Then get ready for the Miami Pro Dance Workshop in Miami, FL on Sunday, February 19, 2012!

AGENDA
** Learn choreography from elite alumni and directors
** Representing the NFL, NBA, AFL, MLS, and MLB
** Get tips from the pros on fitness, nutrition, makeup, attire and more
** Network with other performers from the east coast (and beyond!)
** Receive giveaways from sponsors including attire and cosmetics

COSTS
** Morning (9:00am-12:00pm): $45 Register Now!
** Afternoon (1:00pm-4:00pm): $45 Register Now!
** Full day (9:00am-4:00pm): $79 Register Now!
** Discount: 15% off early bird registration before February 9!
** Groups: Receive one free admission with the enrollment of two full day admissions
** Refund Policy: In the event of cancellation, all fees will be refunded in full as well as discount to attend future Going Pro event. If attendee withdraws, 75% of registration fees may be refunded through 3 days prior to the event. Registrations are not refundable within 48 hours prior to the event start time.
** Event Tank Top: $26.50, available in sizes Small, Medium, Large. May purchase online to reserve your size, available in limited sizes at the event.

CHOREOGRAPHERS
Our choreographers are top alumni and directors of dance and cheer teams in the NFL, NBA, AFL, MLB and other sports leagues. They will teach 6 sidelines and 2 routines in length of 45-60 seconds, representing all major sports leagues. Read choreographer bios and view photos here!

**Aubrey Aquino, NBA Dancer – Sacramento, NFL Cheerleader-Oakland and Arizona, TV Reporter and Host-Miami
**Trisia Brown, NFL Cheerleader – Miami, NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleader, NFL & Pro Bowl Choreographer, Dance Studio Owner-FL
**Susie Garcia, NBA Dancer – Miami, former So You Think You Can Dance finalist
**Gina Francis, NBA Dancer – Miami, former member of Fly Khicks and finalist on MTV’s ABDC
**Latasha Gray, NFL Cheerleader-Miami

LAST 2 DAYS TO SAVE 15% FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION TO MIAMI PRO DANCE ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19!

[Miami Pro Dance Information]

[Vanessa at the Kings Website]

Tryout Info
Participants must be a high school graduate, at least 18 years of age by February 12th, 2012 with a valid photo ID. Girls should wear a form-fitting midriff top, lycra shorts and appropriate footwear. Men should wear a tight fitting t-shirt and appropriate footwear. Tryouts will be judged on stunting and tumbling ability, personality, and appearance. A cheerleading or gymnastic background is preferred but is not required. The open-call audition will be closed to the public.

[Complete Audition Information]

A member of the ROAR of Jacksonville

Guidelines on how to send your photos are here.

Complete ‘Photo of the Day’ Archive here.

Being a Minnesota Vikings cheerleader has “changed my life,” says a 23-year-old Rochester mother of two.

“Through hard work, I got here,” says Amanda, who asked that her last name not be used, as is the Vikings’ policy. “It was something I always wanted.”

She’s one of two Rochester women who were on the Vikings cheerleading squad this past season. Amanda, a Rochester Community and Technical College graduate who has been on the squad for two seasons, says she plans to try out again in April.

Tami Krause, the head coach and coordinator for the Vikings cheerleaders, says Amanda “sparkles” on field.

“Right away during auditions, she caught our attention because she’s someone who has a great presence about her,” Krause said. “She’s a wonderful performer, very eye-catching.”

Women on the squad generally range in age from 18 to 30. To be selected, cheerleaders must have full-time jobs or be full-time students or mothers. The cheerleaders are paid, as a part-time job, but “we don’t make millions,” said Amanda. About 200 women typically try out for 35 spots on the squad.

Once on the squad, the women practice about 10 hours a week, and 3-mile runs and workouts with personal trainers are routine. Community service and public appearances also are expected.

“It’s not pom poms and red lips and game-day only,” Krause said. “It’s a lot more than that.”

Socializing between cheerleaders and Vikings players is prohibited and it’s spelled out in contract, Krause said. “We like to keep it very professional,” she said. “We tend to have to fight enough stereotypes.”

The rules don’t stop cheerleaders from having favorite players, though. When asked who her favorite Vikings player is, Amanda said, “Obviously, Marcus Sherels,” the Rochester John Marshall standout.

[Vikings Cheerleaders Slideshow]

[Amanda at Vikings.com]

Cal State Long Beach senior Lindsay Riley balances school with long practices and tireless dance routines every week so that she may appear on the Lakers’ court come game time.

“You really have to learn to manage your time,” Riley said.

Riley, a health science major, is on the Laker Girls squad this season along with three CSULB graduates.

As a young girl, at a friend’s cabin in Big Bear, Riley said she was drawn to the old Laker Girls posters and other Lakers memorabilia.

