Our 23/24 Season Begins NEXT WEEK!

We hope you’ve been enjoying your summer break so far, but we’ve definitely missed seeing our Stagelighters in-studio and are SO EXCITED to welcome everyone back!

 As a reminder, all classes begin the week of Monday, August 7th. Here are a few classes we have added to the schedule based on demand:

Tap I (ages 10-15) on Mondays, 3:30-4:20pm with Mr. Michael

Acting II* (ages 7-9) on Mondays, 6:30-7:20pm with Ms. Crystal (*instructor approval required)

Head to the Customer Portal to secure your spot in these classes today!

Feeling the Rhythm in Tap Dance

It’s almost impossible to put into words what the study of Tap Dance does to the heart of a dancer. But when you see your child fall in love with this art form, you can be certain that what your child learns in tap dance lessons will become part of the soundtrack of your life forever.

Studying Tap Dance helps students understand its rich historical context, social awareness, rhythm, music theory, kinesthetic awareness, and artistry. The joy that radiates from the art form is contagious. Watch as the intricacies and steps challenge dancers, leaving them hungry for more.

Tap dance lessons at Stagelight Performing Arts include rhythm work, rudiment series, coverage of classic tap steps and rhythmic hoofer-style tapping, presentation of key tap dancers throughout history, choreography, performance skills, and challenging improvisational exercises. Not only does the study of Tap Dance lead students toward becoming more well-rounded dancers, it allows them to gain a greater appreciation for the historical context from which this discipline was born and encourages them to continually fall in love with the art form each time they step through the classroom doors. Becoming a member of the Tap Dance legacy is special; finding your own voice through the study of this art form is exhilarating. Read more about our Tap Dance program here.

Tap is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 7-18. Classes begin August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot before we close enrollment at the end of next month!

Conquering the Unknown in Improv Acting

Picture this. Dedicated actors walking onto a fully lit stage with no idea of what’s about to happen. The audience settles in, anticipating a great show. They’re here to laugh. They’re here to see something new. But the actors have no script, no plan, and no idea if their performance will land. If that sounds terrifying, you’re not alone! But does the exhilaration make the whole experience worth it? Unquestionably so!

Although this type of performance and craft takes an incredible amount of courage and vulnerability, the amount of growth you see in your child because of this class is astounding. Through the practice of Improv, you’ll see your child’s trepidation turn to tenacity and insecurity to instinct. Students who study Improv become smarter risk takers and learn to “roll with the punches” both on and off the stage. You can read more about our Improv Acting program here.

Improv Acting is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 7-18. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Staff Spotlight

We have some wonderful instructors here at Stagelight Performing Arts! This week, we wanted to introduce to you the incredible instructors who teach in our Tap and Improv Acting programs, along with some other classes. Meet Mr. Michael, Ms. Lauren, Ms. Brooklyn, Ms. Alyssa, and Mr. Phil! Below is a sneak peek into the lives and careers of these awesome teachers. You can read more about them and the rest of our amazing staff here.

Mr. Michael Mr. Michael teaches Tap. Michael is an established tap dancer, teacher and choreographer. Michael currently teaches tap at AMDA LA and is also a respected acting/audition coach. He has taught masterclasses and workshops around the country in cities such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix and more.

Ms. Lauren Ms. Lauren teaches Tap. Lauren is a proud graduate of Chapman University as a Theater/Dance major with an emphasis in Dance Performance, training in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, Pilates, and choreography and a minor in Mathematics. She also holds her secondary teaching credential from Chapman as well as her MA in Secondary Education from Cal State University of Fullerton.

Ms. Brooklyn Ms. Brooklyn teaches Musical Theatre Song & Dance, Tap, and Tap/Ballet Combo. Brooklyn was born and raised in Southern California. She has been involved with Stagelight Productions since the age of 5, and began dancing with Stagelight in 2013. Brooklyn attended Brea Olinda High School, where she held the position of Dance Captain in their advanced competitive show choir. She is currently studying Elementary Education at Fullerton College.

