An established NYC production company will attend the Going Pro Entertainment East Coast Pro Dance Convention on Saturday, November 19, 2011 in Philadelphia. The company will administer a casting for a 2012 reality TV show following pro cheer audition candidates. Those selected will receive complimentary pro cheer audition training and film the pilot episode in the northeast United States in January 2012, date and location to be determined.

Event: East Coast Pro Dance Convention / Reality TV Casting

Congratulations to the 2012 Philadelphia Soulmates Finalists.

After an intense week of boot camp, the semi-finals were held last night in the ballroom of the Valley Brook Golf Club in Blackwood, NJ.

Finals will be held next month.

The Soulmates will take the field at the Soul home opener against the Cleveland Gladiators on 4/1/12.

2012 Philadelphia Soulmate Finalists

By Max Marbut
Jacksonville Daily Record

In many ways, being an NFL cheerleader is like being an NFL player. There’s an intense selection process and if you’re one of the chosen few, it boils down to hours of practice and preparation.

For the players, it all comes down to game day. For the cheerleaders, there’s that plus being what Christy Stechman Zynda, the Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleading program manager calls “being an ambassador for the team and for the community.”

She was a member of The Roar from 1998-2000, and then became assistant manager for three seasons before taking over as manager in 2004.

It’s a year-round job with many facets, Stechman Zynda said.

She’s the choreographer, music editor, costume designer and the stylist and producer of The Roar’s annual calendar. Plus, she schedules an extensive calendar of activities in the community for the squad.

In addition to performing at Jaguars home games, members of the squad make about 500 personal appearances each year.

Most are in North Florida, and about half of the appearances are for the benefit of area nonprofit organizations. The Roar also helps the Armed Forces Entertainment program that travels all over the world.

“Whenever they call, we go,” said Stechman Zynda.

Auditions for The Roar begin in March and the new 32-member squad debuts during the NFL draft in April.

After that, it’s practice and rehearsals while the players are in training camp and everyone prepares for opening day.

The Roar’s season always lasts well past the end of the year. Members participate in the Senior Bowl and often are invited to the Super Bowl.

The Roar members practice three times each week during the season, in addition to having full-time careers or being full-time students with part-time jobs.

“It’s a big commitment, but it’s very rewarding,” Stechman Zynda said.

She said what makes this season different is that the candidates who auditioned for the 2011 squad don’t remember a time when the Jaguars weren’t Jacksonville’s NFL team.

“All the women grew up taking tap, jazz and ballet. They tell us all they’ve ever wanted to do is be a member of The Roar. This is taking it to the next level,” said Stechman Zynda.

“We never really realized how much we have done until we look back at the end of the year. It’s a big program. We’re always getting ready for something,” she said.

Stechman Zynda said fans can follow The Roar on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheROARoftheJaguars.

Auditions for the 2012 Philadelphia Soulmates began with open call auditions at the Wyndham Hotel in Mount Laurel this past Sunday:

Co-captain Kristina is retiring from the Soulmates, but we hope to see her on the field elsewhere in the near future.

Warm-ups

Andrea Mychaels is back for her second season choreographing the Soulmates. Andrea Mychaels is back for her second season choreographing the Soulmates

Working it for the judges

Melanie

Tracey shows off her high-kick

2011 Soulmates did not have to audition. They go straight to boot camp and semi-finals.

And although they look a bit silly, they did help run Sunday's audition.

[Soulmates Audition Gallery]

You might not think the two go together but Cassie said, ‘think again.’

From Fox59.com:

Indianapolis Colts cheerleader Cassie is one of the busiest college students around. She is an NFL cheerleader and a law student.

You might not think the two go together, but Cassie said, ‘think again.’

“It’s really helpful to be out there in front of people and then to go in court and be in front of people,” said Cassie. “You’re really always around people, always working with people. It’s a really fun thing to do. Both of them complement each other very well.”

However, juggling it all is a tough challenge. Luckily, her boss knows exactly what she is going though.