Jennifer Albeanu, a CSULB journalism graduate, joined the Laker Girls this year. She said she was more excited than nervous during the rehearsal before her first game.

“There aren’t any people in the seats,” Albeanu said. “It’s just you and your Laker Girl uniform.”

Albeanu, who also works full-time at an equestrian center, said the CSULB girls are like her sisters.

For CSULB communications and journalism graduate Heather Hischar, being a Laker Girl has been a dream of hers ever since she could remember.

Lindsay, Jenn, and Heather

“I grew up in a Laker household, but I wasn’t a basketball fan,” Hischar said. “So I just watched the Laker Girls.”

Laker Girls tryouts usually consist of 500 to 600 applicants who are periodically cut throughout the day, leaving roughly 40 to 50 finalists. The finalists must then wait for a callback.

Hischar is in her third season as a Laker Girl, but she said the process is just as nerve-wracking as ever.

Hischar works as a dance instructor. She is applying to graduate schools for the fall to further her communications education.

“I would enjoy a media relations or public relations position for a charitable organization,” Hischar said.

Due to lengthy negotiations between players and owners during the off-season, the NBA started late this year, which means the season will be shortened.

For Kelsey Saunders, a CSULB dance graduate and first-season Laker Girl, the shortened season is all she knows.

“We were busy right from the start,” Saunders said. “I’m used to being really busy, so it feels normal.”

However, the NBA lockout caused teams to pack a lot of games into a short period of time.

Hischar said the Laker Girls aren’t worried about the hectic schedule.

“We’re all just really excited because we get to have a season,” Hischar said.

[Detroit Pride Cheerleaders on Facebook]

The last few days have been a whirlwind for Brittney-Lynne Stanley.

The 21-year-old Nashua native received a police escort to Logan International Airport in Boston, flew a chartered jet to Indianapolis and has bounced from event to event while preparing for a football game that will capture the attention of millions.

That football game is the Super Bowl. Stanley is a New England Patriots cheerleader, and from the sidelines, she will have one of the best views of the game – in between cheers and celebrations of what she hopes will be many Pats touchdowns.

“It’s so cool,” Stanley said in a telephone interview Friday after she and her fellow cheerleaders finished a dress rehearsal at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, the site of Super Bowl XLVI.

The squad had just practiced its pregame routine and was part of a somewhat private audience for Kelly Clarkson practicing the national anthem.

From the stadium, the cheerleaders were headed to a team media event, and later a full practice.

The Patriots will be the only cheerleading squad at the Super Bowl, Stanley said. The New York Giants don’t have a squad, nor do they have a mascot, she said.

During the game, the cheerleaders will stand on the Patriots’ side of the field.

Because it’s the Super Bowl and not a Patriots home game, the squad will perform its usual dance routines but to different music, Stanley said. But the cheerleaders still can dance to the team’s signature song, “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, as well as their touchdown and extra-point songs, she said.

Stanley can’t believe she’s part of the Super Bowl frenzy.

It started with the squad – along with friends and family of Patriots players and staff – receiving a police escort Thursday from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., to Logan Airport.

“It was, like, shocking to see police stopping traffic for us,” she said. “It was a humbling experience.”

They flew to Indiana on a chartered plane and attended a Patriots welcome dinner that night. Team owner Robert Kraft sat with the cheerleaders and relayed that his wife, Myra, who died last year, was a supporter of the squad.

“He is such a genuinely nice guy,” Stanley said. “It was nice to meet the boss.”

On Friday, Stanley attended an event featuring former Patriot Tedy Bruschi, who suffered a stroke during his career, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Center. Then it was off to rehearsal, the media event and practice.

Linda Stanley, Brittney-Lynne’s mother, isn’t sure yet where she’ll watch the Super Bowl, but she hopes a television camera will focus on her daughter just long enough to make the experience complete.

“It would be amazing if I could see her,” Linda said.

It was Linda who encouraged Brittney-Lynne to try out for the cheerleading squad. With the exception of a year in junior high school, Brittney-Lynne had never been a cheerleader, her mother said.

Stanley has danced most of her life. In 2009, she performed in “Swing” with the Teen Actorsingers and previously had choreographed “Once Upon a Mattress” with the Peacock Players.

But Linda told Brittney-Lynne about the Patriots, suggesting that she give it a shot. Brittney-Lynne attended a workshop and then tryouts, ultimately making the squad.

Brittney-Lynne is studying arts and entertainment management, with a concentration in dance, at Dean College in Franklin, Mass., while performing with the cheerleaders. It’s her second year with the squad, and she is one of four captains.

Since touching down in Indianapolis, Brittney-Lynne has been texting her mother about what she’s doing next. Linda doesn’t answer because she figures her daughter is busy, but appreciates the updates.

After the Super Bowl, Stanley and the other cheerleaders will attend a postgame party and then fly home Monday.

