Bios and uniform shots are now online for the 2009-10 Cardinals Cheerleaders. Click here to learn about this year’s squad!
Final Decisions, Finally
By Nets Dancer Bonnie
New Jersey Nets
June 24, 2009
Hi Nets Fans! It’s official — the newest Nets Dancers have been chosen, and I think it’s going to be a fantastic team! Hundreds of girls faced a grueling audition process, and the judges chose the elite to represent the Nets Basketball this upcoming season.
The audition routine for the finals, choreographed by Jon Rua, pushed all of the dancers past their comfort zones and allowed the judges to see who could dance in a new and innovative style. Jon’s choreography has been seen on the court of the IZOD Center before: this past season, he choreographed the fan favorite “Strings,” as well as my favorite piece to perform, “Past-Present,” an upbeat hip-hop routine that incorporated “Juicy” and “Move If You Wanna.”
The young ladies who were chosen for the team all exuded confidence, performed to their best ability, and showed the maturity and technique that are expected of Nets Dancers. After the judges made their final decision, I was elated and honored to be the first number called to join the 2009-10 Nets Dancers!! I’m happy to say that all 13 returning members who re-auditioned made it back. We’re also excited to have a returning member back from two seasons ago, Marla! We also have two brand new girls, Terrie and Jen, who both killed the audition and impressed the judges enough to earn a spot on the team. Meeting them for the first time and seeing how overjoyed they were, I remembered how incredible it felt to be called last year.
The night of final auditions was exciting and stressful, but more than one day’s work went into this process. I had been preparing by following a rigorous gym routine as well as eating healthy. Being a dancer, music has a big impact on me, and an energizing mix on my iPod helped me to stay focused. Here’s a small sample:
1. “Shooting Star (Remix)” – LMFAO
2. “The Fame” – Lady Gaga
3. “Showdown” – Black Eyed Peas
4. “What a Feeling” – Peter Luts ft. Dominico
5. “Champion” – Kanye West
I’ve also looked for inspiration from the world of dance. When I’m not dancing for the Nets, I’m teaching at Dance Arts Academy. The students are preparing for the finale to their year, Nationals in Wildwood. Rehearsing with them and seeing how much hard work and love they put into each of their routines, I am reminded of how passionate I am about this art and how fortunate I am to have it as such a large part of my life.
My favorite summer show has also started up, So You Think You Can Dance. The contestants this season are all phenomenal. Seeing all the creative routines they’ve performed the past couple weeks has gotten me pumped up for another season working with my talented teammates and our ground-breaking choreographers.
I am so proud of our new team, and cannot wait to start a new and thrilling season. I know that I will continue to grow and mature as a dancer and a young woman during my next year with the Nets Dancers, and I look forward to watching my teammates do the same. Congratulations, ladies!!
Auditions are coming up for the 2009-10 Los Angeles Kings Ice Crew! Last year was the inaugural season for the METAL Ice Crew. There was such a positive response from the crowd, that the Kings have decided to combine the team with the in-arena team, to form a single entertainment group, the Kings Ice Crew.
Tryouts are scheduled for the week of July 27th. The team is offering a prep class on Friday, July 10. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the team and how to shine at tryouts. There’s no better way to get a leg up on the competition!
Training Camp Prepares Titans Cheerleaders for Upcoming Season
By Sarah Goodyear
Titans Online
Jun 18, 2009
The Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders began their third week of training camp on Monday with their annual uniform photo shoot. Training Camp for Titans Cheerleaders is a four week endeavor that occurs every June upon returning from their yearly swimsuit calendar photo shoot in Destin, Florida at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. During the four week camp, the Cheerleaders improve their fitness and strength, as well as practice and learn new dance routines.
TTC training camp also includes a series of educational events. The ladies received a football tutorial from Titans Video Director Anthony Pastrana, a lesson about proper etiquette and manners, and a golf lesson from former Titans Cheerleader (and 2009 Pro Bowl Representative) Lindsay S. in order to prepare the team for the Titans Foundation Golf Tournament on Monday, June 22nd. Media training will be provided by John Dwyer of News 2 and Voice of the Titans, Mike Keith during the final week of camp.
In addition to the regular practices that occur three nights a week and on Saturday mornings, the Titans Cheerleaders also attend mandatory “Fitness Fridays” lead by Coach Stacie Kinder and her husband and former Olympic Decathlete, Gary Kinder. Fitness Fridays consist of intense cardiovascular and strength building exercises to prepare the Cheerleaders for the upcoming season.
“We don’t just ‘work out,'” explains Keesha, rookie Titans Cheerleader. “Gary teaches us techniques and drills that improve our endurance and help us meet our fitness goals. It also helps to be surrounded by teammates with the same ambitions; they motivate me to do better.”
“Fitness Friday shows us how hard we can actually push ourselves,” says Julia, commenting on participating in her fourth training camp with the Titans Cheerleaders. “It sets the standard for how we should workout and train all year.”
