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Dance Program

1. Rewind: 

Choreography: Ma Holly Johnson and Cheyenne Harris, Student Directors

Dancers: Advanced

Cheyenne Harris, Ma Holly Johnson, Londyn Lloyd, Megan Medina, Andrea Puentes, Dalia Ruiz, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano, Angelia Ven

2. Blink Twice 

Choreography: Serena Rodarte

Dancers: Intermediate Elite

Genesis Akinola *, Justina Akinola *, Melanie Betancourt *, Kaylah Beacham *, Daphne Carbajal *, Jaida Diaz *, Laila Johnson*, Samaria Thornton*

3. Where They From 

Choreography: Ma Holly Johnson

Dancers: Beginning

Isabella Aban, Kamora Castellanos , Robyne Cibu, Amiyah Cruz, De Roxas, Chantilly, Josie Hinojosa, Michelle Jaramillo, Jeanna Jaso, Whitney Kang, Lizett Leon, Aizelle Cassidy Milliet, Trinhnity Olivarez, Ayleen Osorio, Maya Price, Laila Remaker, Nayeli Rodriguez, Sandra Ruiz, Chanmolica Sambath, Crystal Sonora, Irlanda Torres

4. How to Save a Life

Choreography: Violet Benitez

Dancers: Advanced

Cheyenne Harris, Ma Holly Johnson,  Londyn Lloyd,  Megan Medina, Andrea Puentes, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano, Angelia Ven

5. Partition

Choreography: Ma Holly Johnson

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Genesis Akinola *, Justina Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate , , Kaylah Beacham*, Melanie Betancourt*, Daphne Carbajal*, Shawn Cardonam, Katelyn Chhou, Jaida Diaz*, Gabriella Hightower, Laila Johnson*, Lina Luevano, Celeste Martinez, Victoria Martinez, Emily Molina, Kaleigh Ordonez, Camila Patterson, Annalise Prom-Keo, Jay Rem, Brycee Remigio, Samaria Thornton*

6. Dirty Diana 

Choreography: Cheyenne Harris

Dancer: Advanced

Harris , Cheyenne

7. Covered in Chaos 

Choreography: Serena Rodarte

Dancers: Advanced

Ma Holly Johnson, Megan Medina, Dalia Ruiz, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano

8. Tightrope 

Choreography: Angela Merrill 

Dancers: Beginning

Jocelyn Alvarez, Kamora Castellanos, Robyne Cibu, Chantilly De Roxas, Melissa Figueroa,  Jocelyn Gaxiola, Helen Gutierrez, Valerie Gutierrez, Josie Hinojosa, Whitney Kang, Makentee Mejia, Trinhnity Olivarez, Ayleen Osorio, Emmie Ramirez, Nayeli Rodriguez, Sandra Ruiz, Chanmolica Sambath, Natalie Serrano, Crystal Sonora, Alexis Tirado, Irlanda Torres, Kristina Tovar, Liliana Vidaca, Kristen Walker, Grace You

9. She Used to Be Mine

Choreography: Jen Juarez

Dancer: Advanced

Jaeda Schroeder

10. Logical

Choreography: Macy Duffy

Dancers: Advanced 

Cheyenne Harris, Ma Holly Johnson, Londyn Lloyd, Megan Medina, Andrea Puentes,  Valerie Serrano, Angelia Ven

11. Alert

Choreography: Faith Soyinka

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Genesis Akinola *, Kaylah Beacham *, Melanie Betancourt*, Daphne Carbajal*, Shawn Cardona, Jaida Diaz*, Gabriella Hightower, Laila Johnson*, Lina Luevano, Celeste Martinez, Victoria Martinez, Emily Molina, Nellie Noriega Santos, Kaleigh Ordonez, Jay Rem, Faith Soyinka

12. If We Were Made of Water

Choreography: Sonia Bryman

Dancers: Advanced

Cheyenne Harris, Ma Holly Johnson, Londyn Lloyd, Megan Medina, Andrea Puentes, Dalia Ruiz, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano, Angelia Ven

