Dominique danced for the Philadelphia Wings Angels for three seasons and the Philadelphia Fight Vixens for one. Last year she graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Ballet.
After graduations she landed a gig dancing on a cruise ship. While she was back on land in LA rehearsing for a new ship and a different company, she took time to answer a few of our questions.
UC: How long have you been dancing?
Dom: Since I was 3. So 20 years which makes me sound reallllly old.
UC: I saw your audition video on Youtube. What can you tell me about it and the audition process?
Dom: I auditioned in New York City, and was hired by Mike Moloney Entertainment. We learned some choreography and performed it in front of judges and they recorded it. There were also auditions in Vancouver and Las Vegas. From all 3 audition cities 9 dancers were picked and 4 singers.
UC: How long are land rehearsals before you to sea? You rehearsed in Vegas last time, right?
Dom: Rehearsals are limited to 28 days, not all cast members are US citizens and legally they can only be here for that amount of time. We rehearsw six days a week from 9 am until about 4:30 or 5. Rehearsals were held in Vegas at Mike’s studio. We all lived on the same floor at a local hotel, and drove everywhere together in a 15-passenger van, including down the strip. On the ship we had a one-week period to install the shows and learn the stage fit costumes and such before we performed out first show.
UC: Where did you have you traveled so far? How long were you at sea?
Dom: I was at sea for a little over six months. My itinerary started off in Canada and traveled to Alaska and Seattle. Then we came down the coast of California to Mexico through the Panama Canal and to Central America. I ended as far north as Baltimore and we stopped at all of the major US Virgin Islands along the way, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Antigua. Too many places to name!
UC: What kind of performances are you involved in?
Dom: Three main stage shows. And the Winner Is (a show full of award winning songs) with the celebrity orchestra, A Touch of Broadway and Dance Around The World.
Theme nights which included a Sock Hop and Groove a 60’s night. We also had Everybody Dance, kind of a take on dancing with the stars. We all chose a passenger as a dance partner. We choreographed and rehearsed our routines throughout the cruise and at the end competed against other couples.
Dominique during “The Lion King” portion of the show, A Touch of Broadway
UC: How do you spend your time on the ship when not dancing or rehearsing?
Dom: The ship truly becomes your home. I had a lot of amazing friends on the ship not only in the cast who I spent my extra time with. We’d wake up in a new city everyday and really try to take advantage of that. Just explore, go on excursions. I have been on an underwater scooter and swimming with dolphins, raced an America’s Cup yatch. Anything and everything. Dancers have the most free time out of all of the crew members, so we like to give back to them. We performed crew shows at midnight so the people working hard not only serving our guests but us as well could relax and enjoy our shows. A few of us became pretty popular in the crew party planning and decorating area. Of course we shopped, worked on our tans and went to the gym.
UC: Is dancing at sea any different than on land? I mean does the ship sway or rock, or is it not noticeable?
Dom: The ship moves a lot depending on where you are in the world. We had very rough seas; you just learn to deal with it. We never cancel a show. Sometimes we wear flat shoes instead of heels, take out over head lifts and jumps if really necessary. Sometimes the sea works with you though, if you catch a wave at the right time, it makes things easier.
UC: Is dancing on a cruise ship everything you thought it would be? How much do you enjoy it?
It really was, I loved my cast. They will be my friends for the rest of my life. So will the girls from the Angels! Living where you work can be challenging. You want to separate business from pleasure, but your coworkers are your family. I loved every minute including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, which i thought would be hard sinceI was away from my family.
I was a remiss in noting that Melissa, a member of the 2009-10 Philadelphia KiXX Dance Team, just made the 2010-11 Sixers Dance Team. Congratulations, Melissa!
(Click to enlarge)
After a long night of auditions at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, twenty dancers were selected as finalists for the 2010-11 Philadelphia KiXX Dance Team. Up next: Personal interviews with Dance Team Director Jillian Gonzales. Congratulations to all and best of luck!
The Rochester Knightingales dance team will be holding auditions for responsible, professional, outgoing, talented dancers September 11th & 12th.
