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 Fine Arts Department Chair at Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School in Fort Worth ISD. She is passionate about creating an inclusive, high-expectation dance program where every student feels valued, challenged, and empowered to succeed both on and off the stage.
Since joining Diamond Hill-Jarvis in 2022, Ms. Dobbins has transformed the dance department into a thriving, community-centered program by expanding enrollment from 28 to more than 65 students while creating a comprehensive dance pathway that now serves students from elementary school through high school. Under her leadership, the department has grown to include the Synthesis Dance Company, Mini Dance Company, and Junior Dance Company, providing students with continuous opportunities to train, perform, and develop as artists and leaders.
Ms. Dobbins believes dance is far more than learning choreography. Her teaching philosophy centers on developing confident, resilient, and compassionate young adults through movement. Every class is intentionally designed to cultivate discipline, creativity, collaboration, leadership, critical thinking, and lifelong wellness while providing students with rigorous technical training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, Pilates, yoga, floorwork, dance conditioning, choreography, and dance production.
Her commitment to educating the whole student is rooted in an extensive background in movement science and wellness. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Dance, Kinesiology, and Rehabilitation Sciences, as well as a Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences and Coaching. She is also a Wellcoaches Certified Health & Well-Being Coach, a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), a Master Pilates Instructor, and an American Bone Health Level 2 Exercise Specialist. This unique combination of expertise allows her to emphasize injury prevention, healthy movement patterns, mental well-being, and sustainable performance throughout the curriculum.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Dobbins is an active presenter and advocate for dance education. She has presented professional development sessions at the Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA), Fort Worth ISD New Teacher Academy, and the Fort Worth ISD Visual & Performing Arts Convocation, sharing best practices in dance pedagogy, Pilates for dancers, floorwork, yoga, assessment, and student wellness.
Her dedication to students and education has been recognized through numerous honors, including:
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Fort Worth ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
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Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School Teacher of the Year
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Region XI Teacher of the Year Top Five Finalist
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Teaching Chair of Excellence for Dance & Theatre
Under her direction, students have earned prestigious performance opportunities and full-ride dance scholarships while developing the confidence to pursue careers in dance, education, healthcare, and countless other fields. She believes every student deserves access to exceptional arts education regardless of their previous experience and works to remove barriers so that all students can discover their potential through dance.
Ms. Dobbins' vision is for the Diamond Hill-Jarvis Dance Department to be recognized as a model public school dance program where artistic excellence, wellness, leadership, and community come together. She strives to cultivate an environment where students leave not only as stronger dancers, but as thoughtful leaders, lifelong learners, and compassionate individuals prepared to make a positive impact in the world.
A Personal Note
I believe every student deserves someone who believes in them before they believe in themselves. Dance has the power to change lives, not simply by creating stronger performers, but by developing confident leaders, resilient problem-solvers, compassionate teammates, and healthy individuals who carry those lessons far beyond the studio.
Whether a student dreams of dancing professionally, pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or simply discovering a place where they belong, my goal is the same: to help them realize they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.
At Diamond Hill-Jarvis, we don't just teach dance. We build confidence, cultivate character, inspire excellence, and create opportunities that empower students to make a meaningful impact in their communities and wherever life takes them.
