St. John’s Dancers Find Success Performing In The NBA
Four St. John’s dancers live out the dream of dancing professionally in the NBA.
From RedStormSports.com
Performing as a member of a collegiate dance team is a dream for many aspiring dancers, but for a quartet of St. John’s University dance team alumnae it was only the beginning.
“Being a member of the St. John’s dance team is an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything,” said Jackie Fowler, a 2013 graduate and current dancer with the Boston Celtics. “Dancing with St. John’s helped push me mentally and physically way further than I had ever done before. Because of my coaches at St. John’s, I learned how much hard work, determination and passion can transform someone.”
Wizard Girl Michaela
At St. John’s, Fowler served as a two-time captain, a moment she says was one of the “defining opportunities in my dancing career.” After graduating, Fowler was offered a job in June dancing with the Boston Celtics and moved up to Massachusetts to pursue her dream. Fowler plans to continue dancing in the NBA, but hopes to one day open a studio for low income families so that more aspiring dancers will be able to experience the beauty that being a dancer has to offer.
From taking second place in college nationals to a trip to the NCAA Tournament, being a member of the St. John’s University dance team meant the world to 2011 graduate Michaela Stanley. “Being on the team was by far the best part of college,” said Stanley. “Dancing is what I love and the St. John’s dance team allowed me to do that and even expand my horizons.”
Stanley has spent the past two seasons dancing professionally for the Washington Wizards as a Wizard Girl. With the Wizards, Stanley has traveled to China and Brazil and last summer even had the opportunity to dance for the USA Basketball Team in front of President Obama in Washington, D.C.
“I want to keep dancing until my body can’t live this lifestyle any longer,” said Stanley. “After that I would like to coach or work in the sports entertainment industry at least. We’ll see where the road takes me!”
For Kerrie Greene, performing with the St. John’s University dance team became the turning point in her young dancing career. “It was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” said Greene. “I feel that dancing really ‘clicked’ for me in college.”
Knicks City Dancer Kerrie
After three seasons with the St. John’s dance team, Greene was offered a chance to dance with the New York Knicks and she is currently in her second season with the team. “It’s an amazing opportunity and I truly feel happy and honored to be a part of it. I believe that career and passion go hand-in-hand, you have to love your job and that is exactly why I do it,” said Greene. “I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I’m overjoyed about what I’m doing right now.”
For most college dancers, the dream to go professional either begins or ends at graduation, but for one senior St. John’s dancer the dream began even earlier than expected. After being named a team captain her junior year, Julia Evans is living her dream as a New York Knicks City Dancer, with former teammate Kerrie Greene, while having the opportunity to finish her undergraduate degree at St. John’s.
“Being a member of the St. John’s University dance team has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said Evans. “My passion for dance has only grown stronger while at St. John’s and I have my coaches and teammates to thank for that. I’ve grown so much not only as a dancer but as a person.”
With one year left before graduating in May, Evans plans on continuing her career as a professional dancer while trying to make her way into the marketing industry. “This is something I’ve dreamed about doing since I was a little girl and I’m so blessed and thankful to have this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to work in the marketing field for a professional sports team or entertainment business, but for now I’m just trying to enjoy my senior year and continue living my dream!”
