Metromix Denver has photos from this past weekend’s Nuggets Dancers Finals.

[Metromix Nuggets Dancers Gallery]

[Denver Nuggets Dancers]

(Okay, so I really slacked off with the P-R-O Coverage. Going to make up for it this week with five squads)

(click to enlarge)

First time at P-R-O for the Orlando Lady Titans of the National Lacrosse League. The Titans relocated from NY to Florida last fall, leaving Dance Team Director (and former Orlando Magic Dancer) Danielle Barnhart just a few weeks, to put together a squad, design the uniforms, and begin rehearsals. In spite of the time crunch, she and her squad did a fabulous job.

[Orlando Lady Titans Dancers Gallery]

[Orlando Lady Titans Website]

Thanks to reader James who sent us a few photos from last weekend.

First a pair of Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders at a charity car wash:

Then a pair of Washington Redskins Cheerleaders at the AT&T Store in Tysons Corner Center

By Susan Fair
Carroll County Times

Stephanie during the Heat Dancers Finals

Stephanie Hettchen had never been a cheerleader, but at the age of 18 she became the youngest woman to make the Redskinette Cheerleaders squad.

“I never was a cheerleader. Technically I trained in dance for 18 years,” Hettchen, now 20, said.

This year, the enthusiastic South Carroll High School graduate has made a squad of a different type: She recently left Maryland to become a member of the Miami Heat Dancers, the cheerleaders for the Miami Heat basketball team.

With about 600 other young women auditioning for only 25 open positions, Hettchen faced some stiff competition, but was undaunted. “Tryouts were the best experience ever,” recalled Hettchen.

She was one of only four newcomers chosen; the other 21 selected were returning veterans of the Miami Heat Dancers.

Janine M. Thompson, director of the Miami Heat Dancers, said, “Stephanie has great presence and poise. She stood out during the initial round of auditions, and captured the attention of all the judges. During her interview, she was very professional and pleasant. We look forward to working with her this season.”

Hettchen’s background as a Redskinette should serve her well in her new position. “Being a Redskins Cheerleader was an awesome opportunity,” she said. “I’m a huge football fan, so to be able to be out on the field performing every Sunday was great … not only to be on the field but be able to travel overseas to Aruba, India, Germany, England and Hong Kong to share our talents.”

She credits her friends and family with contributing to her successes. “My friends and family are very proud and have supported me since day one of my dancing. Without them I would not be where I am today and I’m very thankful to have so much support.”

Her parents know how much hard work has gone into her achievements. Her father, John Hettchen, said, “Stephanie has worked very hard to achieve her dream of becoming a professional dancer – countless hours and sacrifice throughout the years – and we are very proud of her.”

Stephanie Hettchen has nothing but excitement and optimism for her new challenges. “I am definitely ready,” she said, “for a great season with a great group of girls.”

At 14, Lantz native Annalise Morash set her eyes on a dance career; at 18 she’s found a job with the Toronto Raptors’ Dance Pak

By Jennifer Charlebois
The Chronicle-Herald

Lantz native Annalise Morash was never interested in becoming a dancer. Instead, she toyed with the idea of going into modelling, medicine, and a number of other careers.

“I was all over the place,” she says.

Now, however, the bubbly 18-year-old finds herself a student of the Commercial Dance Studies program at George Brown College in Toronto, and a recent recruit of the Toronto Raptors’ Dance Pak.

“I think because my mom owned a dance school, I was in that adolescent stage of ‘I want to do the exact opposite of what my parents want me to do.’ ” she said from Toronto.

Nevertheless, the foundation for Annalise’s career was built in her early childhood. She grew up in a dance studio, says her mother Lauri Morash, who managed the Lauri Morash School of Dance in her home for 14 years. Lauri juggled raising her two young girls — Rebecca, now 22, and Annalise — working from home, and teaching at night. Her business has since expanded to include studios in Clayton Park and Elmsdale, and 300 to 400 dancers per year.

Although she no longer teaches, Lauri still manages the studios, now called Dance Zone Performing Arts Center, the site of Annalise’s formative training.

Described as “awkward” and “lanky” in her younger years, the five-foot-seven teen joined the senior troupe at Dance Zone, and also performed with the DZ Extreme professional/amateur team. Although she was able to pick up a variety of dance styles quickly and easily, she was much more interested in the social aspects of dance school than in the hard work and training itself.

Then something changed. After older sister Rebecca, also a dancer, left to pursue a program at Toronto’s Randolph Academy for The Performing Arts, it seemed the door opened for Annalise.

