Joining Pistons’ dance team a dream come true for Windsor teen

Kelly Steele
The Windsor Star
August 6, 2014

When Nathalie Couvillion went to her first Detroit Pistons game in Auburn Hills, Mich. last season, it wasn’t for the basketball players.

“It was the first NBA game I’d been to and I loved it,” she said. “Everyone was watching the game but I couldn’t stop watching the Pistons dancers. The whole time I kept thinking how much I wanted to do that.”

After the game, Couvillion, 18, jumped on the Pistons website and much to her surprise discovered they were already holding auditions for the dance team’s next season.

“I was really excited,” she said. “I signed up right away. I didn’t really know what to expect, but knew it was something I really wanted to do.”

Nervous, the Windsor teen attended the first tryout in July along with 150 other women ranging from 18 years old and up. She was thrilled when she made the first cut, becoming one of only 24 left for the 19 coveted spots. A week later, she was called back for another audition and wasn’t sure what to expect.

“When I walked in I noticed right away there seemed to be less than 24 of us,” she said. “The organizer said, “stand in line,” and told us to look to our left and look to our right because we were the members of this year’s Detroit Pistons Dance team. I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited.”

The coaches had already made their decisions and made the final cuts through phone calls. Not only is Couvillion the only Canadian on the team, but she is also one of the youngest.

The former competitive gymnast and dancer said the auditions were challenging as the choreographer would quickly teach the routine and then have everyone perform it as a group.

“At the auditions, I knew I had to stand out so when I would see them looking at me I would do a crazy gymnastic or dance move that the other girls couldn’t do,” she said. “It was hard not to look at the other girls and compare yourself.”

Couvillion, who teaches dance at Edmund Towers School of Dance in Windsor, loves to perform and can’t wait to take the floor at the Palace of Auburn Hills during a Pistons’ game in October.

“I love to perform and I love to make people smile while they are watching me dance,” she said. “When people watch me dance they say it helps them to forget about things. I also love the dancers’ gear — it’s really cool and the colours are great.”

As important as dance skills were, the coaches also wanted their team members to have a strong personality, confidence and athleticsm. Dancers perform during games and at halftime as back-up dancers alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. Dancers are also required to appear at various team events throughout Detroit.

“They were really big on your personality,” she said. “They really want you to be a good person and someone who will represent the team positively. In addition to the dance auditions, we also did a few interviews where they asked a bunch of questions. It was an important part since the dancers also do signings and take pictures with fans before the games.”

Couvillion has always known she wanted a future in dance, but besides coaching wasn’t sure where the path would lead.

“That night watching the dancers at the Palace, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. “I’ve watched them on TV before and always thought how much I would love to do it. Once I was there and could feel the atmosphere and the audience going crazy I knew I wanted to do it. I’ve always wanted to do something big and make a name for myself. This feels like that chance.”

Practices will start for Couvillion the end of August and she won’t take the floor at the Palace for the first time as a Pistons Dancer until October.

“I’m really excited, this really feels like a dream,” she said. “The whole experience is going to be amazing and I can’t believe I get to do this. I can’t wait to take the floor as a Pistons Dancer.”