SONG/POM TEAMS
Important Upcoming Dates- Tryout Info!
Important Dates to Note (All dates subject to change based off of COVID-19):
- Tryout Parent Interest Meeting- April 27th 5:30-6:30pm- SM Science Lecture Hall
- Tryout Packets Due- May 10th by 3pm! All items should be sent digitally. Please email applicable items to darwazehd@smhs.org.
- Song Application- https://forms.office.com/r/gc5PH0xZzS
- Headshot of applicant
- PDF or JPEG of last semester (Fall) grades
- Athletic Clearance & Current Physical (link coming soon)
- Audition Fee $20 (SimpleTIx link coming soon)
- New members ONLY- 1 letter of recommendation. Letters should discuss dance ability, work ethic, and character.
- Waivers (links coming soon)
- Tryout Clinics- May 17 & 18th 3:30-5:30pm- SM dance room.
- Auditions- May 20th 4-7pm- SM dance room
- Summer Vacation- June 26th-July 11th
- UDA Convention Camp- July 18-21st
Coaches
DANIELLE CALTA DARWAZEH– Director/Head Coach
Danielle has over 25 years of experience coaching, teaching 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 & lyrical. At the age of 13 she was chosen as a member of the Tremaine Dance Company 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, Miss Christy’s Dancin’ Videos, & The Royal Danish Ballet. 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, 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, 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 Songleading 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. In 2013, Danielle was named CheerPros “Dance Coach of the Year”! 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. Danielle founded DC Consulting, to help coach and consult individuals in their dance, health, and/or lifestyle needs. This is Danielle's 10th season coaching at SMCHS and is excited to continue her 2nd year as the Head Coach.
Delani Diaz- JV Coach & Assistant Varsity Coach
Delani Diaz is an accomplished dancer and South Orange County native. She started dancing at the age of two and began training in various styles, including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. Delani balanced dance training while working as a professional model, appearing in numerous ad campaigns for well-known brands, such as Alta Dena, Nesquik, Old Navy, Skechers and Disney. After years of modeling, Delani decided to devote all of her time and talents to her dance career. She competed at one of Orange County's top dance studios, Dance Dynamics, for nine years, earning first place titles at competitions, such as Hall of Fame, KAR, Spotlight, Starbound, Star Systems, and Starquest. Delani has had several exciting opportunities to perform professionally, including for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, The Choreographers Carnival in Los Angeles, and for various charity events throughout Southern California. Throughout high school, Delani trained in pom and competed on the Tesoro High School Song Team for four years. She served as Captain for one year and led her teammates to a National Championship first place title. Directly after high school, Delani decided to continue her journey with the Tesoro Song Team as one of the coaches. For three years, she worked as Tesoro High School's Assistant Song/Dance Coach and Choreographer, and helped lead the team to multiple National Championship first place titles. During this time, Delani also worked as an NFL Cheerleader for the San Diego Chargers. She continued her career with the Charger Girls for three years and served as Captain for one year. As a San Diego Charger Girl, Delani had many incredible opportunities, including learning from the country’s top choreographers, working with Toastmasters International, shooting for the cover of the annual Charger Girls Swimsuit Calendar, mentoring Jr. Charger Girls members, teaching choreography at the program’s annual Pre-Auditions Workshops, representing the team at the 2015 Pro Action Dance Intensive, performing in front of 65,000 people at all Chargers home games at Qualcomm Stadium, and being selected to represent the Charger Girls at the 2017 Pro Bowl Game in Orlando, Florida. She received the "Rookie of the Year" award which is given to the team’s most valuable 1st year member. As a second year veteran, Delani received the "Team Contributor" award. At the end of her third year as a San Diego Charger Girl, Delani received the “MVP” award. As a dance instructor and choreographer, Delani has shared her knowledge at local dance studios Dance Dynamics and PAVE School of the Arts. She has choreographed for a multitude of pom, jazz, hip-hop, and tap routines. Delani looks forward to continuing her dance career as a Varsity & JV Coach for the Santa Margarita Catholic High School Song Team.
