Dance, non-competitive

Typically the SLP dance program holds auditions in the spring. At that time dancers complete a form that indicates their interest in auditioning for the fall or winter teams or both. About 95% of our dancers stay with the program for the duration of both dance seasons.

The fall performance team and the winter competitive team work concurrently and believe in following similar guidelines. All practices are mandatory. A dancer and parent handbook will be distributed to the selected team and will outline all team policies. The decision to become a dance team member is a decision to make a 100% commitment.  Your family shares in this commitment providing transportation and support throughout the season.  There are also some expenses involved in participation on the dance team. We do not wish to discourage individuals from trying out due to financial reasons.  The girls are given opportunities to fundraise to help buffer the individual expenses.  Dancers will also be expected to participate in team fundraisers throughout the season.  We ask both the dancer and  parents to carefully consider what is involved in being on the dance team. 

FALL SEASON

Fall performance season is nine weeks and begins in mid August and finishes in October. In general, the dance team supports athletic activities through performances and pep fests during this non-competitive season. Fall season also serves as a preparation for the winter competitive season to get the athletes in technical and physical shape for the following season. Practices occur Monday through Thursday after school. There will be Friday night games as well as extended practices around homecoming as needed. Dancers that are part of the fall performance team may learn up to 6-8 routines in the nine week season. 

WINTER SEASON

During the winter season the team competes regularly and competitions start soon after the beginning of the season. The team competes in the Northwest Suburban Conference as well as weekend invitationals. The team will also participate in the 3AAA section, which will determine advancement to the state tournament at the Target Center. The season runs from October to February and practice 5-6 times per week. Extra practices may be required throughout the season.   

The fall performance team does not have specific skills that are required to be selected for the team. Coaches are looking for dancers that are eager to learn, have the ability to move, be coachable and can learn routines at a faster pace. Dancers are expected to learn and perform anywhere from 4-7 routines during the season. 

Each year varies! The fall performance team would like to take as many girls as possible. There is no set number that we look for. Three years ago we had 84 dancers and the past two years we have had close to 100!

Due to the expansion of the program, we have been fortunate enough to have two teams during the past two seasons.  The decision to have two teams varies and relies on the number of interest that we have each year. We always prepare for either situation. Likewise, we take into the consideration the dancers that are selected and determine how to split the girls appropriately if we are able to maintain two teams. Typically we divide dancers depending on their grade.

YES!!!!! We encourage our dancers that participate in studio to try and do both if that is what they would like to do. The SLP dance program believes that any extra dance training is beneficial for the dancer. We do ask that during the week of performances and the day before a performance that the team takes precedent over dance studio. Coaches are willing to work with dancers on a case by case basis as well. Dancers are required to give coaches studio training schedules at the beginning of the season in order to plan for absences