The Knightingales are fun, outgoing, professional woman who represent healthy goals and superior entertainment. In addition to performing at the NLL Rochester Knighthawks home lacrosse games the team will support community projects throughout Greater Rochester. The Knightingales will perform at many exciting events and make numerous appearances including modeling, public speaking, event entertainment and support throughout Monroe County. The Knightingales are provided by RET Talent.
The Knightingales are dedicated women who are physically fit, talented in dance/cheer or promotional modeling and are able to present themselves in a professional manner. Because the Knightingales are influential role models to the youth in our communities, we select women that are committed to leading a healthy productive lifestyle.
The Directors are looking to fill a variety of positions and look for personality, willingness to learn and physical appearance as well as ability.
Dance Auditions will be located at the Radisson Hotel Riverside Rochester on September 11th and 12th, applicants will commit to both days while being judged on an audition routine and interview.
Please Bring the Following:
Professional Business Resume, including objective and related experience
Completed application (Download from Website, or contact us to be sent a copy) Valid Photo ID: License, School ID or Pass Port
Non-Refundable Fee: $30.00 Cash or Check made payable to “Rochesters Entertainment Team” • receipts available
Recent Photo – You will not be judged on your photo and photo will not be returned
Drinks, non-perishable Lunch and Snack
Lunch may be purchased at the Hotel restaurant http://www.legendsrochester.com/
Your Smile and positive attitude!
Please wear the Following:
Black Sports Bra or Tank Crop
Black Shorts or “hot pants”
Nude Tights or Stockings are allowed
Sneakers or Dance Sneakers
Hair & Make-up performance style – No pony-tails
No Jewelry – Exception: Wedding/Engagement Rings
Minimum Dancer requirements:
Must be 18 years of age by first date of tryouts. Graduated from High School or Have a GED.Must commit to all Regular Season Practices, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:30pm- 9:30pm, World Gym on East Avenue (based on the team schedule) Through playoffs
Must have active email, checked weekly and prior to each scheduled game.
Must commit to all home games through playoff games
Follow Rules and Regulations, Team Handbook and sign a contract with RET Talent.
Team Benefits and Compensation:
Free Game Parking
Game Tickets
Team Activities
Free Gym Membership
Free Tanning (Benefits change each season)
Payment Based on qualifications and experience, $15-$30/game payable at end of each month.
And Much More!
Promotional Model Interviews will be held separately, please visit the website for additional information
If you have any further questions, please contact info_knightingales@yahoo.com or Corina at 585-721-2742.
It was a pleasure to see member of the NFL’s newest Cheerleading squad, the NY Jets Flight Crew at P-R-O this year.
In just 4 short years, they’ve come from carrying flags, to one the NFL’s top cheerleading squads.
In the spring they Flight Crew traveled to Aruba to shoot their first out-of-the country swimsuit calendar and next month they’ll open up the NFL’s newest stadium on a nationwide Monday Night game.
[Jets Flight Crew at P-R-O Gallery]
[Jets Flight Crew at NewYorkJets.com]
When: Saturday, August 7
Where: Maverik Center
3200 Decker Lake Drive
West Valley City, Utah 84119
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.
Auditions Begin at 10:00 a.m.
In addition there will be two audition prep clinics
Clinic 1: Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m.-Noon
Clinic 2: Friday, August 6, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: DF Dance Studio,
2978 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
FEE: $25 for one clinic, $40 for both
Audition Requirements
Age: Females 19 and older
Bring: Dance/Performance headshot
Attire: 2-piece dance wear and appropriate shoes
Requirements: Dance skills, strong communication skills, skating experience optional.
[Audition Information and Pre-registration]
More than just pretty faces
Posted By Sean Meyer
theLondoner.ca
The London Silverbacks are hoping to take field for the North American Football League (NAFL) championship game later this year.
And should the Silverbacks find themselves in position to play for a championship, Elizabeth Morgan is hoping her cheerleading team will be right there beside them. In fact, the cheerleaders might even have a better chance at reaching the championship game than the Silverbacks do.
