By Shamecca Brown, Columnist, Granite State News Collaborative
My grandmother used to call me a crybaby, but she always added, “Put some music on, and she’ll dance.” And she was right.
Growing up in Queens, New York, music and dance were everywhere in my world. I’d see people battling on the streets, dancing in the parks, or performing for money in train stations. I was drawn to movement like a magnet. I danced every chance I got, and talent shows became my stage throughout school.
But life has a way of shifting your stage. Fast forward, and here I am, living in Concord, a world apart from the vibrant streets of Queens. I was 28 years old when I moved here with my 12 year old daughter and 5 year old son in 2005. I wanted to get out of New York for a bit, but the transition wasn’t easy. New Hampshire lacked the diversity I grew up with.
And yet, I’ve found that dance–the same community building tool from my childhood–works just as well in Concord as it does in Queens.
I got a job as a paraprofessional at the local middle school, and one day I noticed something that didn’t sit well with me. The students sat at lunch in groups divided by race, culture and cliques. It reminded me of a silent dance, but not the kind I was used to. This one lacked rhythm, connection and harmony.
I couldn’t let that continue. I wrote a proposal to the principal to create a hip-hop dance program. My vision was simple but powerful: use dance as a bridge to help students learn about each other’s cultures, gain confidence and express themselves. To my excitement, the principal granted my request, and Vibes of Style was born in 2007.
The kids used to joke, “You get famous in the basement!” And they weren’t wrong: I taught dance out of my basement, not some fancy studio. But I always told them, “It’s not the studio that teaches you, it’s the teacher and the passion.” That’s what matters most.
Over the years, my unfinished basement became a melting pot of cultures and stories. The floor was concrete and there was no ceiling, just beams with light fixtures. There was no heat, but the kids warmed it up well once they started dancing.
After a few fundraisers, I covered the floors with rubber gym tiles, mounted mirrors all around the walls, and covered the beams with blues sheets of fabric. I added party lights and pictures of dancers cut out from magazines as a collage.
I had African kids, Nepali kids, white kids, kids with disabilities, kids with behavioral disorders, every kind of kid you could imagine. It didn’t matter where they came from or what they looked like. All that mattered was that we spoke the same language, and that language was dance.
I’ve always said, “Dance has no color.” And I live by that. There’s nothing like watching a child walk in unsure of themselves, not knowing the music or the moves, then leaving transformed, confident and connected. Dance has a way of breaking down barriers and building bridges.
The parents of my students trusted me and I was finally feeling like I belonged. I made it a point to show the students my world, my real life, teaching them about things happening in the world around them. I’m not afraid to put out dances that truly mean something, dances rooted in Black history or powerful messages inspired by meaningful words. Dance is more than entertainment; it’s a platform to tell stories and spark change.
I remember each and every child that ever danced with me, even if it was just to try it out, more than 500 of them between 2007 and 2019. I created a space where every kid felt seen, heard and celebrated. Because at the end of the day, dance isn’t just movement, it’s life, culture and expression.
My dancers and I performed for assisted living homes, businesses, birthday parties and weddings. We weren’t just performing; we were representing. From local parades to features on NH radio stations, we showed that dance had no boundaries. We mixed folk dances, Black history routines, hip hop, ballet and even majorette styles. It wasn’t just about steps, it was about storytelling, connection and celebrating who we are.
Together, we built a language of confidence, courage and self-expression. We moved together, learning life lessons, building respect, and finding joy in the rhythm of life.
And the best part? Seeing these kids light up when they realized what they were capable of. Dance teaches us that the impossible is possible, and that’s a lesson in itself.
I’ll keep dancing, teaching and changing lives, one step at a time.
Shamecca Brown, is a New Hampshire-based columnist who is family-oriented and passionate about serving underserved communities.
Shamecca Brown, a proud New Yorker, is family-oriented and passionate about serving underserved communities.
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