Pro Bowl Dan flies to Hawaii every year, so a trip to Texas is nothing for him. Earlier this month he was at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Friends & Family Show, and he sent us a few of his photos.
Megan Fox
Deryn
Roxbury native opens in revival of West Side Story
By Bill Nutt
The Daily Record
Tonight, when Amy Ryerson makes her Broadway debut in “West Side Story,” she can almost thank her New Jersey roots for landing her the part.
Ryerson, a 2004 graduate of Roxbury High School, will play Mugsy, one of the Jet girls in a much-anticipated revival of the classic musical based on “Romeo and Juliet.” She is also the understudy for Graziella, the girl friend of Jet gang leader Riff.
When Ryerson auditioned for the show this past October, Arthur Laurents (the 90-year-old theater legend who wrote the book for the 1957 show and who is directing “West Side Story” for the first time) praised Ryerson for her tough demeanor.
“Yeah, I’m tough, I’m from New Jersey,” Ryerson replied.
“That cracked him up,” Ryerson recalled. “I think it might have helped me (get the role). They wanted people who were tough, who had that attitude.”
Ryerson’s Broadway debut is the culmination of years of training and work. Though only 23, she has appeared off-Broadway, done commercials, and performed as a Knicks City Dancer for the basketball team. A versatile dancer, she is skilled in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyric and other styles.
“Amy always tried to take everything in,” said Janine Cone of Byram, former co-director of the Dance Academy of North Jersey in Jefferson. For more than 12 years, Cone taught Ryerson and served as her mentor.
“Amy was one of the most dedicated, disciplined dancers I ever had,” said Cone, who taught dance for more than 25 years. “There are kids who compete in dance, but also do soccer, field hockey or other sports. It’s hard to find a kid who is dedicated to one thing. That’s Amy.”
“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a dancer,” said Amy Ryerson. “I never questioned it. It was something I needed to do.”
She began dancing “almost from the moment she could move,” said Carolyn Ryerson.
At age three, Amy was taking dance lessons. By age 7, she had begun entering dance competitions, and as a teenager she was going to New York City for auditions and workshops.
Carolyn Ryerson said she and her husband, Wayne, have always supported Amy in her dance; however, they tried to avoid being the stereotypical stage parents. “We tried to keep her grounded,” said Carolyn Ryerson. “We told her there would always be someone better than her.”
Nonetheless, the Ryersons had to pay attention when judges at competitions encouraged their daughter to dance professionally. “They kept saying that she was the real deal,” said Carolyn Ryerson.
The Oakland Raiders are searching for enthusiastic and talented candidates for their renowned public relations and entertainment team – The Raiderettes – “Football’s Fabulous Females.” Become a part of the prestigious Oakland Raiders by auditioning for the 2009 Oakland Raiderettes Professional Cheerleading Squad.
[Oakland Raiderette Auditions]
The competition was stiff last Saturday at the 2009 Argos Cheerleaders preliminary auditions as over 120 women competed for a spot on Toronto’s most established and revered cheerleading squad. The judges narrowed the field and now 64 women are moving on to the final auditions presented by Vata Brasil this Saturday, March 21. The Argos want our fans to have their say so come on down, cheer for your favourites, and let the judges know which ladies you want to see on the 2009 team.
Be the first to preview the 2009 Argos Cheerleaders as the final 33 will be named. VIP and celebrity judges including Rudy Blair from 680 News, Devo Brown from Flow 93.5 and Richie Favalaro from CHUM FM will evaluate the ladies on appearance, dance skills, showmanship and personality as they perform a dance routine, freestyle some of their own moves and answer a question from the judges.
Here are the details for the final auditions:
DATE: Saturday, March 21, 2009
LOCATION: Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts
36 Greenfield Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
(Yonge St., north of Sheppard Ave.)
DOORS: 11:00 a.m.
ADMISSION: $10 at the door
For over 30 years, the Argos Cheerleaders have cheered on the boys in blue at every home game. They lead the cheers of more than 30,000 Argo fans at Rogers Centre, as the Double Blue fight to represent the East in the Grey Cup. The Argos Cheerleaders also support some meaningful community events, lead the Jr. Argos Cheerleaders and act as role models for many young fans.
