Daniel Avila has more than 21 years of dance experience. He started dancing at the age of 14 after becoming a member of the Dos Palos High School "Spirit Team".
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Daniel continued his interest in cheer and dance as a member of the Merced College Spirit Team.
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At the age of 19, he began training in jazz with Eileen Peterson at Steps Dance Studio in Atwater, CA. He praises the efforts of Miss Eileen for directing his attention towards a scholarship opportunity with Merced Academy of Dance.
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While there, Daniel trained in ballet under Jane Vann-Bryan and Jennifer Hobbs. As a member of the Merced Civic Ballet Company, Daniel performed roles in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Carmen, and Stars and Stripes.
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In the fall of 2008, Daniel moved to Sacramento to attend California State University, Sacramento to study history and continued his love for dance by training and performing in several CSUS Theater and Dance Department shows. He studied jazz with Lisa Ross, ballet with former New York City Ballet soloist Nolan T'Sani, and modern dance with Melissa Wynn, Lorelei Bayne, Randee Paufve and Philip Flickinger.
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Daniel has also performed at the Sacramento Kings halftime show and performed lead roles in Ballets shows as a guest artist.
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Daniel graduated from CSUS in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. He has a choreography award from Sacramento State University for his piece “Hey Un Lugar”.
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Daniel has choreographed for local Sacramento dance studios as well as cheer gyms and dance teams in Northern California. Daniel has also won awards for his choreography from such dance competitions as the Starbound National Talent Competition, Celebrity Dance, Hollywood Dance Connection, and Spotlight Dance Cup. He was also was nominated for a People Choice Award in 2018.
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Daniel has coached a national winning dance team for 12 years, winning several regional and championship competitions along with three national titles.
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Daniel won Rookie of the year in 2014 from the United Spirit Association for the Song/Pom Program. He judges both spirit and dance competitions in California, and Mexico. Daniel is also currently an instructor for the United Spirit Association.
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He teaches dance at many local dance studios.