Here at Arcadia High School (AHS), a welcome is in store for the Performing Arts’ new dance teacher, Ms. Katelyn Morreale. She’s coming into this school year with a new approach to teaching and has the skill to dance and perform to just about any type of style, so she can assist in any way possible for any type of routine.
Ms. Morreale’s background in dance is something that is not overlooked.
“I was around 10-years-old when I decided to enroll in a professional dance company after just doing dance for fun with no actual aim before. There, we managed to practice everyday,” said Ms. Morreale.
Later on, when she enrolled in college, Cal State Long Beach, she started dancing there and worked for a local studio, teaching as a choreographer. But soon after college, when she got her first job related to her marketing degree, she didn’t enjoy it as much as she wanted to.
“I didn’t love the job that I got when I started working full time, so I went back to school after four years of being in marketing and got my teaching credential to teach dance because it was so much fun, and I loved working with students over the years,” she said.
Ms. Morreale’s motto in dance is known as “We dance to express not impress.” She strives to make it known to her class that it is important for students to self-express and not to be perfect all the time.
Her process with dance is something that all students can follow and eventually improve upon over time. She teaches “very important techniques with rhythm and a coordination standpoint” while starting with the basics so that all students, no matter the level and experience, can follow along and eventually master the technique of weight transfer and level changes. The most important thing she hopes students take away from her class is she wants them to think back to their class and think they actually learned something new and had fun while doing so.
“Seeing students accomplish something they couldn’t accomplish before is the most rewarding part of teaching dance,” said Ms. Morreale. She conveys that if the student can’t do something like a double pirouette, she can hopefully critique it well and improve that student’s skills.
There are many performances and events that the dance department takes place in that Ms. Morreale is excited to choreograph and participate in. She has upcoming events such as the Charity Show on Dec. 6 and later Spring Dance Showcase on May 28.
“I believe that we work adamantly to connect the dance department as a unit and eventually have all levels all feel connected to pull in more students,” said Ms. Morreale when asked what she wants the impact and future of the dance department to be.
Ms. Morreale’s experience and talent in dance is also supported by her admiration for Paula Abdul, a renowned American dancer and choreographer. “I idolized her when I was younger and I believe that she did so much for the dance community at large and one day, I hope to meet her,” said Ms. Morreale.
The Performing Arts Department and AHS welcome Ms. Morreale to our diverse community and are ready to see what she has in store for this school year.
