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SCHS Dance: Silhouette of a dancer

There's a place for you at SCHS Dance!

Dance team performs energetic routine on stage

Who we are

The Steele Canyon Dance Program strives to create a space for dancers to learn, grow, and of course, have fun! With our various levels of classes and dance teams, our program provides a place for dancers of every kind to be involved, and do what they love. 

CALENDAR

AUDITIONS

Classes

Beginning Dance

This beginning dance class provides students with the opportunity to learn entry-level skills and performance techniques while studying a variety of dance genres including jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and more. Throughout this course, students expand upon their knowledge of the dance world through dance history, choreographing techniques, and the opportunity to perform in the term's dance showcase. The beginning dance course meets the University of California Visual & Perfoming Arts “f” requirement.

Intermediate Dance (Royal)

The yearlong intermediate dance course, an audition-based class, continues to teach students the fundamentals of beginning dance while incorporating more advanced techniques and movement qualities. Dancers learn more about performance quality as both individual and team performers in order to prepare dancers interested in the audition-based advanced dance course. Students in the course also have the opportunity to participate in the term's dance showcase.This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Advanced Dance (Dynasty)

The advanced dance course is a yearlong audition-based class that focuses heavily on performances, individual and group choreography, and building valuable techniques used in the dance world. Dancers have the opportunity to perform and choreograph in various styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and more. Students in this course will continue to expand upon their knowledge of the dance world through inside and outside-of-school performance opportunities and masterclasses. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Hip-Hop and Choreography

The new Hip-Hop dance class at Steele Canyon offers students of all levels the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of Hip-Hop dance and styles within the genre. Students are taught various techniques and pieces of choreography to help them build their skills for more advanced Hip-Hop courses. As the course progresses, dancers are expected to participate in group choreography discussions, successfully be knowledgeable in Hip-Hop dance terms, and be able to perform in the term's dance showcase. This course meets the University of California Visual & Performing Arts “f” requirement.

Female dancer leaps; dynamic dance performance

Dance Clubs

Dance team poses outside snack bar

Cougarettes

The Cougarettes are an all-inclusive group that focus on teaching the roots of the dance culture started by the HBCU Majorettes dance team. Members are led in different pieces of choreography that focus on captivating the unique techniques used in this dance style. Club meetings are held weekly on Fridays in room C201. For more information about the Cougarettes, check out @schscougarettes on Instagram!

Club Pom

Club Pom is an advanced level, audition based team here at Steele Canyon that performs pom routines at assemblies. The Pom Team works on challenging turns, jumps, tricks and technique to showcase. Auditions are required to join the team, which are held a few times each semester. For more information about Club Pom, check out @schs_club_pom on Instagram!

Dance with a Purpose

Dance with Purpose raises money to support the nonprofit organization Save the Children worldwide from unjust situations. The club is a place for anyone to join who is interested in dance and their message. Dance with Purpose meets Thursdays at Lunch in C201. For more information about Dance With a Purpose, check out @dance_.with_.purpose

Costumes

If you would like to borrow a costume please look through the costumes and fill out the form for which one you would like to borrow!

Dynasty Officers

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Lily Iacono

Captain

Lily Iacono is a senior at Steele Canyon and is Captain of Dynasty Dance Team. She has been dancing for 8 years with experience in various styles, but her favorites are hip hop and contemporary. She has been a part of the dance program since her freshman year and is in several dance clubs on campus including Club Groove and Cougarettes. Outside of school, she is actively involved at her dance studio. Lily is honored to have the opportunity to share the art of dance with the community adn to represent Steele Canyon's amazing dance program. She is so excited for a great year!
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Hailey Ignacio

Co-Captain

Hailey is a senior at Steele Canyon and is one of Dynasty’s Co-Captains! She has been a part of the Steele Dance Program since her freshman year, dedicating much of her time to dancing both in and outside of school. Outside of school, she teaches dance to young dancers and trains in various styles at Jibe Studios, with contemporary, jazz, and tap being her favorites. Hailey loves sharing her passion for dance with such an amazing dance community and is looking forward to this upcoming year!
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Jacob Cotter

Co-Captain

Jacob is a senior who has been on Dynasty for 3 years now and has been dancing for 8 years. This year Jacob is a Co-Captain for Dynasty. When He isn’t dancing for Dynasty he is on Club Groove, Cougarettes, Club Pom, and outside of dance he does competitive and sideline cheer.
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Talia Collura

Senior Lieutenant

Talia Collura is a senior at Steele Canyon. She has been a part of advanced dance for all 4 years but has been dancing for a total of 9 years inside and outside of school. Her favorite style is lyrical because of the way you can tell a story through movements without needing any words. Along with dance, she is also involved in several other things on campus! She is the senior class vice president, a member of club groove, captain of club pom, a choreographer for airbands, and is also captain for our girls varsity golf team! She is so proud of her team and can’t wait to soak up this last year with them!
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Lael Bell

Senior Lieutenant

Lael is one of our senior lieutenants on Dynasty. She has been dancing since she was young and has been in advanced dance since her freshman year. She does pre-professional hip hop and has danced on various teams and projects in and outside of san Diego. She is apart of club groove and club pom as well as the founder of the cougarettes. She cant wait for this upcoming year!
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Teagan DiMartino

Junior Lieutenant

Teagan is a sophomore at Steele Canyon and has been dancing for 13 years training in various styles. Her favorite styles of dance are contemporary and hip hop. She is a part of club groove, and cougarettes along with being a member of the Dynasty dance team. Outside of school she dances at Jibe Studios and is also a part of the student teacher program there. She is so excited for this upcoming school year as a part of the Dynasty dance team!
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Jennifer Hernandez Colin

