The Ramapo Dance Team has placed in almost every competition this season. This year’s team is led by three senior captains, including Mackenzie Giampietro. Mackenzie states, “I have been dancing ever since I can remember, and I just have always loved it. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!” in and out of school. Mackenzie leads the Ramapo dance team with passion, skill, and endless dedication.
Mackenzie has been dancing since she was three years old, and has fallen in love with dance ever since. In middle school, she danced at The King Center for the Performing Arts. At the start of her high school career, she joined the Ramapo Dance team when it was a club, before it was announced as a Ramapo school sport. Once the dance club was approved as a school sport, Mackenzie continued to compete for Ramapo. Mackenzie has led her team to four regional titles and has been on varsity since her freshman year. Outside of Ramapo, Mackenzie dances at The King Centre, where she trains in all styles of dance. She performs in their annual performance of “The Nutcracker” and participates in around five competitions a year for the King Center. Mackenzie has won many awards during her dancing career. She has been a three-year captain for Ramapo, and won ‘dancer of the year’ last year in 2025. Outside of Ramapo, Mackenzie has won several awards and scholarships including a $75,000 merit scholarship and admission to AMDA, a performing arts college.
Her two coaches, Coach Marsanico and Coach Bryne, have been watching Mackenizie grow as a dancer ever since her freshman year. Her coach comments, “Our program was created four years ago, and at first, we were just another team in the division, but dancers like Mackenzie have elevated it beyond our wildest dreams just by being herself. Mackenzie is always ready to huddle her team up and give them a pep talk before they go out on the floor. It’s really rare to find a dancer who has as much talent as Mackenzie and natural ability, but also be the biggest sweetheart on the team, kind to all her teammates and make them all believe that they can win together, which they do.” Mackenzie’s coaches describe Mackenzie as a “team leader’ and takes her dedication into account for being an extraordinary role model for future dancers to come. “Mackenzie brings a heart and a talent to our team that’s going to be near impossible to replace,” Her coaches comment. “Each dancer leaves their mark on our program when they graduate, but Mackenzie is also leaving a hole because you can’t replace a dancer like her; she’s one of a kind. The dancers will miss her, and coaches will certainly miss her.”
Mackenzie’s passion and love for dance stand truly spectacular, as she looks forward to continuing her journey and sharing her talent on even bigger stages in the years to come. Mackenzie believes that, “Dance is unique because there’s no other sport where everyone is critical to the success of the routine,” and comments that, “it creates this bond and collaboration between teammates that is truly so special! I love the girls I dance with more than anything in the world, and I love being able to share every moment with them.” Mackenzie is also in the midst of applying and auditioning for college, where she can further continue her dancing career. Mackenzie states, “I’m definitely looking at the academic aspect of schools first, but I would love to dance in college, and dance team is a great way to do that.” Mackenzie’s dedication, talent, and leadership have made her an unforgettable part of every team she’s danced with. As she takes the next step toward her future, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to shine both on and off the stage.