She hopes there will be one more party, a championship celebration in Boston.

Montville, Conn. —

At 19, Montville High School graduate Cassie Go already has accomplished her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Last year, Go was one of 31 women chosen from a pool of 300 to become a cheerleader for the New England Patriots. Now, as Super Bowl Sunday approaches, Go has an opportunity to dance in front of millions of people watching from all over the country and beyond.

“I’m so excited,” Go said. “It’s unreal. It still hasn’t even hit me.”

She left Thursday with her cheer squad for Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, where Super Bowl XLVI will be played. She said her weekend will include a welcome reception, a post-game gala, rehearsals and numerous promotional appearances.

“It’s going to be a full week, and I’m just so excited by every second of it,” she said.

Being a cheerleader for the Patriots takes up a lot of her time, Go said. The cheer team practices twice a week, makes promotional appearances and participates in charity events.

“Being a Patriots cheerleader is 24/7, whether we’re at practice or appearances or practicing on our own,” Go said. “I’m always representing the Patriots and doing the best I can to do that.”

In her spare time, Go gives dance lessons at Alyson’s School of Dance in Colchester. She also works part time at Family Physical Therapy in Colchester and part-time dancing for an entertainment company in Hartford. She still lives at home with her family in Montville.

“Since Montville is so small, everybody is very supportive,” she said. “My family, friends and friends of friends. Every time I see someone, they’re always asking me about it. It’s really nice to have that.”

But Go said she’s also close with the 30 other women on her squad. She said being a Patriots cheerleader isn’t just having a job or being on a team — her teammates are her family.

Began as toddler

Although this is the first time Go has been a cheerleader, she has been dancing since she was 2. She’s done tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern and contemporary.

“I just love dancing and performing,” Go said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of dance I’m doing. I could be doing my favorite dance in the whole world, or I can be doing one I don’t care for. As long as I’m in front of an audience performing, I’m loving every second of it.”

At 19, Montville High School graduate Cassie Go already has accomplished her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

Last year, Go was one of 31 women chosen from a pool of 300 to become a cheerleader for the New England Patriots. Now, as Super Bowl Sunday approaches, Go has an opportunity to dance in front of millions of people watching from all over the country and beyond.

“I’m so excited,” Go said. “It’s unreal. It still hasn’t even hit me.”

She left Thursday with her cheer squad for Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis, where Super Bowl XLVI will be played. She said her weekend will include a welcome reception, a post-game gala, rehearsals and numerous promotional appearances.

“It’s going to be a full week, and I’m just so excited by every second of it,” she said.

Being a cheerleader for the Patriots takes up a lot of her time, Go said. The cheer team practices twice a week, makes promotional appearances and participates in charity events.

“Being a Patriots cheerleader is 24/7, whether we’re at practice or appearances or practicing on our own,” Go said. “I’m always representing the Patriots and doing the best I can to do that.”

In her spare time, Go gives dance lessons at Alyson’s School of Dance in Colchester. She also works part time at Family Physical Therapy in Colchester and part-time dancing for an entertainment company in Hartford. She still lives at home with her family in Montville.

“Since Montville is so small, everybody is very supportive,” she said. “My family, friends and friends of friends. Every time I see someone, they’re always asking me about it. It’s really nice to have that.”

But Go said she’s also close with the 30 other women on her squad. She said being a Patriots cheerleader isn’t just having a job or being on a team — her teammates are her family.

Began as toddler

Although this is the first time Go has been a cheerleader, she has been dancing since she was 2. She’s done tap, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern and contemporary.

“I just love dancing and performing,” Go said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of dance I’m doing. I could be doing my favorite dance in the whole world, or I can be doing one I don’t care for. As long as I’m in front of an audience performing, I’m loving every second of it.”

Go said her dance instructor, Alyson Ayer, has been her inspiration. Ayer also is proud of Go.

“The fact that she’s able to use this to broaden her horizons and to travel and meet new people is a wonderful thing,” Ayer said. “We always knew she was destined to do something with it. I think she has a very special gift. It’s wonderful to see her sharing it.”

Ayer said Go started dancing at her studio when she was 3. At 11, she became an assistant instructor and recently began teaching her own classes.

“She always had a lot of spunk,” Ayer said. “I knew she had something special because she couldn’t wait to get on stage. Any time she performed, it was like a light switch went on in her.”

Rachel Bagdasarian, 11, of Colchester, is one of Go’s dance students. She is learning jazz and contemporary.

“She’s a really, really good, talented dancer,” Rachel said. “There’s still a lot to learn, but I’ve definitely learned a lot so far from her.”

Rachel said she looks up to Go as a dancer.

Go said she plans to continue to be a professional dancer and eventually plans to open her own dance studio. She said she will reaudition for the cheerleading squad in March, but no one is guaranteed a spot.

“Being a professional dancer, I think it’s amazing that I accomplished my dream when I was 18 years old,” Go said. “This is just the beginning. I want to go on and do more things like this, maybe more dance teams.”

“I’m just so thankful for this experience,” she said. “It really feels great that I’m able to do something with my passion.”

Go said her dance instructor, Alyson Ayer, has been her inspiration. Ayer also is proud of Go.

“The fact that she’s able to use this to broaden her horizons and to travel and meet new people is a wonderful thing,” Ayer said. “We always knew she was destined to do something with it. I think she has a very special gift. It’s wonderful to see her sharing it.”

Ayer said Go started dancing at her studio when she was 3. At 11, she became an assistant instructor and recently began teaching her own classes.

“She always had a lot of spunk,” Ayer said. “I knew she had something special because she couldn’t wait to get on stage. Any time she performed, it was like a light switch went on in her.”

Rachel Bagdasarian, 11, of Colchester, is one of Go’s dance students. She is learning jazz and contemporary.

“She’s a really, really good, talented dancer,” Rachel said. “There’s still a lot to learn, but I’ve definitely learned a lot so far from her.”

Rachel said she looks up to Go as a dancer.

Go said she plans to continue to be a professional dancer and eventually plans to open her own dance studio. She said she will reaudition for the cheerleading squad in March, but no one is guaranteed a spot.

“Being a professional dancer, I think it’s amazing that I accomplished my dream when I was 18 years old,” Go said. “This is just the beginning. I want to go on and do more things like this, maybe more dance teams.”

“I’m just so thankful for this experience,” she said. “It really feels great that I’m able to do something with my passion.”

Danielle Lannon

Danielle Lannon was on the sidelines the last time the Patriots and Giants met in the Super Bowl.
By Terry Date
The Swampscott Patch

Swampscott’s Super Bowl cheerleading tradition will continue Sunday when Michelle Nigro takes to the sidelines.

She will be the second Patriots cheerleader from Swampscott to cheer in a Super Bowl that pits New England vs the Giants.

Her Swampscott High dance team teacher, Danielle Lannon, cheered the first time the two teams played a Super Bowl in 2008.

Here is a Q&A interview with Danielle, still the coach for the school’s dance team.

Who knows, maybe one of her current team members will keep the tradition alive and cheer at a Pats Super Bowl in the future.

Q&A With Danielle

When and where did you go for the Super Bowl?

The game was held at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 3, 2008.

Who were the Pats playing?

The Pats played the New York Giants.

Where did you stay and how long were you there?

We stayed at a hotel in Scottsdale for the long weekend.

What was your first impression of Super Bowl week?

Super Bowl week was such a positive and exciting week! It’s the biggest game of the NFL season, every team dreams of playing in the game and as a cheerleader it was a dream come true to perform on the sidelines of the Super Bowl!

What did you do in your free time?

Each day we had some free time to walk around as tourists, shop at the Super Bowl gift stores or get a workout in!

Did you mix with the cheerleaders from the Giants?

The Giants actually do not have cheerleaders!

Did you mix with the players?

No, we did not mix with the players. The players spent the week preparing and practicing for the game.

What promotional things did you do?

We got to meet with a lot of really great fans through different promotional events that weekend! Aside from performing on the sidelines, I always enjoyed meeting and talking with some truly friendly and interesting people.

Who performed at half time?

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Did you have a role in the halftime show?

We did not have a role in the performance, but enjoyed the show from the field directly next to the stage!

What was your favorite part of the week?

My favorite part of the week was to be cheering on the sidelines of Super Bowl XLII! It really was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget!

What was your favorite part of the game?

My favorite part of the game was simply walking onto the field! The energy and excitement in the stadium was unbelievable, I couldn’t believe I was actually there!

Any real humorous moments you can remember?

One thing I can remember was buying sweaters/sweatshirts the moment we arrived because it was chilly! Heading to Arizona, we thought the weather would be a little warmer than it was!

How was performing at the big game different than performing at Gillette?

The difference performing at the Super Bowl to performing at Gillette was the increase in media personnel on the sidelines, a new field to perform on and the fact that it was the biggest football game of the season! Other than that, we were still there to do our job; cheer on the team and keep the fans motivated!

Do you want the Pats to avenge the ’07 loss?

Of course I want the Patriots to win!

What was the mood on the return home?

The mood on Monday when we traveled home was very quiet. Going into the Super Bowl after an undefeated regular season, I don’t think anyone expected the outcome!

What would you tell any cheerleader going to a Super Bowl for the first time?

I would tell any cheerleader going to a Super Bowl to enjoy every moment, take a lot of pictures and expect an indescribable experience!

Where will you will be watching on Sunday?

I will be watching the game with my boyfriend’s family at their home!
About this column: Stories that say Swampscott through and through.