Newsfeed
Printer-Friendly ModeWho's got rhythm? SVSU's dance teams
December 10, 2007 —
We see them everywhere - football games, basketball games, various on-campus events. Dance teams grace SVSU with their presence at almost every occasion, but who actually knows the difference between the dance teams - or that we even have separate teams at all? SVSU pompon, the Saginaw Valley Dance and the Forte Hip-Hop dance teams all have their own distinguishable moves, qualities, and attitudes.
SVSU pompon
The team, made up of 15 girls including their coach, secondary education senior Keri Bohlinger, do a little more than just throw their poms in the air. Practicing three times a week show the girls' dedication to the organization, even though the Saginaw Valley Pompon Squad is only in its second year and new to the collegiate division.
Practice started with a hard workout to help stamina, including lots of high kicks into the air and "pom running," which consists of running in place and kicking their own behinds with their heels. Working on their routine would take up the rest of practice time.
Communication senior Rachel Yancer and secondary education sophomore Jenny Kuester began their practice before official practice even started to help choreograph their dance moves to 12 Stones' "Adrenaline" for the upcoming state competition on Feb. 10.
"This is only our second year and we haven't been to a competition yet," Bohlinger said. "We don't want to go until we're ready. So far we're planning on going to the state competition."
Bohlinger normally does not perform with the girls at basketball games, football games, or other events but plans to perform with them if they choose to compete at states.
The coach described their style as "traditional" and is a part of Mid American Pompon, which mostly includes teams from Michigan. She coaches and instructs the girls in a lively manner as they watch their moves in the mirror and it's soon clear to see the team has its own style.
"I know that the dance team incorporates a lot of different things, different dances," Bohlinger said. "Our form is different. The moves that we do are more stiff rather than dance with more elegant-type stuff."
She also said that every dance must include a kick line.
Tryouts for SVSU Pompon occur a few times a year, normally at the end of fall and winter semesters to fit for sports schedules. Bohlinger mentioned, however, that trying out at any time is not a problem. There are no strict rules and Bohlinger considers the team to be more laid back.
"It's just for fun," she said.
Saginaw Valley Dance
The 17 girls that make up the dance team don't just walk to the dance floor; they dance to the dance floor, and are constantly on the move. Like the pompon team, much of their practice time is devoted to warm-ups, but education junior Karianne Cheney keeps the team going by acting as their "practice leader."
There is no one person to lead the team, rather the team has an executive board consisting of a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
"We split up the responsibilities so everyone has a say," Vice President and psychology junior Shannon Brown said.
The four girls that make up the board help one another so less errors are made, and if something does go wrong, there isn't just one person to blame.
The girls practice four times a week and are usually seen performing at home basketball and football games.
"We don't limit ourselves to just those," President and biology senior Nikki Davis said. "We've been involved in Relay for Life, Homecoming Week, Saint Jude's Up 'Til Dawn, Sibs weekend, and Battle of the Valleys. We also go out into the community to participate in things like Toys for Tots and we have volunteered at local schools."
Anyone watching the girls perform could expect to see any type of dance move.
"While the pom squad and Forte focus on one specific style of dance, the Saginaw Valley Dance Team performs various style of dance," Davis said. "We work on jazz, hip-hop, and pom."
Brown also mentioned they have a wide selection of music to dance to for whatever type of dance they're performing.
The Saginaw Valley Dance Team, like the pompon team, is waiting for their first chance to compete at a real competition.
"The Universal Dance Association holds a national competition for dance teams across the U.S.," Davis said. "While we haven't competed yet, we're looking to do so in the near future. Not a lot of Division II schools compete, though, and the majority of the competition comes from Division I schools."
During breaks the teammates chatted with one another and one girl brought in cookies to share with everyone.
"We're pretty laid back because we're all friends on the team," Brown said. "But when we need to get serious, we get serious."
The dance team also holds tryouts in the spring and fall. Girls perform a short routine to the University's fight song and are required to demonstrate various dance skills.
Forte Hip-Hop Dance
The Forte Hip-Hop Dance Team certainly works up a sweat too, as they sometimes practice up to four nights a week. The team is the largest, consisting of 19 members.
Forte is similar to SVSU Dance as both have executive boards to help run the team. Two team captains, marketing sophomore Karissa Byrd and chemistry sophomore Anthony Lucio, a treasurer, secretary, and representative make up their board. Forte also has a constitution and guidelines for the team.
Lucio is in his third semester at SVSU and has been on Forte for all three and said he was excited to see a team like this on campus.
"I saw a sign for Forte and freaked out when I saw we had a team," he said.
Forte focuses solely on hip-hop dancing, unlike the Dance team who try many different styles.
"Our dance style's a little bit different," Lucio said. "It's pretty unique."
Forte, like the pompon and dance teams, is found at many on-campus events, including home varsity basketball games, St. Jude's Up 'Til Dawn program, and SVSU's Variety Show, where the team won second place last year. Forte will also be seen at the upcoming SVSU Fashion show and the Unity Ball next semester.
Lucio also hopes to create a Forte day camp in the summer for elementary, middle, and high school students. The idea is to teach kids a variety of dance styles - not just hip-hop.
The team has yet to compete against other schools but hopes to in the future.
"It is something we are looking into - competing against other colleges and universities," Lucio said. "I think that'd be something fun for us to do as a team."
The hip-hop team also holds open tryouts and once as students make the team, they're on for good. Trying out more than once is not necessary.
"If you stick to the team and are good-standing and respect the teammates then you'll only try out once," Lucio said.
Lucio hopes the team's youth means it will grow close and bond throughout their time at SVSU.
"We are a young team right now, predominately freshmen and sophomores," he said. "I'm really looking forward to future semesters and years to come."
