About Lynnrae Hiers
Lynnrae Hiers has danced for 23 years. Her love for dance started with her dance Instructor Terry Schulke at J.P.D. She went on to win various awards such as Ms. K.A.R. and Ms. Showbiz and scholarships at L.A. Underground. Lynnrae trained with Keri LaGrande (Tremaine), Julie Rhoton, and Sharee Giles who help form her technical background. She later won Performer of the year with LA/San Diego Dance Company, Unity, as an assistant to Tessandra Chavez, a Grammy award-winning choreographer. She also signed with an agency in LA called Dorothy Day Otis. Lynnrae was hired by Sharon Keller, an amazing tap instructor/choreographer and 40-year dance studio owner at San Diego Dance Centre in 2003. She worked there for 14 years, where she trained Sophia Lucia who broke the world record for 55 pirouettes in the Guinness World of Records.
Lynnrae has trained dancers who have become mothers, danced with Cirque de Soleil, been in music videos, toured with popular artists, danced with Disney, danced on cruise ships, danced in New York, and danced on college dance teams such as Pace University, SDSU, GCU, UCSB, Chapman, ASU, Univ of Washington, and Penn State. She has also trained dancers who are now Laker girls, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and dancers for the Phoenix Suns. Many of Lynnrae’s students are dance instructors themselves.
She has now been teaching in San Diego for 23 years and is known as the “Turns Coach”. She teaches masterclasses for Turns at various studios, colleges, high schools and with Aerial Achievements. Lynnrae’s specialty, obsession, and passion is to teach students how to turn. She enjoys teaching privates and continues to share her passion for dancing.
About Mia
Mia Basila is originally from San Diego California where she has been dancing for 14 years. Growing up she attended Signature Dance Academy, and Poway High school where she won many National championships. She has worked and trained with Lynnrae Hiers for 3 years. She's moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University where she is a member on the dance team. She aims to help the next generation find college programs and help train to become a collegiate athlete like herself. She has also assisted at numerous dance conventions including Pulse and Revel. Mia has worked with Rhianna, Ava Max, and Penny Bird Rabbit, in music videos and live performances. (Super Bowl) Mias style is very dynamic and texturized. She has choreographed for High school dance teams and studios doing solos, small groups, and large groups in multiple styles including: Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Pom. She like finding ways to move her body that are unique and different. Above all else, Mia takes immense pride in being a role model to young dancers, offering them an example of hard work and commitment to one’s craft. She believes that all dancers must train like athletes. Mia strives to train the next generation of passionate and kind dancers by motivating them to display their true selves and to show that dance is limitless.
About Sophia
Sophia DeRienzo is 19 years old, and she began taking dance classes at the age of three. Over the following 16 years, she has trained in the genres of contemporary, lyrical, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro, ballet, and pointe. Throughout her years in competitive dance, she was awarded KAR National Champion twice, Countdown National Title winner, won numerous 1st overall placements and title winner at regional competitions, as well as being a part of 10 national award-winning tap duets and a variety of groups including contemporary, jazz, hip hop and lyrical. In 2017 Sophia was honored to be part of an exceptional group of girls who tapped their way to an Industry Dance Award. In 2018 and 2019, she was selected to be a member of the United States National Tap Company, competing at the IDO Championships in Germany and bringing home 3 silver and 1 bronze medal for her trio and small groups, as well as taking 6th place in the world as a soloist for Team USA. Sophia was a 4-year member of the Cathedral Catholic High School Varsity Dance Team, playing a pivotal role in the team being crowned the 2023 WCE National Grand Champions. Sophia trained under Ms. Lynnrae Heirs over the past 12 years, perfecting her turn technique to the point that she is now a featured dancer on The Penn State University Lionettes Dance Team. This past year, her team took 3rd place overall in the D1A Pom division at the 2024 UDA National Dance competition. Sophia loves mentoring young dancers, helping them train for competition dance, as well as preparing those dancers interested in pursuing a future on a collegiate dance team. Since she has recently navigated the process of becoming a collegiate dancer, she knows exactly what it takes to be on a college team and is committed to helping young dancers like herself accomplish their dreams. Sophia aspires to be a role model to all dancers who are training and working hard to reach their highest potential, and she is ready to help anyone wanting to explore this exciting journey!
About Nalani
Nalani has studied many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and some tap. She has had the opportunity to learn from many instructors that are prominent in the dance industry including Kyle Hanagami, Whitney Bezzant, Dee Caspary, Brittany Markle and many more. She has also trained under the amazing Lynnrae Hiers Serra for turn technique for over 4 years. Nalani has competed at many regionals and national’s competitions and conventions throughout her over ten years of studio dance, winning multiple awards and scholarships. She has also had the opportunity to assist many of her mentors and help inspire many dancers. Nalani graduated from San Diego State University where she majored in Kinesiology with a focus on Pre-Physical Therapy. Nalani spent four years on Nationally Winning SDSU Dance Team and served as their Dance Club Secretary for three years. Nalani has taught at Ooh La La Dance Academy and Project Performer. Nalani recently served as a dance team coach for San Dieguito Academy High School. Nalani has enjoyed various roles in dance, from student dancer, to choreographer, director and mentor. Nalani is currently pursuing her doctorates in Physical Therapy at UC San Francisco.”
I strive to inspire and share my love for dance for every student I encounter and I'm grateful to just be a part of their dance journey."
About Kodi
Kodi Hightower is originally from San Diego, California where she has been dancing for 18 years. Growing up she trained at San Diego Dance Centre and attended Poway High School where she won many national championships. She has been trained by Lynnrae for 14 years and assisted her at various master classes for the past few years. Kodi attended Arizona State University and was a 4-year member of the dance team. She aims to make the next generation of dancers confident in their turns in order to make their dream high school or collegiate dance team.
