Kentwood Dance Team
2014-2015
Program Overview
Who should audition? GUYS AND GIRLS! We would like to grow our program and if you have a passion for performing and dance, this is the team for you!
About the Program: Last year the Kentwood dance team expanded its program to include both guys and girls in the creation of our hip hop only crew called D-Unit.
DAZZLERS: The Dazzlers dance team members are expected to participate in all football and basketball performances and perform ALL styles of dance.
D-UNIT: The D-Unit only dancers have the same expectations of attendance and participation as the Dazzlers. The emphasis of the D-Unit is hip hop and break dancing. The D-Unit will only perform hip hop routines. Their practice schedule is the same as the Dazzlers – the focus will be on different skills. Although the D-Unit does not perform at every opportunity, they are required to be in attendance if the dance team is performing.
Tryout Process: The tryout process for the Dazzlers includes four full days of learning and evaluation based on technique, ability, memory, dance audition evaluations, flexibility/skills and most importantly – ATTITUDE. The D-Unit process includes two full days of evaluation based on technique, ability, memory, ATTITUDE , the dance audition, as well as a freestyle/skills assessment.
As a KW dance team member, we will expect you to progress your skill level throughout the season. Your acceptance onto the team does not guarantee that you will perform in all opportunities. Progress is essential for ongoing success, as is the case in any sport.
All dancers can earn a Varsity letter (except training team) if they complete the program as outlined in the contract.
Our continued vision is to maximize the training of each team member and achieve individual and team goals. We aspire to achieve continued growth of the Kentwood Dance Program.
Training Team: In the event we find there are students who demonstrate great work ethic and attitude during the tryout process but are not quite ready with their skill level to be a full-fledged member, we may extend an invitation to be a part of our training team. Should this happen for your student, a full page description of the expectations will be given to them the night of auditions and team selection. They may either accept or decline the invitation.
Goals: Every year the dance team aspires to improve in its quality of performances and represent Kentwood in a positive manner. We strive to uphold high standards and be respected and highly regarded by the students at Kentwood. We would like to continue to be involved with community and charitable events.
Our program has increasingly developed over the past three years. We have been the District 3 hip hop champions two of the past three years and are the current champions! We have placed in both of our categories at districts and State the past two years. We aspire to continue to improve upon our success and bring Kentwood its first ever Dance Team State Championship.
Our success is dependent on our dancers desire to continue to improve every week. This team is only suitable for athletes who want to work hard and have fun while sustaining a true team environment of support and positivity!
Program Description:
Performance/Competition Team
· Size of team will depend on the number and quality of students who audition
· Perform at school events:
o support all KW Football home games/home playoff games
o a few Basketball home games/home playoff games (boys and girls)
o Attend and compete at local and regional dance competitions
· Uphold academic standards
· Community performances and community service acts
· Fundraising – for both Booster club and ASB dance account
· Skill level – intermediate for regular season performances, high intermediate, but mostly advanced skills are required for competition teams
· Intermediate (or better) dance knowledge and skill level is recommended
· Required for competing: Consistent execution of highly complex dance elements which vary depending on the style. Consistent attendance and participation at practice. Failure to master these skills could result in not competing.
Important Dates:
· Thursday, May 1st – Parent meeting for all interested in auditioning 7 – 8 PM @ Kentwood
· Saturday, May 3rd – Dance clinic (optional, but highly encouraged) 9 AM – 11 AM
· Monday, May 5th – May 8th - Practice for team tryouts 6 – 8:30 PM
· Friday, May 9th – Dazzler and D-Unit auditions and team selection 6 – 9 PM
· Saturday, May 10th – New team dinner (place TBD) 7 – 9 PM
· Thursday, May 15th – Mandatory parent and dancer meeting to review budget and have fittings for new costume pieces. Kentwood high school – 7 PM.
· Saturday, May 24th – New team car wash 10 AM – 3 PM (fund raiser to help support captains leadership camp. All members are required to attend at least one shift of the day).
· Saturday, May 24th – In addition to the car wash, we will be having an all team YARD SALE. We will ask team member families to donate goods to sell. All proceeds will benefit the team. We will also be barbecuing hot dogs and sell soda, in addition to holding a bake sale. Each member will be asked to donate one dozen baked goods to sell at the yard sale and the car wash!
· Saturday, June 7th – CAR WASH – another fund raiser, whole team required.
· New team practices: June 16, 19, 23, 26th 6 – 8:30 PM (learn home routine to perform at Elite)
· June 30th – July 3rd – Mandatory team camp (Elite performance dance camps – Bellevue)
· July 14th – July 26th - Mandatory summer camp at Kentwood high school (July 20th is a free day)
· August 16th – New team + families team building event – 2.8 mile hike and then a picnic after!
· August 19-20th – Athletic Registration day at Kentwood. REQUIRED FOR ALL DANCE TEAM MEMBERS!
Please make sure you have your physical examination requirements met before the first night of tryouts – May 5th