Aliyah Brewington, BA in Applied Dance and BS in Psychology, is heading to NYC to attend Broadway Dance Center's Independent Training Program!
The program consists of taking several movement classes each week all varying in styles, while also giving the opportunity to perform, network, and meet other fellow dancers.
"I am thrilled to experience the dance industry in NYC," she explains. "I feel the city has so much to offer. Looking at BDC specifically, I am excited to gain more insight into my dance training and train with renowned choreographers."
"UNC Charlotte has given me the confidence and courage to follow my passion," she continues. "As an incoming freshman, I would have never thought I would be moving to NYC to pursue my dreams of dancing professionally. With the opportunities from my professors and peers, Charlotte has helped me understand myself truly and appreciate my art form. The Charlotte Dance Department will always have a place in my heart!"
Valerie DaPolito, BM in Music Education, is working full-time in North Carolina schools teaching Elementary General Music to K-5 students!
"I am excited to have fun with students and help them build necessary fundamental music knowledge," Valerie shares.
"The Music Ed program is heavily based on research and real-world practice, which has been super helpful," she continues.
"Before student teaching, I had real experience teaching children and working on instruction delivery, transitions, and differentiation."
Kiana Vazquetelles, BA in Theatre Performance with a Minor in Communications Studies, was accepted into the Disney College Program as a character or parade performer!
"I will be moving to Orlando in August and my program starts on the 19th!" she shares. "I won’t know what my role is officially until about two weeks out from my move-in date. It could be just about anything in any of the parks!"
As she awaits her departure for Orlando, Vazquetelles will spend the summer at Charlotte’s local theme park, Carowinds, where she has performed regularly since she was 16. She’ll do five shows a day, five days a week. "I have worked at Carowinds for seven years, and I’m so excited to transition to something even bigger and better!" she continues. "I have always loved theme park culture and live entertainment and to be a character performer at Disney is a huge goal of mine. I’m super pumped but also nervous to be in Central Florida and live away from Charlotte for the first time. I truly do think it will be a place where I thrive!"
Christian Souza, BM in Vocal Performance, is heading to UNC School of the Arts for a Master of Music – a conservatory training program that accepts just 8 students into its graduate vocal performance degree program!
“There are so many great opportunities as a result of being in Charlotte,” says Souza. “Say yes to everything that you can.”
As the son of a pastor, Souza “grew up a church singer” and has sung in choirs from elementary school in Anchorage, Alaska throughout his time at Charlotte. Choral singing is his musical bedrock, and Souza has a special appreciation for Assistant Professor Jason Dungee, director of choral activities.
“Dr. Dungee has been so amazing to work with. The level of care that he puts into the music, the amount of nuance that he gets from a large group, is so impressive.”
But it was a role in Carlisle Floyd’s opera "Susannah," presented at Central Piedmont, that put opera at the forefront of his aspirations. Since then, Souza has sung the toreador Escamillo in "Carmen" and the hero Tamino in "The Magic Flute" through the UNC Charlotte Opera Workshop, participated in the International Lyric Academy opera training program, and toured with Opera Carolina’s educational outreach program, Opera Xpress, which each year takes an opera production into local schools and community centers.
Ashley Lam, Opera Carolina’s Sr Director for Learning, has heard Souza perform several times during his years at Charlotte. “When Christian came to the International Lyric Academy last summer, his voice had just exploded in all the best ways,” she said. That led Lam to tap Souza for the Opera Xpress tour, a professional experience that offered him more than 30 paid performances this year.
His powerful tenor has also earned him top prizes in the Mid-Atlantic NATS Student Auditions several years in a row. This spring, he received 1st Place in Male College Level Tenor, Baritone & Bass Voice category and a Judges Award at the state NATS competition and 1st Place in the Advanced Post-Baccalaureate Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass division at the regional competition.
Emily Guy, BA in Architecture, is working at FMK Architecture and continuing to graduate school at UNC Charlotte, earning her Masters in Architecture!
Ariel Von Alberto, BSBA in International Business, BA in Theatre Performance with a Minor in Japanese, was offered a full-time job as an English teacher in the Japanese Exchange Teaching (JET) Program!
Von will be teaching English to Japanese K-12 students as well as sharing experiences about different types of cultures around the world.
"I am most excited about working in Japan, which is very close to the Philippines where I am originally from. I am very excited to start this new chapter of my life," he shares.
"After studying abroad in Japan with UNC Charlottes's exchange program, I fell in love with the culture. Without the exchange program, I wouldn't have been able to realize that this was an option for me after graduation," he says.
Chloe DosReis, BA in Dance Education, was offered a full-time teaching position at Langtree Charter Upper Academy in Mooresville starting and developing a new dance department!
"I will be teaching grades 7-12 dance and dance fitness aerobics!" Chloe shares.
"The UNC Charlotte Department of Dance gave me a dance family at college while learning everything that teaching the future generations of dancers entails," she explains.
"My professors were always invested in mentoring me and connecting me with opportunities!"
Christopher Smith, BM in Music Performance, was offered two assistantships to attend graduate school at Western Michigan University to study music performance!
"I will be a graduate assistant for the athletic bands and the graduate assistant for the trombone studio," Chris shares.
"I hope to get a position in a full or part-time orchestra, and I am most excited about having more of an opportunity to do that," he continues.
"My professional development at UNC Charlotte has helped me a lot and will be very helpful in my future endeavors."
Norah Miller, BA in Applied Dance and BS in Psychology, is heading to grad school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Eastern Carolina University! "UNC Charlotte has helped me to cultivate skills in organization, critical thinking, time management, communication, and accountability which will aid me in my graduate education," she continues.
Sarah Webb, BA in Applied Dance Studies, BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Management, was accepted into Broadway Dance Center's Independent Training Program in NYC! 
Abby Williams, BA in Music and BA in Criminal Justice, is heading to graduate school at the University of South Carolina to earn her Master of Arts in Music Education with a concentration in Choral/General Music!
"I hope to teach high school level choir, alongside private voice lessons and courses in music theory," Abby explains.
"My time at UNC Charlotte has helped me to solidify my desire to have a career in music, and with the guidance of many of my professors in the music department, has given me the confidence in my skills to feel as though I am capable of a career in music," she continues.
Before heading to USC, Abby is spending the fall semester as a participant in the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. "I will be gaining valuable career experience and learning about the Walt Disney Company and their approach to customer service. Being accepted into this program has been a lifelong dream of mine. UNC Charlotte and my experiences here have given me the courage to take hold of every opportunity presented to me."
Zoe Freas, BA in Dance, was offered a part-time job with Charlotte Ballet teaching dance classes for students aged 3-12 in the Lower Division Academy! "My time at UNC Charlotte has prepared me both physically and pedagogically," she continues. "I’ve taken several courses to improve my technician and knowledge of Ballet but also courses that have shaped my ability to teach."
Allie Schultz, BA in Dance Performance '23, is a trainee with Ballet Magnificat in Jackson, MS!
"I have performed over 30 times since August in the community," she shares. "We perform and minister to folks all over the Jackson Metro Area, from hospitals to churches, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and local theater venues."
"Next season, I have been invited to be a part of the Events Company and tour both nationally and internationally with Ballet Magnificat!" she continues.