★   Director's Welcome   ★

Welcome to our 12th annual recital! As we gather to celebrate the art of dance, I am filled with awe, pride, and gratitude for the journey we have shared together at Sierra Canyon Lower School Dance Company.

Twelve years ago, Ashley Rudolph, Adam Horwitz, and I laid the foundation for what would become a thriving dance community. Today we have built strong, confident dancers, some of whom have gone on to dance professionally, major in dance in college, and become dance teachers themselves. Dance Company is a place where performers express themselves, find community, and discover their innermost confidence.

This year I am in awe of our solo, duet, and trio dancers who not only stepped into the spotlight with courage, but choreographed their own dances, pouring their hearts into their work. It takes incredible strength to create and perform in front of an audience and I am so proud of each one of them.

To our Sierra Canyon Class of 2026 alumni, Sahhra Mazaheri, Sadie Onelum, Alexis Ochoa, Sophia Tellis, Eren Yabuki, Mia Stewart, and Lola Nelson. Some of you helped us move chairs in the 6th grade classrooms and room 1A just to make space to dance. You were part of building something that lives on in every dancer who takes the stage today. We are so proud of you.

To each and every one of my dancers, your joy, your passion, and your love of dance inspire me every single day. The hard work you have poured into this show shines in every step you take on that stage today. You are the reason I do this. You are the heart of everything.

Thank you for your continued support. Here's to many more years of dance, growth, and unforgettable memories.

★   Order of Performances   ★

★   Company Photos   ★

Class of 2026

Company A/B

Jr Company

Tiny Toes

Hip Hop

★   The Ashley Rudolph Award   ★

Established 2014

In 2014, a fourth grader named Ashley Rudolph walked into Mr. Horwitz's office with a simple but fearless request: she wanted a dance club at Sierra Canyon Lower School.

What happened next changed everything.

With the vision of a child and the courage to ask for what she saw missing, Ashley helped spark what would become the Lower School Dance Company — beginning in a sixth grade classroom with thirty dancers and a dream. Twelve years later, that dream has grown into four classes, a dedicated dance studio, and over 500 dancers whose lives have been touched by movement, artistry, and community.

The Ashley Rudolph Award is presented each year to a dancer who embodies what Ashley showed us all — that dedication, passion, and an unshakable belief in something bigger can change everything. All it takes is a vision and the guts to ask.

Dedication  ★  Passion  ★  Perseverance  ★  Bravery  ★  Leadership

This year's recipient will be announced live on stage.

★   With Gratitude   ★

This program, this stage, and every moment of magic you witness today would not be possible without the love and dedication of so many remarkable people.

Thank you to Stephanie Rubin, Lindsay Koss, Richard Shapiro, Lisa Ortiz, Garrett Crosby, Ashley Franco, the EDC team, Brenna Miller, Rehani Slipock, Norma Alban Carlson, and Adam Horwitz for your love and support throughout the years. To Sierra Canyon School, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to create a true dance studio experience within your extraordinary arts community.

Mentor Assistants

Zariah Kennedy

Lead Assistant

Ava Cohen

Junior Assistants

Zuri Barnes  ★  Emma Gunny  ★  Nyla Ferrigno  ★  Mia Portman  ★  Chloe Burgis  ★  Ameena Patel  ★  Makayla Sherobeem  ★  Mia Lucid  ★  Madison Rubin

With a special thank you to Zariah Kennedy for her incredible work with our Hip Hop dancers, and to Eden Kwok for her beautiful work with Jr Company and for teaching our dancers the art of K-Pop.

To Madison Markham, thank you for always being a part of Dance Company even when high school gets busy. Thank you for making time for the assistants. The legacy you helped create lives on in every dancer you have mentored.

To all my assistants, thank you for your love and passion for mentoring the younger dancers every single week. For tying shoes, finding socks, and demonstrating dances, I am forever grateful for each and every one of you.

A heartfelt thank you to our backstage team, Eliza Feldman, Sinead Sullivan, Maddie Maya, and Luxe Horwitz for their incredible help keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. And to our backstage parents, Melanie Johnson, Cendy Sherobeem, Alicia El-Tobgy, and Kayla Betbout, thank you for giving your time, your energy, and your love to make this day possible. To all our dance families, thank you for your continued support and love. None of this happens without you.

To my husband Anthony, you have been my biggest cheerleader since day one. You are my reminder to always dream bigger and to never let go of my dreams. None of this would exist without your love, your belief in me, and your unwavering support. Thank you.

To my mom and dad, Wendy and Carl, thank you for supporting my love for dance my entire life. Everything I have built began with the foundation you gave me.

To my precious daughters, Jade and Avril, thank you for inspiring me every single day. I love you more than words can ever express.

And to my incredible dancers, thank you for always dreaming big alongside me. Here's to many more years of dance, growth, and dreams fulfilled.

★   Backstage Crew   ★

Director

Jessica Steinhart

Lighting & Sound

Tom "Murphy" O'Connor

Videographer

Anthony Steinhart

Stage Managers

Eliza Feldman  ★  Sinead Sullivan

Backstage Runners

Jade Steinhart  ★  Avril Steinhart  ★  Madison Markham  ★  Maddie Maya  ★  Luxe Horwitz  ★  Zariah Kennedy

Backstage Parents

Melanie Johnson  ★  Cendy Sherobeem  ★  Alicia El-Tobgy  ★  Kayla Betbout

★   Sierra Canyon Dance Camp 2026   ★