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About the North Valley Arts Academies Dance Program at PVSchools:
MISSION
MISSION
Honors NVAA Dance empowers students to explore their artistic voice through rigorous creative inquiry, intentional movement, and collaborative practice. We are committed to cultivating dancers who lead with curiosity, integrity, and imagination—on stage, in the studio, and beyond.
VISION
VISION
We envision a dance program that honors experimentation, fosters a deeply connected community, and embraces the evolving nature of art and self. Our future is one where students feel safe to take risks, where innovation thrives, and where every dancer is seen, heard, challenged, and celebrated for who they are becoming. Through continued growth and expansion, Honors NVAA Dance will serve as a celebration of expressive freedom, thoughtful artistry, and compassionate leadership.
VALUES
VALUES
Intentionality – We move with purpose, reflecting deeply on our creative choices and their impact.
Curiosity – We seek the unknown, ask questions, and welcome experimentation as essential to growth.
Resilience – We view critical dialogue as an opportunity and embrace challenges as part of the artistic process.
Community – We uplift one another with respect, trust, and accountability.
Expression – We believe in the power of dance to communicate emotion and spark conversation with our classmates and audiences.
Leadership – We lead with humility, creativity, and commitment, both in our individual practice and collective work.
Growth – We are always evolving—artistically, personally, and as a program.
The North Valley Arts Academies' Dance program, offered at Desert Cove Elementary School, Shea Middle School, and Shadow Mountain High School, is a great way for students to channel their creativity during the school day. Throughout the program, students will learn dance history and popular dance styles, such as ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, and jazz. At the middle school and high school levels, students get the opportunity to create their own choreography and present it publicly three times (or more) per year. We hold National Honor Society for Dance Arts Chapters at Shea Middle School and Shadow Mountain High School.
The NVAA Dance Program at Shadow Mountain High School also offers Dual Enrollment in partnership with Paradise Valley Community College and a pathway to the Arizona State Seal of Arts Proficiency via our one-of-a-kind Senior Exit Portfolio Class.
Meet the Dance Teachers:
Leanne Slater-SMHS
Leanne (Schmidt) Slater, holds a BFA and MFA in Dance. She presented work professionally with her dance company, Leanne Schmidt and Company, in NYC for 9 years. Ms. Slater has received commissions from various dance companies and universities and has served on the dance faculty at Grand Canyon University, GCC, PVCC, ASU, and Camelback High School. She has been published in Dance Teacher Magazine and has presented at the National Dance Education Organization Conferences. She is currently creating professionally in Phoenix and is the Dance Program Specialist for NVAA Dance at Shadow Mountain High School. Leanne is the recipient of the 2023 Katherine Lindholm Lane AZ Dance Educator of the Year Award.
Tanya Dimitrov-DCES/SMS
Ms. Dimitrov, originally from Bulgaria, is a professional dancer and choreographer with over 20 years of dance experience. She is proficient in many styles of dance including Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Bulgarian folk dance, Balkan folk dance, and Belly dance. She toured all over the Balkans as a professional dancer for over 10 years. She has taught dancers from all levels, ages, and backgrounds and loves watching young artists discover their artistic voice.
Ms. Dimitrov has recently graduated from ASU with her MFA in Dance and MA in Cultural Leadership and Enterprise. She is the founder and Co-CEO of the Balkanik Dance Group, and Balkan Community Culture and Heritage Organization based in Phoenix, AZ.
NVAA Dance Teacher, Leanne Schmidt Slater, received the 2023 Katherine Lindholm Lane Arizona Dance Educator of the Year award!
NVAA Dance Alumni Avriell Craig attends the School of Dance at California State University at Long Beach!
NVAA Dance Alumni Hannah Gardner attends the Arizona State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance!
NVAA Dance Alumni Gabbie Gulden attends the Scottsdale Community College Dance!
NVAA Dance Alumni Jacob Barnum attends the School of Dance at the University of Arizona!
NVAA Dance Alumni Jessica Henry attends the Department of Dance at Chapman University!
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