“Around the age of 14 or 15, she suddenly blossomed, and within six months she was this different child with a different intensity in terms of her desire to be a dancer,” said Lauri.

“Seeing (Rebecca) be so successful, following her dream, seeing that you can make a career out of it . . . I think that kind of helped me,” said Annalise. “Suddenly it was like, ‘Maybe I can do that too.’ ”

She accelerated her studies and graduated a semester early from Hantz East Rural High School in Milford Station. In January of this year, Annalise moved to Toronto to begin her studies at George Brown College in a one-year program that prepares dancers for a career in industrial entertainment productions such as film, television, or musical theatre.

After learning a few routines from a Raptors’ dancer/scout in her mock audition class, Annalise was asked to audition for the Raptors’ Dance Pak with more than 100 other dance hopefuls. Fourteen girls were finally selected for the team, made up of seven returning dancers and seven new girls from the audition — including Annalise. She was offered the job on July 25.

“When I got the call, I was beyond excited. I cancelled work that day. I literally was just waiting all day for my phone to ring,” she said.

Annalise is currently in training with her first pre-season game on the horizon, on or around October 13, just after her 19th birthday. Until then, she is practising three days per week with the Raptors’ Dance Pak, as well as juggling school, and fighting back bouts of homesickness.

“I miss them so much!” she said of her family and friends. It’s her first time living away from home, and sometimes returning to Nova Scotia once every few months doesn’t seem like enough.

“I love the city . . . it’s so convenient . . . but at the same time, the last time I went home, I literally just stood outside and was breathing in the fresh air,” she said, noting that she also misses the unity of her hometown. Despite this, Annalise says she couldn’t be happier with George Brown or the Raptors. “I’m very fortunate,” she said.

Besides aspirations of travel and getting a job on a cruise line, Annalise is a hometown girl at heart. She hopes to return to Lantz eventually. “Of course, I see myself teaching at Dance Zone after pursuing my career here in Toronto,” she said.

Auditions for the 2010-11 Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders took place this past Sunday at Du Burns Arena. A total of forty-five hopefuls turned out for a chance to make the team

Teaching the choreography was Blast Cheerleader Director Elizabeth “Liz” Guaraldo. This will be Liz’s fourth season in charge.

Helping out with the judging were some Blast Cheerleaders Alumni. From left to right are: Amanda ,who went on to the cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles; Alicia, who was a Blast Cheerleader Captain; Keishawna, who is now a Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader, and Michelle, who is now a Washington Wizard Girl.

Whitney learns the routine

Jane was in the US Navy for seven years.

Amanda is double majoring in Biology and Psychology (with a minor in Math!) at UMBC. She’s planning on going to medical school next year.

[Blast Cheerleader Auditions Gallery]

[Blast Cheerleaders on Facebook]

Think you have what it takes to join a professional sports dance team and perform for fans at HSBC Arena? The Buffalo Bandettes Dance Team is now looking for applicants to fill out their 2011 roster. The Bandettes are the hottest dance team in the National Lacrosse League as they dance for the perennial championship contenders, the Buffalo Bandits.

Auditions will take place over two days; Saturday October 2 & Sunday October 3 from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m., at Gold’s Gym located at 1402 French Road in Depew.

On Oct. 2, you will learn the dance routine from the Bandette choreographers, and on Oct. 3, you will perform the routine as well as interview with the judges. The 2011 team will be announced that Sunday evening.

When attending on Saturday, please remember the $20.00 Non-Refundable Application Fee as well as a current photo (photo will not be returned). Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the procedure for auditions?

A: Saturday – you will learn the dance routine. This is the only time the routine will be taught.
A: Sunday – Candidates will perform in groups of two. You will introduce yourself, perform the required routine and go through a personal interview by the Judges.
A: The Judges will retire to make final selection and the 2011 Dance Team will be announced.

Q: What does it take to be a Buffalo Bandette?

A: You will be judged on the following criteria: Dance Technique, Enthusiasm, Poise, Showmanship, Personal Appearance, Figure and High Kicks!!

Q: What type of time commitment is required for a Buffalo Bandette?
A: TOTAL COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday evenings, there will be opportunities for personal appearances, full participation in the Junior Bandette Dance Camp and of course, the Bandits games!!

Q: How should I wear my hair/makeup for the audition?
A: Your hair and makeup should be current, up to date and flattering to your face. No ponytails please.

