The dance team has been at Bay Shore High school for over a decade. It is currently run by Coach Baston and Coach Bee alongside a few passionate dancers who came together to represent their school at events. The team meets one to three times a week for practices that can last up to two and a half hours. Over time, it grew into a community with a mix of styles, techniques, structure and professionalism.
Passion for Dance
Senior team captain, Ileana Cuevas shared how dance serves as her primary outlet for self expression.
“It’s something I love, it makes me happy,” she said.
Despite the challenges of social distancing during practices, she noted that the team managed to adapt well.
“We had designated dance spots to ensure we weren’t too close to each other, but it didn’t affect our connection or performance,”Cuevas said.
This year, the team has embraced a new culture with fresh faces and diverse dance genres.
“It’s exciting to see how much we’ve evolved,” Cuevas said. “Our relationship is strong; we treat each other like family and love each other very much.”
Welcoming New Members
Freshman Annaliese Collins joined the team after being inspired by last year’s performances. She expressed her initial feelings of pressure.
“Seeing the team last year, I thought it looked cool and fun, but I felt a little intimidated since the upperclassmen are so good at this style of dance.” Collins said. “Everyone took the new members in and treated us like one of their own. It feels like a family.”
She quickly found her place within the group. The team’s recent performance at a pep rally showcased their ability to learn and execute a routine in a short amount of time, demonstrating their skills and teamwork.
“It was so rewarding to see how well we could come together,” Collins said.
Building a Supportive Community
Senior Jayden Chambers described the team as a supportive and empowering community.
“I joined in 11th grade, drawn by the friendly spirit. I wanted to make new friends and become closer with others.” Chambers said.
He shared a memorable moment from last Halloween when they performed “Monster” by Nicki Minaj, expressing the creativity and fun they experience as a group.
Chambers emphasized the family-like atmosphere within the team.
“The coaches are like our parents, and we are the kids. We have team bonding sessions twice a month where we discuss our feelings and what’s been happening in our lives.” Chambers said. “You assume you’ll be treated differently, but here, everyone is welcomed and included.”
He noted the empowerment he feels as a boy on the team.
Josiah Prescod, also a member on the team, joined after seeing the passion of Captain Emely Pimentel.
“She showed me that any body type can dance,” he says. “Watching her dance with so much heart opened my eyes to what this team stands for.”
He believes the team has made a strong comeback, particularly after their successful performance at the multicultural festival last year. With regular team bonding activities, the members have developed strong relationships that extend beyond dance.
“Being a boy on the team feels amazing,” Josiah adds, highlighting the talent of his fellow dancers, including Jayden Chambers, August Swinton, Jeanmuel Ocno and Ezekiel Charles, other boys on the team.
“We all bring our own styles and strengths, and that makes us better as a team.”
Behind the scenes
Falan Boyd, the coach with the dynamic and graceful force behind the team, emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where students can truly be themselves.
“I want the kids to have fun and explore their creativity,” she says. “It’s about showing who you are through dance, not just getting the steps right.”
With a background in dance that began at just three years old, Boyd’s love for dance, particularly hip hop and tap, shines through in her teaching. Though she only danced on the team once as a freshman, her experiences at Venettes Cultural Workshop fueled her desire to bring something special to the Bayshore dance scene. “I felt I could add a little flair to the team,” she reflects.
The heart of the dance team, according to Boyd, lies in the relationships she builds with her students. “The kids are the best part of my day,” she shares. “Seeing them smile makes everything worth it. It’s like having 45 kids sharing one brain in 45 different bodies.”
This sense of connection is reflected in the way students support one another, fostering an atmosphere of respect and fun.
Cori Baston, another brilliant coach on the team, is all about bringing out the unique personality in each dancer.
“I love seeing how everyone adds their own style; it makes our team special,” she says.
She focuses on keeping classes fun and relatable, teaming up with Coach Boyd to blend her visual approach with her choreography skills.
Her favorite styles to teach are jazz and modern, which she finds more expressive. With a dance journey starting at age four, Coach Baston has danced her whole life, even during college. Now, as a paraprofessional and graduate student, she’s back in the Bay Shore community, inspired by her own high school experiences.
The bond between Coach Baston and her dancers is truly special. They call her “Mom” and Coach Boyd “Dad,” creating a nurturing family-like atmosphere.
“Everything I want for my daughter, I also want for my dancers,” she says.
With Coach Baston leading the way, our dance team is all about creativity and connection!
Looking Ahead
Their team spirit and dedication are evident. With coaches fostering a nurturing environment and members supporting each other like family, the Bay Shore Dance Team is set to shine on stage.
The team is ready to showcase their hard work and passion, proving that when you dance as a family, you can conquer any challenge together. Stay tuned for updates as the team prepares for their upcoming performance that will surely blow us away!
