Gregory

"I don’t know if you know this — but dance stimulates your mind."

By Students of NYC

October 31^st, 2025

"I was being heavily made fun of because of my speech impediment when I found dance. Dance allowed me to fully express myself. I could use it as an outlet for all the complex emotions I was experiencing. I started dancing my freshman year, and trained in every style possible. Jazz, tap, hip hop, Afro-Caribbean, bachata, praise dance, majorettes. I would dance after school in a program with Ms. Richardson. I used to come every day just to go to dance after my classes and see her. But in 10th grade, the dance department completely dissolved when Ms. Richardson was battling breast cancer. My love toward her made me miss dancing so badly — with that gone, I was heartbroken. But I knew I couldn’t be the only one of my peers who wanted to dance. I went to my principal every day, I'm telling you, every single day, to advocate for a dance program. We found a ballet teacher who came, but ballet didn’t appeal to a lot of my classmates. I went anyway — anything I could do. But because there were only three of us, eventually that disappeared too.

When my principal found Ms. Bella, a dance educator to run another club, our whole community changed. We worked together to promote the club. Our principal supported us in contributing to performances. Then, at the beginning of my 11th-grade year, we were able to bring in a full-time dance teacher, Ms. White, and actually make dance a class during the school day. I got along so well with Ms. White. She was a new teacher, and also a professional dancer. But she saw all of my creativity and potential. One day she said, 'If you want, Gregory, you can choreograph dances yourself. Teach your peers.' That was wild to me. I could make my own dance? Teach it to my classmates? Being able to do this made me realize that I want to take dance seriously in my life. Being a dancer, it’s my top priority to encourage others. It comes from being a dancer myself and not having access to dance training myself before grade 9. I understood how it felt to be the worst in the room, to be made fun of. I wanted to empower others, to inspire them to be confident.

I became the dance captain. As a leader, I was able to create high-level pieces, costumes, track lists, as part of the shows. It taught me — dang! This is a lot of work. But it was my love, and my mission to teach others. It comes from being a dancer myself and not having access to dance training myself before grade 9. I understood how it felt to be the worst in the room, to be made fun of. I wanted to empower others, to inspire them to be confident. The kids that I work with as a captain are all in different circumstances. Some are in foster care. Some are homeless. Some have mental health issues. But I know I need to make dance an outlet for these kids because that’s what helped me. Sometimes I have to get on them. It’s not always easy for me. There are times when I really have to take a moment and say, Gregory, breathe. Have empathy. Everyone’s situation is different. Like me, before I began to dance, I was outside hanging out every day. I even started being with the wrong crowd. So I know how powerful this artistry can be.

And I don't know if you know this — but dance stimulates your mind. It makes you more intelligent. I know this to be 100% true. Over the last three years, I've had the highest averages in my school career. In June, I’m on track to be the valedictorian."