder/Executive Director: Diane Matthews

Artistic Director & DM Dance Machine Director: Candace Matthews-Bass

Annointed Too Director: Nikki Matthews

Annointed Too Co-Choreographer: Kiara Bass

Junior Performers Director/Company Assistant: Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo

Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts Teaching Staff: Shareese Asparagus, Samantha Brun, Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo, Antoinette M. Coward- Gilmore, Audrey Hammit, Lauren Linder, Nikki Matthews, Diane Matthews, Candace Matthews-Bass, Inaijah Meaux, Adam Nsereko, Elizabeth Powell, Senfuab Stoney, Tiffany Webb Stoney

Technical Coordinator: Rodney Matthews

Performance & Booking Manager: Ashanti Meaux

Operations Manager: Stacie Scheer

Events Manager: Guillermina Rios

Financial Manager: Jennie Radford

Accountant: Scott Frankenfield

Board of Directors

President: Donna Hymes

Vice President: Rodney Matthews

Treasurer: Faith Nsereko

Board Members: Steven Datlof, Diane Matthews, L. Diane Toaltoan

Our Programs

Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts

The educational program of WCDW offering classes to students of all ages, beginning 2.5 through adult. A nurturing family environment that provides quality instruction.

SIGNATURE/TRAINING COMPANY

Signature & Training Company is our semi-professional modern dance company offering creative growth, performance experiences, lecture demonstrations, and residencies for artistic, cultural and educational outreach. One of the current focuses for this group is helping our youth and communities overcome the obtrusive barriers to healthy and productive lifestyles through our “Relevate Youth” project.

DM DANCE MACHINE

Teamwork. Technique. Total performance.

Targeted for intermediate to advanced dancers aged 13 through 18, DM Dance Machine makes room on its team for every hard-working dancer looking to share their gifts in dance with audiences in a variety of theater and community-based settings. Our dance team combines technical strengthening in contemporary jazz and hip hop with team building, personal goals and performance enhancement.

JUNIOR PERFORMERS

Junior Performers is our performance group that gives youth ages 9 through 12 an opportunity to have more serious performing experiences. Annually, we continue to build this group of young dancers with those that have the desire to improve their performing skills and train in a more professional environment.

ANNOINTED DANCE MINISTRY

Adults who have a desire to praise the Lord through movement in a fellowship of Christian believers are welcome to join our spiritual performance group, Annointed. Members experience the joy of interpreting uplifting songs and sharing their talents and faith through community outreach in the name of Jesus Christ. 

ANNOINTED TOO DANCE MINISTRY

Praising God through movement and music interpretation describes our youth dance ministry, Annointed Too. This ministry is open to anyone between the ages of 8 and 18 with the desire to praise the Lord through dance. 

RELEVATE YOUTH

How can we work together to overcome the obtrusive barriers to healthy and productive lifestyles that are threatening today’s youth? In partnership with local schools and community organizations, our “Relevate Youth” project seeks to address barriers in youth development while affirming and building feelings of self-worth through interactive dance programs.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION

We are proud to continue our more than 30-year tradition of preparing an annual Christmas production in conjunction with the Greater West Chester Area Chamber of Commerce holiday activities. It continues to provide a festive seasonal outing for the young and young at heart. Auditions for our annual Christmas production typically occur in late September, and are open to dancers aged 8-18.

Artist In Residence

Residencies are extended lessons that precede or follow a dance program. Dance is used to enhance or deepen the understanding of the topic by teaching students’ movement in a structured, more intimate setting. Residencies can range from occurring in a week-long daily meeting session, to a once per week meeting that may occur over three to four weeks. Residencies give students a chance to engage with dance professionals to learn more about dance as communication and affirm their feelings or perspectives.

Auction Donors

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Special Thanks

Guest Artists: Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts & Glorify Performing Arts

Photographer:

Stage Manager: Kelly Butterworth-Dhamo

Technical Assistance: Rodney Matthews

Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center Executive Director: Heather Grayberg

Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center Technical Director: George Koenig

Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center Staff

West Chester Dance Works Volunteers & Families

“Thank you for your tremendous dedication, support, and commitment.”

…and God from whom all blessings flow

Our Mission

THE MISSION OF WEST CHESTER DANCE WORKS (WCDW) IS TO UPLIFT, NURTURE AND TRANSFORM DANCERS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH AN ACCESSIBLE, INCLUSIVE DANCE EXPERIENCE.

 We provide informed dance instruction, thoughtful community outreach programming and inspirational performances to audiences of all ages.

 Our vision is for dance to become a vehicle for improved outlook, conversation, reconciliation, awareness and unity between all people regardless to ethnicity, socio– economic background, religion, race or gender.

WCDW works to: increase healthy lifestyles through physical activity and education, create a link between artistic expression and advocacy (particularly for participating youth), help improve self-esteem and peer-to-peer support, and hone leadership skills with a focus on team-building. Each of our programs focuses on bringing artistic enrichment to those who otherwise may not have the opportunity to experience it.