Legends of the Fall: The 2016 P-R-O Convention – Part One

Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  The hot temperatures of summer give way to the cool, crisp air of fall.  My favorite non-Christmas holiday, Halloween, occurs during this time.  Fall also marks the return of football and basketball and, correspondingly, the return of NFL and NBA cheerleaders, those lovely ladies who provide a bit of beauty and glamour at these mostly masculine  sporting events.

And if fall is “showtime” for these beautiful and talented performers, it is summertime that dance routines are learned, teams bond and performances are refined. Individuals mesh together for a common purpose to form those perfectly synchronized, beautifully presented professional dance teams that we have come to love.  They will entertain us, captivate us, and mesmerize us.  And they will become Legends of the Fall.

*                *                *                *                *

The P-R-O Convention is the premier professional cheerleading convention and over 250 dancers from all over the country gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for two days of intensive dance training and team building.  This year, we celebrate the 13th year anniversary of the P-R-O Convention. And if you weren’t in Atlanta, keep on reading to see what it is like to be a part of this wonderful event.

PRO2016v164

PRO2016v368

PRO2016v134

PRO2016v183

PRO2016v354

PRO2016v163

PRO2016v167

PRO2016v234

The P-R-O Convention is the premier professional dance convention and the instructors represent the very best in professional cheerleading and dance.  This year’s instructors included:

Jakene Ashford – NFL Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
Tara Battiato – NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders
Coach Alto Gary – NFL Houston Texans Cheerleaders, WCW Nitrogirls, Former NBA Atlanta Hawks & Charlotte Hornets Choreographer
Kristina Ferdig -NFL Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders
Denise Garvey – NFL New York Jets Flight Crew
Katie Gibbons – NBA San Antonio-Spurs Silver Dancers and AHL Rampage
Stephanie Jojokian – NFL Washington Redskins Cheerleaders
Stacie Kinder – NFL Nashville Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders
Tami Krause – NFL Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders
Brandii McCoy – NBA Charlotte Hornets Honeybees and AHL Charlotte Checkers CheckMates
Courtney Moore – NFL Seattle Seahawks Sea Gals
Tracy Rutledge – Former NBA Atlanta Hawks, AFL2 Georgia Wildcats
Derric Whitfield – NBA Washington Wizards, Wizard Girls

UltimateCheerleaders.com was given exclusive access by the organizers of the event, All-Pro3. For our readers who have never attended a dance convention, the following report will give an idea of what goes on during a weekend of nonstop dance action.

SATURDAY

With the registration set to begin at 9:00 a.m., I got up early and went on down to the Collage cafe to grab a hot breakfast to start off my day.  In years past, this was the time that I would meet with my publisher, James Blakey, to go over the schedule and discuss the ground rules for covering the convention.  For us this is a fun event to shoot, but it is work and we have deliverables and expectations that have to be met.  But alas, my partner in crime for these past six years was not in attendance and I was going it solo this time.

Around 8:30 am, the first dancers started showing up.  The vendors were still setting up their displays and there was some time for all to check out what they had to offer.

First up for the savvy convention goer is the P-R-O Convention table, where a variety of convention wear items were available for sale.

PRO2016v001

PRO2016v003

PRO2016v004

PRO2016v006

Those girls in the know, got into the queue early because popular items sold out quickly and as every cheerleader knows, you don’t want to miss out on this year’s hottest convention styles.

Convention Sponsors

The Line Up is a provider of custom dance costumes and creative performance apparel.  Their uniforms and performance apparel are worn by the most notable professional dance teams, such as the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, and the Wizard Girls.

PROVendors2016v005

Satin Stitches, another major player in the custom uniform business, was in attendance and showing off some of their uniform designs.  Satin Stitches provides uniforms to several professional dance teams as well as serving the high school, college and skating markets.

PROVendors2016v001

LipSense cosmetics, a new sponsor, was in attendance and providing make overs and demonstrating their lipstick, skin care and body care lines to the girls.  As you can imagine, LipSense was a popular stop along vendor’s row.

Love Pastry shoes was showing off their line of dance sneakers that have become popular with many dancers.  Pastry’s distinct quality features and passion for innovation have established the brand as America’s # Dance Sneaker for professional and university dance teams.

