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Dance
The SHC Dance Program offers a diverse movement experience in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and modern dance. Students develop technique, expression, choreography skills and critical discourse of various dance forms. Progressing through the curriculum, students explore a range of techniques and styles and engage in choreography. The program aims to equip students with specialized knowledge and skills for performing arts, fostering growth, appreciation and communication in dance. It prepares students to become creative, disciplined and well-rounded professionals, emphasizing experiential learning, collaboration and inclusivity.
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SHC's Dance Program integrates dance as both an academic and co-curricular pursuit. Courses such as Fundamentals of Dance, Advanced Dance and Composition, and Advanced Dance and Composition Honors are offered. Students in these courses showcase their talents at events like the annual dance showcase, school masses and instrumental music shows. Beyond class, students can participate in the SHC Dance Team, a Hip Hop performance group or The Company, a weekly gathering for dance technique and choreography open to all skill levels. Both groups have the opportunity to perform at the annual dance showcase, while the SHC Dance Team also takes part in school rallies, athletic events, competitions and an annual Golden State Warriors game. Our alumni continue their dance careers and education at various institutions, including with the Sacramento Ballet, SMU, UCSB, Washington State University, and USF.
Originally from Miami, Florida, Ms. Laura Wexler has been teaching Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Contemporary dance for over 25 years. Her training includes Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and New World School of the Arts. She graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance and a minor in business. While there, she was recognized by the American College Dance Association and invited to perform at John F. Kennedy Center in New York. Her choreography has been showcased throughout Florida and the Bay Area. Ms. Wexler has had the opportunity to study and perform with ODC/San Francisco, Les Ballet Africains, Dance Brazil, Dance Through Time and Garth Fagan Dance. In 2005, she was a featured dancer in the movie Rent, directed by Christopher Columbus. In 2006, she founded her own dance studio, San Francisco Dance Space, which continues to train students in Ballet and Contemporary. Beyond the dance studio, Ms. Wexler has her certification in Dance Healing from Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL where she worked as an artist in residence. Ms. Wexler joined the SHC community in 2007 and lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Marin County.