By Frank Jolley
The Daily Commerical
Deanna Clover has been a performer for as long as she can remember.
She has performed in dinner theaters, danced on cruise ships and as a member of the dance teams for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League and the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
Clover’s lifetime on stage has allowed her to travel the world as a promotional tool for the NBA and the Magic, and reached a peak this year when she was chosen to represent the team in Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit edition.
Feeling the aches and pains from years of performing and realizing she had likely accomplished as much as she could as a dancer, Clover decided that this year, her fifth with the Magic, would be her final season.
That doesn’t mean, however, that Clover is leaving a business she has devoted most of her life to. Instead of dancing in the limelight, Clover is looking to move into the wings as the dance-team coordinator for the fledgling Leesburg Thundercats professional basketball team.
Clover accepted an offer from Thundercats’ owner Kevin Simmons in December to become the franchise’s first dance-team coordinator. She held tryouts throughout the county and the seven-dancer team was unveiled recently during Eustis’ Georgefest parade.
“Part of my job is to get the Thundercats name out in the public and let them know we’re bringing professional basketball to Lake County,” Clover said. “We’re going to do that by performing at games and by giving dance clinics in the community. We want to be an active part of the community and become a positive influence for young people.
“This team is going to help develop the image people have of the Thundercats, so we want to make a very good impression and be a staple in the community.”
Clover said she decided to make this season her final year as a Magic dancer after suffering a torn labrum and assessing the amount of wear and tear her body has endured over the years. She recently turned 30, and while there is no age limit to be a Magic dancer, the grueling annual auditions to make the team were taking their toll.
Also, because of her commitments to the Magic, Clover was not spending as much time with her family. She has been married for nine years to her husband, Cliff, who she met when she danced on a cruise ship.
In addition to her dancing duties, Clover works part-time at her husband’s real estate business in Kissimmee and she also has taught dance classes at a studio in in Kissimmee.
“The commitment with the Thundercats will not be as big at the Magic,” Clover said. “Outside of the public relations functions, such as giving clinics or taking part in parades, there will be only 15 home games with the Thundercats as opposed to the 41 home games for the Magic. I’m really excited about the possibility of being able to spend more time with my family.”
From NonPareilOnline.com
The Vocational Development Center in Council Bluffs will have a cheerleading squad competing in the Iowa State Games of the Special Olympics for the first time ever.
This year’s games will be held Saturday in Iowa City.
Even though this will be its first time competing in the event, the team has an edge. One of the coaches is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Tami Barker was part of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad from 1977 to 1980 and performed at two Superbowls.
“I was born with pom-poms in my hand,” said Barker, who also ran a cheerleading school for elementary students for 11 years. “I didn’t know much about special needs individuals when my friend (residential services assistant), Rheanna Webber, asked me to help with the team, so we set up a meet and greet,” she said. “Instantly, I saw this was going to be the most amazing thing in my life.”
The squad consists of VODEC clients Sarah Arnold, Lori Brandenburg, Elise Collins, Maurice Haywood, Noah Judkins, Trisha McPartland, Marlo Spencer and Sharon Vaughn. Ashlie Autera, residential services assistant, is helping Barker with the coaching duties.
“This is the first time we’ve participated in cheerleading,” Autera said. “They’re all excited and doing really well. We practice the routine every week. We’re thrilled to have Tami as a volunteer coach. She’s absolutely outstanding, and she knows what she’s doing. On top of that, she’s very dedicated to our clients – and they just love her!”
Barker believes she is getting just as much, if not more, from this experience as the athletes.
“I had no idea how good this was going to make me feel,” she said. “I had some stereotypes in my mind, and they’ve all been smashed. They are eight over-the-top personalities. They make me laugh, and their love is unconditional.”
VODEC is a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with disabilities so that those individuals may live, work and participate in the community to achieve their fullest potential.
By Tracy Collins
Florida Times-Union
With the first batch of ROAR auditions behind them, dozens of Jaguars cheerleader hopefuls have visions of black and teal pom-poms dancing in their heads. Unfortunately, come Saturday, some will wake up to realize it was just a dream. Fortunately, starting Monday, these same women – and others – can start a new dream … Axe Maiden auditions.
