BayHawks dance team member glad she pursued her passion for performing

John Dudley
Erie Times-News
January 22, 2013

Missy Tesauro has been dancing since age 3, often alone in front of a mirror at home to memorize routines.

It makes her a little sad to know that, in a few months, her three years as a performer for the Erie BayHawks dance team will end, and she’ll head out into the working world as a respiratory therapist.

In the meantime, she’s enjoying each remaining home game with Erie’s National Basketball Association Development League affiliate.

“I didn’t think I would dance when I got to college; I didn’t think I was good enough,” said Tesauro, 22, a Uniontown native whose mother, Gina, persuaded her to try out after two years on Gannon University’s dance team.

“I’m so glad I did it,” she said. “I tell people all the time, ‘Don’t give up on your passion.'”

1) What does it take to become a dancer at the NBA D-League level?

It takes dedication. We have practices every Sunday, games that you have to attend.

We practice a lot at home, too, turn the music on and dance in front of the mirror. It does take a lot of time to practice a routine so it’s ready to perform at a game.

We also have appearances. In December, some of the girls helped the team with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We went to Target and bought presents with the team.

2) Did it take awhile to get over the jitters when you first performed?

It really did. The first year, every time we went out on the floor my heart would just race. I would be so nervous.

Whenever we went out, I would look just above the crowd so I didn’t notice the people, because seeing them made me even more nervous. Now, I can look at people in the eye while I’m dancing, and I’m OK.

3) Do you have a favorite part of game nights?

My favorite moments are whenever we get ready back in our locker room before the game. We turn up the music and get ready, and it’s nice just getting time to spend together before we’re all stressed out about having to perform.

All three years that I’ve been on the team have been great as far as getting along, and that’s fairly rare. Whenever you think of girls, sometimes people think, “Oh, they’re catty.” But we have a ton of fun, and we’re all really good friends. We hang out together outside of the BayHawks and connect on a different level other than just dancing.

4) Do some of the dance team members have aspirations to move up and perform in the NBA?

Two of our dance team members tried out for the (Cleveland) Cavaliers dance team last year. I don’t think either of them made it, but when you’re working for the D-League team it’s a little easier to make that transition.

I know I won’t (try out). I’m going to start working, so I’ll really miss it.

Hopefully if I’m still in the area I can help out with the BayHawks. And if I have the spare time, maybe I’ll continue to take dance classes.

5) Your bio on the team website says you like to bake. Do you have a favorite dish?

Just this Christmas we made sour cream cookies. They’re my family’s favorite.

My family, we’re Italian, so we’re full of people who can cook and bake really well. My grandma’s really good at baking.

I think it’s in my blood that I have to become a good baker, too. I don’t cook much at school, but whenever I’m home my family tries to teach me how to cook. I guess they’re trying to domesticate me.