Dance

Dance Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide professional dance instruction and instill an appreciation for the art of dance. Your students will be learning several different dance techniques, learning to choreograph dances, and will perform in a concert! We strive to make every student a stronger, more confident person while they search to find their passion for movement through dancing. Each day will present a new exciting challenge that will help the students to step out of their comfort zone and explore new discoveries. You have endless possibilities to choose from with either our dance or ballroom path.

Course Offerings

  • JH Dance I
  • Dance I
  • JH Dance II
  • Dance II
  • JH Dance III
  • Dance III
  • Dance IV
  • JH Social Dance I
  • Ballroom I
  • Ballroom II
  • Ballroom III

Dance

American Leadership Academy, Gilbert North is proud to have one of the largest Dance programs in ALA!  Over one-third of ALA GNHS students participate in one form of dance each year! Our dance classes start at the beginning level for both Dance and Ballroom (or Social Dance as it is called in Junior High,) quickly moving on to intermediate and advanced levels, and then on to dance teams.  Students learn about all genres of dance movement throughout the year and eventually learn to choreograph their own routines in both the Junior and Senior High School beginning Dance and Ballroom classes.  Students showcase their hard work during our school performances!

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Meet Gilbert North's 7-12 Dance Teacher

My name is Sydney Graff, and 2019-2020 is my 5th year teaching.  I have taught every grade level ranging from Kindergarten to seniors in High School. I've taught PE, Health, Weights, Social Dance, Dance, Yearbook, and Study Skills. I also coach cross country and track. I love ALA and I feel so lucky that I get to interact with such excellent young people every day. 

I graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and minor in Dance Education from Utah Valley University in 2014. In college I was the recipient of several scholarships, including scholarships earned from competing in pageants. As a title holder, my service hours were spent volunteering as a Movement Specialist at local elementary schools, tutoring middle school and high school students, and teaching at a local Boys and Girls club. I  also worked as a gymnastics coach during those years.

Growing up I loved competing in lacrosse, track, cross country, dance, gymnastics, figure ice skating, and our famous town ATV rodeo! I am married and have two adorable Cavalier-Maltese dogs. We love outdoor adventures like boating, trail running, skiing, and four-wheeling.

Sydney Graff
sgraff@alaschools.org

Meet Gilbert North's 7-12 Dance Teacher

Hi, my name is Ms. Buss and I am one of the dance teachers here at ALA Gilbert North. I am in my 4th year teaching. I am excited to motivate your children to learn, demonstrate, and pursue their enthusiasm for dance!  Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my family, friends and puppy.  I enjoy outdoor activities, shopping, and traveling the world.  I also teach Pilates a few days a week at a local studio. 

I began dancing at the age of two and was a participant of a performing dance team for several years.  As I grew older, I was invited to join an elite, competitive dance company, which enabled me to travel all over the country.   I recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor's Degree in Dance Education.  I have both trained and taught in a multitude of styles including Jazz, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Contemporary, Ballroom, and Modern.  While attending college, I have taught at several dance studios in the East Valley and enjoy working with students to discover their passion for dance! I am so excited to join the journey into the ALA dance program!!!

Chelsea Buss
cbuss@alaschools.org

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Meet Gilbert North's 7-12 Dance Teacher

Coach Swenson has been dancing for over 10 years. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX where he served as the founder and the artistic director for the Dancing with the Students Ballroom dance program from 2013 to 2015.

He attended Utah Valley University from 2015-2021 where he obtained a second Bachelor's degree in University Studies with an emphasis in Ballroom Dance Theory and Choreography. During his time at UVU, he was active in the Universities Ballroom dance company which he performed with from 2015 to 2019. In the summer of 2018 Lane was asked to represent the United States as an Ambassador of the Arts and travel to China as a part of a performance troupe. He, along with his group, traveled to Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai where they performed to sold out crowds and rave reviews. 

One of his proudest achievements was being the very first undergraduate student to create and develop a Ballroom formation team with the sole purpose of competing at the USA Dance National Championships where they won 2nd in Formation Team Latin and qualified to represent the United States at the World Championships. 

Throughout his time in Utah he has developed himself as an outstanding pioneer in the Ballroom dance community as a: choreographer, competitor, scholar, and judge. He is very excited to start his journey here at Gilbert North and can’t wait to start developing our young dancers into champions.

Lane Swenson