Mrs. Leah Longoria Huggins
Dance Instructor/Department Director
Mrs. Huggins teaches Dance I, Dance Pathway, and directs the Bisonettes Varsity Drill Team while also assisting Sunset Dance Company
Leah Longoria Huggins was raised in McKinney, TX, where she attended McKinney North High School. As a member of the drill team, the North Stars, Leah served as a junior and senior officer. While on North Stars she received high honors as the co-captain of the kick team and co-choreographer for the spring show Viva Las Vegas.
Staying close to home Leah attended Collin County Community College in Plano, TX. Leah was a part of the resident modern/contemporary dance company Collin Dance Ensemble. CDE exposed Leah to the world of modern and contemporary dance which allowed her to artistically explore and express herself. While on CDE Leah performed throughout the DFW area as well as attended master classes by Robert Battle of Alvin Ailey, and locals Michelle Hanlon and Ronnelle Eddings of Elle Danceworks. Leah performed numerous pieces in CDE's end of the year Spring Fling and received the Directors Choice Award.
Leah completed her Bachelors Degree in Dance from Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. During college Leah was a staff member with award winning Prodigy Dance and Performing Arts Studio in Plano, TX. Leah also judges dance/drill competitions for Danceline Productions and HTE Dance. Leah has and continues to choreograph routines for various DFW schools annually.
Leah was a five year member of Dallas Dance Company performing and connecting with amazing people.
Leah currently serves on the board of the North Texas Ballet Folklorico Contest helping high school folklorico programs compete across the state of Texas. She has presented at the TDEA conference multiple times through the years. Recently Leah was nominated for Sunset Teacher of the Year 2023.
Leah has been the Director of Dance at Sunset High School for 13 years. She is currently the Bisonette Varsity Drill Team Director, Dance Company Assistant Director, Dance Pathway and Dance I instructor. She has loved watching the dance program evolve from 76 to 300 students as well as the students who have gone on to college dance programs. She is married to her high school sweetheart Rylie, they have two children and reside in Preston Hollow.
Mrs. Ashley Armstrong
Dance Instructor/Director
Mrs. Armstrong teaches Dance I, Dance II, and directs the Bison Belles JV Drill Team while also assisting Bisonettes Varsity Drill Team
Ashley Armstrong grew up in Richardson, Texas, and fell in love with dance at a very young age. She received the bulk of my training at Talent 'N More Dance Center. Competing with this studio gave her the flexibility to also be involved in dance at her middle school and high school. In high school she was a member of the Bandolera Drill Team at L.V. Berkner High School. She lettered three years at Berkner, and served as line officer her junior and senior year. Being a Bandolera provided her the opportunity to perform at the Dallas World Cup, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Good Morning America.
After graduating high school in 2004, she continued her dance education for two years at Collin County Community College. In 2006, she moved to Columbia, South Carolina to complete her under graduate degree at Columbia College. Residing in Columbia she performed in debut and repertoire dance works with the Power Company as an apprentice dancer. As a collegiate dancer she served on the Columbia College Dance Company Board, as the Historian and Producer. Ashley was also chosen to represent the company at ACDFA her senior year. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography in 2009.
Upon returning to Texas, Ashley continued her passion for dance. She was reunited with Dallas Dance Company where she held the position of Artistic Director. Previously, she performed as a principal dancer with Dallas Dance from 2004-2006. Being back in her home state she has been humbled and blessed with the opportunity to instruct, choreograph and adjudicate for numerous studios and schools in North Texas. She has a passion for teaching and helping kids gain knowledge and confidence so they can become successful individuals.
She currently resides in the North Dallas area with her husband, Jamison and two sons, Tripp and Jett. In her spare time she continues to teach in studios and schools requesting lessons, choreography and adjudication. Ashley is beyond excited for her first year with Sunset High School Dance Department!
Mr. Fernando Rocha
Dance Instructor/Director
Mr. Rocha teaches Dance I-IV and directs Sunset Dance Company
Throughout high school, Fernando was given the opportunity to co-direct for his ninth grade dance company and choreograph for his highschool dance team along with other high schools amongst his school district. Fernando was also a founding member of De La Rosa Dance Company and was under the mentorship of Elisa De La Rosa located here in Houston, DLRDC is a non-profit organization that outreaches the youth community by emphasizing the importance of creative freedom and artistry. Fernando was also an invitational guest artist at the Waco 504 Festival in 2017 and performed at the NDEO conference in San Antonio, Tx and is currently still performing around the U.S in several dance festivals. Fernando went on to continue his dance education by attending Stephen F. Austin State University where he was a member of the prestigious Stephen F. Austin State University Dance Teams.Fernando then came home and acquired his dance degree from The University of St.Thomas Houston under the direction of Jennifer Mabus.Currently, Fernando travels nationally and internationally adjudicating/Teaching/Dancing and presenting for multiple dance competitions/conferences/festivals and is also a full-time dance teacher at Sunset High School where he is also the director of the sunset dance company.Fernando believes in educating through the goal of achieving healthy dance practices that promote artistry and longevity in dance! Fernando is excited to be a part of the Sunset High School Dance Department.