BROOKLYN — At the second annual Achievement First New York Dance Festival, more than 700 students, families, and educators packed AF Bushwick Middle School for an evening that blended artistry, athleticism, and community. What began last year as a small collaboration among dance teachers has quickly evolved into a signature event, complete with student performances and master class workshops.
At the center of it all was Trashina Conner, a dance teacher at Achievement First Bushwick Middle School and the driving force behind the festival.
“There’s something powerful that happens when students step onto a stage and the entire community shows up for them. Events like this bring families, staff, and students together in a way that builds pride, connection, and a real sense of belonging,” she said.
Trashina , who serves as both a dean of enrichment and the network’s dance content lead, teaches multiple classes each day across grades 5–8, exposing students to a wide range of styles, including jazz, modern, contemporary, and hip-hop to name a few. Her own piece in this year’s festival reflected that range, weaving together ballet, salsa, majorette, and step into a single performance.
The festival itself has grown rapidly. Last year’s inaugural event featured nine schools and drew a larger-than-expected crowd. This year, participation expanded, and Trashina leveraged her professional network to bring in 14 professionals from different fields in the world of dance to lead workshops and speak with students about career pathways in the arts.
That exposure is especially meaningful in a school system often defined by its academic rigor.
“Dance gives our students a space to be themselves in a way they don’t always get in other parts of their day. They’re learning how to communicate without words, how to think creatively and solve problems, and how to process their emotions in a safe, supportive environment,” she said.
For students like eighth-grade dance captain Peyton Myers, the festival is both a performance and a personal milestone.
As captain, Peyton helped lead rehearsals, guide teammates through workouts and stretching, and step in to teach choreography when needed. But beyond the technical skills, she said dance has offered something deeper.
“It’s my outlet,” she said. “If I’m feeling angry or sad, I can just dance and let it out. And being with my team, it’s just good energy. It feels like a second family.”
She smiled when talking about Trashina, whom she affectionately calls her “school mom.”
“She’s always there for us,” Peyton said. “She listens, she supports us, she pushes us. I wouldn’t be the dancer, or the leader, I am without her.”
While Peyton plans to pursue a future in law enforcement, she said dance will always be part of who she is.
For Trashina, that lasting impact is the ultimate goal.
“Dance changed my life,” she said. “And I truly believe it can change theirs, too.”
As the final performance ended and the audience rose to its feet, the energy in the room made one thing clear: this was more than a showcase. It was a celebration of identity, expression, and possibility, one that continues to grow with each passing year.
