The LakayRo Youth Dance Company Is Underway at YOU Fitness in Newark

LakayRo's inaugural Genesis 2026 Youth Dance Company season is now underway at the YOU Fitness dance studio in Newark, New Jersey.

After months of preparation, community building, and securing a permanent rehearsal home, the first generation of LakayRo youth dancers steps into the studio together each week. What is happening in that studio is more than a dance class — it is the foundation of a company built to last.

What to Expect This Season

Dancers in the Youth Dance Company receive structured training in Haitian and Afro-Diasporic dance, with attention to technique, conditioning, and cultural context. Each rehearsal is designed to build not only dance skill but confidence, discipline, leadership, and a deeper connection to heritage.

The season includes:

• Progressive dance training in Haitian, Afro-Diasporic, and contemporary styles
• Cultural education exploring the history and meaning behind each tradition
• Regular rehearsals and skill development
• Performance and showcase opportunities
• Mentorship and leadership development
• Beginner-friendly entry points for new dancers

Location and Schedule

• Where: YOU Fitness, Newark, New Jersey
• When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30–6:00 PM
• Who: Youth dancers ages 8–17

Having a dedicated rehearsal space gives our dancers the consistency they deserve — the same place, the same schedule, week after week. That stability is what turns a class into a community.

Be Part of the First Generation

The dancers who join this inaugural season will always be the first — the ones who set the tone, establish the culture, and become the older dancers that future cohorts look up to. There is still time to register a young dancer for the Genesis 2026 season.

Register a Dancer

If you have questions about the season, scholarships, or financial assistance, contact us — we are happy to help families find their place at LakayRo.

Thank You to Our Community

This milestone would not have been possible without the families, donors, volunteers, and partners who believed in this work before there was a studio to show for it. This home belongs to the community that built it, and to the young people who fill it with movement, history, and pride.

The season is underway, and there is still time for new dancers to join. We welcome our first generation home — and invite the next to step in.