You were cut...now what?

Freshman 2010/2011: Alex R.

So as we all know the PDT audition for the 2011/2012 year was held last Saturday!  This comes timely because as we speak the Cheerleading auditions are happening this weekend!  This blog has been inspired by a few students that have completely impressed me. (Head Coach Tori)

The audition for PDT is not an easy one.  Everyone that auditions understands that.  Last year we tried something different by judging the incoming Freshmen on an easier scale.  This did not work out to our advantage so we decided this year to judge the incoming Freshmen on the same scale as the veterans.

Bottom line; we were looking for:

Execution:  The energy behind the movement (not getting the routine PERFECT).  The confidence behind what they were doing!

Appearance:  Were they dressed for an audition?  Hair done? Cute outfit?

Attitude:  The facial experience! Were they dull?  Were they happy?  Did they have crowd appeal?

Flair:  Truly what PDT is known for---the hair whips!

The veterans knew this and heard time and time again this past year that no one is guaranteed a spot for the following year!  So unfortunately, a few got cut.

Dancers that get cut handle it many different ways.  Some of it turn it into negativity and either bad mouth the coaches/team or promise to never support or tryout for the team again.  Then there are those that turn it into a learning experience!  They ASK the coach what did they did wrong and how can they work on making an improvement....

Which provoked this Blog!

I am impressed!  On Tuesday evening we had the incoming Freshmen sports interest meeting at Padua.  We figured our table would be pretty empty due to the fact that we already had our auditions and the team was chosen!  I was sorely mistaken.  Not only did the new incoming Freshmen that MADE the team came up to the table to introduce themselves and their parents; but the girls that were CUT did also!  They looked me in the eye and expressed that their goal is to work hard to make this team for their Sophomore year....

Wow!

Then a Freshmen that I will name currently:

Alexandra R. sent me the most heartwarming email.  She was cut for the team for next year!  (mind you she was on the team last season) She wanted to know what she did wrong and how she could improve for her JUNIOR year!  I answered a very lengthy response to her!  I was honest and she respected that!  She is now training with me and with a Hip Hop Crew outside of Padua to get back on the team for next year!  NOW THIS IS HOW YOU HANDLE A CUT!  Even though she will not be on the team for next year; her hunger, drive and passion WILL get her back for her Junior year.  So in spirit, she used her denial for this year as a learning curve to step UP her game!

I have been cut from so many teams it would floor the non-dancer!  It's a part of life!  But it's to challenge the dancer to improve and come back bigger...better!  Some understand this and some do not, unfortunately!  With dance, it's all about training, training, and more training.  I cannot train the dance team because we are together for a limited time and with a tight schedule.  Those dancers on the team that want more go outside of Padua to receive training! Whether it's with me or with someone else; the dancer cannot expect to grow in this art without some form of training.  Dance Team is just not enough!  I take classes and I'm still learning! It never stops. 

The other sports teams at Padua are in club, they train outside at different sporting venues when they are not in season...so why should we be any different?

So to any cheerleaders that get cut this weekend please, please take note and use this as an opportunity to improve and work harder!  I know it is upsetting because we have all been there but it's all about the way you handle it.  Sometimes the simplest things impress the coaches so much that they will pay extra attention to your growth and make sure you get what you ultimately want: THAT SPOT!

Let's all revert back to the cuts from 2010/2011---Two Seniors and a Sophomore!  The Seniors cut congratulated their old teammates and encouraged them.  The Sophomore who is now a Junior LOVED the team last year and cheered them on from THE STANDS!  She auditioned again and made it for her Senior 2011/2012 year!  Congratulations Adaijah B.!

Cheerleaders coming into Padua!!! Keep your heads up!!!!


One thing not to do:


USE FACEBOOK AS A WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR ANGER! Watch what you say on there and who you communicate with after you reach out to your school, coach or AD.  We are watching and we see all of it...even when you try to take it off the page and mask it: it's too late!  Facebook is not the best place to vent or show your disappointment. Be mature about it and ask why!  You will get a better response!  I do not and will never take anyone seriously or back if they use that public website as a way to communicate!

Please use Alex R. as an example of how to be!  I did not write this blog to make anyone feel bad because they didn't do what she or a few of the incoming freshmen did.  I am a mentor and a pro in the dance/cheer industry; therefore,  it is my responsibility to teach that this is how to emotionally and mentally deal with a cut!  Take notes and learn from this today because it will help you in the long run. 

All in all, I want to congratulate those that got cut and asked what they should work on!  The girls that made the team are very excited and it's well-deserved; however, the cuts that inquired to learn more are the true winners!

Congratulations to you: You caught our eye!