It’s not a step back, it’s just a step
I first met Barracuda-Ice-Girl-turned-Jaguars-cheerleader-turned-Axe-Maiden-director Darlene Clancy (far right in the photo) years ago when she related her story to me about how she would have never tried out for the ROAR had it not been for the Ice Girls. It was just the right mix of relationships, practices, confidence boost and street cred she needed to excel in her audition later that landed her in the coveted spotted uniform on Alltel field. Now, she’s helping others reach their goals, whether that means just fulfilling the dream of becoming a cheerleader or using it as a stepping stone to the NFL squad.
Semi-pro has advantages
Let’s be honest, becoming a cheerleader for the Jacksonville Axemen Rugby Team has its privileges: Cute players, outrageous fans, and I got two words for owner Spinner Howard’s Aussie accent … yum and yum. It’s like Keith Urban on steroids. The whole organization is just sweet, pure, feel-good fun.
Better hurry if you want in
Do not delay if you want to jump on this dance train, workshops start Monday … yes, Monday, as in March 23! Email JaxAxeMaidens@hotmail.com for audition application and information and check out the AUDITION FLYER on the Axemen web site!
2008 AXE MAIDEN AUDITIONS PHOTO GALLERY – By RANDY LEFKO/Community Photographer
2008 COVERAGE OF AXE MAIDEN AUDITIONS – By CHRISTOPHER YAZBEC/Community Columnist
Back when Ken Martin directed the Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders, he was responsible for my first invitation to cover a game as a member of the “media”. Ken now runs The USA Cheerleaders.
Kixx Dancers
The KiXX were the first team to allow me behind the scenes access for audition coverage and the first team to give me a full season media pass.
Jillian and Liz
And current Director of the Blast Cheerleaders Elizabeth Guaraldo made the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders at the first NFL Cheerleader Audition I ever attended.
So it’s kind of fitting that my first post at UltimateCheerleaders.com is on the Baltimore Blast Cheerleaders with a bonus appearance by the Philadelphia KiXX Dance Team.
Back on March 7th, I made the trip down I-95 to Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena to see the Blast take on their NISL rivals the Philadelphia KiXX. Also making the trip were members of the Philadelphia KiXX Dance Team, who cheered on their team from the stands.
[Balitmore Blast Cheerleaders]
From <a href=”http://www.turfcats.com/news/2009-03-14/guidry-named-cheerleader-director.html” target=”_blank”>Turfcats.com</a>
<blockquote>The Austin Turfcats were pleased today to announce that Michelle Guidry has been named the Director of Cheerleading and Dance for the team.
Guidry is originally from League City, Texas, south of Houston. She grew up dancing from the age of three. She attended Clear Creek High school where she was a member of the Cavaliers Dance team and was honored to be an officer for two years and serve as Captain of the dance team her senior year.
<center><img src=”http://procheerleaderblog.com/blog/images/2009/Mar/guidryturfcats.jpg” alt=”Michelle Guidry” /></center>
After graduation Michelle spent two years at Kilgore College where she was a member of the world famous Kilgore College Rangerettes. While with the Rangerettes her performances include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the second inauguration of President George W. Bush in Washington D.C., several halftime performances at Dallas Cowboys games and halftime performances at the Cotton Bowl.
After attending Kilgore College, Michelle went on to finish her college career at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. Michelle attained a degree from Texas State University this past year in Psychology.
Guidry spent two years cheering and dancing for the Austin Wranglers of the Arena Football League. Her second year she was honored to also direct the team and choreograph routines for the cheerleaders.
She is looking forward to a great season with the Turfcats! The team cheerleaders are currently seeking a title sponsor. Having your company’s name on our team can reach approximately 250,000 sports fans each year. More importantly, a title sponsorship can help establish a scholarship fund for members of our team. With rising tuition, and increased demands on our team, we desperately need a scholarship fund to ensure our program’s success.</blockquote>
Here’s a sneak peak at the sort of footage you’ll be seeing on the UltimateCheerleaders.com TV show:
