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VIEW FROM THE HILL
Experiential Education at UNH: When the World is Your Classroom
The University of New Haven is taking the classroom out of the building, and the students into the field. UNH students are availing themselves of internships, research opportunities, and community service that bring them into contact with scientists, businesspeople, professional engineers, authors and more. Experience combined with education—aka experiential education—is moving UNH students into the future equipped to succeed.

For this UNH Dance Crew, the Road to Fame Began with Childhood Friendships
A University of New Haven dance team stepped on stage at the storied Apollo Theater in Harlem several weeks ago, hoping to make their name legendary. Michael Minelli ’10 and Michael Kuzoian ’10, both residents of New Hall, along with Central Connecticut State University sophomore Ron-Adrian Libatique, make up the hip-hop dance crew E3. Their beginnings as little boys trying to impress while singing songs to their classmates has matured into edgy, crowd-pleasing performances that are a far cry from "Happy Birthday."

That day, they were as prepared as they figured they were going to be: The two UNH students were in the midst of taking the Career Service’s seminar, ‘How to Master Your Skill 101,” (HMS 101) they all had been dancing together since middle school, and two of them had been singing and dancing together since second grade. They were known in the region among hip-hop dance crews, having performed at numerous venues including Disneyworld, and on the International Dance Organization’s 2006 USA Dance Team, which competes internationally.

Still, the Apollo is the big time.

The storied hall where a young Ella Fitzgerald won first prize of $25 at amateur night in November 1934 and went on to become a singing legend - and where scores of other singers have found fame over the decades - continues to host amateur night. But now it is televised, in “Showtime at the Apollo,” and it takes more than one audition to make it to TV.

Just as Simon Cowell tosses contestants off the popular talent show “American Idol” with a sweep of the hand and a cutting remark, the Apollo had its own way of moving less-than-talented performers quickly off the stage. It featured ‘the executioner,” a man with a broom who would sweep the performers away if audiences yelled for them to go.

Happily, there was no broom for the E2 crew. After passing a preliminary test, then earning second place in the first round and first place in the second round, they are now vying for the $25,000 first prize March 26.

They don't want to go it alone, however. They are asking UNH students to support them by attending the competition March 26 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. If enough students decide to go, Career Services will charter a bus to take them. (Email mbell1@newhaven.edu if you are interested in joining the cheering section.)

"The University of New Haven students took what they learned in the class and applied it to their goal for a career after UNH," says Marquis Bell, who is the Career Services instructor for UNH’s "How to Master Your Skill."

"Showtime at the Apollo," is just a start for them, they hope. This month, they are auditioning for the Simon Cowell show, "America's Got Talent." They haven't been told their date yet.

For Libatique, who spends his days hurrying back and forth from Central in New Britain to UNH, balancing classes, working his schedule around the two other team members' schedules and figuring out ways to pay for gas to get to West Haven, it’s worth it.

"It's definitely something I'm willing to do because it's so rewarding to meet up and do all these shows," he says. "It drives me to want to do it more so we can keep going."

Their career aspirations? "We want to do movies and music videos," Kuzoian says.

Minelli nods. "We want to turn our fun into our job," he says.