Brooklyn women train for a shot at joining Nets dance team
Erin Durkin
New York Daily News
May 31, 2012
Brooklyn ladies are lacing up their sneakers, hoping to get their big break as dancers for the Brooklyn Nets.
Would-be team dancers took six weeks of special classes at Crunch Fitness in Fort Greene to prepare for Saturday’s open auditions, where they worked through some of the team’s current routines.
“As soon as I heard the Nets were coming back to Brooklyn I was really, really excited,” said Melissa Timothy-Tozer, 27, of Mill Basin, one of about 150 women who participated, who has dreamed about the possibility of dancing for the team for years.
“To know that it’s literally right in my backyard is pretty awesome.”
Timothy-Tozer, who grew up in Flatbush, used to dance for the Philadelphia 76ers and now works as a patient relations rep, has been doing special morning workouts and cardio exercises to get ready.
“They say they’re looking for a whole new look and they’re looking for Brooklyn, and I’m Brooklyn,” she said.
“I have a couple of years on [the other auditioners]. It definitely doesn’t matter as long as you can hold your own against the younger girls.”
Director of entertainment marketing Kim Garris said the team has up to 18 spots to fill and expects hundreds of wanna-bes to show up for the tryouts Saturday at Long Island University.
“We’re looking for women who are athletic, who are diverse,” she said, adding that 70% of the dancers who showed up for classes are from the borough. “We definitely expect to have great Brooklyn representation on the new squad.”
Claire Czerniuk, 22, of Dyker Heights, said she’s been dancing since she was two years old.
“I’ve made it to the finals and I’ve never made a team, so I really have my fingers crossed. I really want to make this team because it’s Brooklyn and it’s the Nets,” she said. “This is just exciting to be able to audition for a team that would be performing at an arena in my hometown.
She’s been doing pilates and yoga to stay in shape.
“Everybody’s going to be really talented,” she said, “and you have to bring an extra edge.