Sincerely and Seriously,
Head Coach Tori

It's This Saturday!!

Come Audition for PDT!!!

PDT w/ Clutch @ spirit assembly

Saturday 4/30/2011

3 pm to 6 pm

Padua's Gym

Style: Hip Hop/Jazz Funk

PLEASE DO NOT WEAR SHORTS (POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED)

NAVY Game in Annapolis, MD

Wizards Game in Washington, DC

Questions?

Email Head Coach

tclosson@paduaacademy.org

Welcomes Cheerleading to Padua

For those that do not know the person who writes the blogs for PDT is me: The Head Coach!

I say that because I don't want to give off the false impression that a dance team alum or current

member is updating this blog.  

The words that I write come from the main source!

In saying this I would like to officially welcome Cheerleading to Padua Academy!!!

Just so that we are clear Dance Team and Cheerleading are two different things.

We are blessed to get an amazing Cheerleading coach that will be spearheading this new endeavor and our Cheerleading team will be a competitive one that will be amazing to watch.

A question that I get is how do I feel about that? How will it affect dance team? Am I coaching it?

To answer some of these, I feel excited about it for Padua Academy and it will not affect dance team!

Next year will be my Junior year coaching PDT!  I have to honestly say that coaching the team has been a great journey; one that I have learned tremendously from and continue to do so.

I'm at a constant quest to find ways to make our team one of the best in the area!

Each year is a stepping stone to grow and improve!

With that being said, the cheerleading program that we are getting will be coached with the same amount of passion and heart that I run PDT with.

Cheerleading and Dance is not the same thing.  Many do not understand that.  I'm here to tell you all now that it is VERY different.  So there is no competition, no ill feelings, etc.

PDT will be working closely to welcome the new team and the new coach to our family!

The auditions are run differently and the skill set will be different.  

So here you have it people; it's official!

Welcome Coach Maria and to the girls that will be the 2011/2012 Cheerleading Squad.

We are out two weeks from our audition for the Dance Team!!!

Dance Team Audition Remember:

No Shorts

Dance Sneakers/Sneakers

Wear your hair out 

Bring gatorade/water/snacks

XOXO

Coach Tori

The New Audition Rundown

At the audition you will learn TWO routines.


1) A Hip Hop Piece which consists of 4 counts of 8.


2) A Thrashy Jazz Funk Piece which consists of 6 counts of 8.


Please arrive earlier then 3:00. (Early is on time; on time is late)

3:00-3:15: We will begin promptly.  The welcome!

3:15-3:45: Warm-up/Stretch

3:45-4:15: Hip Hop Routine

4:15-4:45: TJF Routine

4:45-5:15: Practice Routines

5:15-5:45: Groups

6:00: Letters


We are not looking for the routines to be performed perfectly!  We are looking for certain elements which will be announced in the welcome!

Some of you have emailed the head coach with questions and we welcome that!

See you on April 30th

Freshman: Kendra

What to expect at the PDT Audition....

What To ExPect & How To Prepare!

Junior Dance Team Member: Tiara W.

So whether you are a returning veteran, an incoming Freshman or a new student body hopeful the main question is what will the audition consist of and how do I prepare.

In this blog we are providing some basic tips that will help you on April 30th.  The Dance Team staff is choosing their "dream team" for the 2011/2012 year and through this, you will know exactly what we are looking for.

For all of the incoming Freshman and new student body hopefuls please understand that the dance team is not run on a "high school" level.  The "high school" level involves performing at their respected basketball season halftime games and that is primarily that is all that is required.  The Padua Dance Team is a two season dance team and depending what is scheduled in the Spring for performances, may even bleed over.  Does this mean you cannot participate in Fall or Winter or other Spring sports?  Not at all.  You can.  If you are in a Fall sport, you would come over to us for Winter and vice versa.  

Also it is directed as a semi-pro, prep collegiate dance team.  Our saying is "Only the Strong Survive" and many of our veterans will and can attest to this. Dance Team is a VARSITY SPORT!

The Dance Team is a hip hop dance team so naturally, you must know hip hop, be funky, have style, swag, etc.  We encourage technical training; however, 99% of the pieces are hip hop.  There are many girls that come in never having danced hip hop before and they do get placement; however, we are not here to TRAIN you. We are not doing a prep class this year.

A Basketball Game "We Took The Night"

 Tips and pointers on how to prepare

1) Start to watch dance team videos (you can watch ours) on youtube, Facebook, etc.  There is an aspect to dance team called "showmanship" which we look for in our audition.  This is how you execute your movement on the court or in a performance and how well you relate to your audience.  Showmanship is smiling when needed, having attitude when needed and dancing full out!

