Don't miss Bellarmine's Dance Team Tryouts!
RSVP via facebook (https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/202785843130875/)
Or email Janine Klutka (jklutka@bellarmine.edu)
***************** What to expect at tryouts *****************
Friday, May 11th: (Time and Location TBD - evening)
Friday will begin with a short Q&A about the Dance Team. If you are interested in dancing in college, we encourage you to come to see if the dance team is a good fit for you. Dance groups are all run differently, and we want you to know what the BU dance team is all about! We will hold a short break after the meeting to allow those not interested to leave. After the meeting, we will begin the clinic. We will teach part of a routine that incorporates jazz, hip hop, and pom. We will review turns, leaps and jumps.
Saturday May 12th: (Time and Location TBD - morning/early afternoon)
On Saturday, we will review what was taught Friday night and finish learning the routine. We will also teach our Fight Song, a short pom dittie. Dancers will also have 10 minute informal interviews with the coaches. Dancers will receive their scheduled interview times at the Friday clinic. Interviews will follow the clinic.
Sunday May 13th: (Time and Location TBD - early afternoon)
We will bring in outside judges to judge the tryout. We will select dancers for the team based on tryout and interview scores. There is no set number of dancers that we must have each year. We select dancers based on scores, and where the break in scores fall. On average, we have 14-16 members each year, but will take more or less depending on talent.
***************** Required Parts of Tryouts *****************
To tryout, dancers must perform the following:
1) Perform the routine taught at the clinic
2) Perform the Fight Song taught at the clinic
3) Perform select technical elements (toe touch, leap from either side, a second leap, and double turns). You will have the opportunity to showcase more technique as each dancer will also be asked to perform a turn and a leap (or combination) of her choice.
4) Perform a Solo
Pick out your own music and choreograph an 8-10 eight-count routine. (No longer than 1 minute). Do not perform any elements you do not feel comfortable with. Do what showcases your talent. Be very energetic and have fun! Bring your music on a CD. Solos will be judged on appearance, technique, skills, degree of difficulty and showmanship.
***************** About the Dance Team *****************
The Bellarmine University dance team is a member of the Bellarmine athletics department. We perform at all home men's and women's basketball games, as well as at various other events throughout the season. We perform jazz, hip hop and pom routines. Our season begins with NDA summer dance camp, held in early August, and continues through NDA Nationals in early April.
***************** FAQs *****************
1. What should I do for the solo?
Pick out your own music and choreograph an 8-10 eight-count routine. Do not perform any elements you do not feel comfortable with. Do what showcases your talent. Be very energetic and have fun! Bring your music on a CD. Solos will be judged on appearance, technique, skills, degree of difficulty and showmanship.
2. What do I wear?
Wear dance clothes: jazz pants, dance shorts, sports bras, dance tops, etc. Do not wear baggy T-shirts or long, baggy shorts. Dance shoes are required. (No dance paws). Jazz shoes are preferred. Keep hair out of your face.
3. Is there a weight/height requirement?
No. We do not judge based on height or weight. However, dancers should be in good enough physical condition to fully execute all moves and motions incorporated into the routines. We look for the talent of the dancer more so than the appearance of the dancer. We do require all members to abide by healthy eating habits. Dieting too much or eating the wrong types of foods can slow a dancer down and make the dancer more prone to injury.
4. Are tryouts open?
No. Only judges and coaches will be allowed to watch the tryouts.
5. How many spots are there on the team?
There is no set number of dancers that we must have each year. We select dancers based on scores, and where the break in scores fall. On average, we have 16 members each year, but will take more or less depending on talent.
6. Can I see my scores and how I ranked after tryouts?
No. The score sheets are the property of Bellarmine University and are not made public. All decisions by the judges are final.
7. What if I have never done pom before?
We have a wide range of dancers on the BU dance team. About half come from dance team style backgrounds where pom is taught and about half come from studios and have never learned pom prior to joining the BU dance team. The important thing is to come to tryouts with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
