The US National Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom Teams are comprised of the most talented dancers in America.
USA Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom are selected dance teams chosen to represent the United States in international competition within the Hip Hop, Jazz, or Pom Performance Cheer Divisions. Teams may represent the United States in multiple divisions depending on the year. 

DANCE COACHING STAFF

DANCE DIRECTOR • STACY SHELTON

Stacy Shelton grew up dancing from a young age and has trained in ballet, jazz/contemporary, hip hop, modern and pom. Stacy graduated from the University of Memphis where she was captain of the 16x National Champion Memphis Pom Squad, winning a hip-hop national championship during her tenure. She also represented the USA and received a silver medal on the US National Hip Hop Team in 2012. She has instructed coaches and dancers across the world; USA, South America, Europe, Aisa, and Australia. Stacy has been with Varsity Spirit for fifteen years in various roles and is currently the Varsity Spirit Dance Director where she oversees all of the company’s dance legacy brands on the scholastic side. In fall of 2016, Stacy was appointed Director of Dance for USACheer, a role in which she still holds today, helping provide choreography, technique, and training for some of the top programs in the nation while leading them to compete on the international stage. Stacy has had various experiences as a choreographer as well as a judge from high school/college tryouts, regionals, and international judging. Stacy resides in her home state of Sweet Home Alabama.

ASSISTANT DANCE DIRECTOR • LIZZY HOWARD

Over the last 10 years, Lizzy has coached, choreographed and adjudicated in many different facets within the dance industry. While still in Idaho she founded Eminence, a competitive hip hop program at her local studio. Currently, Lizzy is the Program Director for the National Dance Alliance. Along with NDA, Lizzy continues to choreograph many all-star, high school and college programs representing at state, national and collegiate championships. In 2023, Lizzy accepted the position of Assistant Dance Director for USA Cheer to coach the US National Dance Teams. She is beyond grateful to continue her dance journey coaching, choreographing, adjudicating and speaking at coaches conferences across the nation!

HIP HOP HEAD COACH • BRANDI SLADE

Brandi Slade is a highly accomplished and respected coach, known for her dedication to the sport of dance and her extensive experience within the Las Vegas community and beyond. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Brandi’s journey into dance and coaching began early. A former member of the UNLV Rebel Girls, Brandi danced with the team from 2010 to 2014, where she honed her skills and built a foundation that would propel her into a successful coaching career. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Brandi transitioned into coaching, bringing her expertise and passion to the next generation of dancers.

As a coach, Brandi has been integral to the success of the UNLV Rebel Girls, working in conjunction with Marca DeCastrovere to lead the team to numerous national titles. Under their leadership, the Rebel Girls have claimed the Division 1A Hip Hop National Championship in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2025, as well as multiple Division 1A Gameday National Championships in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
Beyond UNLV, Brandi has played a significant role in the Las Vegas dance community, working with a variety of dance teams, from all-star programs to high school and college teams across the country. She also coached the ICU US National Hip Hop Teams to two consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023, further solidifying her status as a top-tier coach in the competitive dance world.

Her extensive experience and ability to connect with dancers of all levels have made her a sought-after mentor, fostering growth and excellence within the dance community. Brandi’s leadership, vision, and commitment to developing dancers have established her as a respected figure both locally and nationally. She continues to inspire and push teams to reach new heights, both on and off the floor, shaping the future of competitive dance.

HIP HOP ASSISTANT COACH • CIERRA SLADE AKA “STORM”

Cierra Slade, better known as Storm, is proud to serve as the newest assistant coach for both the UNLV Rebel Girls & Company. Through passion, advocacy, and empathy, she fosters strong connections with athletes, families, and the larger community, leading with authenticity and creating a lasting impact.

As a former member of the UNLV Rebel Girls & Company from 2017 to 2022, Storm earned her degree in Kinesiology while making a significant impact in the dance world. During her time on the team, she played a key role in securing multiple championship titles, including the 2017 Red Bull Bracket Reel, several D1A Game Day national titles from 2018 to 2021, two D1A Hip Hop national titles in 2018 and 2019, and two ICU World Championships in 2022 and 2023. She also made a few appearances at prestigious events such as World of Dance, Set It Off, and more.

In her first year as an assistant coach, the team reclaimed two titles at the UDA College Nationals, securing both a Hip Hop and Game Day title. Beyond coaching, she is expanding her choreography career by collaborating with local high schools, competitive crews, and out-of-state all-star teams. Ultimately, Storm is a passionate coach committed to inspiring the next generation of athletes, leaving a lasting impact on both individuals and the larger community. She is excited to witness how the dance scene continues to evolve.

HIP HOP ASSISTANT COACH • FRANCO PARAISO

Franco Paraiso is a professional choreographer and dance teacher from Las Vegas, NV. He is also the Assistant Coach of the UNLV Rebel Girls and Company.

He has won several UDA National Championships in the D1A Hip Hop and Game Day division. He has also claimed a couple of top 3 finishes as a choreographer at NDTC.

If Franco is not teaching a class, or filming his next project, you can probably find him dancing in the kitchen with his fiancée and dog.

HIP HOP DIRECTOR • MARCA DECASTROVERDE

Marca Decastroverde is an accomplished dancer and coach with a long history of dedication to the art of dance and a passion for leadership in the dance community. Beginning her dance journey in Missouri at the age of three, Marca honed her skills as a competitive dancer until 18, competing at the highest levels and establishing a strong foundation in dance performance and technique.

Following her competitive dance career, Marca continued to pursue her passion for dance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she became a proud member of the prestigious UNLV Rebel Girls Dance Team. Throughout her college years, she contributed to the team’s success while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2022.

After graduation, Marca transitioned into coaching, serving as the assistant coach for the UNLV Rebel Girls Dance Team for two years. During her tenure, she has overseen the growth and success of the program as the Head Coach and now Director, leading the team to multiple accomplishments. Under her guidance, she also created the Company, the all male team to join the Rebel Girls and achieved outstanding results in competitions, including:

UDA D1A Hip Hop: 1st place in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2025
UDA D1A Game Day: 1st place in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025
ICU World US National Hip Hop: 2022 & 2023

With her expertise in coaching, choreography, and team development, Marca continues to be a driving force behind the UNLV Rebel Girls & Company’s continued success, shaping the next generation of dancers both technically and artistically.