We were honored to receive special greetings from some of New York’s most distinguished leaders at the 15th Anniversary Divine Nine Dance Off.✨🎉
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A heartfelt thank you to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (@repjeffries ), Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (@bkbpreynoso ), and Attorney General Letitia James (@newyorkstateag ) for their warm words and continued support of our mission to uplift youth through the arts.
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Your encouragement fuels our commitment to culture, community, and creating opportunities for the next generation. ✨❤️
"Wow! All I can say is that the 15th Anniversary Divine Nine Dance-Off now rivals any dance competition on a major network. The routines, costumes, sets, and production were all exquisite. To have been honored on this milestone year was the evening of a lifetime that I will remember forever. This honor awakened emotions inside me that I didn't know existed. I thank Cheryl Todmann and the entire Stars of New York Dance community for this high honor that still has me dancing on air.” — Laurie A. Cumbo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (@cmlauriecumbo )
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The Stars of New York Dance was proud to honor Commissioner Cumbo for her unwavering commitment to the arts, culture, and the empowerment of our communities.✨
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Her visionary leadership continues to expand opportunities for our youth, elevate creative expression, and strengthen the cultural fabric of New York City.
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We celebrate her dedication, her impact, and the legacy she continues to build. Thank you, Commissioner Cumbo, for championing the arts and inspiring us all. ✨🎉
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(Swipe to see our full recap!) ⭐️
Meet the Tiny Tots, Brooklyn’s newest dancers. They are among 60 children from Asase Yaa School of the Arts, and 250 children throughout Brooklyn, whose dance dreams are coming true through The Stars of New York Dance, thanks to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
As part of his Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding process, Leader Jeffries awarded The Stars of New York Dance $500,000 to expand access to dance education and training in Brooklyn to hundreds of children and youth.
Approximately $2,000 will be allocated to each child to cover their tuition, class uniforms, and dance costumes so that they experience a year of dance education and training for free.
The Stars of New York Dance is contracting with reputable community-based dance organizations within New York’s 8th Congressional District, like Asase Yaa School of the Arts, to deliver a comprehensive and engaging experience to young dancers, grades K-12, that includes learning a variety of dance styles, such as African, ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, hip hop, and tap.
The dance students will develop self-expression, creativity, coordination, discipline, and a sense of community and belonging.
For the Tiny Tots—many who are dancing for the first time—they’re learning about their bodies and how they move, and are making new friends. See the link in our bio to learn more.
Video: The Tiny Tots of Asase Yaa School of the Arts with Artistic Director Zakiya Harris.
#DanceDreamsAreComingTrue
#HakeemJeffries
#TheStarsofNYDance
#ForThePeople
#ForTheChildren
#FYP
Happy Valentine’s Day—from our dance family to yours. Sending love, light, and lots of dancing your way. ❤️
Stars and Dancers 💃🏾🕺🏿
⭐️ 6th Annual Dance Champions
Rev. Dr. David K. Brawley, St. Paul Community Baptist Church & Karisma Jay, AbunDance Academy of the Arts @abundancebk
😍 6th Annual Dance Competitors
Former Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna & Jamel Gaines, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet @jamelgainescreativeoutlet
✨ 9th Annual Dance Champions
Reggie Nance (In Loving Memory; former AARP New York Associate State Director for Multicultural Engagement) & SynChana Madonna, Pure Onyx Movement @pureonyxmovement
🎥: @badcompanybk
#HappyValentinesDay
100 Years of Resilience and Rhythm ✊🏾✨
A century of stories. A million steps. In February 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson launched the first Black History celebration while the world vibrated to the pulse of the Harlem Renaissance.
From the high-energy kicks of the Charleston to the gravity-defying Lindy Hop and the soul-stirring movements of today—dance has always been our language of freedom. 👣
The Footage: Rare 1939 film of Black teenagers showcasing the Lindy Hop—pure energy, creative genius, and effortless style. ❤️
We are the living legacy our ancestors dreamed of. We carry their joy forward with every single step. 📚💃🏾🕺🏾
🎞️: 1939 - Vintage Black American Teenage Lindy Hoppers
📹: William Brown/YouTube
@dancemasterminds
#BlackHistory100 #HarlemRenaissance #BlackJoyInMotion
✨ The trajectory of excellence.
I’ve watched Brooke-Lynn grow from a spark of immense potential into a true dance powerhouse.
Her recent performance at The Ailey School 2026 Explosion was nothing short of outstanding—she didn’t just perform; she commanded that stage.
As a Stars of New York Dance scholarship recipient, made possible by the generosity of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, Brooke-Lynn is the definition of focused. She is skilled, determined, and clearly committed to turning her dreams into reality.
And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This photo captures a bond that spans generations. From the days her mom @muumba7 and I spent dancing at church and training for leadership to seeing Brooke-Lynn take that same torch today—it is a beautiful, full-circle legacy.
Brooke-Lynn is taking this further than we ever imagined, with the support of her entire beloved family and community.
She is preparing the ground for the next generation of dancers, and I couldn’t be prouder to see her leading the way. 🩰✨
#TheStarsofNYDance
#AlvinAiley #TheAileySchool #DanceLegacy #BrooklynExcellence #CharlesHRevsonFoundation
#LegacyInMotion
In his 1960 speech, “Keep Moving from This Mountain,” delivered at Spelman College, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenged students to persevere against the “mountains” of segregation and injustice, emphasizing that the speed of progress is less important than the commitment to never stop moving forward.
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ✨🏃🏿
#MLKDay
✨They are shining.
Because of supporters like you, children dance, dream, and shine—on stage, in class, at home and beyond.
Your gift helps provide access to dance, confidence, and creative expression for NYC children.
Please join us and help a child dance and shine ✨
Donate today at starsnydance.org/donate or see link in bio.
#GivingTuesday
#TheStarsOfNewYorkDance
#EveryChildIsAStar
#ArtsEducation
#DanceChangesLives
#ShineThroughDance
