Our Story

In 2006, Kristen Furino became the Head Coach of the Calabasas High School Dance Program. When she joined the family, there were only two levels of dance. In 2007, Mrs. Furino created a competitive level, giving dancers the opportunity to compete against local high schools. Fast forward to today, and Mrs. Kristen Furino has built an incredible program for dancers of all training levels - Dance 1, Dance 2, Dance 3, and Dance Team! The CHS Dance Program gives students a more intimate connection to their school, with performance opportunities during pep rallies, football games, basketball games, and Winter and Spring Concerts.

A  N O T E  F R O M  M R S .  F U R I N O

Dear Family, Friends, and Community Members,

For many years, the Calabasas High School Dance Program has been bringing the joy of dance to the CHS community. The longstanding goal of our program is to provide a well-rounded education for the beginning dancer to the advanced emerging professional. The CHS Dance Program aims to create motivated dancers who not only strive for technical excellence, but who are also creative and passionate about dance. Students from all four levels of dance take part in creating innovative choreography, developing an artistic eye by integrating technical skill with visual concepts. Students learn about hard work, dedication, communication, and determination as they additionally develop strong friendships that will last for years to come. Perhaps most importantly, students gain a sense of belonging at Calabasas High School by being a part of our “dance family.”

​Thank you for your interest in the CHS Dance Program!
​-Kristen Furino

T H E   T E A M

Our Coaches

Kristen Furino - Head Coach

Mrs. Kristen Furino grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA and trained in multiple styles of dance at Bobbie's School of Performing Arts.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, where she danced with the Orchesis Dance Company for four years.  Mrs. Furino began her teaching career teaching American Sign Language at San Luis Obispo High School.  In 2006, her twin passions for education and dance collided when she was offered a teaching position in the field of dance at Calabasas High School.  She then went on to complete her Master’s Degree in School Counseling at California Lutheran University.  Mrs. Furino is dedicated to providing a top quality dance program for the Calabasas High School community.  Along with her colleagues in the Performing Arts Department, she is deeply appreciative to the community and school district for their support of the arts.

Annie Margolis - Competition Coach

Annie Margolis graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2021 where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Dance. During her time at Cal Poly, she performed as a member and served as an intern of the Orchesis Dance Company for two years and was awarded the Sonia Sandoval Memorial Award for her dedication to the Cal Poly Dance Program. Annie is from Calabasas and was a 4-year member of the Calabasas Dance Team from 2014-2017. She is excited and grateful to be back for a third year as a part of the CHS Dance coaching staff where she continues to grow and to share her passion for dance with the program.  

Alexandra Yonkovich - Competition Coach

Aria Terango - Competition Coach

Influenced by both her competitive and artistic experiences, Alex Yonkovich continues to build her dance career as a performer, choreographer, and educator. She earned her BFA in Dance from The University of Arizona (2015) and has since performed in all spaces of the dance industry. 
Alex’s performance credits include full-time ensemble dancer and soloist in The Beatles LOVE by Cirque Du Soleil, where she assumed dance captain and artist coach as well as several events presented by Cirque Du Soleil, performing with both Hans Zimmer and Jewel. Alex has had the opportunity to perform excerpts from Alexander Ekman’s “A Swan Lake " and Jessica Lang’s work for Francesca Zambello’s production of Aida (LA Opera). Now based in Los Angeles, Alex’s additional experiences include working with Walk The Moon, Paris Jackson, Lainey Wilson, Let’s Make A Deal, Dancing with the Stars: Showstoppers, and Target as she continues to teach and to choreograph all across the country.
Alex has spent additional time training with Galen Hooks Method Pro-Intensive, River North Dance Chicago, Interlochen Arts Camp, Brockus Dance Project, and Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop. Her dedication to performance quality as well as technique in jazz, modern, contemporary, and the commercial dance has allowed her to not only implement variety into her work as a performer but dedicate her time to teaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Aria Terango grew up in Calabasas, CA and received her versatile dance training from Bobbie’s School of Performing Arts. Aria graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and Neuroscience. Aria aspires to combine her passions for dance and science to ensure injury-prevention and advocate for athletes as a physician. She signed with the Movement Talent Agency (MTA) in 2013 and has performed in music videos, commercials, movies, and TV shows, such as dancing on This is Us and Dancing with the Stars and assisting choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance. Aria is currently starting her second season as an NFL Cheerleader with the Los Angeles Rams. She has taught dance to disabled students through the Expressive Movement Initiative, to underserved children at the Guadalupe Community Center, and to dancers in Japan with the Rams. Aria is very excited to be back at Calabasas High School and have the opportunity to spread her love for dance and teaching with the students.