About

The Dance Program at Mater Dei High School encompasses the dance and yoga activities on campus with versatile offerings to develop artists at every level and focus. We have 3 advanced level Honors Dance Company groups for the 23-24 school year including Dance Conservatory, Song, and Hip Hop, with recreational dance training offerings through our Dance Elective Classes, and Yoga classes for students looking for a focus on well being and improved athletic performance through yoga practice.

We have several exciting events on the horizon in the dance program! Save these important dates:

Sunday, December 3, 2023 - Christmas at the Corner with performances by Dance Electives, Hip Hop, Song, and Dance Conservatory
January 19-20, 2024 - Dance Conservatory Illuminate Concert at Robert B Moore Theater (OCC)
April 20, 2024 - Mini-Monarch Hip Hop Clinic
April 21, 2024 - Mini-Monarch Dance Clinic
April 24-25, 2024 - Synthesis Full Dance Program Concert at Irvine Barclay Theatre (UCI)

The Mater Dei High School Dance program offers many opportunities for dancers to grow their artistry including three performing groups, each with their own unique direction and focus. Dance Conservatory, Hip Hop, and Song, together make up the 'Honors Dance Company,' each receiving an honors class credit for their work. All groups are audition-based and rehearse during class and before or after school. Dancers use the training to prepare for the next stage in their artistic journey or simply to be come a better dancer while at Mater Dei.

Dance Conservatory

Dance Conservatory (Audition Only) – Designed to prepare dancers for a collegiate and/or professional career in dance through pre-professional experiences that include training, performance, exposure to colleges and professional dance companies, and portfolio building activities. This focus is paired with a traditional school team experience for the best of both worlds. Train weekly with experienced and professional faculty in contemporary, jazz, and ballet and learn from guest choreographers. Develops versatile dancers with advanced technique, artistry, improvisation skills, and performance qualities in both Commercial and Concert Dance styles. Performs at full evening concerts in fall and spring and dance festivals, in addition to school rallies, football and basketball games, and school/community events. Full year commitment.

Commitment

REQUIRES ONE ACADEMIC BLOCK (afternoon block 7 or 8) plus after school (Block 9) on Tues/Wed/Thurs until 4:30/5.
1-2 performances per month
USA Dance Camp (July 24-27, 2023)
2-3 guest choreographer sessions per semester on Sat/Sun
Extra events like College Dance Day, photo shoot, conventions, attending professional concerts, etc.

Financial Commitment: This group does include a participation fee to cover costumes, competition fees, camp, teamwear, etc. Email [email protected] for details.
Suggested Skill Level: Emphasis on placement, line artistry, technical skills (turns, leaps, extensions) and versatility of styles. Must possess strong stage presence spatial awareness, and musicality.
Red Company & Gray Company: Two levels of Dance Conservatory provide level-appropriate and challenging training for each group along with individual performance opportunities for int/adv and advanced dancers.

School Credit: Honors Dance Company + Dance Conservatory class credits

Hip Hop Team

Competitive team focused on high energy, entertaining, and popular hip hop styles of dance. Performs at rallies, home football and basket ball games, and school events. Participates in regional competitions in the spring and the Synthesis Dance Concert (spring). Full year commitment.

Commitment

REQUIRES TWO ACADEMIC BLOCKS - Morning class/rehearsal during Block 1 (8am) and Block 3
1x per week after school rehearsal
Some summer rehearsals and/or camp
1-2 performances per month
Competition Season: January-March

Financial Commitment: This group does include a participation fee to cover costumes, competition fees, workshops, teamwear, etc. Email [email protected] for details.
Suggested Skill Level: Evidence of body & spatial awareness, strength of movement & high level of performance qualities, stylized movement quality is a plus

School Credit: Honors Dance Company

Song

Nationally-ranked team that merges that athleticism of cheerleading with the art of dance for dancers with advanced Pom, Jazz, and Dance Acro technique. Performs sidelines at football and basketball games, rallies, school events, regional and national competitions, and Synthesis Dance Concert (spring). Includes two competition teams: Red Team & Gray team. Full year commitment.

Commitment
- REQUIRES TWO ACADEMIC BLOCKS - Morning class/rehearsal during Block 1 (8am) and Block 3
- Saturday morning technique class
- UDA Dance Camp (June 19-22) & US Spiritleaders Camp (July 19-21)
- Athletic events for football and basketball
- Competition Season: November to March
Financial Commitment: This group does include a participation fee to cover costumes, competition fees, camp, teamwear, etc. Email [email protected] for details.
Gray Team: Competes in 203 Advanced Varsity divisions (Pom, Game Day, Jazz), sideline cheer at football and basketball games, travels to Florida for UDA Nationals Championships.
Red Team: Competes in 1-2 JV divisions (Pom, Jazz), sideline cheer at football and basket ball games
Suggested Skill Level: Emphasis on timing and execution, advanced level jazz/pom technique including skills: second turns, 4+ pirouettes, toe touch, aerial, head spring, leg hold turns, turning second leaps, and leg extensions.
School Credit: Honors Dance Company

DANCE INFO NIGHT - March 19, 7pm

Parents and students, learn about the three Honors Dance Company groups, the audition process, time commitment/expectations, cost, and important dates for Dance Conservatory, Hip Hop, and Song. In addition, learn about our Dance Elective classes & Yoga Program.

PRE-AUDITION WORKSHOP / MASTER CLASSES

These workshops are not required to audition, but are recommended so that you can work with the faculty, learn the movement styles, and get a feel for each performing group before audition week.

Dance Conservatory - Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 5-6:30pm
Hip Hop - Monday, April 8, 2024, 5-6:30pm
Song - Wednesday, April 17, 2024 5-6:30pm

AUDITION CLINICS & AUDITIONS

Clinic attendance is required in order to audition as the audition combinations will be taught during these clinics. Each Honors Dance Company group (Dance Conservatory, Song, and Hip Hop) will have a 2 hour clinic.

Clinics - Saturday May 4, times TBA
Auditions - Monday, May 6, 3:30-6:30

In addition to our audition-based Honors Dance Company performing groups, the Mater Dei dance program also offers Dance and Yoga elective classes.

Dance

We offer Dance Level 1-4 classes for students interested in learning dance for the first time and/or for students who wants a smaller time commitment for their dance participation at school. Our Dance Elective classes offer fundamental training in jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip hop, and musical theater styles and include some additional performance opportunities, including our full program spring dance concert, Synthesis.

Yoga

This popular and beneficial course delves in to the practice of yoga to discover the benefits of this complete mind and body workout and is a unique offering of Mater Dei High School! It is designed to explore different techniques to combat stress and fatigue as well as supplement and support participation in sports and physical activity. Students enhance their balance, endurance, flexibility, and stamina throughout this movement-based course. Emphasis is on body awareness, injury prevention, stress relief, and building lifelong healthy habits. We offer both a Yoga for Athletes class that combines yoga and cross-training conditioning exercises, as well as Yoga for Wellness, that has a focus on health and wellbeing.

FACULTY

Learn about our professional and experienced Dance Faculty.