Ms. Alyssa Ms. Alyssa teaches Tap, Tap/Ballet Combo, and Tap/Jazz Combo. Alyssa is Co-Owner and an Instructor at Stagelight Performing Arts. She earned a BA from Chapman University in Advertising with a Minor in Graphic Design and a Teaching Credential in Physical Education/ Dance from Cal State Fullerton. Her performance credits include Disney and Fullerton Civic Light Opera. She has extensive experience in teaching, choreography, and show direction.

Mr. Phil Mr. Phil teaches Improv Acting and our Improv Team. A graduate of the Conservatory Program at The Second City, Hollywood, Phil learned improv and sketch from some of the very best. He’s been involved in several shows there, sketch and improv alike, as both a writer and actor, including The Really Awesome Improv Show, Ruiz Must Die and Picture Show: The Show!, among others.

Learn a Tap Rudiment Combination with Mr. Michael

Calling all tappers! We are incredibly excited to have Mr. Michael joining us this season to teach Tap! To get back into the swing of things, try this Tap Rudiment Combination taught by Mr. Michael to start warming up your feet and getting into the rhythm for next week!

Get Creative with this Improv Game

Grab your best friend and challenge them to a one-on-one Improv Game! Perfect for car rides, recess activities, and anywhere else, there are unlimited times you can play this game! Read the instructions below to learn a new skill.

If you have any questions about our classes or our 23/24 Season, please email stagelightarts@gmail.com.

Watch Your Mini Stagelighter Fall in Love with Performing in Tap/Jazz Combo

Get their favorite dance outfit picked out, pack up the dance bag, and get ready to swoon over how cute your Mini Stagelighter is in our Tap/Jazz Combo for ages 4-6! With our Combo class format, your child learns foundational knowledge of multiple disciplines and stays engaged in a fun and welcoming learning environment. You’ll see your child blossom in confidence, make new friends, grow stronger, and fall in love with performing in this class. If you are looking for the perfect creative outlet for your child that also gets their bodies moving, Tap/Jazz Combo is your best bet.

During the Tap Dance portion of this class, your child learns to recognize beats and counts in the music, balance and control their body movements, and make lots of noise with their tap shoes! At the halfway point in class, dancers stay in the classroom and change into their jazz shoes. You’ll watch your dancer stretch, build strength, dance to the beat in popular Kidz Bop tunes, and conquer gross motor skills such as skipping, galloping, and leaping during the Jazz Dance portion of class. Counting, math skills, listening, call and response, taking turns, performance quality, and memorizing sequences are additional skills we’ve hidden throughout a variety of fun activities in Tap/Jazz Combo. Over the course of week-to-week attendance in class, you’ll be amazed at your child’s progress in both Tap and Jazz. You can read more about our Combo classes here.

Tap/Jazz Combo is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 4-6. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Build Musicality and Strength in Jazz/HipHop Combo

Get their favorite dance outfit picked out, pack up the dance bag, and get ready to swoon over how cute your Mini Stagelighter is in our Jazz/HipHop Combo class! In this class, your child learns foundational knowledge of multiple disciplines and stays engaged in a fun and welcoming learning environment. You’ll see your child blossom in confidence, make new friends, grow stronger, and fall in love with performing.

In our Jazz/HipHop Combo class, your Mini learns core concepts of both the HipHop and Jazz Dance disciplines in the form of fun and engaging lessons and combinations. The HipHop portion of class helps your child learn to recognize beats and counts in the music, balance and control their body movements, and execute strong isolations. At the halfway point in class, dancers stay in the classroom and change into their jazz shoes. You’ll watch your dancer stretch, build strength, dance to the beat in popular Kidz Bop tunes, and conquer gross motor skills such as skipping, galloping, and leaping during the Jazz portion of class. Counting, listening, call and response, taking turns, performance quality, and memorizing sequences are additional skills we’ve hidden throughout a variety of fun activities in Jazz/HipHop Combo. Over the course of week-to-week attendance in class, you’ll be amazed at your child’s progress in the disciplines of both HipHop and Jazz. You can read more about our Combo classes here.