On the final Friday in June, each member of the team is required to pass a fitness test and is rewarded with a commemorative t-shirt upon completion. In addition to the fitness test, the squad is responsible for passing a written test that covers the material that they learned during the various educational seminars.
Training camp encourages members of the team to improve their physical fitness and their knowledge of football. It also provides a way for the Cheerleaders to create new friendships and strengthen their bond as a team.
“It is amazing how supportive and motivating all the women are,” says Ally, who is beginning her second season with the Titans Cheerleaders. “This experience allows us to really get to know one another and grow more as a team.”
Click here for a bigger version of the photo.
There are new profile photos of the 2009 ChivaGirls on the Chivas USA website. No bios yet, but you can see the uniform shots right here. You can also click here to view photos from behind the scenes at the team’s photo shoot!
by Matt Mitovich
TVGuide.com
Jun 17, 2009
She made a Bachelor think twice. She tore up the dance floor. Now, Melissa Rycroft will tackle a third gig for ABC, on Good Morning America.
Though unconfirmed by the network, sources tell TVGuide.com that Rycroft will join the morning program this summer as a special contributor. In that capacity, Rycroft will deliver “uplifting, summer-type” pieces, our insider says.
Rycroft — who on Wednesday hinted at her new job via Twitter, saying, “Guess who just got a job with Good Morning America???” — is expected to make several appearances throughout the summer.
Rycroft first braved television as a contender for Bachelor Jason Mesnick’s heart. After famously falling short in the endeavor, she was tapped to replace an injured Nancy O’Dell during the most recent cycle of Dancing with the Stars.
As a Dancing star, Rycroft aced the samba and, with partner Tony Dovolani, ultimately placed third in the competition.
By Ariana
* Photo Gallery and Video Highlights*
Last week, myself and some of the other cheerleaders were invited to take part in some promotional video clips.
On the first day, Jennifer, Pamela, Ashton and I took a variety of different clips where we danced, kicked, jumped and did lots of hair flips! The video camera was filming in slow motion so it was very interesting to see our every motion in detail. We also were able to do some solo video clips. For example, I was jumping on a mini trampoline while some of the other girls were dancing in the background. It came out fabulous!
On the second day of shooting, we had a group of 12 cheerleaders filming clips together. In groups, we danced and did some fun shots with Dolphins fans! Playing off our new stadium name, Land Shark Stadium, the Dolphins fans and the cheerleaders practiced our “FINS UP” that we’ll be performing at the games. When we had extra time, the film crew set up a special Plexiglas stage with lights underneath, strobe lights and fog machines. It was a very artistic and creative look that will really give our fans something new to see!
Overall we all had a great time filming both days and we can’t wait to see the final outcome!
– Ariana
Atlanta Hawks: Finals are over, and the 2009-10 A-Town dance team has been named! (Click here to view photos from finals.)
One spot is left though. The voting is now closed, but check back Thursday to see which of the remaining three finalists will join the team. In the meantime, click here to meet the three finalists.
By Gayle Guyardo
Tampa Bay Online
June 17, 2009
Cheerleader Practice Photos and Video
TAMPA – Twelve Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders will take off for Japan on Thursday to perform for troops stationed there.
On Friday, they’ll be joined by Bucs players Will Allen and Michael Clayton.
“My father was in Vietnam and I called him to tell him that I made the trip,” said rookie cheerleader Meagan Pravedm. She wanted “to pay it forward to the troops doing the same thing he did.”
The “Shake, Rattle and Roll” variety tour organized by Armed Forces Entertainment includes a first stop at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, where the cheerleaders will perform Friday with the band The Crash Moderns. The players arrive shortly after and will join the cheerleaders in greeting military personnel. The Tampa representatives will also visit Camp Foster in Okinawa.
The cheerleaders then go to Guam on Monday for a visit with troops at Andersen Air Base. Clayton and Allen will remain in Japan for a football clinic and return to Tampa on June 24.
At the annual Bucs cheerleader tryouts, the women also auditioned for the special military appreciation tour. The squad includes about three dozen members, only a third of whom were chosen for the tour.
During their performance, the women willl dance, tap and fling batons in the air to the sounds of hip-hop, rock ‘n’ roll, country and ,of course, military favorites.
In past years, specialized Bucs cheerleaders teams have traveled to Australia, Iraq, Afghanistan and London.
Philadelphia Eagles: Be the first to see the new calendar images at the Eagles Cheerleaders 2009-2010 Calendar Unveiling Event. This previously private event is now open to the public! All of the Eagles Cheerleaders will be modeling their eco-sexy bikinis that were worn during their calendar shoot in Aruba. The show will also include a cheerleader dance performance followed by the announcement of the new cover girl.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Prince Music Theater, 100 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Tickets are $22.50 and include a copy of the new 2009-2010 Eagles Cheerleaders Calendar!
