Step By Step Dance Studio Of Farmingdale Raises $2,450 For 2 Causes

FARMINGDALE, NY — Step By Step Dance Studio recently raised $2,450 split between two causes: breast cancer and helping a student critically injured in the Farmingdale High School marching band bus crash. And they're far from done.

Jen O'Neill, director of the Farmingdale dance studio, likes to give back to those in need, where she is joined by her students. Step By Step Dance studio practices "community dance" instead of "competition dance," O'Neill said.

The Step By Step Dance Company, located at 248 Main Street, raised $850 for breast cancer and $1,600 for a boy injured in the bus tragedy. The troupe is currently doing a food drive for St. Kilian's Food Pantry and will adopt children who are less fortunate to give them Christmas presents in December.

"It's all about giving back for us," O'Neill told Patch.

The dance company held its Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser on Oct. 15 and donated the funds to the American Cancer Society and METAvivor.

"METAvivor is a great one because 100% of the money raised goes to research," O'Neill said.

The big brother of one of O'Neill's students was critically injured in the bus crash. All of the money raised went to him and his family. The band director, Gina Pellettiere, 43, of Massapequa, and Bea Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale, a chaperone, were killed in the crash. The bus was heading to Greeley, Pennsylvania, for the school's annual band camp trip when it crashed.

O'Neill said she can't give back without the support of the community.

"Truthfully, 'thank you' will never justify how appreciative I am of our community for supporting my business and my students' mission," she said. "I am humbled to be surrounded by kind and generous people. I feel so lucky that my students can get these opportunities. These experiences that THEY will have will change the world."

The Step By Step Dance Company is a community-based dance troupe comprised of O'Neill's advanced students. It is a tuition-free program, open to all studio dancers grades 8 and above to ensure all children have the opportunity to participate.

The group brings the art of dance and service to the community through dance performances, food drives, and other community events.

The troupe is now focused on Thanksgiving: It will be doing a food drive for St. Kilians' Outreach. Upcoming, the dancers will be purchasing Christmas gifts for children less fortunate through St. Luke's Adopt an Angel program. At the end of the year, the studio does a Student Showcase held at St. Luke's which raises money for various missions. Last year, it did Crohns and Colitis.

"It's nice that the dancers are giving back to their community while doing something that they're passionate about... dancing," O'Neill said. "We combine the two. Our company dancers embody what the studio stands for: Kindness, Positivity, and Dancing From The Heart."

Giving back to the community feels good, she said.

"We often take for granted how lucky we truly are until you see someone who wishes they had your 'bad day.' From my professional dance background it is a pretty cut-throat culture. This side of dance what I like to call 'community dance,' is refreshing."

O'Neill recalls when she went to Step By Step Dance Studio while growing up.

"My teacher and mentor, Miss Sharon always guided her dancers to lead with our hearts and service our community," she said. "I took over the business in 2020 and I made a promise to be the 'Miss Sharon' for my students. I learned a tremendous amount from her and it brings me so much joy to follow her legacy and mark that she made in Farmingdale and our surrounding communities. Giving back to the community that raised me is a wonderful feeling. I am humbled to lead my group of dancers to spread joy and happiness everywhere they go."

Children and young adults have a lot of stressors in their daily life, O'Neill said.

"Dance should be the avenue where they let those stresses go and have fun. My favorite thing to do is to make people smile - that's what dance is all about. That is what Step By Step is all about."