13. On 'Em

Choreography: Jen Juarez, Genesis Akinola, and Justina Akinola

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Sarah Aguilar, Genesis Akinola*, Justina Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate, Kaylah Beacham*, Melanie Betancourt*, Daphne Carbajal*, Katelyn Chhou, Jaida Diaz*, Allison Dok, Maya Escobedo, Gabriella Hightower, Laila Johnson*, Lina Luevano, Danielle Luney, Celeste Martinez, Victoria Martinez, Emily Molina, Nellie Noriega Santos, Kaleigh Ordonez, Camila Patterson, Amanda Peralta, Annalise Prom-Keo, Emily Ramirez, Jay Rem, Brycee Remigio, Faith Soyinka , , Samaria Thornton*, Meranda Woodbey

Intermission

14. Greatest Show

Choreography: Shiquita "Q" Sargent 

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Sarah Aguilar, Genesis Akinola*, Justina Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate, Kaylah Beacham*, Melanie Betancourt*, Daphne Carbajal*, Shawn Cardona, Katelyn Chhou, Jaida Diaz*, Allison Dok, Maya Escobedo, Gabriella Hightower, Laila Johnson*, Lina Luevano, Danielle Luney, Celeste Martinez, Victoria Martinez, Emily Molina, Nellie Noriega Santos, Kaleigh Ordonez, Camila Patterson, Amanda Peralta, Annalise Prom-Keo, Haley Quintero, Emily Ramirez, Jay Rem, Brycee Remigio, Faith Soyinka, Samaria Thornton*, Meranda Woodbey

15. Kill of the Night

Choreography: Jen Juarez

Dancers: Advanced

Megan Medina, Andrea Puentes, Dalia Ruiz, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano

16.  Breathe Me 

Choreography: Emily Crumpler

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Sarah Aguilar, Justina Akinola*, Genesis Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate, Melanie Betancourt*, Daphne Carbajal*, Katelyn Chhou, Maya Escobedo, Victoria Martinez, Kaleigh Ordonez, Amanda Peraltam Annalise Prom-Keo, Emily Ramirez

17. Dangerous Woman

Choreographer: Jen Juarez

Dancer: Advanced

Ma Holly Johnson

18. Circus

Choreographer: Shiquita "Q" Sargent

Dancers: Beginning

Jocelyn Alvarez, Robyne Cibu, Chantilly De Roxas, Valerie Gutierrez, Amber Jenkins, Ryan Luster, Ayleen Osorio, Emmie Ramirez, Nayeli Rodriguez, Sandra Ruiz, Alexis Tirado, Irlanda Torres, Kristina Tovar, Kristen Walker

19. Woman

Choreographers: Genesis Akinola, Justina Akinola, Kaylah Beacham

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Genesis Akinola*, Justina Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate, Kaylah Beacham*, Melanie Betancourt*, Jaida Diaz*, Allison Dok, Gabriella Hightower, Celeste Martinez, Jay Rem, Samaria Thornton*

20. Gravity

Choreographer: Megan Medina

Dancers: Advanced

Cheyenne Harris, Ma Holly Johnson, Londyn Lloyd, Megan Medina, Andrea Puentes, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano, Angelia Ven

21. Little Shop of Horrors

Choreographer: Angela Merrill 

Dancers: Beginning

Samantha Aburto Diaz, Jocelyn Alvarez, Robyne Cibu, Amiyah Cruz, Chantilly De Roxas,  Sage Edwards, Jocelyn Gaxiola, Helen Gutierrez, Valerie Gutierrez, Josie Hinojosa, Jeanna Jaso, Ryan Luster, Aizelle Cassidy Milliet, Ryelen Mireles, Isabella Nguyen, Ariya Neal, Yaxvek Oliveros, Ayleen Osorio, Sandy Pouv, Maya Price, Emmie Ramirez, Sandra Ruiz, Chanmolica Sambath, Jaylyn Serrano, Crystal Sonora, Alexis Tirado, Irlanda Torres , Kristina Tovar, Liliana Vidaca, Grace You

