A trio of Gotham City Cheerleaders
Auditions for next season’s squad will be held at Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday, July 20th at 8:00 a.m. To assist dancers with their tryout preparation, pre-audition workshops begin Saturday, June 21st at 12:00 p.m. at EB Fitness Club (located on the East Bank of Cleveland’s Flats).
New to this year’s audition process, interested dancers are asked to come prepared with their own moves to show the judge’s their personal flare! Candidates that make the first cut will continue on to learn and perform a choreographed Cavalier Girl’s routine.
Judges are searching for dancers who fit the style and energy of the Cavalier Girls. The selected women are ambassadors for the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, who take pride in bringing top-notch performances to the team’s award-winning game presentation, in addition to being dedicated representatives for community outreach initiatives.
Chosen finalists selected in the preliminary and semi-finalists rounds of auditions will be invited to participate in a two-week-long boot camp that includes formal interviews, mock practices, appearances and performances all leading up to the Cavalier Girls Finalist live event, which will be open to the public, at a later date this summer.
It is recommended, but not mandatory, that candidates participate in the Cavalier Girls pre-audition workshops at EB Fitness Club (1111 West 10th St., Cleveland 44113). Beginning June 21st, workshops will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7-10 p.m. and Saturday afternoons from 12–3 p.m. The cost of a three hour session is $40. Workshops include a group warm-up, across the floor Jazz technique/skills, a choreographed combination routine that features a mock audition and a question/answer session at the end of the workshop. Each workshop will feature fresh, new and exciting choreography taught by a staff including current professional choreographers, coaches, and former Cavalier Girls. There is no limit on how many workshops can be attended.
Requirements include that candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of auditions (there is no maximum age limit). Candidates must provide legal, valid proof of age when they register for auditions. Team members must have reliable means of transportation and flexible schedules for rehearsals, games and appearances for one full year, including pre-season and post-season events. All team members must be available for Cavalier Girls training camp to be held in August.
For detailed information on the workshops, audition guidelines and process, and to complete a pre-registration form, interested candidates should call the Cavs Entertainment Hotline at (216) 420-2255 or email cavaliergirls@cavs.com. Pre-registration costs $20 and must be received by Wednesday July 16th to guarantee a reserved spot. Walk-ups will be accepted for a $25 registration fee and are encouraged to arrive early. On-site registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20th and the auditions start at 8:30 a.m.
A Baltimore Blast Cheerleader
By Nick Gerhard
SothernMinn.com
Michelle
When Northfield High School graduates Michelle Polzin and Ting Ting Yang wanted to continue with their dancing careers they found themselves trying out for the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleading team.
Polzin accomplished her goal of making the team last season, but it took Yang another year before she got to share the experience. Both were recently named to the team.
Yang learned of the tryouts from a former dance instructor, Colleen Day, a former Vikings cheerleader. But it took Yang four attempts to finally land a spot on the team with 34 other women.
“The moment I got into the open competitions it was just a vibe I got from everyone,” Yang said. “All the women that I met they’re just so genuine. I loved it so much that I had to come back just so I could experience it again.”
Yang and Polzin emerged from a field of nearly 100 at the open tryout in April. The team held a final tryout April 22 at the Mall of America rotunda and also had to pass an exam with a 95 percent, which included a portion where participants had to name every NFL team and the correct conference it plays in.
Polzin, a dancer all through high school and some in college, learned about the team through her cousin, who had been a Vikings cheerleader for six years.
Ting Ting
“I think it’s the highest professional level of dancing you can achieve,” Polzin said.
Cheerleaders are expected to make two to three appearances a monthly and attend practice two to three times a week. The practices run three hours. Cheerleaders are expected to work out on their own three to four times a week, Yang said.
Working for the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleading team is considered a part-time job for the team. Cheerleaders must have a full-time time, be a full-time student or a full-time mother.
From Saturday Night – Dionna of the Philadelphia Soulmates
VENDOR ROOM
9:00-3:30 Browse Vendors All Day!
9:15-9:25 Morning Kickoff: Meet the Vendors and Instructors, Door Prizes Awarded
10:15-11:00 Light Up the Room: Wynne Lacey – Sports Entertainment Director, Certified Life Coach. Do you catch the director’s eye as soon as you enter the room? Wynne will discuss how you can channel your energy and stand out from the crowd.
11:15-12:30 Unlock Your Best Look: Vanessa / VIP Faces – Hair Stylists and Makeup Artists. Let your look reach its full potential no matter hair length, color or texture, no matter skin color or type. Get tips from experts from the finest companies and salons in the region. Bring your mirror and makeup kit for a hands on session!
12:30-1:30 Lunch: Massages available for FREE courtesy of the Spa at TheWit Hotel! You may choose to bring your lunch, snack or leave the venue
1:30-1:40 Afternoon Kickoff: Meet the Vendors and Instructors, Door Prizes Awarded
1:45-2:30 Pageantry 101: Miss and Ms. Illinois United States. Pageant coach and winning titleholders talk about how pageantry is a great option for performers and activists, how to get started, and how to stand out on stage
2:45-3:15 Reinvent Yourself: Molly Rudberg – Marketing Maven. Molly will help you understand how to brand yourself and get noticed in the field of entertainment.
3:30-4:15 Take A Bite Out of the Competition: Kelly Ritchie – Dietician. You know what you should and should not eat, but how do you make a plan that works? Kelly will guide you through a nutrition plan for getting the body you desire and developing the mind of a champion.
4:30-5:00 Your Career Off the Court: Soul Cycle and Going Pro – Start making choices to earn a living doing what you love in fitness, dance, pageants and more!
