The HYPE Team

Sarah Schneeweis

Owner, Director

Sarah Schneeweis is the owner of HYPE Dance Studio and creative director of the award-winning Fusion Dance Company, leading dancers for over 20 years. She is currently the Manager of Performance Teams for the NBA Sacramento Kings and a former NBA Golden State Warriors dancer. Sarah has choreographed for NBA and NFL teams nationwide and has traveled internationally with the Kings, leading performances at the first-ever NBA India Games.

A veteran in the industry, Sarah has choreographed for nationally ranked college and high school teams, recording artists, stage productions, and industrial events—including creating the hit holiday show Believe in 2013. She has been a faculty member for Varsity and Varsity Pro, a lead choreographer for UDA, and a long-time judge for USASF Dance Worlds, ICU, NDTC, and UDA College Nationals. Her former blog, The Positive Dance Mom, was a regular feature in Inside Dance Magazine.

Since opening in 2003, HYPE Dance Studio has been recognized as one of Dance Spirit Magazine’s “Top 50 Studios in the U.S.”, a testament to Sarah’s vision and award-winning choreography in dance production.

Ruby O’Neill

Ruby is 21 years old and graduated from Inspire School of the Arts and Sciences in 2022 as a dance major. She discovered her love for dance at 4 years old, and has been a student at Hype since she was 8. Ruby was a part of Hype Dance Studio's competitive dance team, Fusion Dance Company and Fusion Pro, from 2016-2023, and has trained in a variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, ballet, and heels. Ruby attended many regional competitions with FDC over the years such as 24/Seven, Radix, Hollywood Vibe, Jump etc. and had the opportunity to attend “The Dance Awards” nationals with Fusion Pro at the end of her final competitive year. Ruby has also performed as numerous lead roles in Hype’s production of “Believe” since 2017. Ruby joined the Hype staff in 2019 as an intstructor in styles such as jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap and more. She has choreographed numerous routines for Fusion Dance Company, and in 2025 Ruby was named the Creative Director of FDC. Alongside working at Hype, Ruby has had the opportunity to choreograph for dancers of all levels across Butte County through returning as as a guest choreographer for Inspire High School’s choreography and dance program, as well as choreographing numerous productions for California Regional Theater Company. She is passionate about providing professional dance training to young dancers of all ages, fostering a positive learning environment, and creating passionate artists. Ruby is excited about her future at Hype and will continue to focus on building her career as a choreographer and director of the company. 

Cece Davis

Cece is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. Cece joined the Hype Family at age 2 and has been with us since! Trained in a wide range of styles—including ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, tap, lyrical, and acro—Cece brings over a decade of experience, passion, and dedication to the studio. She is currently a member of Fusion Pro and with her team has earned numerous regional and national awards for both her performances and technical excellence. Also, Cece has taken classes from many distinguished, professional choreographers and has received many recognitions and awards. Some of her favorite experiences while dancing at HYPE  have been lead roles in performances such as Believe, NBA Sacramento Kings Jr. 916 Dance Crew, Student Choreography showcases, getting a golden ticket with her dance team to the World of Dance championships, and attending The Dance Awards. Cece is committed to inspiring the next generation with the same passion that sparked her journey years ago. With a deep love for all styles and a strong belief in the power of dance to empower and uplift, Cece brings heart, skill, and joy to everything she does.

Cait Bauer

Cait, born in Chico, California, is and a student at Pleasant Valley High School. Dancing since the age of two, Cait's has trained in various styles, including ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, heels, and ballroom. A long-time member of Hype Dance Studio, Cait has trained extensively, competed fiercely, assisted in choreographing routines, and performed at NBA Sacramento Kings games. She also helped her team secure a World of Dance golden ticket and has taken on roles in various productions. Balancing classes with teaching and assisting at HYPE throughout middle and high school, Cait is passionate about sharing her love of dance with her students and hopes to continue to inspire young dancers in the years to come.

Harper Ducale

Harper is currently a sophomore at Chico High School. She has been dancing at Hype for the past 10 years, learning in all styles of dance as well as being an apprentice, assisting teachers during class and has now learned all the skills needed to be part of Hypes faculty.

 She has received numerous awards throughout her dance career including receiving the title of Junior Dancer of The Year in 2021 from the nation wide dance convention Hollywood Vibe. Along with that, Harper has received many collegiate awards from Universities like, Louisiana State University, the University of Oregon, Arizona State University and many more. As well as being booked for a national tour with Kidz Bop for the past 3 years, she has also worked in many different dance jobs with companies like Apple+ and Puma. 

Harper has pursued dance on a competitive level for many years, going to competitions like The Dance Awards with her Fusion Pro team, and winning 9th overall in her solo. Harper is so excited to begin this next chapter of her dance career becoming a teacher and choreographer and is so excited to share all of her knowledge with her students! 

Alina Whatt

Alina is a freshman at California State University, Chico, where she is majoring in Business. She has been a competitive dancer for over 11 years, training in styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and tap. Her favorite styles are contemporary and jazz. She danced with Evoke Dance Movement for four years and most recently trained with Pave School of the Arts. Over the years, she has earned top awards, special judges’ recognitions, and performed in standout pieces at regional and national competitions. Passionate about dance and leadership, she hopes to one day own her own dance studio—creating a space where dancers feel empowered, inspired, and supported. She brings a positive energy, strong work ethic, and a love for helping others grow both on and off the stage.