The Evolution Of Dance: Best Dance Programs

To showcase not only the range of special dance class venues in NYC, but also to paint a portrait of how the art form evolves as students grow up, we asked seven young dancers—ranging in age from 3.5 to 17, pictured here from youngest to oldest (click through the slideshow below; all photos by Karen Haberberg Photography)—to tell us why they dance and what they love about the sport.

Younger dancers told us why they started and shared their hopes for the future, while older dancers explained why they’ve stuck with it.

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Lucy Moses School At Kaufman Music Center
The Dancers: Audrey and Isabella Mont, 3.5; Their Mom: Chia Kuo Why They Dance: “Like many toddlers, Audrey and Isa love to sing and dance to music. They sometimes put on ‘performances’ for us at home, with one playing music with toddler instruments and the other singing and prancing around the room. I naturally thought they would like dance, particularly ballet, because we have a few children’s books about ballet that they like. Audrey and Isa are also very active, so I felt that dance would be a good outlet for what seems to be their boundless energy.” What They Love: “Part of the fun for Audrey and Isa is getting dressed up for class in their leotards and ballet slippers. While in class, they love to let loose, dance with other children, and learn new dance moves that they get to practice at home. I think what keeps the girls interested in ballet class at Lucy Moses School is that every class is unique and exciting.” What Mom Hopes For: “I don’t have any particular hopes for their future in dance, as they are still so young, but I do hope that when they are older they will be open to exploring other types of dance aside from ballet.”
Applause
The Dancer: Gemma Soleymani, 5.5 Why She Dances: “Because I’m good at it and it’s fun!” What She Loves: “I love to be with my friends, I love the music, and I just love to dance!”
Ballet Academy East
The Dancer: Lillian Rose Dutchover, 7 Why She Dances: “Because I love it…I love to hear the music and dance!” What She Hopes For: “I want to be a prima ballerina one day.”
The School At Peridance
The Dancer: Emilia Pasquarelli, 8 What She Loves: “I love that there are a lot of different types of dance and that you get to express yourself. What She Hopes For: “I hope that one day I will be dancing professionally on a huge stage with bright lights shining on me.”
The School At Steps
The Dancer: Justine Choueiri, 10 (turning 11 this month!) Age She Started Dancing: “I first started dancing while living in Sydney when I was 3. Then I moved to London and joined First Steps Academy. I took my first Royal Academy of Dance exam at the age of 8. When I moved to New York, I started dancing at the School at Steps and joined their Pre-Professional program a year later.” What She Loves: “I really enjoy the beautiful music our accompanists play during my ballet classes. I also love preparing for the holiday performance and end-of-year showcase, especially discovering the pretty costumes that we wear! Being on stage is the highlight of the year, as we get recognition from everyone on a year of hard work. I love to watch the shows after; I am always so inspired by the advanced dancers.” Why She Dances: “I continue dancing because it makes me happy. It is a real pleasure to take dance lessons with the very good friends I have had for three years at the School at Steps. My teachers have always been role models for me, [and have been] encouraging, and caring. My dream is to dance in pointe shoes and I am very determined to make it happen. Hopefully I will achieve this a few months from now!”
Shooting Stars NYC
The Dancer: Eliza Feinberg, 14 Age She Started Dancing: “I started ballet class when I was 2. I’ve been dancing competitively with Shooting Stars NYC since I was 10.” What She Loves: “I like being able to express myself through dance and movement. Dance provides me with an outlet for my stress and enables me to be a more focused student in school. Being part of a team has taught me to work well with others, as well as given me valuable leadership skills. Performing on stage gives me more confidence not only in dance, but in other areas of my life.” Why She Dances: “I continue to dance, because I enjoy the accomplishment of mastering more challenging dance skills and learning more complex choreography. My passion for dance grows stronger as I mature. I could not imagine my life without dance.”
Broadway Dance Center
The Dancer: Christie Nakajima, 17 Age She Started Dancing: 5 What She Loves: “I love being able to express myself on stage and in the studio, whether I’m trying to perfect a trick or simply improving to music.” Why She Dances: “I’ve had dance in my life since I was a little girl and I have danced for as long I have because I really enjoy it. Dancing is a form of self-expression for me and, even though it can be hard at times, one of the best parts of being a dancer is seeing my improvement as an artist and as a person as a whole. The amount of hard work I put in is directly proportional to the type of dancer I am… Dance has also taught me a lot and I probably would not be the same person without it. I’ve learned self-discipline, body control, artistry, and much more; dance started as a hobby, but it has turned into much more than that.”