A yearlong course designed to teach the advanced dance student how to be a better performer, and how to view dance (both live performances and via videos) from a critical perspective. Students must have a solid technical background and experience with Ballet, Contemporary, and Jazz. Participation in the annual SMCHS Christmas Production and the SMCHS Dance Concert are also required. In addition to on-campus performances, these students represent SMCHS at competitive dance team competitions during the winter/early spring. Our EDF Dance Team is a competitive performance group consisting of well trained, experienced performers who love to dance. An academic program within the Performing Arts Department, the dancers receive credit that is UC approved for their class work, as well as PE Credit for 8th period rehearsals
Danielle has over 25 years of experience teaching, coaching and choreographing dance. She started dancing at the age of 3 and has been professionally trained in various styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pom/song, theater, character, modern, pointe and lyrical/contemporary. At the age of 13 she was chosen as a member of the Tremaine Teen Dance Company under the direction of Marguerite Derricks and trained with world renowned choreographers in the dance/entertainment industry. She had the opportunity to dance for various live events, videos, TV, and films, such as Austin Powers: The International Man of Mystery, WB Dubba Commercial, Christy Buss videos, Disney's Gotta Kick It Up & The Royal Danish Ballet's Napoli. Danielle also has experience working behind the scenes in the dance/entertainment industry. Danielle worked for MSA Agency, one of the top dance/choreography talent agencies in Hollywood. Their clients work can be seen everywhere from film, TV, stage, you name it! Some of the projects she worked on included, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, the High School Musical franchise, Michael Jackson's This Is It tour, just to name a few!
Danielle is a graduate from UC Irvine and was the captain of their dance team for 3 years. She was a member of the United Spirit Association where she served as a Head Instructor and a member of their Program Development staff. She currently judges for various event producers when she is not with her teams competing. Danielle has coached and choreographed for numerous Dance and Song teams throughout the United States including high school, college, semi-pro, and pro teams, including the LA Laker Girls, 49er Gold Rush Cheerleaders, San Diego Charger Girls, & OC Gladiators. During the past 15 years of coaching, her teams have won numerous national titles and awards including Innovative Choreography, Technical Excellence, Superior Showmanship, Best in Category, Grand Champions, & the Bronze Medal at USASF’s Dance Worlds. Danielle was named Cheer Pros “Dance Coach of the Year” and has also been a finalist numerous years in a row. She is NFHS certified and attends numerous conferences, conventions, and workshops.
She loves sharing her passion for dance and her competitive spirit to motivate and push her dancers to be the best they can be. Danielle takes pride in her dancers and dedicates herself fully by investing in each of her dancers’ growth and development. This is Danielle's 14th season coaching at SM, 5th year teaching in the SMCHS Dance Program and 3rd year as the Director of Dance.
EDF Coaches
Audrey Eagan (EDF Dance & JV Song Coach)
Audrey started dancing at the age of 3 at Cal Elite where she trained in the styles of jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, tap, and acro. She joined the competition team at the age of 5 and competed with them until she was 16. She is a Santa Margarita alumni and was on the dance team from 2015-2019, and an IB dance student her junior and senior years. She recently graduated from Washington State University where she was on the Crimson Girls dance team for four years. At WSU, she had the opportunity to compete in the jazz and gameday categories at UDA nationals in Florida, travel for tournaments and bowl games, and represent the university at home football and basketball games. Audrey is excited to be back at SMCHS and to help make this an amazing year!
Katie Barry (Assistant EDF Dance & JV Song Coach)
Katie Barry is an SMCHS alum from the Class of 2012 and former SMCHS Varsity Songleader and has over 20 years of dance training and experience in Jazz, Pom, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Hip-hop styles. She has over 8 years of experience coaching and teaching throughout the all-star and high school dance communities and, as a dancer, has competed at UDA Nationals, USA Spirit Nationals, USA All-Star Nationals, NDA All-Star Nationals, and more. Katie has assisted in choreographing routines around the country, and her teams have won USA Nationals in the JV Song Pom Advanced division in 2017 and NDA Nationals in 2018. Outside of coaching, Katie enjoys a successful career as a professional graphic designer, specializing in brand strategy, brand identity, and UX/UI design. She received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Interactive Communication from Cal State Fullerton. Katie is thrilled to be back as an Eagle as she enters her 8th season of coaching at SMCHS!
Although there are no specific requirements, most dancers are expected to be at an advanced technical level. Dancers will be asked to perform quadruple turns, leg extensions, and various leaps. The judges are also looking for their individual style and performance through the contemporary combination they will learn.
What is the time commitment as a team member?
Dance Team practices up to 3 times a week after school, depending on how many dances each member is in. Every dancer is expected to keep those 3 days open.
Dance Team attends 5-7 competitions throughout the season.
The team is expected to perform at 1 football game, Open House, selected rallies, 8th grade visitation, etc.
As a Dance Team member do you receive P.E. credit?
Yes. after 2 years on the team you will receive Fine Art and P.E. credit.
Results 2nd place in Medium Jazz & 3rd place in Medium Lyrical! Junior soloist Charlie George 3rd place overall! Medium Jazz chosen for Best Choreography & Showdown!
PAST YEARS...
USA Nationals 2022
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NATIONAL CHAMPS!
RESULTS
1st Place -Large Lyrical
1st Place-Open Large Hip Hop
2nd Place-Medium Lyrical
5th Place- X-small
Contest of Champions Nationals (Orlando, FL)
RESULTS
2nd Place -Medium Lyrical
2nd Place-X-small
3rd Place-Small Lyrical
4th Place- Small Jazz
4th Place- Medium Jazz
4th Place- Medium Jazz
2nd Overall-Janna Redmond (senior soloist)
USA @Aliso Niguel HS (2/19/22)
RESULTS
1st Place -Large Lyrical
1st Place-X-small
1st Place-Medium Lyrical
2nd Place- Small Jazz
2nd Place- Hip Hop
4th Place- Medium Jazz
Solo Finals-Tara Meany (junior soloist)
Solo Finals & 5th Place-Janna Redmond (senior soloist)
WCE @Valencia HS (2/12/22)
RESULTS
1st Place -Medium Lyrical
1st Place-X-small
2nd Place-Medium Hip Hop
3rd Place- Medium Jazz
4th Place- Small Jazz
4th Place- Medium Contemporary
11th Place-Jamie Redmond (senior soloist)
USA @Downey HS (1/29/22)
RESULTS
1st Place -Large Lyrical
2nd Place- Medium Dance
2nd Place- Small Jazz
2nd Place-X-small
4th Place- Medium Lyrical
4th Place-Large Hip Hop
2nd Place & Solo Finals-Janna Redmond (senior soloist)
