Student Leadership Program

  • The Student Leadership Program was created by Veronica Edwards and is overseen by Elisa Orta. This program provides Verdi students with opportunities to serve the Verdi Academy of Dance community while gaining hands-on experience in dance education, studio operations, productions, events, and mentorship.

    Participants work alongside studio staff in a variety of roles designed to support students, families, and the day-to-day operations of the studio. Student Leadership Program participants primarily assist Ms. Veronica, Ms. Elisa, and Ms. Noelia in classes, rehearsals, performances, and special events throughout the season.

  • Junior Assistants are young student volunteers who assist younger dancers under the supervision of studio staff. This role introduces students to classroom support, mentorship, and studio leadership while providing an educational and service-focused experience within the studio community.

  • Assistants are members of the studio team who support instructors during classes, rehearsals, performances, and events. In addition to assisting students and faculty, Assistants gain practical workplace experience in dance education, customer service, event operations, and studio management.

  • Senior Assistants are experienced members of the studio staff who provide advanced support in both instructional and operational areas. They assist with productions, events, administrative projects, mentorship, and studio operations while continuing to develop professional experience within the performing arts industry.

  • Leadership Program participants receive ongoing training and practical experience while contributing to the studio community. As participants progress through the program, they gain increasing levels of responsibility and exposure to the educational, administrative, and operational aspects of a dance organization. For students interested in dance education, this experience may provide a valuable foundation for future teacher training opportunities, including pursuit of the Royal Academy of Dance’s Certificate in Dance Teaching (CDT) qualification.

  • The Student Leadership Program is currently serving the studio with five Junior Assistants, seven Assistants, and two Senior Assistants. As the program continues to grow, participants may have opportunities to take on expanded responsibilities in areas such as community outreach, special events, productions, fundraisers, mentorship, and studio projects.

    While the program is currently at capacity, interested students are always welcome to inquire about future opportunities below. As studio needs evolve and leadership positions become available, additional students may be invited to participate and continue the program’s tradition of service, leadership, and professional development.

Meet Our Assistants

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    Ariela Guerrero

    INSTRUCTOR & SENIOR ASSISTANT

    Ariela began her dance journey at Verdi Dance Academy in August 2017, studying ballet before expanding her training to include Modern and Lyrical dance. Her dedication, growth, and passion for teaching led her to become an Assistant Teacher for the Pre-Primary and Melody A-1 classes in Fall 2025.

    In Fall 2026, Ariela advanced to the position of Instructor for the Primary class while continuing her role as Senior Assistant for the Melody A-1 class and Modern 3 class. She is honored to share her love of dance with the next generation of students and remains committed to fostering a positive and inspiring learning environment

  • Candace Hayden

    INSTRUCTOR & SENIOR ASSISTANT

    Candace began dancing at Verdi Academy of Dance at eight years old, starting with ballet and joining modern dance shortly after. She has performed in 20 recitals and has trained in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) curriculum from Grade 1 through Advanced Foundation.

    Candace is a Senior Assistant, assisting Miss Noelia in the Lyrical class, and currently teaches the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) curriculum for the Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced I classes while working toward becoming a certified PBT instructor. Outside of the studio, Candace is a sophomore at New Mexico State University, where she is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Art as she pursues a career as an art therapist.

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    Rosalia Gurley

    ASSISTANT & ADVANCED I STUDENT

    Rosalia is currently a junior at Las Cruces High. She has been dancing at Verdi for 13 years, learning ballet, modern, and lyrical. She has developed a deep passion for dance and working with young dancers. She currently assists with Melody A-1 and Melody A-2 classes, and has also helped with Primary, Grade 1, and Grade 2 in the past.

    She she enjoys helping students build confidence, improve their skills, and have fun while learning. Through the Student Leadership Program, Rosalia strives to be a supportive role model and create a positive, encouraging environment for every dancer.

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    Aubree Kane

    ASSISTANT & INTERMEDIATE STUDENT

    Aubree has been dancing for six years and has developed a strong passion for dance, performance, and helping others grow as dancers. As a member of the Student Leadership Program, she assists with Melody A-2, Melody B, and Grade 1 classes, where she enjoys encouraging younger dancers, building their confidence, and creating a positive and supportive learning environment. Through her dedication, leadership, and love of dance, Aubree strives to be a positive role model both in and out of the classroom.

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    Ruby Kohler

    ASSISTANT & ADVANCED I STUDENT

    Ruby is a high school senior who has been dancing at Verdi Academy of Dance since age eight. She has taken ballet, modern, and lyrical style dance as well as a few jazz classes. She has a blue belt in taekwondo and hopes to someday obtain a black belt.

    Through the years, she has grown to love performing and become more confident. Being an assistant teacher has been a joy in her life. Ruby finds it very rewarding and encouraging to see young dancers progress and mature. She has assisted with Primary, Grade 1, and Grade 2. Teaching has taught her patience and compassion. She strives to share her love of dance with everyone and help build the foundations for more great dancers to arise.

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    Jamee-Lynn Pacheco

    ASSISTANT & INTERMEDIATE STUDENT

    Jamee-Lynn is a junior at Centennial High School and has been dancing since she was 4 years old, starting in Melody A. Dance has always been one of her biggest passions, and she loves sharing that passion with younger dancers. She currently assists with Melody A-2 and Melody B classes, where she enjoys helping children learn, grow, and gain confidence.

    Working with kids is one of her favorite parts of being an assistant teacher, and she loves seeing their excitement and progress each week. Jamee-Lynn is grateful for the opportunity to combine her love of dance with her passion for helping others.

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    Abigail Richardson

    ASSISTANT & INTERMEDIATE STUDENT

    Abigail began dancing with Verdi at the age of 8. She did both ballet and modern classes but took a break from ballet, eventually rejoining at 15 years old. In the absence of ballet, her love grew for modern dance and would eventually expand into assisting Ms. Noelia with her classes, Modern 1 and 2. As a part of the Student Leadership Program she expands her love of modern dance to the young dancers she assists.

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    Elisheva Sanchez-Garcia

    ASSISTANT & ADVANCED I STUDENT

    Elisheva is a junior at Arrowhead Park Early College High School and is expected to graduate with an Associates Degree in Science. She started ballet at the age of 2 and fell in love with it since then. In addition to ballet, she’s cross-trained in tap, jazz, hip hop, and most recently, lyrical. She has shown a great passion and love for dance, and has chosen to pass this down by helping teach our younger ballerinas in Melody A-1. She states that: “Teaching these little dancers has taught me patience, discipline, leadership, and most importantly to appreciate the hard work and time our teachers put into shaping us into these beautiful and amazing ballerinas.”

Interested in joining our Student Leadership Program?

Requirements:

  • Must be a current Verdi Academy of Dance student.

  • Junior Assistants - 10-14 years old (Grade 4+)

  • Assistants - 15-17 years old

  • Senior Assistants - 18+

Our Student Leadership Program is currently full. By submitting this form, you are requesting to be added to our waitlist.

If a space becomes available, students will be contacted in the order they were added to the list. Families will receive an email with additional information and next steps if a spot becomes available.

Please complete the form to be added to the waitlist.