Forty-four students, four teams, and one unforgettable season, Aliso Niguel’s Dance Appreciation (DA) team closed out its 2024-25 competition year with a first-place victory in March. Practicing both during class and after school hours in the campus dance room, DA is a tight-knit, high-energy hip-hop program that continues to grow in size, skill, and diversity.
Originally founded in 1997 as a casual club, DA officially became a competitive program by 2006. Now in its 29th season, the team is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. Alongside that milestone comes continued expansion. For the first time in school history, DA now includes an all-male hip-hop team, one of four competitive groups performing under the DA umbrella. The others include small female, medium female, and large coed.
“The best part for me is how much the kids really love it,” says Mrs. Murphy, the class advisor, “and just the massive amount of work they put in to achieve great things.”
Unlike Aliso Niguel’s traditional dance team, which explores genres like jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, DA focuses only on hip-hop. This style-specific approach makes it accessible to students who may not have formal training in other disciplines but still want to perform and compete at a high level.
That focus on inclusivity and drive is evident both in rehearsals and in competition. DA competes under the California Association of Dance/Drill Team Directors (CADTD), where each team is evaluated based on execution, creativity, synchronization, and overall performance.
DA’s training schedule is rigorous. Large coed practices during fourth period, while the smaller divisions typically meet after school multiple times a week. In addition to choreography rehearsals, members also participate in weekly conditioning sessions to improve endurance, strength, and stamina, essentials for high-energy, competitive routines.
Mrs. Murphy states, “They are a competitive team that is very successful, and it’s made up of a very diverse group of individuals, and for the most part they get along very well.” That teamwork mentality is a cornerstone of DA’s culture.
The team draws students from across grade levels, genders, and backgrounds, many of whom do not participate in traditional sports or campus clubs. For these students, DA becomes more than just an extracurricular; it becomes a second home.
That sense of belonging is what continues to bring new dancers to the program, whether they’ve been performing for years or are stepping into a dance room for the first time. “It’s a lot of fun, it’s very rewarding, and it’s like a family at Aliso”, says Mrs. Murphy, “It gives kids a place where they feel safe and gives them a sense of belonging to something.”
With a strong legacy, a growing community, and a championship title behind them, DA remains one of the most unique and inclusive programs on campus. As the 30th anniversary approaches, the team is preparing to honor its past while building toward an even bolder future.
Whether students are experienced performers or just looking for a new place to belong, DA offers something more than just a chance to compete. It offers a space to grow, express, and connect.