“The NAFL has their championship weekend, which every year is in a different city. We have been invited twice now to go and perform during the halftime show at the championship game,” says Morgan, who is director of the Silverbacks cheerleaders and the owner of Expressions Dance Arts. “We have been pretty recognized as a skilled team, a dedicated team within the league. So we are having aspirations of doing that this year if our team makes it; we want to be cheering them on.”
The opportunity to cheer on the Silverbacks is just one of the many reasons the cheerleading team is once again a regular fixture at London’s home games at TD Waterhouse Stadium. This year’s squad may only be six members strong, but with styles varying from street jazz to hip-hop to contemporary – as well as mixing in traditional CFL and NFL style cheerleading – Morgan says they will once again be putting on the best show possible for the team’s fans.
“Gameday is about a six to seven hour day for the cheerleaders. We arrive a few hours early for an on-field practice. We work with the football club to help with anything they need in terms of halftime activities or mini-games, anything they need help with during the game,” Morgan says. “We try to bring awareness to our football club, but also to the style of cheerleading these girls perform.”
That job is one the members of the cheerleading team take seriously, despite the fact they are all volunteers committing a considerable amount of time. Of course, there are potential benefits for the team members as well.
“We do it because it is a commitment to our community. It is a chance for the girls to perform; a lot of them have trained in dance and/or cheerleading for many years. They are either in college or have graduated and it is a chance for them to continue to perform,” Morgan says. “The football club is a feeder team for the Toronto Argos and I have been a CFL and NFL Cheerleader (Hamilton Ti-Cats Cheerleaders, Tornoto Arogs Cheerleaders and Buffalo Jills – james) and done choreography for the Argos cheerleaders. So this is an opportunity to train and perhaps audition to the next phase. We kind of mirror that same process the guys have for the cheerleading team.”
Just as members of the Silverbacks hope some CFL or NFL scout might take notice of their football ability, Morgan says the members of the cheerleading team are also hoping their efforts won’t go unnoticed. Morgan is also quick to point out the members of the team aren’t just sitting back and waiting for good fortune to find them.
“Just as an example of the commitment these girls have, one of the girls on the team, she has been a ballet and jazz dancer with my studio since she was three years old. She was at the National Ballet School for four years. She auditioned for Juilliard (in New York City) two years ago and made the final 12 for dance and she just completed a college diploma with a professional dance program in Vancouver,” Morgan says. “So she has come home and is looking to expand her ability to perform, to get contract work with different ballet companies. This is a way for her to showcase her talents and stay active in the field. You never know who might see you performing.”
Morgan says the approximately 90 percent of the team is in their third or fourth year cheering, and that dedication is important to keep in mind considering how much work the members put in during the week.
“Your average professional cheerleader would train between six and nine hours a week in rehearsals, between one-and-a-half to four hours a week in personal training and gym time and then anywhere from 3-10 hours a week in community appearances,” Morgan says. “So when you look at the amount of time they are putting in, and much of it volunteer, that is very significant, very similar to professional athletes.”
The effort the team members put in goes beyond just what they do to prepare for a typical gameday.
“Practices will last anywhere from three to six hours at a time. We usually do a warm up at practices. We do work on kicks, extensions, turns, things like that. We work on choreographed pieces, sidelines, team cheers. We also discus ambassadorships, we talk about upcoming appearances and things the girls can volunteer for. It is important to remember they put this time all in on a voluntary basis.” Morgan says. “We also balance it with community appearances, we have done things like Rib-Fest, we work with our Junior Silverbacks – that is for ages 5-16 – we help them, training them, giving them an opportunity to perform at a real sports game. Sharing some of ours skills as mentors, this is an important way to give back too.”
When it comes to giving back to the community, the commitment of the cheerleaders puts them on par with not just the football team, but perhaps the average postal carrier as well.