2) Research the head coach, Tori Closson.  Know her background, what her experience is and her style.  This will help you know what her choreography style is.

3) Take a hip hop class or two, if you can.  If you are already taking classes, great but if you are not, the choreography can be a little fast and challenging.  The best way to pick up on the intensity is to be consistent with it.  

4) Email the head coach to find out where you can take classes or to ask specific questions regarding the audition and what the year would entail.

Sophomore Dance Team Member: Christina C.

What to Wear & What to Do at the Audition?

1) Wear a cute outfit!  Make it colorful, bright, fun, noticeable!!!! Do not show your stomachs! (you will automatically be cut).  We prefer that you do NOT wear shorts.  We do not need to see your legs...this is HIP HOP.  Wear a cute adidas or nike or puma outfit, cute sweats, cut up tees!  (but no midriffs)

2) WEAR SNEAKERS!!!!  Do not wear jazz shoes, jazz sneakers, ballet shoes or dance barefoot.  This will result in a low score from the dance team staff.  

3) Do your hair.  Do not, do not, do not show up looking like you rolled out of bed.  We are looking for performers, for that "game entertainment IT factor."  We prefer hair to be out but if it's NOT up make it neat.  

4) We are not expecting makeup; however, please come with a little blush and lipgloss!  Show us you care and that we can take you to the NY Knicks Halftime show or the Washington Wizards Halftime show.  Show us that we can transform you into that Disney Pro-Bowl Show.  Come in FRIENDLY, SMILING, CONFIDENT.

Getting Ready for a V-ball game! Junior: Allie H  Senior: Alessandra B.

What to Bring To the Audition?

1) Bring in your dance bag these items:

• extra clothing in case you sweat so much you need to change
• sprays, lotions & deodorant
• extra pairs of socks
• Hair products, ties, etc
• Any makeup product you feel you need (bronzer, eye cream)
• Bring light snacks: Water, Granola Bar, Fruit (no chips, muffins or heavy food, no soda)

Washington Wizards Game: Freshman, Madeline V.

 The Rundown of the Audition

The audition is from 3 to 6 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2011

*Please begin to arrive around 2:30 for registration. (you will fill out an application)

3:00 to 3:15---Late Arrivals & Registration
3:15 to 3:30---Audition Welcome
3:30 to 4:00---Warmup
4:00 to 4:30---Audition Routine
4:30 to 5:00---Routine Review & Interviews & Freshen up
5:00 to 5:45---Audition
5:45 to 6:00---Thank yous and you will receive an envelope with whether you made the team or not.

(You must open the envelope when you leave the school.  Remember we are looking for the "dream team" so if you are not chosen, we encourage you to audition the next year.  The head coach teaches classes outside of Padua Academy so you are more then welcome to take those classes if you wish.)

What to Expect if You make the Team

The Dance Team will officially begin in August of 2011.  We expect you to physically prepare for the upcoming year by taking classes, eating healthy and working out lightly.  At the audition, the head coach will have a list of dance classes and events that you can take part in that is not mandatory.

In August there will be an Arena Dance Pros Workshop that is mandatory.  (August 15-17th)

There will also be a week long bootcamp for the dance team.  (First or Second Week in August)

(If you are on vacation, you would need to come to one or the other.  Most of our dancers attend both for maximum preparation)

The season will officially begin on August 14th or 15th.  Rehearsals will begin then for the V-ball season.  We work around everyone's schedule during the month of August due to vacations but please know that once you commit to dance team, there is an obligation there.  We need written documentation on vacations, etc.  This is a varsity sport and you are expected to perform and practice on that level.

We Did It...

And we did it WELL...

On March 12, 2011 all of our hard work, sweat, tears and frustration paid off.  It did at the Verizon Center in front of over 20,000 fans in Washington DC. 

We impressed everyone at the franchise; not only with our performance but with our professionalism on how to conduct as a team in public! 

We are very proud! 

Dance Team Veteran: Christina C.

"I've been on Padua's Dance Team since I was a quiet and shy freshmen (if you can believe it). I am currently the only the sophmore which means I have to represent my class all the time, always doing my best!! I love the team and the coaches.  Coach Tori, Dez and Teeta are supportive, and want nothing more than for us to succeed in life.  The team is a family that works hard for respect and never giving up. We can't wait for Saturday!! We wouldn't be where we are today without our coaches! I thank them for everything they do for us! As Nicki Minaj would say, " No, I'm not lucky I'm blessed, yes!!" to be on such an amazing team with phenomenal coaches!"

Dance Team Veteran, Christina C (Class of 2013)