Hear what our alumni dancers and parents are saying...
Hollywood Dance Intensive was such an amazing experience. I learned so much over the weekend and had so much fun! I learned how to properly audition, about working with an agent, I learned how to make a slate and so much more! the photoshoot was my favorite part. I didn’t feel super comfortable in the outfit I had at first but Chi and William helped me find something that made me feel like a total rockstar! It was hard going into it being one of the youngest ones. but Chi and everyone on the HDI staff made me feel so comfortable and they were all so supportive and kind. I feel like a stronger more confident dancer because of HDI! Camryn Clifton, 2024
I just wanted to thank you again so much for this weekend! Before HDI, I was terrified to walk into a hip hop class and I wanted to thank you again for bringing something out of me that I didn’t know I could bring out of myself! This was truly a life changing weekend and I am so thankful for you and everything that you do for the dance community. Alyssa Vermette, 2024
First thank you for another great year! I know you put so much effort into this event and it gets better every year. My daughter said this was the best HDI yet. She said she made so many new friends and connections with students all around the region. Every time we attend a convention or competition my daughter will talk to people she met at HDI. My child truly loves people and she loves when her dance community expands. So thank you for giving them the opportunity to meet people in dance from all around. I also want to mention McKenna the Titans cheerleader, your HDI Intern. Wow, what a great representative to have in your program. She was like a big sister to all the girls and she was so kind to all the moms. Super person to have on your team. I also want to mention a participant named Cara. She showed so much kindness to all the girls all weekend. I know she was there as a dancer but she was so sweet. As a parent, I never have to worry about taking my child to anything you are associated with. The teachers were outstanding and we all learned so much. -Candra Carroll, HDI Dancer’s Mom, Teen/Adult 2023
Chi, I can’t even begin to explain how immensely grateful I am for you & this past weekend! You took a chance on me a year ago and it started my whole professional career. And for that I am forever grateful. Because of you I have met so many amazing people and connections in TN. Your love & support for me over this past year and especially this weekend means the absolute world to me. You truly are so so amazing! You have a heart of gold and do everything in your power to help further the next generations of dancers/creators/artists. You offer something truly different with HDI and something so many young dancers don’t get to experience at their age. I seriously have no words for my gratitude for you, HDI, and everything you’ve done & have helped me with. Forever blessed to have you in my life! Love you big & thank you a million! -Regina Lombardo, Teen/Adult HDI 2023
“Hollywood Dance Intensive pushed me closer to where I want to be in my dance career... I gained helpful insight and connections with real dancers and industry professionals that I can build on! Shy Dance Productions knows exactly where you need to go and whom you need to meet to get the best training and knowledge of the commercial dance industry of LA.” —Abbey Moody, 2017 HDI Alumni
“I really appreciate the work ethic you’re putting towards dancers who are really serious about their craft! I will take every word that was taught to me and RUN with that courage to really pursue my dreams! Words can't explain how grateful I am for you I would love to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I seriously could cry tears of joy because everything was so surreal in that movement I promise to make you proud!! I have always and will always put God FIRST because then I will never fail and I will always be blessed with beautiful souls like you. NEVER stop your blessings I'll be praying for you just because you’re worth the thought, love you. Thank you again I'M SO EXCITED for my future. Wow is all I can say you’re an amazing mentor.” —Marie Ennis, 2017 HDI Alumni
“Thank you!!! For everything. this trip has meant so much and truly made an impact on my dance career. I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for me over the years! From "Lil Riff Raff" and "Diamonds" to LA/Hollywood....thank you!!! Shy Dance Production's Hollywood Dance Intensive has given me invaluable information, but it has also given me real industry experiences that excited me even more about pursuing a commercial dance career.” —Paiten Wolfe, 2017 HDI Alumni, 2021 MUA, 2022 Faculty
“An experience I will never forget. Truly inspiring and motivational!” — Alexia McEver, 2018 HDI Alumni
"A can't-miss opportunity for anyone looking to pursue a career in the dance industry! HDI will leave you feeling motivated and inspired." --Brienne Barnett, 2017 HDI Alumni
"HDI is a great opportunity to experience what it's like as a professional dancer you get to take classes from well-known choreographers from the dance industry and make friendships along the way. Chi is a great mentor and is very knowledgeable, she offers connections around LA and gives us encouraging advice not only to use in the dance world but also in everyday situations.” —Cassidy Haubner 2017-2021 HDI Alumni
"Ready - Set - Jump... This program will teach you the things you need to be a success in the industry, Learn the most valuable things to achieve your dreams and goals. SHY Productions will get you the best preparation for your journey to success." --David Medeiros, Dance Network
