Emotional Power in Motion: GiaNina Paolantonio’s Contemporary Masterclass

at True Dance Potential

by Weston Neuschafer | Weston Brand Studio | @whois.weston

There’s something magnetic about contemporary choreography—when it’s taught with precision and passion, it doesn’t just move bodies, it moves hearts. That’s exactly what happened at True Dance Potential in Long Island during a recent masterclass led by the insanely talented GiaNina Paolantonio. GiaNina, known for her versatility and emotional storytelling, brought a deeply expressive and challenging contemporary piece to the studio. As the dancers—many from local schools like St. Anthony’s High School, Massapequa High, Huntington High School, Syosset, Hamlet, and Hofstra University—immersed themselves in the choreography, I was behind the lens capturing every lift, every reach, and every breath. This wasn’t just a class. It was a full-on experience. I photographed and filmed the dancers learning, rehearsing, and performing the routine, documenting their raw reactions, breakthroughs, and the quiet intensity that contemporary dance demands. And once their solo and group videos were ready, the dancers proudly shared them across Instagram—tagging GiaNina, the studio, and lighting up their feeds with artistry.