In 2012, I inherited an emerging dance program at Lakeview Centennial High School, with a company of four dancers and limited to just two introductory levels. My vision was to cultivate a comprehensive dance education, grounding students in the essentials of ballet technique, body alignment, musicality, and the purpose behind movement, thus bridging the gap between artistic expression and technical proficiency.

Initially, the company was modest in size, convening for only an hour and a half on alternate school days. It required time and unwavering dedication to enhance the dancers' technical understanding and acquaint them with the nuances of performing across various dance styles. At the outset, our performance opportunities were confined to two annual shows, Choreographer’s Showcase and Collision.

The Choreographer’s Showcase became a platform for student choreographers to experiment with their artistic visions, from concept development to costume selection and lighting design, allowing them to convey their narratives through dance. This event celebrated LCDC’s diversity by featuring performances in contemporary, jazz or Broadway, modern, and hip-hop, evolving over the years into a highly anticipated showcase of student creativity and choreographic skill. Over the past decade this show has evolved into one of the most popular shows and each year the students really show their understanding of how to create a piece through their own interpretation of story telling and organization of movement patterns.

Collision, our second annual performance, spotlighted both the LCDC and the broader Dance Magnet program, demonstrating the robustness of our dance curriculum through a presentation of diverse dance genres by different levels. Each level performs a different genre of dance and this helps dancers to be exposed to more advanced styles of dancing as they progress.

By 2016, the program had witnessed remarkable growth, expanding to include four levels and transforming LCDC into an elite company recognized for its technical excellence and artistic beauty. This growth attracted skilled dancers, enabling LCDC to participate in dance conventions, competitions, and community performances, thereby establishing a significant presence in the realm of concert dance within a public educational framework.

LCDC is a unique dance company that has carved out a place for concert dance in a public education setting without the benefit of being a performing arts high school. There is a focus on artistry, musicality, movement intentionality, proper body mechanics, and fostering a love of dance through hard work and dedication. 

Crafting this program has been among the most fulfilling challenges of my career. My aspiration was to create an environment where students could nurture their passion for dance, learn to realize their choreographic ambitions, and understand that perseverance, consistency, and discipline are vital for achieving their dreams. Moreover, I aimed to prepare them for future opportunities in dance beyond high school. Reflecting on over a decade of dedication to this endeavor, it's gratifying to see many of our dancers pursuing dance in their post-secondary lives.