Christina Zivitz is a partner at Hollingsworth & Zivitz law firm. She is also a former Colts Cheerleader, giving her a unique connection with Cassie.

“When you kind of have both angles, the fact that she’s here now and in law school and a new Colts Cheerleader,” said Zivitz. “I did it several years back. It’s great conversation.”

Cassie agreed, adding it is not just the conversations, but the understanding.

“I have someone that I can reference on everything in my life,” said Cassie. “Not just law, which is already a huge help.”

She is not the only Colts connection at the firm. Legal assistant Anna is also on the squad. She said it creates a special bond within the workplace.

“It’s really nice to have her {Cassie} to vent to, talk to, be excited with and just have as a really good friend,” said Anna.

For Cassie and Anna, it all comes back to Zivitz, who is there to help however she can.

“It’s really fun and I’m really proud of her and I hope she has the best experience in doing it,’ said Zivitz.

[Cassie at Colts.com]

Watch a video of this report here.

From AlbertaLeaTribune.com

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Some Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders stopped by Sunday evening to entertain a crowd of soldiers as part of a USO tour.

Spc. Trevor Kolb, of Austin and the 1135th Combat Support Company, stands with Vikings’ cheerleaders Jacqui, left, and Kayla, while announcing one of the names for the defensive lineup.

The cheerleaders spoke to the crowd in between dances and also posed with soldiers earlier in the evening who were recording video introductions for the Vikings’ lineup. Only soldiers from Minnesota were asked to record introductions.

Among the soldiers who got to introduce players were Austin’s Spc. Trevor Kolb, of the 1135th Combat Support Company and Spc. Douglas Anderson, of Rochester’s Bravo Company. Sgt. Ken Laite, of Albert Lea’s Delta Company also got to record an introduction.

The soldiers were asked to say the player’s position, number and name into a camera while cheerleaders stood by. The introductions are expected to be shown at the Nov. 20 home game against the Oakland Raiders.

From Sun-Sentinel.com

Shannon Ford was Miss Florida USA in 2002 and a Dolphins Cheerleader in 2001

Two years ago, Mrs. United States 2011 Shannon Ford was diagnosed with celiac disease, an intestinal disorder triggered by eating gluten. Since then, she has embraced “a paleo lifestyle” that includes eating lean meats, vegetables, fruits and nuts and doing CrossFit, which focuses on functional movements. 

Ford, who was Miss Florida USA in 2002 and a Dolphins Cheerleader in 2001, took part in the Miami Dolphins Cycling Challenge on Nov. 6. She trained for the event four times a week but didn’t let that interfere with her daily workouts of jogging and doing CrossFit.

Why do you keep fit?

I feel better when I work out, and obviously looking good is part of it. When I was preparing for the pageant, my workouts increased.

Exercise has almost become an addiction and anchors my day. I start off the day working out, and if I miss a day, I feel something is missing. Even on our recent cruise, [my husband and I] worked out every day.

What’s your workout routine?

I’m cycling about three times a week at night, and then a longer ride on the weekends. It’s the same type of training I did … for the NYC Marathon.

I belong to CrossFit Vida Brickell, and my regular routine starts with waking up at 5:45 every morning. The [gym] is a mile from my home so I run to it, take the 6:30 class and run back.

The CrossFit workouts are hourlong. The basis is high-intensity, high-impact training. There’s warmups, stretching, sometimes skill work as well. But the actual workout-of-the-day, or WOD, lasts 10 minutes to half an hour, and then you’re finished. Today’s time limit was 15 minutes and I finished in 11.

WOD is a prescribed certain number of moves, sometimes a lot of cardio, sometimes heavy lifting. That way your body doesn’t get bored and assimilate to the movements.

Why do CrossFit?

I’ve done it for almost a year, and it’s the first I’ve ever done [where] every day is hard, never gets easy. I did boot camp for a year and a half and hit a plateau, got bored.

