Worcester’s Deanna Tomasetta Dancing Her Way to NYC
Monday, November 17, 2014
Tomasetta, who was a finalist on 'So You Think You Can Dance?' in 2012 and 2013, said, "I plan on signing with a dance agency in New York to do more commercial work and musical theater and Broadway. I also was offered a full company position with Kaleidoscope Dance Theater and the Sean McLeod Dance Experience, which is a NYC based dance company, to begin a tour with them come the new year."
Tomasetta began dancing in Worcester when she was two years old at Jo Ann Warren Studio in Worcester. Her first experience in New York City was five years later, when at age seven, Tomasetta already knew what she wanted to do. "I told my parents in that very moment driving into the city that I would live there some day. It is such a weird thing that I have come full circle and stayed true to my passion and dream of being a professional dancer in NYC," said Tomasetta.
Worcester Has Impact On Dee
Tomasetta continued her dance classes at Elite Academy of Dance in Shrewsbury until her high school graduation at Holy Name.
"The dance community in Worcester, and Massachusetts in general, is tightly knitted everyone knows everyone, which makes dancing so special. Dancing for me is about connecting with others, and building a community. Even if I was from a different dance school, I had many friends from dance schools all over Massachusetts growing up. I was always dancing growing up. Whether it was in the Columbus Day parade, school musicals, dancing at First Night in downtown Worcester, at retirement homes,or local dance competitions," said Tomasetta.
When Tomasetta comes home, she takes time out teach at local dance schools in the Worcester area. Tomasetta said, "It is important to me to give back to a community that gave me so much and never stopped believing in me. As I continue on my journey in my career, my main goal is to connect with others and give the younger generation encouragement that anything is possible, and I think that goes beyond dancing."
Tomasetta Works Hard at Michigan
Due to her academic excellence and dance achievements, Tomasetta was selected to be the Student Flag Bearer at Michigan's commencement. Tomasetta maintained a 3.82 GPA and did so while still having to attend rehearsals, dance classes, and six classes per semester. "I always managed to be in the moment and balance my dance career outside and inside of the university, school work, and a social life," said Tomasetta.
"My time at Michigan has been truly incredible. I was so lucky and fortunate to go to such a prestigious university to pursue my passion of dancing. For me, the University of Michigan has it all; academics, a true college experience with such school spirit in a college town, and of course a top dance program. This was all that I could ask for. I could have gone to a conservatory school in NYC where academics and the college experience weren't that great, but I told myself if I was to go to college I was going to do it the right way! And the University of Michigan stole my heart," said Tomasetta.
The Dance Department of Michigan is extremely small, only accepting 18 students or less each year. "The department seeks individual attention, which most programs don’t have. I truly feel Michigan has taken me under their wing and brought out the best Dee Tomasetta to date. I have had many opportunities given to me through this dance program."
Tomasetta is currently in her show week, and it will be the final show she will be performing at Michigan. With four other seniors, Tomasetta produced and choreographed a show for their Senior Thesis concert entitled "From the Deepest Chest." The show will run November 20-22. Tomasetta choreographed a group danced titled "Evening's Empire," and choreographed a solo that she will be performing titled "With One Hand Waving Free."
Aside from 'So You Think You Can Dance', being part of the Michigan Dance Department allowed Tomasetta the opportunity to be on 'America's Got Talent'. She was a back up dancer for Lzzy Hale and Lindsey Stirling.
"I really questioned staying in school, since I always had opportunities that gave me the option to leave and pursue dance professionally. Looking back at it now, I wouldn't of changed anything. I truly found my voice as not only a dancer and artist, but as a person at my time at the university. I gained so much knowledge about my art, and trained intensely each day."
What's Next for Tomasetta?
Tomasetta has her eye on a transition into the entertainment industry and would like to do acting in both television and film. She has recently done modeling for MAC cosmetics. Tomasetta said, "I want to always strive for more and challenge myself, so singing, acting, and modeling are things always up my sleeve to pull out at any time. I am always surprising myself of what I can do. I truly believe that it is my spontaneity that keeps me moving above and beyond."
For the immediate future, Tomasetta will be coming home to Worcester for the holidays. 'I am so thrilled to eat some major Italian food, see my family, and rekindle with high school friends. I am family oriented, and coming from an Italian family I have been taught family is everything. And my family is certainly everything to me. I will be home for Thanksgiving and hope to be teaching some dance classes while home. Then I will be moving out of my Michigan house for good, saying goodbye to the Wolverines and heading home in December, before making the move to the Big Apple."
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