Macleans College student dances her way to the world stage
Posted on August 07, 2025
Year 13 Macleans College student Samantha Aarons (Batten House) recently represented New Zealand on the world stage as a member of the dance crew YTG.
She travelled to Los Angeles to compete in the prestigious World of Dance (WOD) Summit - an international event that attracts top teams from around the world.
YTG impressed audiences with sharp synchronisation and high-energy choreography by Ken Veaga. Although the team did not place in the Junior Division, they earned high scores for creativity and execution, drawing praise from international judges.
‘It was an incredible experience,’ said Samantha. ‘Being surrounded by so much talent was inspiring, and it pushed us to bring our best to the stage. I’m proud to have represented New Zealand and to show what Kiwi dancers can do. The WOD Summit also included masterclasses led by well-known choreographers such as Sofia Lucia and Michael Lee. It was an amazing learning opportunity.’
Other New Zealand competitors - Ken Veaga, Yung ID and The Collective - secured two golds and a bronze in their respective divisions.
Earlier this year, Samantha also competed with Macleans College’s dance teams in the National Dance Challenge and Showquest.
YTG dance crew perform at World of Dance Summit.