Members of the Hamilton Southeastern High School dance team will compete in the IHSDTA Solo & Ensemble State competition at Crawfordsville High School on Feb. 28, 2026. Hamilton Southeastern has seven routines in the competition, consisting of three solos, three duets and one junior ensemble.
The event features individual and small-group performances, with dancers evaluated on technique, artistry and overall performance quality.
Senior Solos
Lila Oliver will perform a senior solo centered on storytelling through movement. She approaches her choreography with the goal of communicating emotion clearly to the audience and hopes to place in the top 10.
“I want them to read a story while I dance, and each movement means something to me,” Oliver said. “I hope they can read it too.”
Beyond results, Oliver says she is most excited for the experience of the day itself — spending time with teammates and taking in the atmosphere of state competition.
Summer Wolf will also compete a senior solo and hopes judges connect with both her emotional expression and technical ability.
“After watching my solo, I want the judges to feel moved with my storytelling and satisfied with my technical performance,” Wolf said.
Her goal is to dance from the heart and fully enjoy the experience of performing her solo one last time.
Junior Solo
Larsen Theophilus will represent Hamilton Southeastern in the junior solo division.
Senior Duet
Oliver will also compete alongside Ava Swedarsky in a lyrical duet centered on their close friendship off the stage. The performance reflects their shared passion for dance and the work they have invested throughout the season.
“We want the judges to know that we are best friends who share the same passion,” Swedarsky said. “We want to show the judges that we can use this song and turn it into something bigger.”
Addy Kistler and Macie Ruth will also perform a senior lyrical duet that reflects years of partnership. This marks their fourth year competing together, something both dancers say makes the performance especially meaningful.
“I want the audience to remember the genuine friendship and bond that dance has brought us,” Kistler said. “This routine has been special for us because it’s the one moment every competition we still get to dance together.”
“When we go out there, we truly enjoy ourselves and have fun, because it’s what we love to do,” Ruth said. “We dance together for our friendship, not for a trophy.”
Wolf will also take the stage in a duet with Linnea DeNicola. Their lyrical routine focuses on emotional connection, storytelling and technical precision. Recent choreography changes have helped strengthen the performance.
“I want the judges to remember our connection throughout the routine along with our technique,” DeNicola said.
Junior Ensemble
The junior ensemble division is represented by five freshmen: Hadley Beall, Hannah Senger, Faith Senger, Larsen Theophilus and Kailey White.
Unlike solos and duets, ensemble routines emphasize teamwork, synchronization and timing across the entire group. The freshmen ensemble has spent the season building consistency and connection as a unit while preparing for state competition.
With performances across multiple divisions, Hamilton Southeastern dancers will represent their program in one of the season’s most competitive individual events, showcasing months of preparation, personal expression and dedication on the state stage.