22. Razzle Dazzle

Choreographer: Angela Merrill 

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Sarah Aguilar, Genesis Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate, Daphne Carbajal*, Shawn Cardona, Katelyn Chhou, Jaida Diaz*, Maya Escobedo, Gabriella Hightower, Laila Johnson*, Lina Luevano, Danielle Luney, Emily Molina, Nellie Noriega Santos, Kaleigh Ordonez , Camila Patterson , Emily Ramirez, Haley Quintero , Faith Soyinka , Meranda Woodbey

23. Forever

Choreographers: Dalia Ruiz and Valerie Serrano

Dancers: Advanced

Dalia Ruiz, Valerie Serrano

24. West Coast

Choreographer: Sadie Weseman

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Genesis Akinola*, Justina Akinola*, Kaylah Beacham*, Daphne Carbajal*, Shawn Cardona, Jaida Diaz*, Allison Dok, Gabriella Hightower, Laila Johnson*, Danielle Luney, Nellie Noriega Santos, Camila Patterson, Emily Ramirez, Jay Rem, Brycee Remigio, Faith Soyinka, Meranda Woodbey

25. Told Ya

Choreographer: Justin Edmonson

Dancers: Beginning

Isabella Aban, Amiyah Cruz, Jocelyn Gaxiola, Helen Gutierrez, Valerie Gutierrez, Jeanna Jaso, Michelle Jaramillo, Amber Jenkins, Whitney Kang, Chealsy Morales Lara, Aizelle Cassidy Milliet, Yaxvek Oliveros, Ayleen Osorio, Chanmolica Sambath, Crystal Sonora, Irlanda Torres, Kristina Tovar, Liliana Vidaca

26. To the Moon

Choreographer: Ma Holly Johnson

Dancers: Advanced

Ma Holly Johnson, Megan Medina, Jaeda Schroeder, Valerie Serrano

27. Wish That You Were Here

Choreographer: Violet Benitez

Dancers: Intermediate/Intermediate Elite*

Genesis Akinola*, Justina Akinola*, Alyssa Arzate, Melanie Betancourt*, Daphne Carbajal*, Jaida Diaz*, Maya Escobedo, Gabriella Hightower, Lina Luevano, Celeste Martinez, Victoria Martinez, Emily Molina, Kaleigh Ordonez, Amanda Peralta, Emily Ramirez,

Senior Slideshow

28. Space Between

Choreographers: Seniors

Dancers: Intermediate, Intermediate Elite, and Advanced Senior Dancers

Advanced: Cheyenne Harris, Ma Holly Johnson, Valerie Serrano, Angelia Ven

Elite: Genesis Akinola, Justina Akinola, Kaylah Beacham, Melanie Betancourt, Daphne Carbajal

Intermediate : Amanda Peralta, Annalise Prom-Keo, Emily Ramirez, Brycee Remigio, Meranda Woodbey

29. Come Alive: Finale

Full Cast

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Holly Johnson

Dance Captain- Advanced, Spring Show Student Director

Hi, my name is Holly. I am the captain of the advanced dance team and I have been dancing for as long as I can remember and have been blessed to be on Lakewood advanced dance team for 2 years. This show will be my 3rd show with Lakewood and second to last as I am one of four seniors on my team. This dance team made me realize my love for dance again after it was lost along with my motivation and passion. With the help of a very important director I have gained it back and have flourished back into the dancer I have always been. I owe it all to her. Let’s do our best girls!

Mell Betancourt

Dance Captain- Intermediate Elite

Hi, I’m Mell and I am currently a senior and captain of Intermediate Elite 2023-2024. I have been dancing since my freshman year of high school. I first started in the beginning classes for my first 2 years where I learned more about dancing and how to improve my performance. Then in my junior year, I made the team for the first-ever intermediate dance team 2022 here at Lakewood High. During our spring show last year, I was given an award for the most improved by my fellow teammates. Throughout all of my 4 years in the dance program, I want to thank Ms. Lung and Coach Jen for their hard work in making me a strong dancer.

Emily Ramirez

Dance Captain- Intermediate

My name is Emily Ramirez, I am captain of the Intermediate team. I started taking beginning classes my freshman year of high school and now going on my second year being on the team. Dance has helped me in many ways I did not expect it to. I started out trying out just for fun, but then found a love and passion for dance, it led to building such a strong bond with my teammates that I will cherish with me forever. Not only did I build strong relationships, but dance also helped shape me into the best version of myself mentally and physically. I gained a newfound confidence, I thought was never there and I owe that to Ms. Lung. She helped push me to get outside my box, and not be afraid to fall. She saw potential in me, and believed in me so I could believe in myself. I give thanks to her and to Coach Jen for always being there for us no matter what, and always motivating us to strive for improvement. Dance has given me so much, so I am beyond grateful to have been given these opportunities.

Dalia Ruiz

Advanced Dance

I am Dalia Ruiz; a junior on the Lakewood High School Advanced dance team. It is my third year in the dance program and my second year on the advanced dance team. I have been a dancer since I was eight years old and have done competitions since I was eleven. My long-term studio where I have received my training is Kimberly’s Dance Studio in Paramount. I won the KAR Competition National Grand Championship in 2019 as well as the Star Dance Alliance World Championship in New Jersey in 2021. Last year, my trio at my studio was unbeatable at every competition. I also performed for a premier event for Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Dance has helped me grow out of my shell greatly and learn more about myself; it is an extremely important aspect of my life. My favorite styles of dance are lyrical and contemporary. Kimberly Tapia and Kathryn Lung have helped me grow so much as a dancer, and I am extremely grateful for them.

Jaeda Schroeder

Advanced Dance

Hi! I'm Jaeda Schroeder, a 3rd year member of the Advanced Dance Team and a junior at Lakewood High School. Outside of dance, I am a member of FLA and BSU. Dancing has always held a special place in my heart and life. Being a part of Lakewood's Dance Department has taught me many lessons and has elevated me as a dancer and individual. These years with my teammates have been filled with joy and a plethora of tightly held memories that I will never forget. Remembering my why, to why I dance has always been a tough time especially when dance can be exhausting and overwhelming, but being with these girls, and this team...I can fall in love with my sport constantly and because of that, I will be forever grateful. Thank you for the never-ending support and love shown. Can't wait to finish the year out with my team!

Angelia Ven

Advanced Dance

Hi! My name is Angelia Ven and I am the Winter Show Student Director. I have been part of the LHS Dance Department for all 4 years of high school, this being my first year on Advanced and previously on Intermediate 5-6. Outside of Dance Team, I’m a part of our schools ASB as Senior Class President for Lakewood. I was first introduced to dance by the previous Dance Director, Ms. Lung and I’ve been so grateful and blessed for every memory involving this department.

Megan Medina

Advanced Dance

Hi! I'm Megan Medina, I’m a sophomore and I've been dancing since I was five years old. I've spent two years participating in the Lakewood dance program on the advanced team. Outside of school, I attend The Dance Company for training. I have performed on stage numerous times, including at the OC Fair. I’m currently on a competitive dance team at The Dance Company and it has been such an amazing experience. I’ve competed at Hall of fame dance, Showstopper, and spotlight dance competition so far. I’ve also been to a couple dance conventions including 24 seven and Kar dance convention. Other than competitive dance, the Lakewood dance program has been an amazing experience. The field trip to CSULB is one of my favorite memories of it. Studying all those dances under the guidance of excellent choreographers was a lot of pleasure. Violet Benitez, thank you for pushing me to be the best I can be. I wouldn't have been such a great dancer if it hadn't been for you. ❤️

Londyn Lloyd

Advanced Dance

My name is Londyn Lloyd.Ive been dancing at Lakewood for a year going on 2 .I love dancing with Lakewood and all of my dance sisters they have all helped me improve in all ways .Its nothing but love for you girls I love you all so much and can’t wait to dance with you guys this week!!!

Andrea Puentes

Advanced Dance

I'm Andrea Puentes, a freshman on the advanced dance team. This is my first year being on a dance team for school. I have been dancing for 9 years and train at The Dance Company of Long Beach. I am currently in 4 competing companies and on pointe. I've achieved overalls, judges choice, and placed in several competitions. I've also participated in summer intensives: The Long Beach Ballet summer program and a Spring thing taught by Abby Lee Miller. Dance is a language beyond words, expressing that for which we have no words. – Jennifer De Leon I am so thankful for everyone on the team for making me feel welcomed; I can't wait to make more memories.

Valerie Serrano-Gonzalez

Advanced Dance

My name is Valerie Serrano and I am a senior on the Advanced Dance Team. I was one of the student directors in the Within the Stars Dance Show. This is my second year on the Advanced Dance Team and my 10th year dancing competitively. I have learned everything I know from Kimberly’s Dance Studio. Lakewood has taught me a lot about dance and has made me comfortable with improv. My studio and I have won many awards at competitions, and we have also won the world dance championship in New Jersey. Dance has always been my life and I look forward to pursuing dance as my future. As this is my last year, I have seen many dancers join the team with a huge love for dance and I love that those same dancers are also wanting to pursue dance as a career. I hope they can learn as much as I have learned from Lakewood.

Cheyenne Harris

Advanced Dance, Spring Student Director

Hi, My name is Cheyenne Harris and I have been a member of Lakewood's dance department for 4 years and have been on the advanced dance team since my sophomore year. I've loved dance since I was younger but this dance team has shaped me into the dancer I've always wanted to become. I wasn't always the best dancer but with the help of my previous dance instructor and dedication I was able to grow into the dancer that I am now. I am so grateful for all the experience and knowledge that I have gained and also proud to be a member of this incredible team.

Genesis Akinola

Intermediate Elite

Justina Akinola

Intermediate Elite

Kaylah Beacham

Intermediate Elite

Daphne Carbajal Gamaz

Intermediate Elite

Jaida Diaz

Intermediate Elite

Laila Johnson

Intermediate Elite

Samaria Thornton

Intermediate Elite

Sarah Aguilar

Intermediate

Alyssa Arzate

Intermediate

Shawn Cardona

Intermediate

Katelyn Chhou

Intermediate

Allison Dok

Intermediate

Maya Escobedo

Intermediate

Gabriella Hightower

Intermediate

Lina Luevano

Intermediate

Danielle Luney

Intermediate

Celeste Martinez

Intermediate

Victoria Martinez

Intermediate

Emily Molina

Intermediate

Nellie Noriega Santos

Intermediate

Kaleigh Ordonez

Intermediate

Camila Patterson

Intermediate

Amanda Peralta

Intermediate

Annalise Prom-Keo

Intermediate

Haley Quintero

Intermediate

Jay Rem

Intermediate

Brycee Remigo

Intermediate

Faith Soyinka

Intermediate

Meranda Woodbey

Intermediate

Angela Merrill

Lakewood High School Dance Director

Angela Merrill is thrilled to be finishing off her first year as a Lakewood Lancer with this exciting Spring Dance Concert that highlights all of our immensely talented and hard-working dancers! Mrs. Merrill began dancing at the age of three at her grandmother's dance studio in Long Beach, CA, where she became a dance teacher/choreographer/stage manager. Her training lead her to choreographing for local high school dance programs and performing professionally-- most notably as an entertainer for several years at the Disneyland Resort. Life can have a curvy, swervy, and unpredictable way of working out. While teaching dance was always a main life goal, Mrs. Merrill side-stepped for a bit to go back to school for an undergraduate degree in Deaf Studies, then earned her teaching credential in ASL, Single Subject Instruction, and has taught ASL in the district for the past nine years. Since then, she has obtained five additional teaching credentials, two master's degrees in education, and is currently working on her earning her P.h.D. in Curriculum and Instructional Design. Joining the Lakewood team as the new dance director feels that everything has come full circle and that Mrs. Merrill is right where she is meant to be. Running a high school dance program has been a lifelong dream that has finally come true and Mrs. Merrill is enjoying every moment. Mrs. Merrill is excited to continue a many-year tradition of working alongside Lakewood's exceptional Stage Manager, Ron Mahan, who has been a lifelong friend, mentor, and colleague. Along with his right-hand-man, Jacob Hernandez, and their talented stage crew, their collective expertise have made this show possible. Many thanks to their hard work, guidance, and the even-footing they provided during Mrs. Merrill's transition to her new role. Congratulations on an exceptional year, dancers! This is one for the books. Break a leg!!

Jennifer Juarez

Lakewood High School Dance Coach

Sadie Weseman

Guest Choreographer

Sadie Weseman has been dancing in Long Beach since she was only 2 years old. She has attended The Dance Company of Long Beach for her whole dance career, and had the privilege of dancing on their competitive teams starting at a young age. Sadie began to take an interest in choreography when she was about 13 years old but did not choreograph her first dance until she was 17, when she choreographed a contemporary piece for her studios winter recital. Since then, Sadie has been on a creative journey to making pieces for her studio that touch the hearts of their audiences as much as possible. She just graduated high school in May of 2023 and not soon after injured her shoulder in June of 2023 and couldn’t dance for months. She bounced back and she now has the privilege of working with dancers in the Long Beach Unified School District, and plans on pursuing her creative goals of making her dancers feel happy, safe, and comfortable and also making their audience feel touched and moved. Love for dance is her driving force, and she only hopes that the heart put into her choreography is shown!

Violet Benitez

Guest Choreographer

Violet Benitez is a SoCal native. Born and raised in Long Beach, CA. She started her journey as a dancer when she was 2 years old in combo classes at The Dance Company of Long Beach. She always has had a love for dance since she was a young girl and began to have an interest in choreography when she was 8 years old. The following year, she choreographed her very first jazz fusion dance for her studio’s annual winter recital. She has grown to love the art of creating movement and dressing it on her dancers. In 2017, she got the opportunity to have her very own Hip Hop company team. Since then, she has been blessed with many more teams, solos, duets and trios as well. She has also been able to branch out to the middle schools and high schools in the Long Beach Unified School District. Her biggest hope is to inspire young dancers as she has been inspired by her teachers. Along the way she has encountered many talented artists who has made an impact on her such as Sonia Bryman, Dylan Kinzler, Jason Gorman, and so many more. In 2018, Violet attended CSULB as a dance major, growing her knowledge about dance and dance history. With her knowledge and experience, Violet plans on inspiring her students with her dedication to her art, compassion towards others and unfailing love for dance. Violet unfortunately got injured back in 2020, tearing her meniscus and has been rehabilitating her knee ever since. Violet has God to thank everyday for the opportunities at hand and her ability to still dance with her students.

Macy Duffy

Guest Choreographer

Macy Duffy began her dance journey at two years old, receiving training at esteemed institutions such as Just Plain Dancin’ and Co, as well as Yorba Linda Academy of Ballet. She had the privilege to receive formal training under renowned instructors Terry Shulke, Mandy Rodgers, and Tatum Wright. Although competitive dance was a huge part of her dance career, Macy was also a company dancer for Points of View, a company dedicated to raising money for Dancers Against Cancer. At the age of 15, Macy started choreographing and teaching classes, setting her on a path towards fulfilling her lifelong passion. Macy's dedication to dance education remained unwavering as she continued to teach and choreograph at places all throughout Southern California. Macy also has successfully obtained a bachelor's degree in Human Development, complemented by a minor in Mathematics with a vision to become a high school math teacher. Teaching holds a special place in her heart as it allows her to inspire young minds and watch them flourish into confident and expressive individuals, both on and off the dance floor.

