With social media serving as an outlet to broadcast talent, seniors Joseph Tonas and Isaac Stanko have brought their dancing skills from the studio to the Internet. Garnering hundreds of views and likes on every post, the two dancers are in pursuit of Instagram fame. Both Tonas and Stanko have been a part of the RHS dance studio for several years.

They have supported each other in their personal endeavours.

“We sat next to each other [in Spanish class] and became buddies,” Tonas said. “We both share a common love for dance. I’m a big supporter of Isaac’s. I make sure I like and comment on all his videos and help him out.”

Tonas recognizes that the dance industry, fueled by the popularity of social media, is quickly becoming a viable career option. ”I think it’s a great thing to do,” Tonas said. “It’s a way to make money too because you can get people to advertise on your account.”

Although a long journey, Stanko hopes to be able to turn his passion of dancing into a career.

“My goal is to get out of not working and get to dance and do stuff I love while getting paid for it,” Stanko said.

Even though the pair perform different styles of dance, they try to maintain originality by teaching each other new moves.

“Isaac is a trendy hip- hop dancer, and so I’m just a normal hip-hop dancer,” Tonas said. “So he’s teaching me some of the trendy moves that are kinda popular like the Shoot Dance, The Folks, stuff like that.”

Participating in the RHS dance productions allows Stanko to develop his skills and strengthen his love for dancing.

“I’ve been with the RHS dance program for three years and it taught me to be passionate about dancing,” Stanko said.

As someone who has been dancing since ten years old, Tonas is able to bring his attributes outside of the studio and camera, to the Precision Dance Center. He spends his free time competing for their dance team and teaching younger kids.

“It’s been a really great experience,” Tonas said. “I like to bring a lot of positive energy into their lives.”

Stanko took inspiration from popular figures in media and plans to follow in their footsteps.

“This summer, I’m going to travel to Atlanta because that’s where most of the big dancers are,” Stanko said. “[I want to] meet Ayo & Teo, meet the big people, King Imprint, Lovato.”

Andy Aldridge, a fellow dancer, acknowledges their development throughout the years and the incorporation of their own choreography into the RHS dance shows.
Aldridge hopes to see the pair continue their passion.

“I’ve known them for a while and their skills have definitely improved,” Aldridge said. “And it’s really interesting to see their different out[looks] with the dance styles they use. And so it’s just cool to see that there’s that kind of stuff out there.”