'So You Think You Can Dance' Finalist In Town for National Dance Day

Bridgewater's newest dance studio, Premiere Dance of Bridgewater, is inviting people to show off their best moves during its grand opening Saturday, in conjunction with the newly coined National Dance Day.

To commemorate both occasions, the studio is preparing a day of events and free classes. Ivan Koumaev, season two finalist on FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance," will be guest-teaching hip hop classes throughout the day at no charge to the public, followed by a meet-and-greet with teachers in the evening.

"So You Think You Can Dance" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe created National Dance Day as a way to promote healthy lifestyles and self-esteem through fun, heart-lifting exercise. He has since announced on the show that Rep. Eleanor Holmes Horton, of Washington D.C., will be making the day official when she presents the National Dance Day resolution at a press conference Saturday, kicking off dance festivities across the country. 

At its grand opening, Premiere Dance will be offering classes for juniors, ages 11 and under; teens, ages 12 to 14; and seniors, ages 15 and up. Koumaev will be teaching a hip hop class for each age group, and other genre classes will include tap and lyrical contemporary. The open house will begin at noon and last until 5:30 p.m., with a meet-and-greet with teachers and faculty following.

Registration will also begin Saturday for the fall session that begins Sept. 13. Classes include ballet, tap and jazz, as well as lesser-known choices like break-dancing, street tap, cheer dance, Broadway jazz and more.

Studio owner Michael Cuomo could not be reached for comment.

The studio is located at 250 US Highway 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.