The First Commercial Dance Class Moves On

In May 2025, Boston Conservatory at Berklee will graduate its first-ever class of BFA in commercial dance students. Launched in 2022, this groundbreaking three-year program focuses on dance creation and performance for commercial industries such as TV, film, music videos, Broadway, theme parks, cruise lines, and circus arts. Training with expert faculty and guest artists, the 37 dancers have devoted themselves to pursuing artistic depth and stylistic breadth—including hip-hop, heels, jazz, tap, circus arts, and other forms of dance. And, with résumés already flush with high-profile projects from music videos to packed arenas, this cohort is primed and ready to take on the commercial world. Here’s a look back at some highlights from the inaugural commercial dance graduating class.

The Boston Celtics

Throughout their second year of studies at the Conservatory, Sophie Reynolds and Isabelle Richards were members of the Boston Celtics dancers during a whirlwind 2023–2024 championship season. Richards joined the Celtics dancers again for the 2024–2025 season, this time with fellow students Andrew DiLaura, Devin Glass, Sofia Strobl, and Julia Troy.

KCON Los Angeles

For the last two years, commercial dance students performed at KCON Los Angeles, the world’s largest convention for Korean culture and music, opening for K-pop superstars including ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, and The Boyz at the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center). Since 2022, the Conservatory’s Dance Division has partnered with renowned choreographer Jennifer Archibald to create new K-pop–inspired dance works for the convention, thanks to generous support from the CJ Cultural Foundation. 

Berklee College of Music Collaborations

Commercial dance students have teamed up with Berklee College of Music students in both institutionally produced performances—such as Signature Series singers showcases celebrating Madonna and Mariah Carey, and the annual commencement concert at the Agganis Arena—and more organic collaborations with Berklee artists.

Commercial dance student Sofia Pargas choreographed and performed in pop artist and Berklee College of Music alum PIAO’s (BM '20) music video for her original song “Neopet,” which made the rounds on Vevo and MTV in early 2024. The video also featured fellow commercial dance students Tula Johnson, Yulia Maeda, and Sasha Powers. And student Aja Pruitt choreographed the video for College student Christian Inman’s song “Talk to Me,” which featured Conservatory dancers Madeline Bannwarth, Melissa Gaskin, Ariana Hart, Zakiya Hudson, Gianna Jones, Nya Owusu-Afriyie, Sophie Reynolds, Ololade Robinson, Samarra Rodriguez, Courtney Saffold, Julia Troy, and Naomi Wilcox.

“We’ve all created a power and passion within each other during our classes, rehearsals, and auditions, but getting to see that passion executed is something so fulfilling to watch in my friends’ eyes. I find more and more inspiration in their performances and choreography with every show we put on.” 

—Sofia Pargas, graduating student

READ: STAGES 2025

“The First Commercial Dance Class Moves On” first appeared in the 2025 issue of STAGES, Boston Conservatory’s annual magazine.