Here at Yorba Linda High School, we have many students who share their passion in different ways, whether it be through performing on stage or putting all their energy onto the football field. For Izzy Lazzarinetti (11), her passion lies in dancing, which she expresses through teaching.
It is always so inspiring to see our very own students using teaching as their outlet to grow in their passion, and Izzy is doing just that.
Izzy Lazzarinetti is a junior at YLHS who has always had a passion for dance. Recently, Izzy has gotten to work her dream job as a dance teacher for musical theatre fundamentals at the Yorba Linda Spotlight Theater Company. I got the chance to interview Izzy and ask her about her experience as a youth dance teacher and how this experience so far has impacted her life and view on her passion for dance.
Ever since she was a little girl, Izzy Lazzarinetti has been a part of shows and dance classes at Yorba Linda Spotlight. Izzy would also help assistant teach dance classes there as volunteer work. So when she was offered a job as a dance teacher for musical theatre fundamentals for 6-12 year olds at the beginning of 2025, she jumped at the opportunity.
Izzy loves her job as a dance teacher and says it is an experience that she does not take for granted. She emphasizes that her favorite parts of the job are “getting to hear the kids laugh and enjoy dance as much as [she] does,” and getting to “watch the kids nail moves they had been trying to perfect.” Izzy feels that theatre and dance are so important to share with children because she feels that, unlike other types of dance, musical theatre dance at its core has so many different techniques and can help grow a kid’s confidence. “I think theatre for kids is so important since it shares different techniques and skills a regular dance class wouldn’t teach you.” Izzy feels it is also important because the children learn self-confidence and love for the arts through theatre and dance.
Lastly, I asked Izzy how being a youth dance teacher has impacted her. Izzy beamed while saying, “This has been a dream job of mine ever since I remember starting dance. I have always had a passion for working with kids, so getting to combine two of my favorite things (dance and teaching) as a job reminds me why I love what I do.”
It is so inspiring to see our very own YLHS students getting to work their dream jobs, and even more inspiring to see them continue to pursue what they love. Another YLHS alumni, Sierra Jones (A), has also had the privilege to work as a musical theatre teacher for 5-8 year olds at Yorba Linda Spotlight. Sierra says that teaching is such an amazing opportunity to share your passion and it is so heartwarming “getting to see children have the same spark for theatre that [she] had when [she] was a little girl.”
We are so proud of Izzy for getting to pursue what she loves! Good luck, Izzy! We cannot wait to see what stars you make out of this amazing opportunity!
