If you’ve ever seen one of Laguna Beach High School’s dance performances, chances are you’ve seen Delaney McCarthy. A sophomore with a huge presence on stage, Delaney is one of the standout members of the school’s Dance Company. Her talent is clear to anyone who’s watched her perform, but what many people don’t realize is just how much work goes on behind the scenes.
Delaney doesn’t limit her dancing to the school day or after-school rehearsals. She trains nearly every single day for hours at Mather Dance Company, a highly competitive studio in Southern California. “I’m usually dancing every day,” Delaney shared. “It’s a big part of my life, and I honestly can’t imagine not doing it.”
Her love for dance didn’t begin in high school but rather when she was a young kid. Delaney began dancing when she was just two years old because her sister who is 4 years older than her started dancing then. “I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t dancing,” she said. “It’s just always been part of what I do every day. It’s a part of my daily routine.” What started as an after-school activity quickly became a lifelong passion for Delaney McCarthy.
Delaney got her early training at PAVE School of the Arts, a local studio known for pushing young dancers in both technique and performance. “PAVE was where I really started to understand the basics of dance and where I started to love competing,” she explained. “I had a lot of amazing teachers there who encouraged me and helped me discover what types of styles I liked the most.” With a solid foundation, Delaney decided to leave the comfort of PAVE and felt the need to push herself even further.
A couple of years ago, she made a bold move which was switching from PAVE to Mather Dance Company. The change was challenging with new teachers, tougher choreography, and a faster pace, but Delaney was ready for the next level. “It was definitely a big change,” she admitted. “I was really comfortable at PAVE, but I knew I needed to push myself more to grow as a dancer.”
At Mather, the training is intense and the expectations are high. Dancers are challenged every day with difficult choreography and a busy schedule, but Delaney embraced the opportunity. She now trains in a variety of styles, including contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and more. “Mather has helped me grow so much,” she said. “The training is hard, but I’ve learned how to manage it all and stay focused.”
Managing school and dance is definitely not easy. Delaney often has hours of classwork with late-night rehearsals, weekend competitions, and travel for dance events. But she’s found what works for her. “It gets really busy,” she said. “But I love it so much, and I always find time for it.”
She is also a senior ambassador for Five Dancewear, a popular dancewear brand known in the competitive dance world. As an ambassador, Delaney helps promote the brand, shares her journey with followers, and connects with other dancers across the country. “Being a part of Five is fun,” she said. “It’s cool getting to represent something I actually wear and believe in.”
Her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2023, Delaney was named to the Protégé 30, a prestigious list that highlights standout dancers from across the United States. It’s a major accomplishment and something dancers across the country strive for. “That was one of the best moments of my year,” she recalled. “It felt like all the hard work was being recognized.”
Delaney was also in last weekend’s spring dance show at Laguna Beach High School, Golden Moments. Her pieces are always emotional and very technical. Whether she’s performing a solo or dancing with Dance Company, Delaney has a way of connecting with the audience. “I’m super excited for the show,” she said. “We’ve all been working really hard, and I think it’s going to be amazing.”
This year, Delaney hit another major milestone in her career: performing with Derek Hough on his national tour. Hough, a professional dancer and choreographer best known from Dancing with the Stars, invited Delaney to be a part of his live show, which is a massive opportunity for any young dancer. “It was amazing,” she said. “Being on a stage, with an audience that size, was just an incredible experience.”
At just 15 years old, Delaney already has her sights set on a future in professional dance. Her ultimate goal is to become a backup dancer for top music artists and perform on tour. “I love performing and being on stage,” she said. “I think it would be so exciting to dance on tour with an artist. There’s something about live shows and big productions that just excites me.”
With her talent, work ethic, and passion, Delaney can definitely turn her dreams into reality. “I just want to keep dancing and doing what I love,” she said. “If I can turn that into a career, that would be a dream.”
Delaney McCarthy beautifully ending a solo
