Dance Program

Dance Company

The Dance Company is an auditioned ensemble of dedicated dancers who will benefit from multiple performance and competition opportunities both on and off campus. The company performs regionally in dance festivals and competitions, as well as in-house at Villa Maria Academy High School events. See application link in sidebar. 

Dance Classes

Students may take dance classes for credit to count towards Physical Education or Fine Arts requirements or electives.

Courses

Dance Appreciation

This quarter-long course is an introduction to dance. It focuses on understanding one’s body and how it works, and includes basic concepts in multiple styles of dance like ballet, modern, and Jazz. No previous dance training required.

Dance for Conditioning

This quarter-long course focuses on enhancing athletic performance through basic dance training and conditioning to improve flexibility, endurance, agility and balance in the physically active student. Focus on proper alignment and increasing core strength will aid in injury prevention and balancing muscle groups.

Dance Company

The Dance Company is an auditioned group of freshman, sophomores, junior and senior students. This full-block course consists of classes and rehearsals that prepare dancers for performances throughout the year. 

PERFORMance Company

The Second Company is an audition-based group that gives the opportunity for up to 10 dancers who have demonstrated the potential for technical and artistic growth. Each individual has displayed the technical ability to progress at a quick pace and therefore will be encouraged to audition for the Elite Performance Company (next, below), if she so chooses.

elite Company

This select group of students focuses on performance-based dance. The course offers the opportunity for up to 15 students who are serious about the art of dance. The group learns choreography, works within an ensemble, and prepares for numerous performance opportunities. The course offers knowledge in production, costuming, lighting design, and directing of a concert.

Dance Program Coordinator and Teacher 

Ms. Christie Lawler

Christie grew up in Delaware County, where she studied all styles of dance at multiple dance studios and conventions, but calls Carmela's Dance Studio "home".  Christie graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Dance Performance from West Chester University where she also obtained her Master's Degree in Counseling.  She has been teaching all styles of dance for the past 20 years for two different dance schools.  For the past ten years she has been choreographing for a competition team, where her choreography has won many accolades.  Christie continues to expand her knowledge as a dance educator by attending dance teacher conventions and conferences. 

She also remains active in West Chester University's Alumni Dance Chapter where she enjoys performing and choreographing each year.  Christie feels blessed to be at her alma mater sharing her heart's passions of dance and education.  

She has been teaching all styles of dance for the past 19 years at two dance schools in the region. Christie has been choreographing for a competition team for the past 9 years, where her choreography has been awarded many accolades, including a 2nd place win at a national competition this past summer. She feels blessed to be back at her alma mater in a role that combines her heart's passions of dance and education.