DANCE ROOM
*Designates additional class fee or All Day Dance Ticket required
9:30-11:00 *Masters Pro Dance Class: Dasha Arias – Luvabulls
11:00-12:30 *Masters Pro Dance Class: Kate Hooper – Rams
1:45-2:45 Dance Technique: Donnette Kuba Cannonie. Get hands on instruction on walks, kicks, turns, leaps, and style at the pro level.
2:45-4:15 *Masters Pro Dance Class: Pam Marsh – Luvabulls / Rams
FITNESS ROOM
1:00-2:15 Personal Training: Molly McGinnis
2:30-3:45 Personal Training: Molly McGinnis
SKATE SESSION AT JOHNNY’S ICE HOUSE EAST
8:30-9:30 Ice Crew Stop, Stride & Shovel Savvy: Jill Karsten. Grab your skates and start your GOING PRO day off-site at the host facility of Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew auditions, Johnny’s Ice House – EAST. The one-hour ice session features stopping and shoveling drills used for auditions along with instructional skating tips for skaters using both hockey and figure skates. Skaters of ALL ability levels welcome. Non-skaters may attend, sit and observe at ice level. Add-on fee: $18 (skaters and non-skaters) – must contact Wynning Teams to register.
Open Call Audition: Saturday, June 21 @ the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers
Callbacks: Monday June 23, Tuesday June 24 and Wednesday June 25
Just 2 remaining audition clinics next week where dancers can learn the actual choreography that will be taught at the open call. Those clinics are:
DATE 1: Wednesday 6/18/14
TIME: 6-8pm
LOCATION: City Center Studios/ Studio 5
DETAILS: Learn the “KCD Pop Jazz” Combination that will be taught at the audition
Guest Speaker: Jaclyn Alterwein, Director of Entertainment Marketing, NY Knicks
DATE 2: Thursday 6/19/14
TIME: 6-8pm
LOCATION: City Center Studios/ Studio 5
DETAILS: Learn “Jazz Funk #3” – Same style as the 2nd round of the audition!
Guest Speaker: Melissa Unterstein, Coach of the Knicks City Dancers
For the first time in 6 years, the Philadelphia Soulmates donned their one-of-a-kind jersey tops. Each dancer has her own number and her name is emblazoned on the back.
Captains and Co-Captains
Julia
Theresa
Terri was on injured reserve for the game. She suffered a concussion. See, Dancers have to be just as tough as the players.
Rebecca: Number 1 on the field; number 1 in our hearts.
And she’s sporting a new ‘do.
A New York Lizards Dancer
From WSVN.com
When it comes to keeping it hot, nobody fires up a crowd like the Miami Heat dancers.
From shaking it center court, to jetting across the globe, these ladies are the definition of white hot. Their faces are almost as popular as the players’ faces, and their sexy moves are watched just as closely as a slam dunk by King James. “The one routine that gets us all pumped up is ‘Crazy Legs,'” said Jamie, a Miami Heat dancer. “It has a little hip hop and booty in it, and the crowd just seems to love it.”
It’s safe to say that the Miami Heat dancers are living their own NBA dream. “It’s an experience of a lifetime to be in this arena, with the energy of the players, of the fans,” said Tamara, another Miami Heat dancer.
These women have a lot of pride in what they do. “We are the four-time most popular dance team in the NBA. We said it loud and proud, everywhere we go,” said Nic, a Miami Heat dancer.
When it comes to jewelry, not much compares to the coveted bling the Heat dancers sport. Six of the 22 ladies now have two precious, championship rings. “I got to ride the best heatwave I possibly could,” said Nic. “I made the team when I was 18 years old, and now I’m 21, and to have two championship rings before I’m 22 years old, before I graduate college, is a really important thing to me. I’m very prone to losing things, so what I do is keep them in a safety deposit box.”
But it’s not just the glamor of rings or dancing for the two-time defending champions. Being a Heat dancer has taken these ladies to exotic places they never imagined visiting. “Last season, I went to China with them for games, which was amazing, a life experience. These are opportunities I never thought I would have, and it’s a dream come true,” said Tamara.
“Last year, I was able to travel with a few other girls to the French All Star game in Paris,” said Miami Heat dancer Michele.
This season, the dancers jetted over to the Dominican Republic to shoot their steamy, swimsuit calendar. “It was so new to me, you know, fresh out of high school,” said Jeanelle, a first-year Miami Heat dancer, “and I’m going to a whole new country. It was my first time in another country. The scenery was breathtaking.”
“I’m actually Dominican, so going to the Dominican Republic for the first time with the Heat was amazing,” said Priscilla, a second-year Miami Heat dancer. “I got an early shoot, so I got up at 5 a.m. and got my makeup done, and I was able to see the sunrise.”
Don’t let all that fun in the sun fool you, though. These young women work hard. They practice four to five times a week, perform at games and are involved in a lot of charity work in the community. “Being a Heat dancer is not only what we do on court, but we do a lot outside, and that’s really humbling,” said Miami Heat dancer Shea.
When they aren’t dancing, some of the dancers are full-time students, dance teachers and even school teachers. “Some of my kids come into class, and they’re like ‘Miss Priscilla, I saw you last night on TV, and it’s exciting to hear their excitement for me,” said Priscilla.
While the excitement builds now for a heat three-peat, these young dancers’ dreams go beyond this season. “Everytime we perform, we talk about how we’re going to grow up, and once we hit 60, we’re all going to audition for the Golden Oldies and make a huge comeback,” said Priscilla.
The Heat dancers do get paid, but they will not reveal how much.
