Classes provide Mavs dancing preparation

Jessica Rush
Frisco Enterprise
June 11, 2010

It is not uncommon to find young women interested in learning dance routines, practicing glowing smiles and perfecting the hair flip at Power House of Dance. The dance studio has even expanded its number of locations from the one in Dallas to include opportunities for Frisco dance classes. These two locations have in common students with one goal in mind: to become a dancer for a professional sports team.

“We have a relationship with the Dallas Mavericks, so if you take a Mavs prep class, you’re taking a class from someone who has done choreography for or is a Mavs dancer,” said Amy Z., who is the manager and competition team director for the Frisco Power House location.

Kali Drake, 22, is one of the instructors for the Mavs prep class and a Mavs dancer for the past four years. She said she always knew she wanted to be a Mavs dancer, having an innate passion to perform.

“It’s about self-confidence,” Drake said. “My favorite thing about teaching dance is you inspire and motivate kids and adults, just to be the best person and dancer they can be. If it’s in your heart, it’s going to show in your dance.”

The prep classes are not just for women who want to be a Dallas Mavericks dancer. Classes in Dallas are geared to prepare dancers for auditions with professional dance teams such as the Desperado Dancers and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The classes alternate instructors and styles, depending on what the dancer needs to learn.

“It’s a jump-start into the audition process,” Amy said.

Frisco also offers pro-league prep classes for those interested in auditioning for other sports teams with dancers like FC Dallas or the newly-formed Mavs NBA Development League called Texas Legends. The Legends begin their season this fall and will play at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. Both dance teams are looking to grow in the number of dancers they accept for a season.

The Texas Legends dance team, which is still accepting suggestions for the dance team’s name, held their first audition earlier in the spring. They have picked about six dancers, but Frisco Power House has not announced when this summer another audition will take place.

Auditions for the FC Dallas Dancers in February also went through Power House of Dance in Frisco. Those who made the official dance team were announced in March, so no new dancers will be added until the next season; however, Mavs auditions are July 30. Finals will be July 31, after dancers make it past three preliminary rounds of freestyle, choreography and extended choreography.

Michelle Hulsey, who performed last season as an Ice Angel for the Allen Americans, is hoping to get a head start with the next round of auditions since there are only a limited number of spots.

“You have to learn (routines) in 15 minutes,” Hulsey said. “The whole thing is a big competition.”

Hulsey had one piece of advice for other dancers trying to win a coveted spot on a team.

“Get in front,” Hulsey said. “Get noticed.”

Although the prep classes are generally reserved for women 18 and older, Power House in Frisco is expecting more than 100 children and teens to show up for their Summer Jam workshop this Saturday, June 12. There will be classes for juniors ages 5-10, intermediates ages 10-14, advanced dancers ages 14-18 and an adult room for those over 18. Nicole Clark, hip hop company director of Dallas Power House, is in charge of the program, which will bring choreographers Marty Kudelka, Kim McSwain and Lil C.

“We are the only workshop that’s going to offer these specific instructors,” Clark said. “It’s going to be a great fun day, more like a one-day convention.”

The names mean something to those familiar with the dance world as combined the choreographers have worked with such famous names in the industry as Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Pink, Missy Elliot and Ciara. Lil C is a regular choreographer on the hit dance competition show “So, You Think You can Dance?” and it is his first time to guest teach in Texas.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, and the workshop will end with a performance by the choreographers as well as an awards ceremony. Three of the top Mavs Dancers, who are also teaching a class during the day, will perform as well.

Information about class schedules and the Summer Jam Workshop are available at the Power House of Dance website at www.powerhouseofdance.net.