TC grad earns spot on Rockets dance squad

By Evan Mohl
The Galveston Daily News
July 25, 2010

TEXAS CITY — Amber Martin sat backstage at The House of Blues on Tuesday. The 2008 Texas City graduate had been at this same spot last year, waiting for her name to be called. Only it didn’t happen.

Mostly nervous and partly preparing for another disappointment, Martin ignored the music and all the fans sitting around the stage. She didn’t even pay attention to the other dancers. She put up a wall.

A first name got called with screams and cheers. Then another. The third name came across the microphone, and Martin raised her head.

Was it hers? She thought so but wasn’t sure. No one was cheering and no other girl ran up to accept a spot as part of the 2010 Houston Rockets Power Dancers.

Finally, coach Susie Boudwin announced “Amber Martin” again. Martin came running out, with a huge smile and received her pompoms.

The 20-year-old did it. She made the Houston Rockets Power Dancers.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Martin said. “Words couldn’t even describe the feeling.”

A Dream

Martin giggles about her dream to become a Rockets Power Dancer. She always has loved to be on stage, performing and dancing since she was a toddler.

But she also has a thing for the Rockets. Throughout her childhood, Martin attended games with her family. She enjoyed watching players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Tracy McGrady.

Yet the dancers caught Martin’s eye. She couldn’t believe how 20 girls could captivate an arena of 20,000 people.

Martin wanted to do that. She figured now, at a young age with minimal responsibilities and nothing to lose, was the best time to try.

“I have lots of goals I’d like to accomplish,” Martin said. “But this is one of my dreams, and if I wait too long, it may never happen.”

A Failure And Lesson

Martin tried out in 2009. She wanted to give the Power Dancers a shot, even though she didn’t know much about it. She had no idea the dancers even got paid.

“I just wanted to check it out,” Martin said. “Just to see if I had a chance and what it was all about.”

Martin got a wake-up call. She realized the skill, technique, work and effort it took to make the team. She had to go through a boot camp, three-hour learning sessions and constant judging.

Despite her unfamiliarity and ignorance, Martin hung in at the tryouts thanks to her dancing experience. She picked up the moves rather quickly and advanced to the final round.

Renewed Focus

After getting cut in the final round, Martin realized she had a chance to fulfill her dream. She was determined not to let it slip away.

Martin returned to College Station, where she attended Texas A&M University, and got to work. Between classes, she went to the gym. She also took multiple dance classes each semester to maintain and improve her skill.

Martin estimated she spent two to three hours four days a week in the gym or at a dance class.

“I gained muscles I didn’t know I had,” she said.

Martin also ate well — mostly fruits and vegetables. It helped that she’s lactose intolerant and doesn’t like fried foods.

A Second Chance

Martin came into this year’s tryouts with a new mindset: determined, focused and ready.

She was not fazed by learning dances in 30 minutes, three-hour auditions, interviewing, running laps, receiving criticism or facing off against 204 dancers for 18 spots.

Martin also pulled out all the stops. When Martin introduced herself at The House of Blues in the final round, she said her name and did the moonwalk.

“The crowd went nuts, and I could see the judges smiling,” Martin said. “I just wanted to go for it, and that’s a move that always makes people smile. Ever since high school, I’ve always done it, so I figured why not now?”

It clearly worked.

Back Home

Martin moved back to Texas City to get closer to the Toyota Center so drives to practices and games won’t be too long. She’ll attend the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Martin said she’s looking forward to appearances and being a representative of the Houston basketball organization. She can’t wait for opening night, when she’ll be on the basketball court, helping get the crowd pumped up for a new Rockets season.

Now, all eyes will be fixed on her.

“It’s really a dream come true for me,” Martin said. “I still can’t believe my name got called.”