First-Year Student Launches First-Ever Lawrenceville K-Pop Dance Troupe

By Kaci Treasure 

Lawrenceville has an exciting new dance opportunity for fans of K-pop music, led by Second Former Isaac Moon.

"When I came to The Lawrenceville School and learned about the dance programs here, I was intrigued. That's what pushed me to create the K-Dance Crew," said Moon, who has more than five years of experience as a dancer. After a conversation with the School’s director of dance, Derrick Wilder, he was appointed as the captain, allowing him to start the group with ease.

K-pop music has captured the love and attention of millions of fans all around the world with its catchy songs and dynamic choreography. This international phenomenon not only showcases great musical ability but also acts as a kind of bridge for cultural exchange and unity globally. Since K-pop is a mix of Afro, hip-hop and R&B music, it grants Lawrentians the opportunity to experience a range of cultural dances and backgrounds just within K-Pop alone.

"The K-Dance Crew is more than just K-pop; it's about unity and group connectivity among Lawrentians. It’s another way for this community to come together and inspire other people and groups to represent their culture here on campus,” said Wilder.

Moon’s leadership style of cohesiveness and dedication to creating and maintaining a comfortable atmosphere for the troupe’s members allows for great friendships and bonds to form. Song selection is a collaborative effort and the level of difficulty of the choreography is based on the comfort level of the dancers.

Moon said, “It’s not just the steps, it’s about the connections we make and the community we build. Dancing K-pop allows us to celebrate diversity and showcase the beauty of different cultures.”

Reflecting on the group's journey, Moon highlighted their first performance in Lawrenceville’s Fall Dance Series last November a standout moment. "Everyone was nervous, but we performed well to my standards. It was really the core memory of everything that happened on campus," he said.

Looking ahead, Moon's goal for the dance group is clear: "I want to make sure this group stays as a community where everyone can have fun performing and dancing.”

Overall, the K-Dance Crew gives students from all backgrounds a place to gather and connect over a common interest in Korean culture. It provides a space for students with different backgrounds to learn about the language, music and dance customs and gives those students with Korean backgrounds a little piece of home away from home. The atmosphere on campus becomes more inclusive and cohesive because of this exposure, which cultivates a respect and understanding of many cultures. The group's presence may also inspire other students to learn about and celebrate their own cultural heritage here on campus, adding viewpoints that are even more varied and life experiences to the school community.

Check out Lawrenceville’s Flickr page to see photos from both the Fall and Winter Dance Series.

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org