OUR MISSION
Stagelight Dance Company is a unique experience where commercial and concert dance collide. This experience was created to give the committed dancer an opportunity to further their training and artistic development by providing access to exclusive performance opportunities, guest artist classes, and various dance media workshops. Our company members are learning the importance of teamwork and their own personal commitment to their craft. Stagelight Dance Company is the place where dancers can be supported and challenged, as well as encouraged to learn their strengths and develop their own voice as an artist.
What's included in the Stagelight Dance Company Experience?
INTRODUCING THE 24/25 SEASON DANCE COMPANY TEAM
OUR JUNIOR COMPANY
Penelope Arviso
Milania Borgelt
Callie Cox
Lucy Gerhart
Keira Gramer
Malaina Lovejoy
Reagan Russo
Zoey Throop
OUR TEEN COMPANY
Ximena Brown
Camille Chavez
Julia Chekardzhikova
Reese Chesebro
Savannah Nagin
Maylyn Prudencio
Evan Tinoco
Charlene Yun
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
THE 24/25 SEASON INFORMATION PACKET
Thank you to everyone who attended our Stagelight Dance Company information session on Saturday, April 27th. We are so excited to begin this journey with our Stagelighters!
If you were unable to attend the information session, you can find the Information Packet below that includes all the details about Stagelight Dance Company. The packet has been updated to include answers to some questions asked at the information session.
Stagelight Dance Company Agreement
This Agreement outlines the terms and conditions governing the Dancer’s participation in the performance team offered by Stagelight Dance Company. Both the Dancer and the Parent/Legal Guardian must acknowledge and agree to abide by the provisions set forth herein. Acceptance into Stagelight Dance Company is for the 24/25 Season only. Re-auditioning is required each season.
The policies listed below are parts of the Agreement but do not include every detail contained in the full agreement document. Please click the button below and thoroughly read through all of our policies.
To maintain membership on the Stagelight Dance Company during the 24/25 Season, Dancers must:
- Be between the ages of 10-18 as of August 1, 2024
- Have been actively enrolled in at least TWO Level II+ tech classes during the 23/24 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts (tech classes include: jazz, contemporary, or ballet)
- Be actively enrolled in Stagelight Dance Company class during the entire 24/25 Season
- Be actively enrolled in at least two Level II+ tech classes during the entire 24/25 Season (tech classes include: jazz, contemporary, or ballet)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Audition prerequisites for the 25/26 season Stagelight Dance Company requires Dancers to:
- Have been actively enrolled in at least one Level II+ Jazz class during the entirety of the 24/25 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts
- Have been actively enrolled in at least one Level II+ Contemporary/Modern class during the entirety of the 24/25 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts
- Have been actively enrolled in at least one Ballet class (in any level) during the entirety of the 24/25 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts
All-inclusive Company fees are collected on the first of each month August 2024-June 2025, in addition to general class tuition, and total $150/month.
Dancer and Parent/Legal Guardian agree to pay the designated fees for participation in Stagelight Dance Company:
- Parent/Legal Guardian must maintain an active credit card on file to be charged on the 1st of each month. For Dancers affiliated with charter schools, POs must be submitted before the 1st of each month.
- Travel expenses, performing supplies, and a pair of mostly black athletic sneakers to be worn with Company warmups are the responsibility of the Dancer and Parent/Legal Guardian and are not to be collected with Company fees.
- Accounts at the Studio must be kept current.
- There are no refunds or reimbursements on Company fees.
At the discretion of the Director, solos, duos, and trios are formed based on each Company members’ audition performance and their agreed time commitment. To view more information about participation requirements, please click the button below to view the Agreement Document.
Attendance and commitment is integral to the success of the Company. If the Dancer has 3 unexcused absences from rehearsals during the season, they may be removed from the Company. Illnesses and emergencies are the only excused absences, but the Dancer must notify the Director at least one hour before rehearsal. If the Dancer misses a performance, competition, or event, they may be removed from the Company.
Company members are responsible for attending two-hour Monday rehearsals as scheduled during the in-studio spring showcase preparation period; final dates TBD.
The Dancer is required to attend all scheduled performances. The Dancer and Parent/Legal Guardian are responsible for traveling to and preparing for all performances and competitions (hair, make-up, costume, etc.) by scheduled call times. The Dancer must have all required costume pieces and supplies for every performance. Dancers are required to credit Stagelight Dance Company when asked where they train.
audition prerequisites for the 25/26 Season
In order to be eligible to audition for Stagelight Dance Company for the 25/26 Season, Dancers are required to:
- Have been actively enrolled in at least one Level II+ Jazz class during the entirety of the 24/25 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts
- Have been actively enrolled in at least one Level II+ Contemporary/Modern class during the entirety of the 24/25 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts
- Have been actively enrolled in at least one Ballet class (in any level) during the entirety of the 24/25 Season at Stagelight Performing Arts
If your child is interested in auditioning for next year’s Stagelight Dance Company, please ensure their 24/25 Season enrollments adhere to the audition prerequisites. If you have any questions regarding Stagelight Dance Company audition eligibility requirements, please send us an email at stagelightdanceco@gmail.com.
STAGELIGHT DANCE COMPANY’S DIRECTOR,
Emily Cortez
Emily Cortez was born and raised in Southern California. She attended Mt. San Antonio College for 3 years and was a part of their rigorous dance repertory program and graduated with her AA in Kinesiology. Emily then transferred to California State University Fullerton, where she obtained her BA in Dance. While at CSUF, Emily had the opportunity to work with and perform pieces by many esteemed choreographers, along with professional company directors and dancers from all over the world. Some of these include Doug Varone, Colin Connor, David Hochoy, Bradley Beakes, Debra Noble, Muriel Joyce, and Dale Merrill. Emily has also performed in many dance festivals and professional showcases throughout her career.
Along with her own personal education, Emily has been teaching and coaching dance for 10 years for children ages 2 and up, as well as adults. She is passionate about sharing the art of dance, as well as the discipline, creativity, confidence and joy that it can bring into people’s lives. She also loves being a part of a student’s journey and sees it as her way of giving back and inspiring young dancers, just as her own teachers have done in her life.