In addition to CrossFit, I belong to the Sports Club/LA, where sometimes I’ll take Zumba, Pilates, boxing, to mix it up. If it’s something I enjoy, I don’t feel I’m working out.

Do your exercises change before a pageant?

The four to six weeks before one, I’ll focus more on cardio. I don’t typically do a lot of cardio, except running to and from the gym and the occasional dance class. But before a competition, I’ll increase.

You can tailor CrossFit to what your needs are. For the pageant, a lean model look was beneficial for me, so I wasn’t focused on building muscle. It was more toning. I didn’t necessarily increase my weights but stayed at what I hit. Now I’ve resumed trying to get stronger.

Does celiac disease affect your fitness?

CrossFit works really well with someone like me with celiac because we resort to a paleo lifestyle, and I have a paleo lifestyle of eating no gluten.

Before being diagnosed, I wasn’t always physically fit. I always worked out here and there, but it was not part of my daily life. In 2009, I was diagnosed with it, and that went hand in hand with learning what to eat, how to become healthier. I learned about organic food and how all the additives are bad for you. I started getting more energy to work out and feel good.

Have you played competitive sports?

No. Today I enjoy running local 5Ks, and I’ve placed a couple times in my age division.

Does your family keep fit?

My husband lifts weights and runs. That was one of the things that bonded us as a couple: our bond of fitness.

He’s a police officer so we work different schedules. A weekend 5k is our weekend going-out.

Any health vices?

No, but I love chocolate. That’s it. And I’m a sucker for chips and salsa, which isn’t paleo.

You’ve mentioned paleo twice. Can you tell us more about that?

[Paleo involves] eating organic foods as much as possible and doing exercises that mimic the caveman’s lifestyle. That’s where CrossFit comes in.

What’s your typical daily diet?

I eat what our ancestors ate: lean meats, vegetables, some fruits, some nuts, and no dairy, grains or legumes. It’s naturally gluten-free, so it is a diet that suits someone with celiac disease.

Typically I have three meals. Breakfast is egg whites with two full eggs sunny side or prepared somehow. Maybe half a grapefruit, some sort of vegetable like grilled tomato. And I loved grilled bacon.

Lunch might be mahi-mahi with a salad. Dinner: grilled chicken with asparagus.

If I’m hungry, I’ll have snacks, but I don’t program my snacks.

I work out fasted.

What do you drink typically?

A lot of water. I don’t drink a lot of soda. I love wine, so I’ll have occasional wine or gluten-free vodka. Occasional coffee.

Do you take vitamins or sports nutrition products?

I recently got introduced to a whey protein. I’m not big on protein supplements but I’ve added it when strength training. It’s called Progenex.

I also will take BCAAs [branch-chained amino acids] and a multi-vitamin, fish oil.

Where did you acquire your fitness knowledge?

Since I’ve subscribed to the paleo lifestyle, I’ve read “The Paleo Solution” by Robb Wolf.

Any advice for South Florida residents looking to get fit?

I learned that it’s 80 percent diet and 20 percent working out to keep fit.

The Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League have announced a tryout date for their 2012 official dance team, the Storm Chasers. The tryouts are scheduled for Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Best Western Marquis Des Moines Airport Hotel. Registration will begin at 8:00am, with the tryouts taking place from 9am-12pm in the Grand Ballroom.

Once again this season, the Storm Chasers will be under the direction of co-captains Emily Collins and Marissa King, who will both be returning for their fifth seasons with the squad. “We had an outstanding group of young women on last year’s team, and I’m hopeful that we will have another great turnout for this year’s tryout, stated Collins.

Any women interested in attending the tryout can register on-line at www.theiowabarnstormers.com or by calling the Iowa Barnstormers front office at (515) 633-2255. Additional tryout details are listed below:

WHAT: 2012 Storm Chasers Dance Team Tryout

WHEN: Saturday, December 10 2011 (Registration 8a.m.; Tryouts begin at 9 a.m.)

