ABOUT OUR TEAM
The University Preparatory School Dance Team, coached by Marissa Kinneavy, is an elite group of dancers chosen by audition to promote school spirit, provide entertainment at various campus and community events, and represent our school at dance competitions. The mission of this team is to provide dancers with a successful and meaningful educational dance experience. Team members will have personal goals of high academic achievement, improving their dance skills and abilities, learning effective time management, gaining leadership qualities, and developing life-long social skills of team members.
The dancers part of the school side of the High School dance team are in
9th-12th grades, and only participate in local school and community events
The competition side of the High School dance team attends travel competitions and conventions on top of participating in all school side events
ABOUT OUR
COACH!
Marissa grew up in Redding, graduating from Shasta High School in 1995. She then attended the University of California at Irvine, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Sociology. Marissa moved back to Redding and immediately began teaching dance at Redding Dance Centre and choreographing for Kids Unlimited, Shasta College, and a traveling competitive dance team. Marissa was a part of The Dance Project for 5 years where she was a dancer, dance captain, and choreographer for the company. Marissa stays current with her teaching by attending numerous workshops and conventions throughout the year.
Marissa Kinneavy
Meet our Seniors!
Alyssa Brown
Alyssa Brown is the last original dancer from the founding high school competitive dance team created in 2013. She had the honor of joining and growing with this incredible dance team since her seventh grade year making this her sixth year on team. Alyssa has been dancing for 15 years where she has grown and developed into a well rounded dancer in all genres of dance. Within this dance team she has participated in the USA Varsity Spirit Dance Camp where she has received the All American Award for four consecutive years. As her high school journey come to an end, Alyssa hopes to dance for Disney and continue her love for dance throughout college.
Audrie Reuss
Hi! My name is Audrie Reuss. I have been attending Uprep since Freshman year, and this will be my 3rd year a part of the Uprep Dance Team. I have been dancing for about 5 years, and am currently take classes at Redding Dance Center. My favorite part of being on the dance team is experiencing and taking classes at dance conventions. Along with dance team, I am also a track and tennis athlete.
Hannah Dreschel
Hannah Drechsel has been in the dance department for 7 years now and on dance team for three years and has loved every moment of it. She used to dance at Redding Dance Centre for 8 years and recently started to dance in U-Prep’s musicals, the first being last year in the production of The Wizard of Oz. She is ASB secretary for her final year at U-Prep and also has established a deep love for books throughout her life. She’s so excited to see what this last season of dance team holds and knows this season will be fantastic.
Nyah Blais
Hi my name is Nyah Blais, I am 17 years old and a senior at Uprep High School. I am the oldest of 6 kids in my family. I have been dancing for about 10 years and have loved it ever since I started. Outside of dancing my favorite pastimes are taking pictures, spending time with friends and listening to music.
