The bright lights of New York City will take center stage at Brighton High School this February as the school’s Dance Company turns its recent trip to Manhattan into a full-scale inspired performance.

After spending four days in The Big Apple learning from professional dancers and Broadway performers, the noncompetitive dance company is channeling those techniques and inspirations into a New York-themed concert scheduled at 7 p.m., Feb. 5-6 in the school’s auditorium, 2200 Bengal Blvd.

“The trip was so fun; the girls absolutely loved it,” said Brighton High dance teacher and company adviser Courtney Hatch. “Our upcoming concert is New York-themed because of the trip. Everything they experienced shaped what we’re putting on stage.”

The November trip took 22 student-dancers to the heart of the professional dance world, where they participated in three intensive workshops, including one with a cast member from “MJ: The Musical,” a contemporary class at the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and a hip-hop class at the Broadway Dance Center.

Brighton High Dance Company took in New York sights, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, when they weren’t dancing or taking in Broadway shows. (Photo courtesy of Courtney Hatch/Brighton High)

During the Michael Jackson workshop, dancers learned choreography from “Smooth Criminal” from the Broadway performer before seeing the show that night.

“They were inspired by it so they ended up creating a mashup of Michael Jackson songs for our concert,” she said.

The February performance will feature dances inspired by iconic New York shows and music, including “Hamilton,” “Gossip Girl” and classic New York songs such as “New York, New York” and “Empire State of Mind.”

Throughout the experience, Hatch said what stood out to them was how different the professional choreography felt.

“Utah dance is a million leaps, jumps and big tricks. In New York, it was more about filling your body with tiny movements and expressing emotion. There’s been a real shift in how they perform since we got back,” Hatch said.

Beyond technique, the trip gave students a look into the realities of professional dance life.

“They couldn’t believe that these office buildings had floors and floors of studios with people practicing for auditions,” she said. “It floored them; it’s so different.”

Besides seeing the Broadway production of “MJ,” the group saw the show “Six” and the Radio City “Christmas Spectacular” while exploring iconic landmarks such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, Bryant Park and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Hatch said the timing of the trip—earlier in the school year than the traditional end of year tour—made a lasting impact.

“It bonded the team in a way I’ve never seen before,” she said. “A lot of these girls won’t dance after high school, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience they’ll remember forever.”

The upcoming concert will feature not only the dance company, but other Brighton High dance classes, student clubs and guest performers from neighboring schools. Tickets are $5.

“The girls are bringing New York to Brighton,” Hatch said. “It’s really a celebration of what they learned and how much they’ve grown and they’re having fun with it.”