Iqaluit (May 02/05) - Teens in Iqaluit are always looking for new ways to have fun and about 10 of them did just that with the help of dance teachers from the Yukon recently.

The Iqaluit teens embraced a dance workshop called "Hip Hop Superstars" led by Andrea Simpson-Fowler and Allison Peacock of the Leaping Feats Creative Danceworks studio in Whitehorse.

Watching the teens swivel, twirl and groove across the floor, dance teacher Simpson-Fowler said she was impressed with the Iqaluit teens.

"They are really keen. They like it," said Simpson-Fowler, who says she had rough teen years, but found salvation in the power of dance.

The young girls met at the Francophone Centre each morning, wearing their most colourfully cool sweatpants and funky t-shirts, and practised dance routines to music by artists like Gwen Stefani and Usher.

Courtney Dunphy, one of the participants, enjoyed the dancing a lot. She said she thinks Iqaluit needs some kind of regular dance group for teens.

The week wasn't just about dancing, though. Afternoon workshops encouraged open discussion about hot-button topics, including bullying, sex, drugs and alcohol, and eating healthy.

The teens also compiled their own scrapbooks from the week and wrote in journals. Simpson-Fowler wants to help youth empower themselves and saw that happen in Iqaluit.

"Young girls love to dance. I know I did when I was growing up," she said. "When we started Hip Hop Superstars four years ago, I thought about the kinds of things I would have liked, things that would have helped me."

The program had guest speakers from the RCMP, YEAH North and Mental Health.

Funding support for Hip Hop Superstars came from Health and Social Services Women's Initiatives Funding, Brighter Futures City of Iqaluit, First Air, Royal Purple and the Francophone Centre.