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Since it's inception in 2021, the Aztec Arts Academy Dance Company has created incredible experiences for our dancers. From versatile technical training in jazz, modern/contemporary, ballet, hip hop and tap dance, to choreographic residencies with industry professionals and more, our dancers are exposed to real-life, professional lessons that will prepare them for a career in dance, choreography and/or dance education and more! Our program is shaped to mimic a collegiate dance major program, exposing students to what it's like to study dance in the pursuit of a professional career.
Since it's inception in 2021, the Aztec Arts Academy Dance Company has created incredible experiences for our dancers. From versatile technical training in jazz, modern/contemporary, ballet, hip hop and tap dance, to choreographic residencies with industry professionals and more, our dancers are exposed to real-life, professional lessons that will prepare them for a career in dance, choreography and/or dance education and more! Our program is shaped to mimic a collegiate dance major program, exposing students to what it's like to study dance in the pursuit of a professional career.
Additionally, company members have access to scholarships via auditions, conventions, festivals, nominations and more. To date, the Aztec Arts Academy Dance Company CTE Program at PDHS has acquired more then $400,000 scholarships over the last 4 years.
A special thanks to our local partners at the Assistance League of the Coachella Valley for their constant support of our students! As of December 2024, The Frank Moss Scholarship for the Performing Arts under the ALSC has awarded $14,150 to our students since January of 2022.
Additionally, company members have access to scholarships via auditions, conventions, festivals, nominations and more. To date, the Aztec Arts Academy Dance Company CTE Program at PDHS has acquired more then $400,000 scholarships over the last 4 years.
A special thanks to our local partners at the Assistance League of the Coachella Valley for their constant support of our students! As of December 2024, The Frank Moss Scholarship for the Performing Arts under the ALSC has awarded $14,150 to our students since January of 2022.
Courses Offered
Professional Dance 1 (9th/10th)
Professional Dance 2 (10th/11th)
Professional Dance 3 (11th/12th)
Professional Dance 4 (12th)
The Aztec Arts Academy Dance Company has 3 annual performances a year:
1. "In Process": Annual Winter concert
2. "Launch": Annual Senior Capstone Concert
3. Annual Spring Dance Concert
Our concerts are a mix of student choreographed work and professionally choreographed work created by our incredible Industry Partners.
Additionally, we have participated in conventions and performances at the Palm Springs International Dance Festival, Velocity Dance Convention, NUVO and 24/Seven Dance Convention. We have also been finalists in the McCallum Theater "Open Call Talent Project", where we have been awarded the "Excellence in Dance" award in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, in 2025, our dancers were featured in the Palm Desert Choreography Festival, with choreography by alumni, Riley Hart.
In 2024, we began travelling annually to New York City to train at Brodaway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway. We also attend the University of Arizona's "JAZZ IN AZ" Dance Festival.
Read below for a list of our guest instructors and industry partners:
BODYTRAFFIC: Internationally Renowned Contemporary Dance Company
Christina Grady: Hollywood Dance Industry Veteran
Credits Include: Lady Gaga, Missy Elliot, Disney, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, Superbowl Halftime Show, A Star Is Born & more!
Annie Gratton: LA Commercial Dancer, Choreographer and Educator
Credits Include: Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Latin Music Awards, Hollywood Vibe Dance Convention and more!
Rebecca Nelson: Entrepreneur, Cinematographer, Editor and Dancer
Credits Include: Nike, Apple TV, Neyo and more!
Alexis Carra: Film/TV and Broadway Veteran
Credits Include: Wicked, Christmas Again, Grey's Anatomy and more!
Cara Dixon: Relative Motion Experience
Credits Include: Cirque Du Soleil, Broadway Dance Center, Entrepreneur and more!
Katelyn Gaffney: Radio City Rockette
Credits Include: 15 Seasons with the Radio City Rockettes, Taylor Swift, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parage
Malia Baker: Los Angeles Commercial Dancer/Choreographer/Educator
Credits Include: Choreographer & Dancer for Sofi Tukker, & Purple Disco Machine, Mariah Carey, Mo Willems, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Coachella Music Festival and more!
Alexandra Yonkovich: Los Angeles/Las Vegas Commercial Dancer, Actress, Educator
Credits Include: BFA Dance from University of Arizona, The Beatles LOVE (Last Vegas), Cirque du Soleil, Taylor Swift, Dancing With the Stars, and more!
Brandon Coleman: NYC Freelance Dancer/Choreographer/Educator
Credits Include: BFA Dance from University of Arizona, Sleep No More NYC, The Metropolitan Opera House and more.
Brandon Maxwell: Los Angeles Commercial Dancer/Choreographer/Educator
Credits Include: BFA Dance from Chapman University, Keke Palmer, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Imagine Dragons, Super Bowl Tillamook Block Jams commercial and more.
Spencer Seebach: Los Angeles Commercial/Concert Dancer/Choreographer/Educator
Credits Include: BFA Chapman University, Michaela Taylor's TL Collective, Primetime Emmy's Governer Ball and more!
Riley Roberts Castellanet: Los Angeles based choreographer
Credits Include: MA in Screen Dance, BFA Dance (Chapman University), Asst Choreographer for Panic At the Disco!, Olivia Rodrigo. Movement director for commercials and director of the Ardor Effect and more!
Josie Moss: Owner of Dance Network 618
Credits Include: BFA Chapman University, Owner and Director of Dance Network 618, Award-Winning choreographer and educator
Cassidy Webb: Award Winning Choreographer | Medical Sales Associate
Credits include: BA in Dance and BS in Kinesiology from Chapman University, KAR Choreographer of the year, and more!
Kathleen Spillman: Pilates and Yoga Guru
Entrepreneur and movement guru, Kay Spillman, has over 40 years of experience with pilates, yoga and martial arts. She is a 2nd generation discpiple of Joseph Pilates, the creator of Pilates.
Regina Bastacchera: Owner of Nutrition on a Mission
Certified functional nutrition and lifestyle practitioner with a Master's Degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation and a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science
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