Local Dance Team Bound for Successful Season
2/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Dance
Oxford, OH (September, 2006) - During this time of year, college and high school athletic teams are hitting the fields hard in preparation for upcoming competitions. We may not realize it, but behind closed doors spirit squads are also preparing for the season. The Fairfield High School Dance Team is no exception. The team began the new school year with a weekend dance camp instructed by the Miami University Dance Team. On September 16th and 17th, the Fairfield team polished dance technique and style while engaging in team building exercises and discussions on how to improve school spirit.
Each morning began with a stretch routine to push the dancers' flexibility. This was followed by a technique class designed to assist each member in improving technical dance skills such as turns, leaps, and jumps. Fairfield was instructed in pom, hip hop, and jazz dance styles by Miami instructors, which will be performed during half-time at Fairfield basketball games. "I truly feel my team has a renewed sense of confidence. We accomplished so much in the area of technique and choreography. I believe the girls are beginning to feel prepared and ready to go for the season," said Jo McGill, Head Coach of the Fairfield Dance Team.
Team building and school spirit exercises were an integral component of the camp. "The ability to work well as a team is essential for any spirit squad. The members of the Miami Dance Team are extremely supportive of one another. Only with this dedication can we achieve our goals," said Melissa Durham, Head Instructor of the Camp. Fairfield took part in these team building discussions with enthusiasm and has set a goal to become one of the best high school dance teams in Southwestern Ohio.
Working with the nationally competitive Miami Dance Team was a first for Fairfield. The team originally scheduled a private camp with Eastern Dance Association (EDA), but was disappointed when EDA cancelled. Anxious to find a replacement, McGill turned toward local college dance teams for help. "I was very impressed with Miami's accomplishments this summer at its own camp. I knew the team could help us," said McGill. During the 2006 National Dance Alliance (NDA) Collegiate Summer Dance Camp held at the University of Louisville, Miami placed first in Division 1A in the Team Dance Competition, received the "Most Spirited" Award voted on by peer dance teams, and was awarded a bid to the NDA National Championship held each Spring in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Fairfield Dance Team will be performing with the Miami Dance Team at a Miami Basketball game later this season. Miami can be expected to appear as guest performers at Fairfield as well.
About the Miami Dance Team
The Miami Dance Team is the official performance and competition team of Miami Athletics. The team performs at all home basketball games, various campus events, and competes nationally at the National Dance Alliance Collegiate Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, each spring. The team is technically based and specializes in styles of jazz, pom, and hip hop.
For more information about the team, including auditions, visit MUredhawks.com under "Athletic Department."