By Jenna Walter
Staff Writer
Sarah Dandra is the new coach for Mira Costa’s JV dance team. Dandra started working with the team at the beginning of the summer and will continue to coach the team throughout the year.
Dandra danced at a competitive level for 13 years, but has been dancing for a total of 23 years. The bulk of her dance career was in college, but she worked as a performer for the Los Angeles Lakers after graduating.
“Out of high school I continued teaching [and] joined the hip hop team at my college, University of Arizona,” Dandra said. “I then got to have the experience of a lifetime and dance for the Los Angeles Lakers as a Laker Girl for 2 seasons.”
Dandra’s biggest strength is that she is understanding of her students and the trust that runs both ways. She is always open to suggestions from her students and makes sure to adapt and learn according to sophomore JV Dance Lead, Josie McCalla.
“Though I have taught high-school-aged dancers for years, this is [the] first high school dance team that I have coached, so the way the team runs has been an exciting learning process,” Dandra said. “Through [my] years of teaching, I have learned that taking the time to get to know each individual as a person, and not just as a dancer, is very important.”
Although Dandra has not been coaching the team for long, according to McCalla, she has made a big impact on her students which is important for creating a unified and successful team.
“Sarah is so nice, yet a great coach because she is on us,” McCalla said. “She isn’t afraid to tell us what we’re doing wrong, but she is encouraging.”
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