The Dance Program at Santa Susana High School offers multi-level training in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Swing, and Modern, as well as the Dance Collective, our capstone performing company. Through rigorous training, ongoing student choreography projects, guest and faculty choreography, and workshops, we are able to offer a thorough preparation for those students wishing to further their education in dance. |
The dance program offers a certification in dance, which is uniquely designed with the intent of creating well-rounded and versatile dancers who are prepared to meet the challenges and expectations of today’s higher education as well as the performing arts industry. Dancers certificate by completing a specific course of study, consisting of either a Major Emphasis or a Minor Focus in Dance. |
Ballet I – provides the student with a thorough understanding of ballet movement vocabulary and terminology through the use of barre, center, and traveling combinations as well as a focus on the history, traditions, and aesthetics of ballet.
Ballet II – expands on technique, knowledge, terminology, and ballet movement vocabulary with an emphasis on intermediate to advanced technique, choreography, performance quality and historical context. Pointe – continues to build on ballet technique by incorporating pointe work. Emphasis will be on developing proper pointe technique, learning movement vocabulary specific to pointe work, and incorporation of short pointe variations from historical ballets. Tap I - explores the rhythmic structures, styles, technique, and historical context of tap dance while highlighting irregular and syncopated rhythms, the development of motor coordination, and the use of creative expression. Tap II – expands on technique, focusing on irregular/syncopated rhythms, more complex movement vocabulary and intermediate to advance choreography. Modern/Composition – 1st semester introduces the fundamentals of modern dance, focusing on basic anatomy, planes of movement, directions in space, and the use of gravity. 2nd semester focuses on the basic design elements of composition, exploring the elements of time, space, and energy through classroom studies, and gradually evolving into larger pieces of choreography. |
Jazz I – provides the student with an overview of jazz dance as an art form, focusing on the use of force, an awareness of line, and an exploration of rhythm, syncopation, and accent to create the dynamic range of movements use in jazz dance. Jazz II – expands on jazz I technique introducing aerodynamic jumps and turns, and more complex choreography, with an emphasis on more advance rhythmic structures, increased motor coordination, and intermediate to advanced levels of choreography. Jazz III - This course introduces advanced jazz dancing techniques, introducing rotating jumps and second turns and more complex choreography. It emphasizes necessary skills to further the development of motor coordination, jazz techniques, advanced levels of choreography and advanced rhythm structures. It promotes freedom of creative expression and further expands historical awareness. Dance Collective – focuses on developing repertory choreographed by students, faculty, and guest artists, exposure to varied dance genres, and expanded cultural awareness, to increase versatility and prepare students for success in college/university dance departments as well as the professional arena. Hip Hop - Coming Soon FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR Note: Students may audition to enter a level II/III course. They must demonstrate the ability to perform technical skill sets introduced in the prerequisite course(s) as well as readiness to attempt advance skills without risk of injury. |
Trevor Lynskey:
Program Director [email protected] Trevor was born and raised in southern California. He started dancing at the age of 13, when he was placed in a dance elective at his junior high. From that point, he started training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical. In his senior year, he transferred to Santa Susana Performing Arts and Technology Magnet High School, majoring Dance and Voice. After High School, he performed professionally in numerous musicals including: "Annie", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" and "A Chorus Line." He had the honor of keeping the magic of Disney alive, performing in numerous parades and shows at Disneyland including; “Disney’s Christmas Fantasy Parade." In 2006, he graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with his B.A. in Dance. He had the pleasure of Dancing alongside some of the most talented dancers in California as a former member of Rhetoracle Dance Company, under the direction of Nate Hodges. He has taught at Valencia HS in Santa Clarita, Lincoln HS in San Jose, and is heavily involved in United Spirit Association, where he teaches dancers from all over the country. He is so excited to to work alongside the great staff at Santa Susana. |
Angelina Burleigh:
Program Co-Director [email protected] Angelina Burleigh's dance training began as a preschooler. Her training includes ballet, jazz, tap, Hawaiian, Tahitian, and modern, as well as singing and acting. As a dancer, she has worked professionally as a ballerina with the Aeolian Ballet Theatre LA and as a tap dancer with the Rhythm Rascals. She was awarded scholarships at Paradise Dance School, the Performing Arts Center, Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, the Burklyn Ballet, and the University of Hartford. In addition, she was awarded a scholarship from the dance department of the University of Oklahoma when applied as an undergraduate. Her serious study of dance also gained her admission into numerous professional ballet summer programs including the American Ballet Theatre in Alabama and Michigan, the Joffrey Ballet in New York, and Dance Connecticut. She has also performed tap numbers at the Greek Theater in the "Youth at the Greek" and in a live vaudeville show at the Orpheum Theatre. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and have danced and acted in several television shows and movies. She also performed the lead role of Alice in "Alice in Wonderland," an original ballet, for the numerous years. |
Crystal Zibalese:
Artist In Residence Crystal Zibalese received her BFA in Dance from Chapman University in 2004. Upon graduation, she went on to dance professionally with Backhausdance and Diavolo Dance Theater. She currently teaches at Dance Creations in Simi Valley, CA. She is blessed to have the most amazing collaborator and partner in her husband David. Together, they have found a true passion for choreography and the creative process. Their choreography has won national dance titles and earned prestigious recognition. Their choreography was nominated for Choreography of the Year by the Industry Dance Awards in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2016, their work was selected as a finalist by The McCallum Theater’s annual Choreography Festival and went on to win the grand prize. Their piece “Pathways” was selected as a finalist for the same event that will be held in November 2022. However, their favorite creations and greatest inspirations are their three little boys Noah, Milo and Dash. |
Grizzy Galvan:
Artist In Residence Grizzy Galvan has trained in many dance styles including jazz, contemporary, modern, and hip hop. After winning 4 consecutive USA National titles with her high school dance team, she went on to become the opening dancer for Disney's Block Party Bash as Pixar Pal in the toys story unit as a cowgirl barbie. She performed in multiple shows, parades, and special event at the Disneyland Resort for almost 5 years. She has been a part of the USA Dance Staff since 2006 and continues to coach and choreograph for nationally ranked teams throughout the west coast. She has had the opportunity of being an adjudicator for regional, state, national, and international dance competitions. In addition to dancing she also enjoys water sports, traveling, road trips, and all activities that will take her into nature. She is currently in pursuit of becoming a doctor of physical therapy and looks forward to continuing to make an impact on dancers and athletes lives by contributing to their over all wellness and quality of life. |
Linda Lewis: 2007-2023
Former Program Director After receiving her early ballet training and studying on scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet, Ms. Lewis received her M.A. in Dance from the University of Iowa, then taught at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where she performed with, and became artistic director of Dance Omnium. In Southern California she has taught at Moorpark College, and was at Long Beach City College for 20 years. Ms. Lewis was a member of the faculty of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the fitness editor of Shape magazine before coming to Santa Su. This additional background helps her to incorporate anatomy, kinesiology, and injury prevention into her curriculum. Ms. Lewis is credentialed in Dance, Physical Education, and Science, runs the dance club here at Santa Su, and has been on the faculty at Ballet Arts and the Conejo Civic Ballet for many years. |