Q: What should I wear for the audition
A: Top: Dance/Athletic Bra Top Bottom: Hot Pants ( No Tank Tops or Bike Shorts)
A: Skin colored Dance Tights
A: Any type of Dance shoes or sneakers

[Buffalo Bandettes Auditions Info]

By Ben Meritt
Hammonton News

Ivelisse Rivera is getting a lot more exposure these days.

Rivera, a Hammonton resident who is entering her third year as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader, graces the cover of the squad’s 2010-11 calendar. Next month, she’ll be featured in a Maxim magazine pictorial of NFL Cheerleaders.

Not too bad for someone who never modeled before.

Rivera, 22, spent a weekend near Cancun, Mexico, for the Eagles calendar shoot.

In the cover image, she is pictured along a rugged shoreline, wearing a brown bikini made entirely from recycled materials.

A second image appears inside the calendar.

“It was an awesome experience,” Rivera said of the calendar shoot. “Modeling is definitely something that I would like to do (more of). It’s definitely fun.”

So much fun, in fact, she jumped — literally — at the chance to appear in the Maxim spread.

She traveled to New York City, where photographer Ture Lillegraven captured her airborne wearing a black and silver bikini top and green bottoms. The pictorial also will include cheerleaders from the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rivera, a native of Jersey City, moved to Hammonton with her family about 10 years ago.

She honed her dance skills at Paul Morris DanceXplosion in Hammonton and graduated from Hammonton High School in 2006.

She ran track and cross country, and she cheered for the Blue Devils during basketball games. However, she did not make the football cheerleading squad.

“Isn’t that funny?” she said with a laugh.

A year after graduating high school, Rivera tried out for the Eagles cheerleaders but didn’t make the cut. She persevered and, during the 2008 season, she found herself among the 38-member squad that entertains 69,000-plus fans on Sunday afternoons at Lincoln Financial Field.

Although the experience helps, she still must try out for the squad each season.

“It’s very nerve-wracking. Once you are a veteran, they expect more from you,” she said. “You have to keep on top of your stuff … It gets harder.”

What doesn’t change is the adrenaline rush she experiences on game days.

“It’s great walking out on to the field,” she said. “No matter how many years you’ve done this, you always get butterflies before the game. You can hear the crowd out there.”

Self-expression and confidence are key, but creativity has to take a bit of a back seat.

“Everything we do is choreographed, from when we run out on to the field to the end of the game,” Rivera said. “How we stand in the line, how we turn around … everything is a whole show.”

Rivera, who works as a dental assistant in Vineland, also has off-the-field obligations. She and her fellow cheerleaders must make at least three public appearances a month. Their efforts range from charity functions to a cleanup along the Delaware River.

And like almost everyone else in the region, she’s gearing up for what she thinks will be a successful Eagles season.

“We always hope for the best,” she said.

[Ivelisse at PhiladelphiaEagles.com]

[Eagles Cheerleader Calendar]

So, in the pre-season the starters see limited action. On Friday night Redskins QB Donovan McNabb was only around long enough to throw eight passes.

By contrast, I think the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders might have set a record for onfield performances.

The Redskins Cheerleaders danced on the field during the pre-game and at halftime. They also performed in the end zones at the quarter breaks and during both two-minute warnings. That’s six times. It’s a lot, but by no means a record.

But the Redskins Cheerleaders also hit the field and perform after every Redskins touchdown, and the Redskins scored six times on Friday night.

That’s a total of 12 performances, plus the sideline routines, And it was all done in that steamy August heat that DC is famous for.

Not sure if twelve is a record. I’ll have to get Sasha to check her archives on that.

[Redskins Cheerleaders Gallery]

[Redskins Cheerleaders Website]

We try to vary “Photo of the Day”, but since we’re drawing mostly on the work of Sasha, David and me, the same teams get represented over and over, And we end up missing large swaths of the Mid-west and South.

So we’re asking you to help us and spread the love around by sending in Your Professional Cheerleader photos.

Guidelines:

– Your own photo or permission from the copyright holder (please don’t grab somebody else’s work)

– The subject(s)  should Professional Cheerleaders or Alumni (we’re fans of college and HS, but that’s not our focus)

– Minimum  of 600 pixels wide (maximum is no problem)

– Good lighting and in focus; No awkward poses or unfortunate facial expressions (We’re looking for solid and flattering photographs)

-Tell us: Who is in the photo? What is going on? When and where was it taken?

And I’ve got a preference for vertical shots….

over horizontal photos.

Since we only do one photo a day (and we’re still going to use our own shots) we won’t be able to publish them all, but we still appreciate your contributions.

Send your submissions to photo@procheerleaderblog.com