When four dancers from Karyn’s Dance Place stepped onto the streets of Manhattan for the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they carried more than just their choreography; they brought the spirit of Holt to one of the nation’s most iconic stages. For studio owner Karyn Perry, watching her students perform alongside approximately 400 dancers from across the United States, Canada, and beyond has become a tradition that makes dreams tangible for young performers from Michigan.
“I think it’s fantastic that we’re able to, first of all, let the girls see other places,” Karyn explains. “Some of the dancers that they danced with came from a graduating class of 36, so very small towns, which made them feel a little bit that they came from a larger spot.”
Since 2011, Karyn’s Dance Place has been sending dancers to events all over the country, from Walt Disney World to the Indianapolis 500, to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with this year’s invite being the fourth appearance at the legendary event. The opportunity is offered to performing company members between the ages of 14 and 18, creating a pathway for young dancers to experience one of the most-watched parades in the world.
This year held special significance. Karyn had her sights set on either the 99th or 100th parade, but timing made the decision clear. “We had girls that would have aged out if I waited till next year,” she explains. “So I gave them the opportunity, and we went this year.”
The four dancers who traveled to New York this November joined hundreds of performers from diverse backgrounds, learning choreography two weeks before departure and rehearsing intensively once they arrived. The experience requires adaptability, as Perry says the choreography often changes upon arrival, with dancers putting in a four-hour rehearsal on their first day to learn adjustments and practice their placement.
For Karyn, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade stands out among the many prestigious venues where her dancers have performed, including Walt Disney World, the Indianapolis 500, the Capital One Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. “… it’s such a huge event, is always a sort of the pinnacle, you know, like a really special moment,” she reflects. Although Karyn has experienced many great events since 2011, there’s not one single trip that stands out above the rest.” Each group of girls that I travel with, their trips have been so different. I really couldn’t rank them because I rank it with the girls and the experience that they’re having on their trip rather than the actual event.”
The six-day trip packed in as much of New York City as possible. The dancers attended the Radio City Rockettes’ 100th anniversary show, took master classes with dance captains from Broadway shows including “Death Becomes Her” and “Ragtime,” walked the Brooklyn Bridge, explored Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center, and visited the 9/11 Memorial. They even made time to glimpse the Statue of Liberty during their ambitious tours of Manhattan.
“It’s very charged with energy and excitement,” Karyn describes the atmosphere. “It’s also the holiday season in New York, so everything is decorated, and there’s just that feeling in the air when you walk down Fifth Avenue.”
Karyn’s Dance Place celebrated its 40th year in business last year, establishing deep roots in the Holt community. The studio’s philosophy extends far beyond technical training, focusing on making dance a lifelong part of students’ lives regardless of whether they pursue professional careers.
“The studio works very hard to make dance a part of your life that you’re going to carry forward,” Karyn explains. “Dance brings a different culture and awareness, which is important to me as a teacher, to sort of share the world with my students and make opportunities available.
The studio integrates history, literature, and cultural context into its curriculum, ensuring students don’t just learn how to dance but gain a broader understanding of the art form’s place in the world. “I feel like they don’t just learn how to dance, but they learn a lot about the rest of the world around them,” Karyn says.
This comprehensive approach shapes how students engage with their community. Upon returning from New York, the dancers immediately began sharing their experience with Holt. They’re performing their Macy’s choreography at a Methodist Church tea, dancing at a retirement center, and presenting at Veterans’ Park, bringing their national platform experience back to local audiences.
The studio tries to ensure every high school student has at least one significant travel opportunity during their time in the performing company, creating memories and expanding horizons that extend far beyond technical dance skills. These experiences demonstrate to all students at Karyn’s Dance Place that the dreams they harbor about performing on grand stages aren’t just fantasies; they’re achievable goals.
As the dancers continue sharing their Macy’s experience throughout Holt this holiday season, they embody the studio’s mission of using dance as a bridge between personal growth and community connection. Their journey from a 40-year-old Holt dance studio to the streets of Manhattan illustrates what’s possible when dedication, training, and opportunity converge.
Karyn’s Dance Place has been serving the Holt community for over 40 years. For more information about their programs and performing company opportunities, visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram.