Our Nationally-Ranked SJCCA Dance Collective
This season, The SJCCA Dance Collective attended some incredibly-competitive dance contests. Companies like UDA, NDA, and DTU are the most sought-after brands in dance and cheer. The Collective attended all of them. In the end, The Collective was honored to achieve two spots in the final round of competition at DTU Nationals in Orlando, FL. This is something no St. Augustine High School Dance Group has ever done; made it to "Finals". For the first time ever, St. Augustine High School has a nationally-ranked dance team!
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SJCCA Dance Presents: Hollywood: Unmasked
In March 2022, our SJCCA Dancers received redemption. They were able to put on a show that was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. They were able to re-stage some pieces and create some new ones from scratch. They were able to honor the Class of 2020 by offering VIP Seating to those who wanted to watch the show they were never able to put on. In the end all worked out.
SJCCA Dance Presents: Above the Clouds
In November of 2021, the SJCCA Dance program put on their first live performance in 2 years. Our performers were met with a full house and an unbeatable amount of enthusiasm from their fans in the audience. This show celebrated all things sky, sun, and stars. We featured pieces such as "Clouds", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Moon", "Look Up at the Stars", and many more. This show also featured student choreography pieces and our tradition of a live Improv. Challenge. The winners of this show's challenge were Abigail Akam (1st show) and Drew Fitzgerald (2nd show).
2020-2021 Competition Season for The Collective
This competition season was unlike any other. We attended two in-person competitions and one virtual nationals. All of our competition pieces this year received superior ratings and we even placed 4th at the Contest of Champions Virtual Nationals with our video submission! Our lyrical piece, "If the World Was Ending" and our hip-hop piece, "Ninja" were given Choreography Awards at the Performance Showcase at ASH Daytona Beach. Also at ASH, 7 of our dancers were awarded scholarships including Brinkley Johnson and Ashlee Hyland who won an Entertainment Award for their jazz piece, "Britney vs. Ariana"
SJCCA Dance Presents: Coded
Our dance program took on the challenge of pre-recording and streaming their first ever virtual dance show. Coded was brought to us from the mind of 10th grader, Drew Fitzgerald. Our show's poster was created by 10th grader, Cosette Bryndal.
The Collective's Second Dance Competition
Our SJCCA Dance Collective attended the American All-Star Dance and Drill Team Championships in Orlando, FL in February of 2020. They took on the challenge of entering into three categories this year, which meant preparing and cleaning three very difficult routines. The team was lucky enough to earn first place in all three categories entered; Division 1 Jazz, Hip Hop and Open. They also took home a choreography award for their Open routine, "Breath of a Fish" choreographed by SJCCA Dance Director, Kaila Schippani. Our dancers were determined, encouraging, and professional throughout our entire weekend in Orlando. Way to represent SJCCA!
SJCCA Dancers Visit Los Angeles, CA!
In January of 2020, our SJCCA Dancers had the opportunity to fly across the country to visit Los Angeles, California! In LaLaLand, our dancers trained at EDGE Performing Arts Center, Millennium Dance Complex, Disneyland, and got to do some tourist-y things, as well! We went on a tour of Warner Bros. Studios, saw Venice Beach, watched the Broadway Musical, Frozen, and performed for the public on the Santa Monica Pier. It was a jam-packed and very educational 4 days and we can't wait to go back to Hollywood!
"In Our Element"
Our final show for 2019, "In Our Element" was based on all things Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. We introduced our show with our first appearance of Mother Nature and celebrated all things outdoors throughout our evening of dance. For the first time, we incorporated a live "Improv Challenge" where brave students could volunteer to be placed on stage to dance to a surprise song in front of our live audience. A winner was selected at the conclusion of each performance. Show Night #1 concluded with Nyla DeJong as our winner and Macy Dykes on Show Night #2. We are so excited to continue this tradition for future shows to come.
A Weekend with Artists Simply Human
In April of 2019, our SJCCA Dance Collective got to visit their first dance convention, Artists Simply Human (ASH) in Jacksonville. Here, we got to showcase three of our competition dances (jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary). What makes ASH so unique is their inspirational and supportive environment in which studios are not actually "competing" against each other. Really, they are showcasing what their programs are all about. We loved our time here and even walked away with a "Showcase Standout" award for our contemporary dance, Something Blue, choreographed by our SJCCA Dance director, Kaila Schippani. Collective members: Alex Mowrey, Macy Dykes, and Bristen Groves received multiple awards and scholarships for their work throughout the weekend.
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Showcase Standout Routine, "Something Blue" Choreographed by Kaila Schippani |
The Collective's First Competition
In March of 2019, The SJCCA Dance Collective visited Orlando, FL for their first competition with American All-Star. Not only was this an incredibly fun bonding experience for this brand new competition team but it was an opportunity to show people what we've been working so hard on. The Collective competed in Division 1 Jazz and Division 1 Hip Hop. We were named champions in hip hop and first runner-up in jazz. We were very proud of the outcome and our overall performaces!
"Til the Night Dies", Choreographed by Kaila Schippani
1st Place in Division 1 Hip Hop |
"Angels", Choreographed by K&H Choreography
2nd Place in Division 1 Jazz |
A Taste of the Tonys
Our SJCCA Dance and Musical Theatre departments finished our musical revue with rave reviews (see what I did there?). "A Taste of the Tonys" displayed pieces from 22 musicals who have all been nominated for at least 1 Tony Award throughout their running on Broadway.
The Greatest City in the World!
These lucky kids just came back from New York City! SJCCA brought 100 students and parents from all SJCCA departments on this life-changing trip. We saw musicals, did tours, took workshop classes, and so much more. This tradition is one of our favorites!
You Are Enough.
Our fall show, "You Are Enough." was all about empowerment! Our dancers brought the energy while doing what they do best...perform. Our audience was leaving the show with ear-to-ear smiles and we couldn't be happier with the show we put on!
The SJCCA Dance Collective is Born (est. 2018)
This group is the most elite among the SJCCA dancers. Previously known as the “Honors Class” during Period 4, we decided to form a more refined identity. We will call ourselves the “SJCCA Dance Collective”. This group will consist of the most advanced and talented dance technicians, performers, and young adults within the dance program. Our plan is to participate in SJCCA-sponsored shows, some community events, as well as 1-2 competitions within the school year. Keep up on Instagram to see what these young women are up to!
"New York" A Musical Revue-November 2017
SJCCA Dance and Musical Theatre programs, directed by Kaila Schippani (dance) and Jeff Dodd (musical theatre), collaborated for the first time to create this musical revue of 19 songs from 19 Broadway musicals. This show took audiences through the stages of Broadway starting with the golden age and taking us right where we are today. We received RAVE reviews and were so grateful to have the opportunity to work together to create such a special fall show!
SJCCA in the Big Apple-January 2017
This January, our SJCCA Dance, Chorus, Drama, and Musical Theatre students had the opportunity to visit New York City. Here they received tickets to two musicals on Broadway (Aladdin and Dear Evan Hansen). This even included a "talk back" session with some of the Broadway cast members. Students attended a Broadway workshop where they learned a song and actual choreography from the musical, Aladdin. How cool is that?
The SJCCA Dancers also attended a ballet and jazz class at the infamous Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan. Along with all of these enriching activities, students got an official tour of the New Amsterdam Theatre, Central Park, and One World Trade. Thank you to Green Light Tours for arranging such an unforgettable experience for our arts programs!
The SJCCA Dancers also attended a ballet and jazz class at the infamous Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan. Along with all of these enriching activities, students got an official tour of the New Amsterdam Theatre, Central Park, and One World Trade. Thank you to Green Light Tours for arranging such an unforgettable experience for our arts programs!
Fall Guest Artists
Our program has been lucky enough to have two very talented guest artist this fall. SJCCA dance students have had the opportunity to take ballet master classes with Ms. Lynne DiCianni and tap with Mr. Anthony Romeo. Not only do these two artists have stacked resumes, but their love for children and teaching is so evident in the way they approach our students. THANK YOU!
Dance Students Perform in SJCCA Musical
Our 16 talented dancers in the highest level dance class within SJCCA had the opportunity to perform the Overture as the opening number for Urinetown the Musical. We want to send a huge 'thank you' to Mr. Jeff Dodd for inviting us to do so and gaining the opportunity to see amazing theatre and sound on a high school stage!
Rudy Abreu Came to Northeast Florida!
Some of our SJCCA Dancers had the opportunity to visit Mia Bella Academy of Dance in Palm Coast to take class from Rudy Abreu. Rudy is originally from Miami, Florida and was a contestant on Season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance.
First Guest Artist of the 2016-2017 School Year-Ms. Lynne DiCianni
Our SJCCA dancers were very lucky to have Ms. Lynne DiCianni as their ballet guest artist to start off the month of September. Within one day, Ms. Lynne made our dancers stand taller, jump higher, and sweat bullets.
Winter Park, Colorado Trip-March 2016
This spring, our SJCCA students had the amazing opportunity to dance in the Winter Park Music Festival in Colorado! Our talented dancers were able to travel with other SJCCA programs (guitar, band, chorus). Each program brought a performance in their respected styles to compete against other schools in the nation. Each program received a Superior score. Our dancers also won "Best in Show"! Other than dancing, our students were given a ski/snowboard lesson and could "hit the slopes" during this 4-day adventure. We had the best time!
Outdoor Choreography Project-February 2016
Our SJCCA dance students just finished up their outdoor choreography projects. Students had the opportunity to put themselves in groups and choreograph a dance (in the style of their choice) outside of our 4 studio walls. During their performances, each student took notes on their classmate's success in choreographing a dance in a different setting. We practiced giving constructive critiques.