"Chi Lopes brings the reality of the entertainment industry to the heart of Hollywood Dance Intensive. I was so impressed that the talent was so prepared and ready and eager to learn about the business. This is the way to train true professionals. " --Lisa Lindholm, Go2Talent Agency LA
"A motivating experience." --Karynn, Fresh Talent Group (Talent Agency, Nashville TN)
“HDI is truly a special gift to any dancer who dreams big and isn’t afraid to work hard. Chi Lopes guides and shares her professional expertise, dance world knowledge, and experiences with the dancers. This trip gives an invaluable insight to what it takes to become a professional in this industry. From the teachers, photographers, and stylists the dancers work and learn from some of the best in the business. They teach and guide in a way that invokes confidence while pushing the dancers to their very best! My daughter hasn’t stopped talking about her trip. She even asked if she could return next summer before we even made it home. This trip gave my daughter real-life experiences in an industry she is determined to make her profession, all while growing and gaining confidence. It pushed her out of her comfort zone and challenged her to grow as a dancer. Chi is an amazing mentor and leader. I love that she pushes the dancers to dream, but then shows them the path of hard work and what it will take to achieve. She is truly “One-in-a-Million" and I am forever grateful my daughter has her to look up to for guidance in this dance world! “ -- Jennifer Loper, Dance Mom, HDI 2019-2023
“HDI is INSPIRING and CHALLENGING! It is filled with so many fun and exciting moments throughout the week. You find yourself continuing to push yourself harder and harder. You learn so many lessons and what it is like having a professional dance career. I returned home from HDI more confident in myself with a fire lit in me to keep training hard to become the very best version of myself. Having Chi by your side to guide, challenge, and believe in you means the most because she has been where all of us are trying to go. The memories and new friendships that I made during this trip will always be very special to me.” —Savannah Loper, 2019-2023 HDI Alumni
“Being part of the first Pre-Teen Hollywood Dance Intensive with Chi Lopes was an amazing experience for my daughter. The lessons were abundant from the moment we arrived at the airport until the moment we landed in Nashville. I would recommend this trip for any dancer that is looking to grow and gain more experience in becoming a professional dancer. Chi and her team of encouraging, inspiring and motivational professionals provided my daughter with countless lessons and memories.” —Melissa Grimmig, Dance Mom, 2019-2020
“Going on Mrs. Chi’s Hollywood Dance Intensive was such an amazing experience! It opened my eyes to dance life in LA and all over the country. The trip made me see what I can do to benefit myself in the future. It showed me how to take feedback professionally, and use it to help me grow. The choreographers she booked for us were phenomenal. They had helpful critiques and words of wisdom for us dancers and the parents. This trip also allowed me to make lasting friendships, see Hollywood, and have so much fun! I would recommend this to anyone who is even remotely in the field of dance, whether they want to model, act, dance, sing, do photography, etc. I am so grateful for this opportunity that Mrs. Chi created for us!” —Lily Arnold, 2019 HDI Alumni
“I have had the pleasure of participating in Chi Lopes Hollywood Dance Intensive for the past few years. My collaboration and participation in Hollywood Dance Intensive has given me an extraordinary perspective on what it's like to be a professional dancer. Chi Lopes is a mentor to me and has given me all the knowledge I need through her intensive as I advance in my dance career. I cannot say enough about the quality of training you will receive at her program, but also the creative professional photoshoots, along with being a part of music videos similar to what working dancers fulfill in their career! Not only that, Hollywood Dance Intensive provides advice on audition techniques, one on one conversations with a dance agent, and personal overall feedback to grow in this industry. With that being said, Hollywood Dance Intensive is a wonderful choice to jumpstart a career in dance.” --Christian Deshautelle, 2020-2021 HDI Alumni
I grew up dancing in Nashville and later decided to pursue dance at the collegiate and professional levels. As I continued through college and my pro dance team experience, I knew I wanted more. I remember sitting down with Chi at my home studio's dance recital and telling her about how I wanted to go to Los Angeles, but I didn't know the first place to start. She invited me to go to Hollywood Dance Intensive with her in the summer, and in 2019, I got to go on a trip with the people that would soon become some of my closest friends in the dance industry! While at HDI, Chi connected us with so many professionals in the dance industry and gave us the resources we needed to get started with a real commercial dance career. We took several classes, participated in workshops and mock auditions, got professional dance photos taken (including headshots!), met with some of the top dance agents in the world, and toured around the city to learn more about what we were getting ourselves into! If it weren't for HDI, I don't think I would have had the courage to move across the country almost a year ago. And now, I know I have a dance mentor for life in Chi! I couldn't recommend HDI more for young dancers that are ready to take their career to the next level. Love you lots mama Chi! —Corinne Baldwin, 2019 HDI alumni