Angel Dance Blends Performance with Technology

By: Scarlett Yang Date: July 29, 2026

On June 20, dancers from Angel Dance Company performed at the Boston International Asian Music Festival held in Lexington. By using a light-up lantern controlled by a microbit, dancers combined traditional choreography with modern technology. The dancers not only created the performance but also learned to program the Micro:bit at the Boston Youth Arts and Innovation (BYAI) “Stem on Stage” program before incorporating the technology into their dance. The lights were programmed by dancers themselves, creating a performance that combined artistic expression with technology.

The light-up lanterns were a crucial part of the performance. Each lantern contained a micro:bit that controlled LED lights throughout the dance. The lights would change color and flash at different times during the dance to match the music and highlight specific dance moves. As the dancers moved across the stage, the lighting highlighted every move. The combination of traditional dance and STEM created a beautiful and moving performance that emphasized the traditional elements of the dance.

The program for the micro:bits relied on block coding. Each lantern had different lighting patterns, selected colors, and timing of each effect. Throughout the project, the dancers tested their code, detected problems, and made improvements to the code until the lighting synchronized accurately with the performance. This process introduced students to the fundamentals of coding such as sequencing, timing, and debugging while encouraging creativity.

By combining dance with coding, the project demonstrated that STEM can be incorporated into the performing arts in meaningful ways. Students developed coding skills alongside their artistic skills, learning that coding can be used to enhance art. This project showed how technology can strengthen traditional art forms and can create new innovative opportunities and demonstrated how micro:bit technology can inspire students to explore both STEM and arts, showing how blurring the line between art and technology can create a meaningful learning experience.