The Young Women’s Leadership School of Staten Island

Bringing Joy (and a Few Dance Moves!) to TYWLS Staten Island

At Arts Ignite, we bring the arts into all kinds of spaces—and what better place to spark creativity, confidence and connection than in our incredible New York City public schools. One of our longtime partners, The Young Women’s Leadership School of Staten Island, has been dancing with us since 2022, and we’re always thrilled to board the ferry each week so we can move, shake and create with their outstanding students.

Each school year from November through May, we lead our “Let’s Dance!” program— a series of weekly workshops that take young movers through an experience filled with dance, music, laughter, and countless opportunities for expression. The goal of this program is to increase participants’ skills in all five of the five of the Social Emotional Learning domains, feelings of body confidence, and freedom through self-expression.

Building Confidence, One Step at a Time

At the start, some students may feel more reserved, and participate by observing and just getting a feel for things, but it doesn’t take long before the energy shifts.Before long they are sharing ideas, hyping each other up, and jumping into the movement with energy and funk.

Arms stretch higher, steps get bolder, and students embrace their unique style boldly. No two dancers move the same and that’s exactly the point. Our teaching artists and the community are always quick to celebrate how the movement translates onto each young person.

By Week 4, the results are transformative: the energy is joyful, supportive and electric. There’s laughter, collaboration, and moments of undeniable abandon when everyone is just in it together.

Our Teaching Artists stand (or dance!) side by side with our students, cheering them on, reminding them of their strength, and encouraging them to take creative risks, in the dance class and beyond. Whether it’s trying a new move or leading a group moment, students are constantly invited to step into their power and have fun doing it.

Student Voices

At the beginning of the residency, students were asked: “What part of dance will you always remember?” Their answers say it best:

• “The dance moves because they are fun!”
• “I like the dance moves and that I could help people with them.”
• “The part that I will remember is the dance because it was pretty fun.”
• “A part that I liked was the steps and the formation.”
• “How we can work in a group and dance together.”
• “The fun choreo.”
• “I could dance with my friends.”

Programs like “Let’s Dance!” remind us that when young people are given space to move, create, and express themselves, something powerful happens. Confidence grows. Community forms. And joy? That part comes naturally.

And yes, there are definitely some great dance moves along the way!