Serena Rodarte

Guest Choreographer

Hi everyone I am Serena Rodarte. I was on Lakewood's advanced dance team for all four years of high school and graduated back in 2022. Since then, I now work with my mom at her financial services business full-time. However, Lakewood's dance team was a huge part of my life and now I am so thankful I get to continue working with this team and choreographing for them. Enjoy the show!

Justin Edmonson

Guest Choreographer

Justin Edmonson, born in Long Beach, Ca started his journey very young through the states of Arizona, Texas and back to Arizona again. Coming from a family who is much influenced by music, the arts became the foundation of the artist he’d later become. It wasn’t until coming back to California and seeing Cabrillo High School’s award winning dance team as a freshman where Justin made the decision to join the team until he graduated in 2007. While at Cabrillo Justin learned there was more to dance than just Hip Hop. He began to explore other genres and soon began to cultivate his interests and the art of choreography. Justin took his love for choreography a little bit more seriously while at Long Beach City College getting more into dance and choreography doing small events and shows. Studying and performing Hip-Hop, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, African, Social Dances, Dunham Technique, and Horton Technique from the tutelage of Karen McDonald, Jennifer Waters, Keisha Clark-Booth, Chris Smith, Wendi Baity, Marie Hoffman, Erin Landry, Stephanie Powell, Carol Bristol-Henry, Troy Powell, Mike Espiranza, Tiffany Billings, Frit & Frat Fuller and Pat Taylor. Justin is currently dancing his 11th season with JazzAntiqua Music & Dance Ensemble (Pat Taylor) teaching, presenting work across california and has started his non profit foundation XclusivMovement Foundation, Inc. which was conceived out of creating his dance company with high school friend Camille Bowen, in the fall of October 2012. When Justin isn’t teaching or dancing he is working as a photographer and creative director with his business XclusivTradez Inc.

Sonia Bryman

Guest Choreographer

Sonia Bryman is a professional dance educator and award winning choreographer based in Long Beach, CA, providing stage and competitive dance choreography for studios and schools, all over Southern California for over 20years. She currently teaches as the ELITE COMPANY choreographer for The Dance Company of Long Beach’s competitive dance teams and soloists as well as, Resident Chorographer at Palos Verdes High School and setting many pieces for LBUSD dance departments. Some of Sonia’s Professional credits include Disney, Nike, EDGE PAC assistant, LA Music Awards and Carnival Choreographers Ball.

Shiquita "Q" Sargent

Guest Choreographer

Shiquita Sargent, known professionally as Ms. Q, is a dance studio owner, award winning choreographer, writer, world traveler and 2x cancer survivor from Long Beach, Ca. She attended Wilson High School where she was Class President, Speech and Debate Captain, Varsity Cheer Captain, a member of 6 on campus clubs and on the dance team as a dancer/student choreographer. Upon graduating from Wilson, Ms. Q went on to dance at Disneyland while attending college and dancing professionally. She has performed and choreographed for Snoop Dogg, Keri Hilson, Jason Statham, Michael Jackson, Trey Songz and more- and has been featured in over 2 dozen TV, movie, music videos and print ads. After graduating from Wilson in 2003, she has choreographed in every dance show since, starting the fall after graduation when she was still only 17. Whilst being a dance instructor and choreographer for several local studios for many years, she saw the need for fine-arts access, diversity and inclusivity for communities of color. From there, she founded and opened her dance studio: Gravity Dance Co. Gravity is an award winning studio that not only teaches dance, but life skills, and has toured, competed and performed all over the country for the past 12 years. Gravity was voted "Best Dance Studio" 2 years in a row for the city of Long Beach. Gravity won a national championship in 2022 and has been featured on Lifetime's hit show, "Dance Moms", the main stage at Nascar for two consecutive races, numerous community engagements and currently on seasons one and two of ABC's hit comedy, 'Abbott Elementary' as the official dance team. Most recently, Ms. Q has opened a 2nd studio. As a result of her work with Gravity, her surviving 2 battles with cancer and her commitment to the community, she was featured in an article as the Long Beach Business Journal's "Phenomenal Woman in business" and also honored by the Bixby Knolls Business Association for Women's History Month. She was also the recipient of the Los Angeles County 'White Rose Award' from councilwoman Janice Hahn. With her impeccable resume, high school is where her love for dance was birthed and she's been pouring into High School dance departments all over Southern California with her choreography/mentorship for the past 21 years. While traveling the world, writing and running her studio, she shares her story of hope and survivorship along the way. She takes pride in uplifting and empowering the masses, especially her students. Her motto? "In dance, much like life, you have everything to share and nothing to prove". She's excited to share her work with you tonight and is thankful to Ms. Merrill for inviting her to work with the amazing dancers of Lakewood High.