Jazz/HipHop Combo is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 3-6. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Staff Spotlight

We have some wonderful instructors here at Stagelight Performing Arts! This week, we wanted to introduce to you the incredible instructors who teach in our Tap/Jazz Combo and Jazz/HipHop programs, along with some other classes. Meet Ms. Alyssa, Ms. Kris, Ms. Katy, and Ms. Sofia! Below is a sneak peek into the lives and careers of these awesome teachers. You can read more about them and the rest of our amazing staff here.

Ms. Alyssa Ms. Alyssa teaches Tap, Tap/Ballet Combo, and Tap/Jazz Combo. Alyssa is Co-Owner and an Instructor at Stagelight Performing Arts. She earned a BA from Chapman University in Advertising with a Minor in Graphic Design and a Teaching Credential in Physical Education/ Dance from Cal State Fullerton. Her performance credits include Disney and Fullerton Civic Light Opera. She has extensive experience in teaching, choreography, and show direction.

Ms. Kris Ms. Kris teaches Dance Tricks & Turns, Jazz, and Jazz/HipHop Combo. Kris Kniseley was born and raised in Southern California and technically and artistically trained for 18 years in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, modern, acrobatics, hip-hop, and jazz funk. Once she graduated from high school, Kris continued her dance education via undergrad degree programs, began teaching at local dance studios, and further expanded her performance career into the professional realm with both her choreography and drive to perform.

Ms. Katy Ms. Katy teaches Tap/Ballet Combo, Preschool Creative Dance, HipHop, Jazz/HipHop Combo, and Musical Theatre Song & Dance. Katy has been dancing on stage since the age of five. She has studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, modern, cheerleading, and gymnastics.  Currently, Katy is enjoying doing what she loves most by being in the studio and watching her young students grow and develop into beautiful dancers, people and performers.

Ms. Sofia Ms. Sofia teaches HipHop, Jazz, and Jazz/HipHop Combo. Sofia Ayala was born and raised in Orange County, California. Since age 3, she has been dancing in various styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Sofia is currently working towards getting her Bachelors of Arts Degree at California State University, Fullerton. Sofia aspires to continue teaching, performing, and choreographing for as long as she possibly can, and is always growing as an artist and individual.

Kicking Up the Creativity with a Coloring Page

​​Is your Mini Stagelighter ready to soar in Tap/Jazz Combo this season? Print out this coloring page, and after they color it, help them master their first Tap Dance move: the “Shuffle!” Be sure to post on social media and tag us @ stagelightarts for a chance to be featured!

Prepare for Your Jazz/HipHop Class with a Combo from Ms. Sofia

Is your Stagelighter thinking about enrolling in one of our Jazz/HipHop Combo classes? Try this Jazz/HipHop combination with Ms. Sofia to get a feel for the moves you’ll learn in this class!

If you have any questions about our classes or our 23/24 Season, please email stagelightarts@gmail.com.

Group Vocal Classes Spark Confidence & Joy

At Stagelight Performing Arts, our small Group Vocal classes encourage confidence, lay a foundation for basic music theory, and expose young singers to a variety of music genres and styles. Students build camaraderie through ensemble work but test the waters as soloists in our safe and welcoming classroom environment. Bonding over music and sharing discoveries along the way also make this class a great place to make new friends.

During each weekly class, students engage in warm-ups that keep their vocal cords safe and growing appropriately, pitch and tone exercises, studies in harmony, and vocal control exercises. Essentially, our class helps transform your child’s favorite hobby into a carefully studied discipline that allows them to fall in love with the art form even further. Concepts that students build on week-to-week include breath control, healthy vocal production, technical use of vowels and consonants while singing, and an understanding of dynamics, rhythm, musical patterns, and note recognition. You can read more about our Vocal program here.

Group Vocal is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 7-15. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Cultivate Your Unique Style in HipHop

Grooving, popping, locking, and feeling the music in your bones is what HipHop class is all about! What can be better than that?! Once the music hits the air, we can guarantee that your child won’t even realize how hard they are working. All that matters is the rhythm, the movements, the history, and the community.