Choreography Consultant

Jennifer Hernandez Colin is a current senior at Steele Canyon High School and she is Dynasty’s first ever Choreography Consultant! She’s been dancing for 8 years, with 5 years of her training coming from the arts school, LMMAC, where she learned Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary/Lyrical. In High-school she is now a part of Club Groove, Thee Ensemble, Cougarettes, BSU, Cougar Crew, and Varsity Cheer. With her extensive dance background in the local dance groups around San Diego such as The Woo and Future Shock, she is able to exercise her hip hop sensibilities which is also her favorite genre of dance. Some highlights in her dance experience so far have been winning first place in a 2v2 battle at Ladies First, and just recently being a new Hip Hop instructor for kids at Pink Polish Elite! She’s very excited for this upcoming season!
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Kaitlyn Babcock

Social Media

Kaitlyn is a senior at Steele Canyon and is one of Dynasty's Social Officers! She has been apart of the dance program since her freshman year and has been on Dynasty since her sophomore year, putting lots of effort into the team. Her favorite style of dance is lyrical/contemporary. She loves to be school spirited and you will most likely see her dressed up during spirit weeks. She is so excited to be apart of an amazing dance team and is looking forward to this upcoming year!
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Kena Quick

Social Media

Kena is a Senior at Steele Canyon High school and is one of the social officers for Dynasty dance team! She's been dancing since she was 4 years old. She has attended a couple different dance studios in her past but spent most of her time at IDPA before becoming apart of the SCHS Dance Program. Her favorite style of dance is hip hop. She enjoys attending dance competitions and has competed in the hip hop category in her past. She is also apart of other dance clubs on campus such as club groove and club pom. She is so excited to fulfill her senior year as an officer on Dynasty!
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Violet Hall

Rookie Candidate

Violet is a freshman at Steele Canyon and has been dancing for over 11 years in all different styles, inside and outside of school. Her favorite styles of dance include, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and tap. She is also apart of Club Groove and Club Pom! She can’t wait to create everlasting memories and strong bonds with all of the dancers. This year she is a Rookie Candidate Officer and is so excited for this year!

Royal Officers

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Faith Wallis

Captain

Faith Wallis is a sophomore at Steele canyon and is Royal’s first captain. She has been a dancer from a young age and has a passion for it. Outside of school she takes jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and tap classes. In addition she’s been on the El Cajon dance team, TNT performing company, since 2023. She also performs with a local community theater where she has done many of shows. She’s very excited to watch this team grow.
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Danica Gibaldi

Co-Captain

Danica Gibaldi is a freshman at SCHS and is excited to be the Royal dance team’s first co-captain. Danica loves dance and she currently takes ballet, hip hop, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, and Acro classes at Jean's Dance Studio. She enjoys competing with her studio and won second place for her contemporary solo at last year’s Primetime competition. Recently, she was seen in the Anastasia play at the Young Actors Theatre as a featured dancer. Danica is looking forward to performing and working with the Royal dance team this year to improve her skills. She is thankful for this wonderful opportunity and can’t wait to work with the other officers to create an amazing year for the team.
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Taylor

Emotional Support Officer (ESO)

Taylor is a current sophomore at SCHS and is one of Royal’s first ever officers (Royals eso officer)! Taylor used to take classes at Jibe studios and has been in Steele’s dance program since January. She is now a part of Royal Intermediate dance team and The Cougaretts. Her favorite styles are hip-hop and jazz. She is also apart of Steele’s varsity golf team and does lots of volunteering in our community. Taylor is looking forward to this upcoming season on Royal this year!
Smiling Mrs. Pharis black and white headshot

DIRECTOR'S BIO - Brittany Pharis

Q: WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING AND BACKGROUND IN DANCE?

A: I have been working professionally around the Dance and Gymnastics industry for the last thirteen years and have been dancing since the crazy age of 3. I am an alumni of Helix High School, Grossmont College, Arizona State University, and National University. She has obtained over five degrees, one credential, one medical, and one certificate between these institutions accumulating to: (1) Dance, (2) American Sign Language (3) Criminal Justice and Criminology (4) Masters in Education and Teaching Best Principles; along with a teaching Single-subject Credential in Physical Education, Medical Assistant Degree, and is a Gymnastics Judge for USAG. Brittany is also a Director at Champion Gymnastics and Cheer for the Xcel and Developmental Programs.Brittany is trained in Gymnastics, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Modern, Linedance, and Hip Hop. She shares so many interests within the Performing Arts Community and is the Dance Director at Steele Canyon High School. She loves working with the youth and displaying her passion for dance and gymnastics.

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Q: MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT STEELE CANYON DANCE?

A: Being a part of every dancer's journey who walks through the doors of the studio is truly rewarding. Witnessing their enjoyment during learning, performance, and growth, not only as dancers but also as human beings, is my favorite thing.

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Q: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHEN YOU ARE NOT DANCING?

A: Typically, I'm occupied with my other job of coaching, choreographing or judging gymnastics; indulging in dance Tik Toks, watching dance movies, hitting the dance floor for line dancing, spending time with friends and family, and embracing life to the fullest.

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Q: MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION IN THE DANCE WORLD?

A: I find great inspiration in Mia Michaels, a world-renowned choreographer celebrated for her ability to craft emotionally resonant and technically impressive pieces that captivate both dancers and audience members alike.

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 Q: WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DANCE?

A: I love to dance because, dancing fills me with an indescribable joy, igniting a fire within me that transcends words. It's a powerful means of expressing my deepest emotions, allowing me to pour my heart and soul into each movement. Dancing is my sanctuary, where I can release all burdens and connect with my true self. I also cherish the opportunity to pass on this passion to my students, guiding them on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through dance.

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