| Rutgers University Dance Team Tryouts: Expert Advice | |
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Dance tryouts at Rutgers University are held in a three day format. The first
two days are centered mostly on instruction - teaching a few routines while
observing skills. The third day requires the candidates to put everything together
under the eye of a judging panel. As is the case with a number of college dance
teams, experience at Rutgers is necessary.
"To be on our team you
need some dance training," Rutgers dance coach Chris Hoffzinger said. "It's
not a situation where you can just come in and learn." Obviously technique
and skills are necessary if one hopes to make the team. Specifically, Hoffzinger
is looking for expertise in three main areas. "We want them (candidates)
to be able to dance palm, hip hop and jazz. The first two days of tryouts we
will teach them some routines. On the last day (judging) we get a good idea
of their skills and retention of what routines they learned."
Rutgers holds tryouts in the
Spring. Even members who are on the team will have to tryout for the following
year. When the tryouts are announced, candidates are told what to wear. Regardless,
there is a certain decorum or expectation. "We expect their clothing to
be neat," Hoffzinger said, "the hair should be back and they should
be ready to look like they are coming to do a performance."
As coach of one of the nationally
recognized dance teams, Hoffzinger received numerous emails and correspondence.
"A lot of the questions I get are about getting ready for tryouts,"
she said. "The best advice I can give is if to take a dance class. Years
of training are important but it's always good to take a class to sharpen up
the skills."
Two members of the Rutgers dance team also responded with their thoughts and philosophy regarding tryouts from a general and appearance perspective. Here are their profiles and what they had to say.
Name - Tamara Vostok
Hometown - Marlboro, NJ.
Year - Sophomore
Major - Journalism/Women's Studies
Dance Experience - 9 years
Tryout Advice: "Don't be intimidated by others. Go to the tryout
and be confident. Before the tryout remember to work on your weaknesses and
things you need to improve."
Appearance: "Go to the tryout clean cut with your hair tied back.
Have a professional attitude and remember to be well groomed."
Name - Adar
Wellington
Hometown - Cherry Hill, NJ
Year - Freshman
Major - Dance
Dance Experience - 15
Tryout Advice: "Tryouts are usually three days and on the first
day all the others seem to look so good. Just don't be intimidated by that.
Ask questions and talk to members of the team to see what the coach is looking
for. Make sure you go in knowing your basic skills."
Appearance: "Wear clothes that suit you. If tight clothing is good
for you wear it. Keep your hair back and apply makeup but don't overdo it and
remember to smile."
About Ray Floriani: Ray Floriani has been writing college basketball for over twenty years. He is a columnist with Eastern Basketball magazine, Basketball Times and College Hoops Insider. In 1998 he was cited by the Gazelle Group for his work in covering the Coaches vs. Cancer events and was chosen 1999 NIT Media Man of the Year. Contact Ray Floriani.