Emily Crumpler

Guest Choreographer

Emily grew up in Lake Arrowhead, CA and began dancing at the age of 3 at Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Dance in 2017. After college, not only did she find a passion for teaching dance and fitness, she also danced professionally with 7th Street Contemporary Dance Company for two seasons. She then trained in Fitness with AKT for two years and is in the process of completing her NASM Certification. Emily has guest choreographed and taught for Long Beach Ballet and Laguna Beach High School. In addition to dance and fitness, Emily loves to go to the beach, nap, shop and spend time with her cat!

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A note from the director: 

This school year has been nothing short of magical. Coming back to my dance roots, jumping back into coordinating dancers and shows, and being so closely connected to the stage has filled my heart in ways that I have been missing for the past several years. The comments of colleagues catching me smiling non-stop are a testament to the genuine joy that working with these dancers has brought back to my life. I want to acknowledge a handful of people, without whom, this next professional step for me, nor this show, would be possible. 

A huge thank you to Mona Merlo and the entire administration for trusting me with Lakewood High School's dance program and showing nothing but support and encouragement along the way. Thank you to Worren Booth for being a shoulder to lean on and for his willingness to answer all of my many, many questions. Thank you to Ron Mahan, Jacob Hernandez, and the entire stage crew for opening their classroom for our never-ending rehearsal needs and being so eager to help us put together the show you are seeing tonight. 

Thank you to the student directors, Angelia Ven and Valerie Serrano-Gonzalez for their hard work to putting together this show including choreography, theming, costuming, and all other last-minute preparations. I cannot thank Emily Ramirez, Mell Betancourt, and Holly Johnson, this year's dance captains, enough for their unwaivering ability to share feedback, tell me when they have concerns, for educating me on past LHS dance practices and traditions, and for their constant sharing of ideas that will help this program grow. These young women have shown true leadership in their ability to communicate with their teams, with me as their director, and have been responsible for all of the nitty-gritty details that have made this show a success. 

To our dance coach, Jen Juarez, thank you so much for sharing your wide range of knowledge as I came into this dance program, your ability to share what has worked in the past, but keeping an open mind for changes that might transform this program into something even more special. 

And of course, a huge thank you to my family. To my husband, Ryan, and my five-year-old daughter, Eleanor, thank you for your understanding that the additional hours that this job consumes is worth the pure love that I have found in my work. To Ryan for driving to Long Beach and Lakewood multiple times per day, and to Eleanor for becoming LHS dance's little helper-- you two are my whole world and I so appreciate your constant support. Thank you to Denise Knight and Randi Stanley for specifically helping me to hone the skills necessary to run such a large dance operation when working together. Thank you, of course, to my parents Russell and Pamela Montooth for immersing me in the arts- music and dance-- and especially for not listening to me when I was seven-ish, sobbing, and not wanting to go to ballet class... You introduced a world of creativity, wonder, and beauty for me that only continues to grow. Finally, to my grandmother, Marrillyn McDowell, who opened all of the doors for me in my dance career. 

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