The Edge Salon, the official hair stylists for the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders, was here for the first time, dispensing hair care tips and discussing their line of custom hair extensions.

Diva Hosiery, the official hosiery of the Dallas Mavericks Dancers and the Chicago Bulls Luvabulls, was giving out free pairs of pantyhose to the cheerleaders in attendance.  Diva Hosiery products are low rise and sheer to the waist, perfect for the most revealing dance uniforms.

PROVendors2016v004

At 10:00 am, the doors to the main ballroom were opened and the attendees were allowed to enter. Girls rushed in to claim their spot on the dance floor and I kid you not, there is a pecking order of sorts to get the premium locations in the front.  Yes…they are indeed competitive dancers!

So facing the floor, left to right, this year’s line up was: the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Washington Wizard Girls, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, Charlotte Honey Bees, New York Jets, and the Atlanta Falcons.  The less aggressive teams found themselves in the middle or the rear of the ballroom.

And I would like to mention a few new teams that were here this year: the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Blaze, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Dream, Georgia State University, and the Charlotte Foxes.  This year marked the return of the Seattle SeaGals and the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders after a one year absence.  And I was pleasantly surprised to see a few newly minted Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders.

Shortly after 10:00 am, the instructors were announced to their usual fanfare.  This year, thirteen instructors were listed on the program and they represent the very best choreographers in professional dance, from NFL teams to NBA teams and all sports teams in between.

PRO2016v009

PRO2016v010

PRO2016v011

Tara Battiato of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders started off things by leading the group in a vigorous warm up and stretching session, a necessity for a full day’s worth of dance classes.

PRO2016v012

PRO2016v014

PRO2016v015

PRO2016v016

PRO2016v018

PRO2016v019

PRO2016v020

The first official dance routine taught at P-R-O is the group dance and Brandii McCoy of the Charlotte Honey Bees taught the routine by breaking it down into a series of 8 count segments.

PRO2016v050

PRO2016v021

PRO2016v022

PRO2016v026

PRO2016v027

PRO2016v028

PRO2016v031

PRO2016v034

PRO2016v035

PRO2016v044

PRO2016v047

PRO2016v049

PRO2016v058

PRO2016v054

PRO2016v056

PRO2016v061

PRO2016v063

PRO2016v071

PRO2016v073

PRO2016v075

PRO2016v081

PRO2016v084

PRO2016v087

Once the group dance routine was taught, it was time to recognize this year’s Sideline Distractions magazine honorees.  The names of the girls who made it through the selection process were announced and they were called up to the front of the stage to stand and be recognized for their achievement.  Over thirty five girls names called and the final one was this year’s cover girl…Becky from the Washington Wizards.

PRO2016v090

PRO2016v092

PRO2016v094

PRO2016v093

Upon conclusion of the ceremony, the Sideline Distraction magazine was distributed to all the girls in attendance.  This was important because not only did the publication features some of the most talented cheerleaders and dancers in professional sports, it also included the schedule of instruction.

PRO2016v095

PRO2016v097

PRO2016v098

PRO2016v100

PRO2016v102

This year, there would be 30 sessions featuring a variety of dance styles, routines (jazz, hip hop, country, holiday), and fitness/meditation classes.

It was noon and for the first breakout session of the day, Jakene Ashford choreographed a old school funk dance in the main ballroom.  In room 2, Denise Garvey demonstrated a prop novelty dance.  In room 3, Kristina Ferdig showed off a sassy, jazzy pom routine.  And in room 4, Tracy Rutledge taught a straight up country routine.

Each session lasted approximately an hour and fifteen minutes and nearly took that entire time to teach essentially a one and half minute dance.

PRO2016v105

PRO2016v103

PRO2016v108

PRO2016v114

PRO2016v118

PRO2016v127

PRO2016v131

PRO2016v135

PRO2016v136

PRO2016v139

PRO2016v142

PRO2016v150

PRO2016v144

PRO2016v152

PRO2016v155

At the conclusion of the session, the girls reconvened in the grand ballroom to showcase what they had learned.

