Cardinal Gibbons High School

Dance Team 2015 – 2016

Coaches

Marion Keen –

Chelsey Bartles –

Gabi Burn –

Thank you for your interest in the Cardinal Gibbons High School Dance Team! This audition packet includes information about the audition process, judge’s criteria and rules & responsibilities for prospective dance team members. Please read over this information carefully and contact Marion Keen at with any questions and/or concerns.

General Audition Information:

  • Tryouts for the 2015 – 2016 season will be held April 27th & 28th from 5:30pm – 8:00 pm in the dance room at Cardinal Gibbons High School.
  • All candidates must fill out the Audition Application that is included in this packet and bring it to the first day of tryouts.
  • All tryout sessions are closed to family and other spectators.
  • Tryout attire for the audition process includes:
  • April 27th – Any color tank, shorts & tights and tan jazz shoes
  • April 28th – BLACK tank, BLACK shorts, tan tights and jazz shoes

Judging Process and Criteria:

The Cardinal Gibbons Dance Team coaching staff will be looking for well-rounded dancers with outstanding technical skills, stage presence and demonstrated proficiency in different styles of dance (Pom, Jazz, Hip Hop). They are also looking for dancers who are eager to learn and improve and will display a positive attitude at all times.

DAY 1 – Dancers will go through a class-style audition using across the floor technique combinations as the basis for their assessment. Dancers will then learn a section of “Gameday” material that will demonstrate their proficiency in Pom followed by one short routine that will combine all three Pom, Jazz and Hip Hop styles. No cuts will be made on the first day.

DAY 2 FINAL AUDITIONS – Dancers will be judged in groups of 3 – 4 by the Dance Team coaching staff and a group of outside judges. Dancers will demonstrate the required across the floor skills individually and will then perform the “Gameday” and style routines as a group. All dancers will be given a letter in a sealed envelope that states whether or not they made the 2015 – 2016 CGHS Dance Team.

**If a dancer does NOT make the team, they will have TWO WEEKS to email the coaching staff to discuss judges score sheets as well as helpful tips for improving**

Technique:

Dancers will be judged on their technique, adaptation to style, physical fitness, and memorization and should be able to perform the following skills to the best of their ability:

Jazz/Across the Floor Technique

  • Jazz choreography (taught during tryouts)
  • Double and Triple Pirouettes (left and right)
  • Fouette Turns
  • Leaps in second (left and right)
  • Switch Leaps (left and right)
  • Switch Opens (will be judged on the best side)
  • Leap/Turn Combinations
  • Flexibility (Leg hold turns, extensions, tilts, etc.)

Hip Hop

  • Hip Hop choreography (taught during tryouts)
  • Floor tricks
  • Tumbling skills (optional)

Pom

  • Gameday material (taught during tryouts)
  • Knowledge of cheer motions and correct motion placement
  • Toe Touch
  • Double Toe Touch

Dance Team Responsibilities:

  • Dance Team members are representatives of Cardinal Gibbons High School in and out of uniform and will be expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct.
  • Academics and Dance Team activities are top priorities. Missing practice for a studio dance class or rehearsal is unacceptable.
  • Dance Team members are required to participate in ALL practices, games, conditioning/technique sessions, pep rallies, volunteer events, and any other events required by the team. All members must be on time and dressed appropriately.
  • Dance Team members are expected to be in and maintain a healthy and physically fit condition. All members will participate in a conditioning and running program. Distance runs will be run before each practice throughout the season.
  • Those chosen for the 2015 – 2016 season will be required to attend a mandatory parent meeting Wednesday, April 29th at 6:00 pm in the Dance Room at Cardinal Gibbons High School. At least one parents or guardian must be in attendance.

Cardinal Gibbons High School Dance Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time commitment like?

The Cardinal Gibbons High School Dance Team practices 3 times a week from 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm on Mondays and 5:30 – 8:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some weekend practices are also added during the year for national’s choreography and practice. In addition to practice, the dance team is required to be at every home football and basketball game. The dance team also participates and performs at pep rallies, community events, parades and local competitions. Dance Team takes up a considerable amount of time so dancers are encouraged to think about the time commitment if they are involved in any studio or other after-school activities.

Does the team practice in the summer?

Yes. The dance team will participate in a short 3 day camp hosted by National Dance Alliance usually the weekend before the start of school (exact date to be announced after tryouts). ALL members are required to attend.

How many girls do you take on the team?

This number varies and it depends on how many girls tryout. We like to keep the team between 15 & 20 dancers.

Are there any financial obligations?

Yes. There will be 5 monthly installments of $300 that will need to be paid from August to December. This money goes to things like new uniforms, bags, poms for games, choreographers, National’s costumes, end of year dinner, etc.

Does the CGHS Dance Team compete?

Yes. Each year the CGHS Dance Team competes at Nationals down in Orlando, Florida. The competition for 2016 will be February 26th – 28th. In addition to the large competition in Florida, the dance team also competes in a small local Champion competition in Raleigh usually around Christmas.

Cardinal Gibbons High School Dance Team

2015 – 2016 Audition Application

Name:

Email:

Parent Name:

Parent Email:

Grade for 2015 – 2016 School Year:

Middle School (if a rising Freshman):

Dance Experience:

Why do you want to be a member of the CGHS Dance Team: