Congratulations to the 2012 San Antonio Talons Sky Dancers who were chosen earlier this week. You can see photos from the finals at the Talons Facebook page.

Today the San Antonio Talons professional football team announced an open call tryout for the 2012 inaugural season female dance team. The open tryouts will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 8:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 111 East Pecan Street in downtown San Antonio. The Talons’ dance team, the Sky Dancers, will be led by Director and Choreographer Jessica-Marie Sanchez, a veteran dancer and former captain of the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers, and first place nominee as the NBA’s Hottest Cheerleader.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for area dance enthusiasts,” says Sanchez. “Being a part of a professional dance team that garners a huge community following and national audience is something that most dancers never have the chance to experience, and we are excited to make that dream become a reality here in San Antonio.”

All participants must complete an application by midnight on Friday, January 27; the application is available on the San Antonio Talons website at www.sanantoniotalons.com/sky-dancers. There will be a discounted fee of $25 for participants who register and pre-pay online; participants who register and pay on the day-of auditions will be charged the full fee of $30. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday in the Texas Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“We are looking for young professionals who can bring excitement and energy to the franchise as the Talons become more and more engrained in the San Antonio community,” says Owner and General Manager Jason Lohe. “These women will support the team on the sidelines, but will also support and represent the Talons organization at community and game day events and appearances.”

During the tryouts, the contenders will learn and present a Jazz/Hip Hop Routine and a short sideline combo, they will also have the opportunity to dance a freestyle segment. The women will be trying out in small groups of two to three people in front of a panel of esteemed judges.

The finalists will be announced immediately following the auditions on Saturday; those select individuals will be invited to return to the finalist competition on Monday, January 30. The finalist auditions will also be held at the Crowne Plaza and will be open to family, friends and the general public. More information about the finalist competition, including surprise celebrity judges, will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are happy to host the Talons and the Sky Dancers for this tryout event,” says Crowne Plaza Hotel General Manager Scott Larsen. “A professional football team will bring new visibility to our city, encouraging an influx of fans and visitors to downtown. We look forward to the energy and excitement that the entire Talons franchise will bring to San Antonio.”

For more information about the Sky Dancers tryouts, including eligibility requirements, please visit www.sanantoniotalons.com/sky-dancers or email cheer@sanantoniotalons.com. For regular updates about the Talons, be sure to check out