For the past 12 years, sophomore Taylor Breen has spent her days dancing. Whether it be ballet or contemporary, she puts in the work to become the best that she can be. Now, she is helping teach the next generation of dancers at Shoreline Ballet on Tuesday nights at six. She helps the pre-ballet level dancers, ages five through six, by guiding them through steps and helping them stay quiet.

Breen has a strong love for dance. She shared that she loved how it is, “very expressive, and, yes, there is certain choreography or moves that you have to do; it’s a way that I can express myself and my emotions.”

12 years ago, Breen’s mom and dad tried to have her try multiple activities; for Breen, dance is what stuck. “Dance was one of those things, and I ended up sticking with it because I really liked it,” said Breen. When she was younger, she wanted to be a professional ballerina. As she got older, she realized that that was not very realistic, but she was still very passionate about it and devoted a lot of time to it.

Breen was fortunate to grow up in a very positive dance environment. Not all dance studios are like that. She was always grateful she had such supportive teachers. She said, “there was a great balance of encouragement and constructive criticism.” She thinks that is what made for a really great learning experience.

When Breen dances, it is like her therapy. While she is dancing, she feels free and able to express herself. She gets a new level of confidence the second she steps onto the stage. “There are so many people there supporting me.” Breen gets to do what she loves with all the people that she loves beside her and in the audience.

Between fencing and dance, Breen is a busy person. She shared that it is really hard to balance both. They have very conflicting schedules. She struggled to make decisions, so it was very tough for her to choose if she would go to dance rehearsal or go to the fencing tournaments and practices. “Both are things I’m passionate about and want to be good at, so sometimes I have to pick between supporting my team and attending practice or rehearsal,” she said.

In September 2024, Breen, along with everyone at her studio, was sent an email asking who would want to assist in teaching classes this year. At first, Breen was nervous. She was unsure how the students would react to her. “I was worried they might be shy or that they wouldn’t need my help, but it turned out to be the perfect balance,” she said. On Tuesday’s she gets to help the five-year-olds at her studio. During classes, she assists at, she demonstrates movements, assists students when they need guidance, and keeps them focused and engaged throughout the class.

Elizabeth Reale, a sophomore at Guilford High School and a dancer at Shoreline Ballet, said that Breen is incredibly attentive and loving towards the younger kids. “Her ability to be a fun, caring mentor is something I really admire about her,” she said. Reale really enjoys getting to dance alongside Breen. She said she was very supportive, empowering, and an incredible role model. She said, “it is incredible watching her dance! From sharing the stage with her to a spectator standpoint, Taylor is an incredible, thoughtful, and graceful dancer.”

Ever since Breen began to assist in teaching, her love of dance has grown. She helps demonstrate the combinations and keep the kids organized. Currently, she is working with the kids to get them ready for their final performance of Finding Neverland.

Breen has learned so much from teaching. It has taught her a new level of patience she did not know she had. It made her look at dance in a new way. There is so much more to it than just picking up choreography.

Breen shared, “It’s fun getting to watch the process that I went through many years ago,” she shared, “getting to help them learn the basics of dance so that hopefully, they can grow to be such great dancers, and become even more advanced than they are right now.”