Local woman selected for Magic dance team
By ADRIENNE GONNELLA
Highlands Today
August 15, 2012
SEBRING –Kori Bachman, 18, of Sebring was recently selected to join the 30-member Orlando Magic Dancers. Bachman is a 2012 graduate of Sebring High School.
Auditions for the Orlando Magic Dancers began Aug. 4 with 90 ladies. The same day, the final 30 were selected.
Bachman was thrilled to be chosen. “I was more in shock because all the girls that made the top 30 were older, in their mid-20s; but I was also really, really happy because I’m getting this chance,” she said.
Bachman began dancing at 3 years old, attending Dance Unlimited in Sebring. In third grade she won “Miss Dynamite” at a solo competition. She performs ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and picked up clogging two years ago.
Bachman moved to Orlando two weeks ago to pursue a career in dancing. She sought opportunities through Disney, but also heard about what the Magic had to offer, such as the opportunity to travel. According to the Orlando Magic website, several dancers attended the NBA 5 United Tour last year in Rome, Italy, to perform and sign autographs.
The dancers will begin practicing in early September. Performances will start during preseason in October and continue through late May or early June.
Aside from game day performances, the dancers will also attend community events such as birthday parties and charity golf tournaments.
“We have to remember that people are always watching us, that we have to be a role model and be the person everyone looks up to,” Bachman said.
She plans to attend Valencia College next spring and wants to become a physician’s assistant if dancing doesn’t work out.
“I don’t see myself as a person behind a desk,” Bachman said. “I will continue dancing as long as my body will let me.”
Interesting factoid: Two years ago Kori shaved her head in support of a friend who was undergoing chemotheraphy for an aggressive form of muscle cancer. That’s a real friend.
(Ok she didn’t actually shave it. It’s more of a buzz cut. But still. Her hair was halfway down her back before she did it.)
