Dance Programs For High School Students

Our Instructor – Melanie Hiatt

Ms. Hiatt has been dancing from a very early age. At five years old she walked across the street from her house to attend a local tap and jazz class. Once she started, she never stopped dancing!

After attending Brigham Young University and touring with the International Folk Dance Ensemble, Ms. Hiatt moved to California to pursue a degree in public relations at the University of California Santa Barbara. She also spent time at the California State University of Long Beach completing a master’s in dance and physical education.

Ms. Hiatt has been teaching at Providence Hall for five years now but has been teaching privately and publicly for over 25 years. She has loved the experience of instructing and creating dance programs that help draw out student’s creativity.

Our Program

Every dance program at Providence Hall has been designed to encourage student exploration through movement, creativity, and different dance techniques. We strive to excel in a variety of dance styles including hip hop, contemporary, jazz and lyrical.

Dance 1

Prerequisites: No previous training necessary.

Our entry-level dance classes fulfill either a health/physical education credit or a visual arts credit for high schoolers. Level one focuses on foundational techniques and form, as well as some dance history. This course is designed to introduce students to dance and to improve their knowledge and repertoire of new dance styles and basic techniques.

Dance 2

Prerequisites: Subject to teacher approval or successful completion of Dance 1

Building upon the basics learned in Dance 1, this class is designed to improve dancers’ knowledge of different styles as well as introducing new techniques and theory. This class can be taken for health, or art credit as well, and counts toward a grade. Both Dance 1 and Dance 2 classes take part in the annual showcase where students can perform what they’ve learned.

Dance Team

Prerequisites: School tryouts.

Tryouts for this team are required and students are recommended to have at least some dance training in order to try out or participate. The team represents Providence Hall at sporting events and other assemblies. They are spirit leaders of the school and perform at many functions throughout the year. The dance team also learns many choreographies and dance pieces for the end-of-year showcase concert.

Cheer Team

Prerequisites: School tryouts.

The cheer team are school spirit leaders and attend sporting events, assemblies, and other school functions throughout the year. Students are required to participate in tryouts and should commit to being a good sportsman, school leader, and role model.

IB Dance Team

Prerequisites: It is advisable to take a dance course or tryout for the Dance Team prior to this class, but not required.

Students who participate in our International Baccalaureate diploma program are encouraged to take the IB dance program. This is a 2-year program that meets daily. Like the dance team, the IB dance class participates at all major school functions and events and are spirit leaders at the school. Throughout the year they learn and work on multiple choreographies and perform them at the showcase. They also have the opportunity to create their own choreography during this class.

What Are The Requirements?

We want to see each of our students succeed and develop their talents in our dance education programs! Here are some requirements to consider:

• At the beginning level, students must adhere to dance classroom rules and dress codes.
• Students who participate in teams must help to fundraise for certain costs of uniforms and equipment.
• Students are encouraged to attend practice sessions and participate in school events.

Dance Opportunities

Dance provides many opportunities for students to explore their talents! Our dance students take part in:

• School talent shows
• Assemblies
• Showcases
• Sporting events

Dance is an opportunity to make friends, try new skills, and learn life-long healthy habits for movement, flexibility, and agility.

Our teams take on great roles of responsibility within the school as role models and spirit leaders. The cheer team has recently begun practicing pom, and we are excited to see what other new programs and events can be pioneered by our students.

Ready to Dance?

We’d love to have you join our program at Providence Hall! Talk to your parents/guardians and the school counselors about adding a dance class to your schedule. If you have any more questions, Ms. Hiatt would be more than happy to answer them in her classroom!

Other Extracurricular Activities