Dancing The Night Away

By KAYLA JACKSON

The studio echoed with the sound of upbeat pop hits, sneakers squeaking on the floor and bursts of laughter. Friends cheered each other on as they tried pirouettes and learned the basics of jazz technique. Surrounded by friends and classmates, the lively atmosphere turned every step into a moment of connection with everyone laughing, learning and creating memories that move to the beat.

Bring a Friend to Dance Day is one of the most exciting days of the year for dance studios. It’s a day where students invite a friend to step into their world of music, movement and rhythm. This special event gives students the chance to share something they love with someone they care about. Whether their friend is a total beginner or secretly practices dance moves at home, this is their chance to try it out in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Dance teachers often prepare simple, exciting routines for the day, so everyone can follow along no matter their level of experience. From upbeat hip-hop combos to creative games and freestyle dance battles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on these fun-filled days.

This, however, was not the case at New York PAC on Monday, May 12th. The NYPAC Class of 2025 decided they were going to host a Bring a Friend to Dance Day because of all the slack they had received for dance “not being a sport” from their friends.

“My friend had never taken a dance class before but he swore up and down that one class in, he’d be better than me. By the end of class he was complaining about how sore he was but also said he had a lot of fun,” reported Cornwall High School Senior Bri Lont.

Teacher and choreographer for the Class of 2025, Jackie White, spoke on how she enjoys seeing her students interacting with each other and the friends they had bought who had never danced before. “I love seeing students light up when they get to share dance with someone new. It builds confidence, strengthens friendships, and brings a fresh burst of energy to the class.”

One of the highlights of the night was a former dancer making his return to the studio. Derek Perri, a senior at Washingtonville High School, was brought to the class by one of his closest friends. He had previously been a student at NYPAC over 12 years ago, dancing with his triplet brother and sister in a hip hop and acro combo class. Perri shared how he was initially nervous to come back to dance, but was excited once he realized how many of his friends would be there with him.

Bring a Friend to Dance Day isn’t just about learning new moves, or giggling as someone with two left feet tries to do a jazz combo. The day is about creating memories, trying something new and showing someone how fun dancing can be. Grab sneakers, grab a friend, find a place and get ready to dance the night away.