WHERE: Best Western Marquis Des Moines Airport Hotel – Grand Ballroom

ADDRESS: 1810 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA 50315

COST: $25.00 per participant

AGES: Open to women ages 19 and up

EXPERIENCE: Dancers will be tested on the following – Double Pirouettes, Leaps, Advanced Dance Techniques, and Pom. A one minute routine will be taught and performed.

ATTIRE: Dance or athletic top (mid-drift must be showing), hot pants or shorts, skin toned tights or hose, dance sneakers, jazz shoes, or sneakers, performance ready hair and makeup.

ALL DANCERS MUST BRING: Resume, reference list, head-shot, insurance card, driver’s license or identification and payment. Dancers are encouraged to pre-register, as we have a limited number of spots available.

For further information, please call (515) 633-2255 or visit www.theiowabarnstormers.com.

Reader Mike caught up with a pair of Eagles Cheerleaders at an appearance at a 7-11 last Friday:

Danielle

Jackie & Danielle

[Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders]

By Aaron J. Lopez
Nuggets.com

NBA dancers spend countless hours in the gym and perform difficult physical routines with impeccable timing.

The demands are more pronounced at Pepsi Center, where the Denver Nuggets Dancers must execute their routines at 5,280 feet and then return to the court a few minutes later looking as though they just took a leisurely stroll along the beach.

It raises the question: Are dancers athletes?

In the case of rookie Denver Nuggets Dancer Ashlee, the answer is an unequivocal yes.

Her dad ran track and cross-country at New Mexico State University, her brother played football at the University of New Mexico and her sister ran cross-country for the Lobos.

As for the 22-year-old Ashlee, she has spent about half her life on the basketball court, the softball field, the volleyball court and the ski slopes. In her youth, she also dabbled in golf, gymnastics, swimming and racquetball.

“It’s a long list,” she said. “My parents were both very athletic, so they put us in sports at an early age.”

Despite standing just 5-foot-1, Ashlee has a vertical leap that enabled her to play the front row for her high school volleyball team, and she takes pride in the fact that she once dunked a basketball on an 8-foot rim. The skills transfer to her craft as a dancer.

“Being so athletic has helped with dance a lot,” she said. “My legs are superstrong from playing all those sports. In dance, that really helps me a lot.”

Ashlee grew up in Albuquerque but always wanted to live in Denver after visiting the city when she was about 11 years old. After spending three years dancing for the New Mexico Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League, she joined the Colorado Mammoth dance team – the Wild Bunch – for the 2011 National Lacrosse League season.

When the Nuggets held dance auditions in the summer, Ashlee made a smooth transition from the artificial turf back to the hardwood.

“Ashlee’s extensive dance and performance background were apparent throughout her season with the Wild Bunch and at the Nuggets Dancers auditions this summer,” Denver Nuggets Dancers coordinator and choreographer Amy Jo Wagner said. “She is very comfortable in front of a crowd and handling the rigorous schedule of the DND, which made her an excellent rookie candidate for the team.”

Ashlee’s professional success as a dancer was hardly foreshadowed when she joined the Duke City Stars studio in Albuquerque. As a gangly 10-year-old, she started later than most accomplished dancers and her own instructor was skeptical about her prospects.

“I was horrible,” Ashlee said. “My coach tells everyone, ‘If Ashlee can dance, anyone can,’ because I was so bad.”

Ashlee eventually found her rhythm and juggled a full schedule of school, sports and dance all the way through her high school graduation. She enrolled at the University of New Mexico and is currently taking on-line classes as she works toward a degree in communications.

Ashlee would like to attend nursing school, which is fitting considering the aches and pains she has endured as a result of her active lifestyle.

The injuries include multiple sprained ankles, a hyperextended, dislocated and broken right elbow, a separated left shoulder, sprained AC joints in both shoulders, wrist surgery and a torn calf muscle.

Talented and athletic, Ashlee has persevered through it all to reach her goal of becoming a Denver Nuggets Dancer.

The hardest part might be staying healthy enough to prove to everyone that dancers are indeed athletes.