Diamond Hill-Jarvis Highschool Dance Department
Welcome to DHJ Dance Department
Welcome to the hub of creativity and expression. Join us in exploring the world of dance where movement tells stories and emotions come to life. Where every dancer has a home!
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Our dance department is a place where talent meets dedication, and dreams are nurtured into reality. With a focus on excellence and creativity, we inspire our students to reach their full potential through the art of dance. Students are trained in Vaganova Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, and Hip-Hop. Each year students perform 2 classical ballets and have the opportunity to perform in the school-wide musical.
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We strive to create an environment that all that want to dance, can dance! We have alumni attending various higher education dance facilities; such as, Texas Woman's University, West Texas A&M , Texas State, Sam Houston, to name a few.
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Many of our dancers begin their journey at the age of 14, when they enter highschool. They are still among the successful students who enter college as dance majors. Using science-backed pedagogical practices, our students are able to close the gap between them and their peers.
Our Story
At Diamond Hill-Jarvis Highschool Dance Department, we take pride in our commitment to providing exceptional dance education and fostering a supportive community for all aspiring dancers. Join us as we embark on a journey of growth, learning, and artistic expression.
Diamond Hill-Jarvis Dance Department was founded by Marie (Harbor) Ordonez in 2016. She was succeeded by KaCee Dobbins in 2022. Under Ms.Dobbins' direction, the dance department has received accolades as the first FWISD Dance Company to be invited to perform at a District Principal's meeting in Fall 2023.
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Meet Our Team
KaCee Dobbins is the head dance director and Visual and Performing Arts department lead at Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School in Fort Worth Independent School District. She teaches principles of dance, dance production, and wellness for dancers, providing students with both technical training and hands-on experience in the behind-the-scenes aspects of dance concert production.
Ms.Dobbins holds a Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching from the University of North Texas Health Science Center and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas. She is a WellCoaches certified health and wellness coach and holds additional certifications in Pilates, yoga, and strength training.
Since joining Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School, Ms.Dobbins has expanded the dance program from 28 to 85 students while maintaining a 90 percent retention rate. She developed the ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance curriculum for the Diamond Hill-Jarvis pyramid and founded the Mini DHJ Dance Company for elementary students. Under her leadership, students have pursued collegiate dance opportunities, including one earning three full-ride scholarships.
Dobbins received district recognition for spearheading collaborative musical productions that brought together multiple departments on campus: dance,theatre, orchestra, band, visual arts, fashion, construction, and graphic design. She has also presented at the Texas Dance Educators Association conference and national wellness summits.
Dobbins believes in fostering a student-centered learning environment that integrates technical excellence with creativity and well-being. She strives to empower students artistically and professionally, preparing them for success in both performance and production.
Dance Showcases