Not only does this dance discipline offer a supportive and friendly creative outlet for your child, but it is great for helping to increase coordination, promote muscle development, and build self-confidence. Through fun combinations and routines, watch your child master the basics of grooving and freestyle, learn the importance of different body mechanics, and improve upon the skill of picking up intricate choreography. Trust us, once they get a feel for the music, they’ll be begging to return to the studio. You can read more about our HipHop program here.

HipHop is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 7-15. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class soon!

Staff Spotlight

We have some wonderful instructors here at Stagelight Performing Arts! This week, we wanted to introduce to you the incredible instructors who teach in our Group Vocal and Jazz/HipHop programs, along with some other classes. Meet Ms. Darleen, Mr. Kyle, Ms. Kat, Ms. Katy, Ms. Sofia, and Mr. Alberto! Below is a sneak peek into the lives and careers of these awesome teachers. You can read more about them and the rest of our amazing staff here.

Ms. Darleen Ms. Darleen teaches Group Vocal, Musical Theatre Song & Dance, and Private Vocal Lessons. With a BA in Music Education K-12 from Anderson University (Anderson, IN), Darleen has taught privately, in public schools, private schools, churches and community theaters. “I believe in my students’ ability to sing ANY style of music – for the rest of their lives – once they are properly trained with good technique and vocal health habits! With that belief and personal experience, I work hard to make sure that each student develops vocal strength and their best sound through grounded instruction in breathing, projection, confidence, preparedness and musicianship.”  ~ Darleen

Mr. Kyle Mr. Kyle teaches Group Vocal, Musical Theatre Song & Dance, and Private Piano/Vocal Lessons. Kyle is a veteran performer, musician, and Music Director born and raised in Southern California. While he is not performing or music directing, Kyle is a composer, orchestrator, and transcriber for commercials, film, media, musical theatre, and radio. Kyle is an experienced teacher for Voice, Piano, and Composition & Theory with over 15 years of instructing and coaching experience in Jazz, Theatre, Classical, and modern music.

Ms. Kat Ms. Kat teaches Group Vocal, Musical Theatre Song & Dance, and Private Vocal Lessons. Katarina Blagojevic has always had such a love for music, singing and the arts. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Vanguard University and is currently getting her Masters and Teaching Credential through Grand Canyon University. She has been in countless musical theatre productions, choir showcases and juries growing up as well. She’s ecstatic for the opportunity to encourage dreams, grow performers, and love for the arts just like she had growing up!

Ms. Katy Ms. Katy teaches Tap/Ballet Combo, Preschool Creative Dance, HipHop, Jazz/HipHop Combo, and Musical Theatre Song & Dance. Katy has been dancing on stage since the age of five. She has studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, modern, cheerleading, and gymnastics.  Currently, Katy is enjoying doing what she loves most by being in the studio and watching her young students grow and develop into beautiful dancers, people and performers.

Ms. Sofia Ms. Sofia teaches HipHop, Jazz, and Jazz/HipHop Combo. Sofia Ayala was born and raised in Orange County, California. Since age 3, she has been dancing in various styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Sofia is currently working towards getting her Bachelors of Arts Degree at California State University, Fullerton. Sofia aspires to continue teaching, performing, and choreographing for as long as she possibly can, and is always growing as an artist and individual.

Mr. Alberto Mr. Alberto teaches HipHop. Mr. Alberto has been teaching dance for over 20 years in various studio, school programs, parks and recreation programs and high schools across southern California. He has trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop, all of which he has implemented in his teachings. Mr. Alberto continues to further his dance education in hopes to motivate and bring new methods of dance training to his students.

Maintain Proper Technique with Easy 1-Minute Vocal Warm-Ups by Mr. Kyle

Are you preparing for an audition or just belting it out in the shower? Use these 1-minute vocal exercises to keep your voice happy and healthy during our summer break. Use can sing each of these using any vowel or word.

Vocal Warm-Up #1

Vocal Warm-Up #2

Master a HipHop Combo with Mr. Alberto

Is your Stagelighter enrolled in a level I HipHop class? Try this HipHop combination by Mr. Alberto to get a feel for the moves you’ll learn in this class!

If you have any questions about our classes or our 23/24 Season, please email stagelightarts@gmail.com.