“The physical nature of what we do, dancing, kicking, jumping, tumbling, stunting, in the heat or in the snow or in the rain, is quite a feet. The girls on the team have trained for many years and we practice about once a week together,” Morgan says. “I like giving back to the community. I like grassroots programs. I think it is important for people to support community sports organizations as well. I am a London native. Even with all the travels I have done, different teams I have worked for, I really feel strong that for young people especially, we need to offer them opportunities and be good role models. This is a way to be able to do that.”
Even at a time when dance shows are among the most popular forms of TV reality show program, Morgan acknowledges there are those who still don’t understand the level of commitment and athleticism it takes to be a cheerleader.
[London Silverbacks Cheerleaders]
The Texas Stars announced on Wednesday that Kristin Ditto has joined the organization in the role of Ice Girls Coordinator for the 2010-11 season. The Stars also announced that auditions for the 2010-11 Texas Stars Ice Girls will be held on August 7, 2010 at Cedar Park Center. A special pre-registration party will be held on Saturday, July 24th beginning at 9:00 PM at Malverde located in downtown Austin at 400 West 2nd Street. Pre-registration applications will be accepted at Gold’s Gym located in Cedar Park at 1890 Ranch on Saturday, July 31st from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Ditto brings over 20 years of experience in dance and cheerleading to the Stars organization including two years as a member of the internationally acclaimed Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Kristin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise and Sport Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington with over twenty-four hours applied in Dance Education. She gained exposure to the sports and entertainment industry at an early age thanks to her father, WWE Hall of Fame Professional Wrestler, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
Kristin’s passion and commitment to inspiring young women has motivated her in collaborating with fellow DCC alumni, Megan Flowers on an inspirational manuscript. This book is a work in progress and captures what the true meaning of success is for young women and centers upon the importance of self confidence skills and how to acquire them.
Young women interested in competing for a place on the squad are encouraged to attend one of the pre-registration events. For questions on the events, auditions, or the Texas Stars Ice Girls in general, please contact Kristin directly at icegirls@TexasStarsHockey.com.
[Texas Stars Ice Girls Audition Information]
Logan native one of 25 finalists seeking 14 spots.
By Beau Wicker
Pharos-Tribune
Former Logansport and Ball State gymnastics standout Courtney Vojtasek is taking a shot at becoming an Indiana Pacemate for the 2010-11 NBA season.
Vojtasek went to a tryout for the Pacemates, the Indiana Pacers’ dance team, earlier this week. There were more than 100 women at the tryout, and she was named one of 25 finalists for the 14 open spots on the team.
Part of the criteria for earning a spot on the team is gaining online votes at www.pacematesvoting.com. Vojtasek is hoping that people from her hometown of Logansport will help her gain her a spot on the team.
Vojtasek said she has long wanted to be a Pacemate.
“I’ve always watched the Pacemates, probably more than the basketball team, since I was little,” she said. “I’ve always loved to dance. I would just like to get more involved in the community and represent the Pacers organization and be a role model, and just get the opportunity to perform for Indiana fans at Conseco.”
There will be a public showcase for the 25 finalists Wednesday at Conseco Fieldhouse and the voting will stop at 3 p.m. that day, when the 14 new Pacemates will be announced.
Vojtasek, a 1999 Logansport grad, competed for the Berry gymnastics team as a freshman and sophomore. As a freshman she finished seventh in the all-around and fourth on beam at the state finals.
She competed in the USAG Level 10 Nationals as a junior in high school.
At Ball State, she was named MVP and captain of the team her senior year. In the final meet of her career, the Mid-American Conference championships, she placed third on floor with her all-time high score of 9.9. She was also part of the Cardinals’ 2002 MAC championship team.
Vojtasek’s gymnastics skills could help her gain a spot on the Pacemates, as she said they’re considering adding some tumbling skills to the routines.
Vojtasek currently lives in Indianapolis and works as an accountant for the Department of Defense.
Vote for Courtney or your favorite Pacemate hopefeul here.
The Kings recently held tryouts for the third edition of the LA Kings Ice Crew. Kings Vision gives you an all-access look at the first day of auditions!
