When Traequan Middleton was growing up in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, it wasn’t unusual for him to circle friends and choreograph intricate dances for them. “I’ve always been a trendsetter,” Middleton recalled. Today, his leadership skills have not diminished. In fact, he founded and directed one of the city’s most popular youth dance companies: The Secret Society Dance Company.
Like Middleton as a child, the dancers of the Secret Society lived in public housing in Astoria, so when he looked at his students, he saw more than just their faces—he Saw himself. This sense of connection makes his work as a teacher and mentor deeply personal. “The things that young people can really get now, I didn’t really get when I was growing up,” he said. “So now that I have the opportunity to show young people how to be the next generation of change, why not do it?”
In addition to championing their biggest dreams, Middleton ensures that if his students want to pursue a career in dance, they can do so. In terms of training, Middleton is very strict. “This is their second time [home],” he says with a laugh, noting the amount of time the dancers spend in the studio. The dancers, who range in age from 11 to 21, rehearse at least four days a week and take classes in a variety of styles, including hip-hop, modern and tap, and they seem to love every minute of it. “My favorite part about dancing with Secret Society is growing up,” said 11-year-old Ramiyah Anderson. As a dancer without much performing experience, Anderson Said she values Middleton and her peers want to help her become a stronger dancer. For now, that effort is paying off.
Founded by Middleton in 2014 as part of HANAC Astoria’s Cornerstone Youth Program, the 25-member group has won numerous dance competitions in the tri-state area and will be competing in two at the 2022 Battle of the Belts event. took first place in one category in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Part of what makes these wins so sweet, according to a new member of the organization, is the caring spirit of the organization. “I’ve been in a lot of dance companies,” said Amiyah McArthur, 17, who joined the group in September. “Some companies are very competitive within the company, but Secret Societies are very welcoming.” From her first day with the company, she found she was able to express herself freely without feeling judged. She credits the inclusive environment to Middleton, who, she said, emphasized that “we are actually all in this together, helping each other and giving back to the community.”
This focus on community has made The Secret Society a major artistic force in New York City, allowing dancers to use their visibility to help raise awareness of issues affecting their families and peers. Middleton and the dancers curate performances for the community every two months, each with a different theme. Their most recent performances have dealt with violence within the community. “Some members of our team have lost loved ones and parents to senseless acts of violence,” Middleton said. “So I just try to give kids a chance to understand what someone might be going through.” The group also tackles issues like voting rights and LGBTQ+ equality, and works with other dance groups across the city to amplify their messaging. Sometimes these messages transcend city boundaries and reach people around the world through social media. In the popular YouTube video, the group dances to a set of songs advocating for the protection of black lives. Wearing Black Panther Party-style berets and a variety of white and black tops and bottoms, the dancers move with intensity and emotional range, including sharp, full movements and smaller but energetic gestures.
Performances like this help dancers realize how freeing dance and community can be. “When your peers [support] You express yourself because some people need a little push,” Anderson said. “I think it’s really good that we’re not only expressing ourselves, but also expressing topics that are happening in the community.”
In addition to developing rewarding movement practices and deep community connections, dancers say they are learning life lessons from their secret societies and applying them to their daily lives. “I learned how to be more patient,” MacArthur said. “I know things take time and everything has a process.”
But they also saw what a combination of hard work, endurance and vision can produce, the secret that helped Middleton get to where he is today. Through him, students say, they see their goals within reach. “I can see many of us having professional dance careers because of the training we received,” MacArthur said. “‘Secret Society’ gives you a sense of real-world discipline.” Artistically, she says, Middleton and company are pushing her to think outside the box, to transcend the limits she has set for herself, and to “be comfortable with being uncomfortable. things”.
For Anderson, her experience in the secret society taught her the importance of a solid work ethic. “When you dance, you have to work hard to get what you want,” she said. “You have to take multiple steps in life to get to where you want to be.”
Middleton guides dancers through the ups and downs of these classes, but his ultimate goal remains clear: build community. “It only takes one person who believes in them to continue to push those who follow them,” he said. “It’s really about creating a second family, a home, a togetherness.”
