Chapman Dance Team is ‘jazzed’ about winning nationals

Photo Courtesy of Steven Sofia

Chapman’s dance team secured its 16th win, continuing its legacy at the USA Collegiate Championships, competing with a jazz number. 

Every nationals, the team competes in the four-year college jazz division in Division III. The USA Collegiate Championships is a competition that unites universities across the country to compete in cheer, dance and mascotting in Anaheim. 

“The win felt extra special this year. It was our sweet 16,” said Kennedy Barry,  a sophomore dance major. “The dance team won its 16th consecutive title on the 16th of February with 16 dancers on the team.” 

President of Chapman Dance Team Kira Bartholomew, a senior dance performance major, expressed her gratitude for being able to lead her team to continue an ongoing legacy despite the nerves. 

“When they announced that we won, it was just a relief,” said Bartholomew. “I was very stressed out, having nightmares, so it was exciting that we were able to not only bring this home for the dance department, but also validate ourselves and to continue this amazing legacy that previous presidents have carried on.” 

But Bartholomew is not the only one who was dealing with nerves before the competition. To make sure she’s prepared to dance, Aubrie Stoehr, a sophomore dance major, has a ritual that aids her mind and body before hitting the stage. 

“I always say ‘I got this,’ and then I go on stage, because I feel like if my mind is in the right place, then my body will be in the right place,” said Stoehr. “It's a lot of adrenaline and a lot of nerves, but as soon as I do my first move, I feel like I got it.” 

As Barry stepped onto the nationals stage, she said that she experienced a euphoric feeling that had her at a loss for words.

“Adrenaline, adrenaline, adrenaline,” Barry said. “With the lights flashing in your eyes and the crowd cheering, there’s no rush quite like it. My mind races as I run through last minute corrections and cleans before hitting my starting pose. It’s an indescribable feeling.” 

As winter break wrapped up and Spring semester hit, the dance team worked late at night to prepare for the big day according to Courtney Chiu, sophomore dance and business administration double major. 

“To prepare for nationals, we practice all throughout interterm,” said Chiu. “When the semester starts, we continue to have our regular two rehearsals weekly, however, on top of that we have two weeks of 10 p.m. to midnight rehearsals right before nationals.” 

The other president of the team, Julia Gaspari, a senior dance and political science double major, learned how to find the perfect balance while being a leader in the rehearsal room. 

“Some of the team was getting to the studio at 9 a.m. and leaving at midnight,” said Gaspari. “Finding the balance of knowing people were so tired and being understanding of that, but also telling them we need to lock in, was a learning process for me.”

According to Barry, the dancers also have a ritual they do together as a good luck charm before their debut. 

“We have this cute little chant that we do right before we walk on stage,” said Barry. “We stand in a circle, put our hands in, and scream ‘DT4L’ (Dance Team For Life).”