| FACULTY |

Jackie Millán, Director

​​Jackie Millán is a Fort Worth native. She graduated magna cum laude with her BA in Dance from Hunter College in New York City with department honors in Dance and an academic scholarship. She has danced with MWest & Company, Bolly Dhamaal Dance, imPULSE Dance Project, Cholorock Dance Collective, has presented work as an independent artist, and currently dances with Muscle Memory Dance Theatre (M2DT). Ms. Millán has taught dance in New York, New Jersey, and Texas. She is currently the Assistant Director of Dance at Arlington Heights High School and a certified im=X Pilates instructor. She completed National Dance Institute’s Teaching Artist Training and is the recipient of the Bates Dance Festival Teacher Fellowship Scholarship and the Dance Council of North Texas Dance Educator scholarship. Ms. Millán is currently pursuing an MFA in Dance at Montclair State University.  She is committed to sharing her love of dance with her students and to continue growing as an artist and educator.

Sarah-Grace Closuit, Assistant Director

​Sarah-Grace Closuit grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and is an Arlington Heights Dance alum. She graduated in 2017 from The University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Dance. While at UT she had the privilege of training with Charles Anderson, Natasha Davidson, Erica Gionfriddo, Alex Ketley, and many more. During her time in Austin, she choreographed musicals at Saint Andrews School and did various senior solos. Sarah-Grace has performed in multiple dance styles including, ballet, modern, tap, jazz, musical theater, pointe, and hip hop. She has trained with the Radio City Rockettes and Joy Atkins Bollinger. After graduation, she moved back to Fort Worth and teaches at Monnig Middle School and Casa Manana. Her passion for dance grew in the Heights dance studio and she can't wait to watch it happen for many students to come. This is Sarah-Graces second year with the AHHS Dance Department.

Melinda Cantu, Assistant Director

Melinda Cantu was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas where she trained primarily at Dance Concept. Following high school Melinda continued her training at the University of Central Oklahoma. After receiving her B.F.A in Dance Melinda moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to pursue her professional career. She has worked with artists such as Beyoncé, Afro Jack, The Cataracs, Shwayze, Twista, Victoria Justice and Trace Adkins to name a few. She went on a 2 year World Wide Tour dancing for Sky Blu, from the Grammy Nominated Duo LMFAO. Melinda has worked with many celebrities including, David Arquette, Wilmer Valderrama, George Lopez, Metta World Peace, Jay Leno and was also a featured dancer in Tru TV’s Full Throttle Saloon. She is an adjudicator for various dance competitions and is thrilled to be able to spread her dance knowledge and passion by teaching.  In 2018 she moved back to her home state to be the director of a dance program at a private high school. She is excited to embark on a new journey with the well established dance program at Arlington Heights. Melinda continues to thrive in the professional dance industry and hopes that her love and passion for dance will inspire others to pursue their dreams as well.