Interview with A.B. Miller Dance Alumna
By: Teresa Esparza
In an interview with Angelika Lopez, class of 2013 alumna from A.B Miller High School, shares her journey of being in the dance program.
Lopez remembers a time when her dance classes became very expensive for her parents. She felt relieved when she was able to invest herself into a program that offers extraordinarily training at A.B Miller High School. Further, having had the opportunity to take other professional classes with different dance artists like Wynesha Garner-Groce from Elevate Dance Studio and Anthony Louie Languren who was attending Loyola Marymount University at the time majoring in dance as well as LA Rams Cheerleader Quinton Peron, plus many more.
This is a free program at A.B Miller High School that Angelika was in from 2009 to 2013. Angelika among other students took a deep dive into the art of dance leading them to connect what they learned into the media and the entertainment industry. Lopez explains:
"Students are encouraged to dive into dance curriculum while also learning how to connect dance as an art form, to the media and as entertainment."
She explains why the program is important to her, which pushed her to further her education. She tells me that A.B Miller Dance program is the reason she went to a four-year university. Angelika is currently in a masters program earning her teaching credentials.
''[...] So that I too teach and make a large impact like Dance director Nicole Robinson,'' she mentions.
Later starting her own dance company ''Breed International Dance Company," performs locally for the City of Fontana, private events, weddings and birthday parties.
Lopez said, "I attribute my company success to the foundation and education that Millers Dance Program provided me."
Miller's dance educator, Nicole Robinson, gave unconditional support to her students for their success. Lopez begins to explain the many concerning changes that have been mentioned through social media.
"These students DESERVE this program" she posts via Twitter.
The beginning level classes have been minimized due to a dance teacher position that is no longer being filled, losing four classes that each hold around 25 students. With fewer classes, the amount of students needed to move up in the program will be at a decline causing it to fade.
The Fontana Unified School District has replied on the matter concerning the minimization of classes,
"Due to an increased demands in other programs, we have opted not to fill the position at this time. However, this program will continue to receive site/district support".
They continued saying:
"We want to assure you that we have no plans to eliminate the dance program from AB Miller. The administration at AB Miller and the district recognizes the importance of the dance program and as such, we have no plans to stop offering the classes".
Lopez is very concerned because not only is the program a safe place for students to express themselves without judgement, but it teaches structure and confidence to pursue their dreams. Now more than ever students need a safe place because of the pandemic and students may be experiencing mental health risks with no outlet. This is an opportunity to change a student's life and it is slowly being taken away due to a teaching position not being filled.
The Miller Dance alumni and current students ask to help them fill in the teaching position by contacting the FUSD administration team and A.B Miller High School. You can help by sending an email to President Jason O'Brien at Jason.OBrien@fusd.net or at (909) 561-3225. This program means everything for the students and alumni's. Follow @saveabmillerdance on Instagram for updates and more information.