We interrupt this dance career … with a degree

New York City dancer Erin Joy Grgas spent downtime during the pandemic to complete an online degree in kinesiology and human performance.

“I started dancing when I was 2 because my sister was in tap and ballet classes, and I wanted to dance with her,” said Erin, 24. “I was immediately hooked and have danced ever since.”

Erin, who grew up on Long Island and moved to Manhattan at 18, is among FLCC’s newest graduates. She completed her associate degree in kinesiology and human performance in December. 

The online program turned out to be a silver lining in the pandemic cloud that shut down live performances just as her dancing career began.

“I never imagined going to college until after my dance career, or maybe ever, so this degree is more than a piece of paper for me,” she said.

“Before the pandemic, I was living the hustle lifestyle,” she said. “For most dancers there’s no consistency, just a gig when you can, waking up at 6 a.m. and going to an audition, getting out at 3 p.m. to go take a dance class, then going to work.”

The shutdown

Erin Joy Grgas’ story is featured in the spring Laker magazine.

A few months into the pandemic, Erin understood that dancing would have to wait. She had already decided that if she did go to college, she would study physical therapy. “I was seriously injured at 13 years old, and my amazing physical therapy team is the only reason I am able to professionally dance today.”

Amid formal ballet training, she had developed tendonitis in her hip and was told she faced an operation that might end her prospects. Then, her mother read about the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone Health. “It sparked this joy in me that there are people in the world who care about the arts,” she explained.

A friend who attended Empire State College recommended SUNY, and a web search led her to the only two-year online kinesiology degree in the SUNY system.

“The most helpful aspect of attending FLCC has been being able to do my degree entirely remotely. Finding such a strong program structured online allowed me to stay safe during the pandemic, as well as the ability to continue my life here in New York City.”

Kinesiology and human performance is the study of human movement and how it impacts quality of life.

“Everything about my degree program relates to dance,” Erin explained. “Understanding the anatomy of certain joints will dictate the biomechanics they are capable of, which makes dance moves make sense. The other aspect of this degree that is so helpful is recognizing, treating, and preventing sports injuries. I have had many injuries during my career and now knowing injury prevention and conditioning techniques will make me a stronger and healthier dancer!”

The online experience

Her courses were mostly asynchronous. She met nursing students in anatomy and physiology  HyFlex classes, and she switched from an online to HyFlex statistics class to benefit from the ability to ask questions in real time.

“The tutors in the science Incubator and other academic support programs are amazing tools for online students. They create a supportive environment that makes an online degree feel less isolating,” she said.

With the return of live performances in New York, Erin plans to resume her dancing career. In fall 2022, she danced to “I Got Rhythm,” “Blackbird” and “’S Wonderful” during a celebration of Broadway song and dance at The Town Hall in Midtown Manhattan’s Theater District. She teaches and works as an administrative assistant at Steps on Broadway, which offers youth and elite dance programs. At some point, she plans to resume her work toward a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.

She is looking forward to meeting faculty in person at commencement, including her anatomy and physiology instructor, Amy Fenwick. 

“She is a superstar. She makes that intimidating, overwhelming course seem so logical and approaches it in such a human way that I felt like I could tackle learning every single body system in six months.”

Her advisor was Jeremy Tiermini, professor and coordinator of her degree program.

“He has been just one of the highlights of attending FLCC,” she said. “When you come from the dance world, having that sucked away from you, I felt adrift. He helped me see that 100 percent we can do this. Let’s go!”