PRO2016v156

PRO2016v159

PRO2016v169

PRO2016v170

PRO2016v182

PRO2016v187

PRO2016v188

PRO2016v190

PRO2016v191

PRO2016v192

PRO2016v195

PRO2016v197

PRO2016v196

PRO2016v200

PRO2016v201

PRO2016v202

PRO2016v204

PRO2016v209

PRO2016v211

PRO2016v213

PRO2016v214

At 1:30 pm, we broke for lunch.  I grabbed a quick bite to eat and during the break, I snagged a few cheerleaders to pose for some photos for my P-R-O Convention All Star series.  I knew that Sunday would be a jam packed day and would not provide me with the time to photograph these girls, so I tried to maximize my opportunities and be able to showcase as many beautiful and talented dancers for our readers.  Anyway, that’s how I spent my lunch break…yes, it was non stop action on Saturday.

After the brief respite, it was back to the dance sessions.  It was 2:45 pm and the girls had already learned five routines.  In the ballroom, Alto Gary choreographed a sassy jazz dance.  In room 2, Tara Battiato taught a edgy rock theme routine.  In room 3, Derric Whitfield treated his girls to a jazz dance routine.  And in room 4, Denise Garvey led a technique class.

PRO2016v216

PRO2016v217

PRO2016v220

PRO2016v218

PRO2016v223

PRO2016v222

PRO2016v227

PRO2016v228

PRO2016v230

PRO2016v232

PRO2016v240

PRO2016v238

PRO2016v242

PRO2016v243

PRO2016v246

PRO2016v251

PRO2016v259

PRO2016v257

PRO2016v263

Once again, the girls reconvened in the grand ballroom to showcase what they had learned.

PRO2016v268

PRO2016v271

PRO2016v272

PRO2016v273

PRO2016v274

PRO2016v276

PRO2016v277

PRO2016v278

PRO2016v279

PRO2016v280

PRO2016v281

PRO2016v282

At the conclusion of the showcase, the girls were quickly ushered on to their final sessions of the day.  In the main ballroom, Tami Krause taught a spirited kick routine.  In room 2, Katie Gibbons choreographed a little jazzy number.  In room 3, Courtney Moore demonstrated a classic rock routine for her girls.  And in room 4, Brandii McCoy showcased a funky step sequence dance.

PRO2016v293

PRO2016v291

PRO2016v296

PRO2016v300

PRO2016v295

PRO2016v305

PRO2016v301

PRO2016v303

PRO2016v304

PRO2016v306

PRO2016v308

PRO2016v309

PRO2016v311

PRO2016v313

PRO2016v316

PRO2016v317

PRO2016v314

PRO2016v315

PRO2016v323

PRO2016v321

PRO2016v325

PRO2016v330

PRO2016v332

PRO2016v335

As was usual, the girls reconvened at the end of the session to showcase what they had learned.

PRO2016v336

PRO2016v337

PRO2016v338

PRO2016v339

PRO2016v340

PRO2016v341

PRO2016v342

PRO2016v343

PRO2016v344

PRO2016v345

PRO2016v349

PRO2016v351

PRO2016v353

PRO2016v352

PRO2016v355

PRO2016v356

PRO2016v359

PRO2016v360

PRO2016v361

PRO2016v364

PRO2016v365

PRO2016v366

PRO2016v369

PRO2016v371

PRO2016v374

It was 5:30 pm and the last showcase of the day had concluded.  The girls were still buzzing as it is usually after the showcase and the organizers had one more session scheduled…a cooling off, meditation class that included deep relaxation and some yoga instruction.  I must say that it was very effective at bringing the frenetic energy of the day down to a calm and peaceful conclusion.

So as the day ended for these dancers, some lingered in the ballroom and I made some arrangements with a few of them to pose for my All Star series.  I finished up around 6:40 pm and went upstairs to download my photos and recharge my camera batteries.

It was only 12 more hours before I had to get up and start this process all over again.  A man’s work…is never done.

Up next: Day Two from P-R-O. Please check back soon.

*                *                *                *                *

I want to take this opportunity to thank Brandii McCoy, Alto Gary, Tracy Rutledge and the staff of AllPro3 for allowing me the opportunity to cover the 2016 P-R-O Convention. I had a wonderful time  and hope to be back next year.

For more cheerleader articles and photos, please visit my personal blog: thehottestdanceteam.wordpress.com.

One Reply to “Legends of the Fall: The 2016 P-R-O Convention – Part One”

Comments are closed.