Arikka Harakal

My name is Arikka Harakal and I live in Waxahachie, Texas.  I was born in Germany due to my parents being in the military.  At the age of nine, I moved to Wichita Falls, Texas and heavily pursued my cheer and dance career. At Dupree Dance I won a tap scholarship to a week long intensive in New Orleans, LA. At Pro Action I also won a scholarship to the Broadway Dance Studio in New York City for a week as well. Spending time on the convention circuit developed a unique power style that compliments my personality and natural movement style.

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​I am a former Universal Dance Association (UDA) and Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) head instructor and staff member, working for over 15 years.  I had the pleasure of working with many high school, college, and international teams during my time with Varsity, Inc.  The company gave me the  opportunity to choreograph summer camp material, chaperone the H.E.B Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade All-Americans, and judge at the international and national levels.

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​As the former Spirit Coordinator at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), I supervised the entire cheer and mascot program.  This included the Coed and All-Girl program, which I started in 2015. While there I took home several national awards at the UCA Collegiate National Championship and International Worlds Collegate Championship. 

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During my stint at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, where I was the cheer and dance team Spirit Coordinator. I took both teams to the NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.  In 2011 Intermediate All-Girl Cheer the team made finals and took home 6th place. 

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​I currently teach at Red Oak High School where I also coach the High School Cheer Team.  I work at RISE Performing Arts Center teaching junior high and high school jazz and beginner and intermediate AcroDance.  On the weekends, you can find me choreographing for many other teams across the country. I'm well versed in many styles including: pom, hip hop, contemporary, jazz, and kick. I specialize in Game Day Cheer and Dance choreography.

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Education & Certifications 

- Masters in Sports Management

- B.A. in Dance Performance

- Texas Teaching Certification Dance 8-12 & Physical Education

- AACCA Certified

- AcroDance Teacher Certification (in progress)

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