For the first time in the history of our school district’s Dance Program, Stimson Middle School held its first annual Winter Dance Concert. Under the direction of dance teacher Mrs. Olivia Minogue Cherpelis, five of her 8th-grade dancers performed at the middle school on January 21st, 2026 for friends, families, and district faculty to enjoy. 

 

South Huntington’s Dance Program is in its 23rd year thanks to high school dance teacher Dr. Susan Turner Radin. Dance classes have been predominantly taught at Walt Whitman High School until this year, when the half-year elective dance class was introduced at the middle school level. This opportunity is invaluable to up-and-coming dancers, giving them the chance to learn techniques and gain confidence before entering high school. 

 

To begin their first annual dance concert, dancers Izzy Caserta, Gabriella Galli, Lexy Holzweiss, Aria Lattanzi, and Amelia Wilson performed The Waltz of the Flowers, followed by It Starts with One. Both pieces were choreographed by Mrs. Minogue Cherpelis and the Stimson dancers, allowing them to collaborate with one another and create meaning within each movement. 

 

After both performances, Mrs. Minogue Cherpelis shared that she had her dancers perform The Waltz of the Flowers because it is the first piece she ever performed herself, admitting that she had fallen more than 10 times in her performance of that piece as a young dancer. She chose this piece because, while it is challenging, it also encourages resilience, and Stimson’s dancers surely impressed! The theme of the second dance, It Starts With One, was about bullying and how much of a ripple effect it has on those who bully and those who are bullied.

 

At the end of the program, each dancer had the opportunity to talk about learning these dances and their experiences in class. The amount of growth and gratitude each shared for being able to participate in this elective dance class was evident! The confidence of each dancer showed through their words and their movements, making for an event to be truly proud of. 

 

Thank you to Stimson’s pioneer dancers for taking the stage at this first time event, to the middle school administration, Mrs. Minogue Cherpelis, Dr. Radin, Chairperson of Music, Art and Dance Mr. Matt Hoffman, and our district Board of Education, Cabinet, and administration for their support of the performing arts in South Huntington!

See more photos here!

 

 

Mrs. Minogue Cherpelis (center) with her 8th-grade dancers on stage at Stimson Middle School. 

 

 

Dr. Radin spoke to audience members about the Dance Program that began 23 years ago, as well as the importance of dance and movement in a world where technology use has grown exponentially. 

 

 

Stimson’s dancers performed The Waltz of the Flowers first. 

 

 

The second piece of the program, It Starts With One, tackled themes of bullying.