Dance Team

The Bayside dance team performs during half-time at all Friday night home basketball and football games, as well as at pep rallies.

Team Coach: Candace Hawes
Faculty Sponsor: Eva Buder

The Bayside Academy dance team season begins in mid-June. This summer, the team rehearsed one day a week to prepare for fall activities. The current team consists of 7th through 12th graders.

During the FALL SEASON, the team performs and participates at school pep rallies, assemblies, special events and parades. The team will be featured this year at home football games, performing to “Word Up” with the Bayside band. The team will also perform sideline routines before and after half-time to promote school spirit! This fall, the team attended a professional dance convention in Biloxi, Mississippi. At “SHOCK The Intensive,” the members learned routines in tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and contemporary. Featured instructors were Tina and Ryan Cypert, Nick Bass, Gustavo Vargas, Matt Boyce, Merissa Gassel and Hannah Wintrode.

During the SPRING SEASON, the team performs and participates at school pep rallies, assemblies, special events and Mardi Gras parades! The dance team will be the half-time entertainment at select home basketball games. This spring, the team will compete at a professional competition that is touring in our area. Showstoppers American Dance Championships will be held March 2-4, 2012, at the Mobile Civic Center. We welcome everyone to attend for local support. Competition will conclude the dance team season. For details on the team’s performance time, email chawes@baysideacademy.org.

Dance team REHEARSALS are held every Tuesday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., in the dance room on campus. Most outside activities such as fittings, pictures and meetings are also scheduled for Tuesdays to help eliminate scheduling conflicts. Extra rehearsals are scheduled only if requested by the students and are not mandatory to attend. However, extra rehearsals will be held in the spring to prepare the team for competition and are required.

Dance team APPAREL & ACCESSORIES consist of a dance jacket and pants, a polo worn on game days, sling bag, duffle bag, pon poms, team gear, pep uniform, pep earrings, competition costume, tights, and jazz shoes.

Dance team COST averages from $700-950 (everything included for the year). A meeting is held at the beginning of the season to discuss the team budget. FUNDS RAISED throughout the year to offset expenses will be:  the Pecan Harvest, the Golf Tournament held October 2nd at Rock Creek and two dance camps taught by the dance team members on campus.  

Dance team CAMPS will be held during the fall and the spring this year. Students who sign up for DANCE WITH BAYSIDE will learn a routine from the Bayside Dancers and perform with them during half-time. Half-time camp during football season was held October 10-11, 3:30-5:30 p.m. The campers performed with the Dance Team and Bayside band at the October 14th football game. Another camp will be held during the spring for Bayside students to perform with the Dance Team during half-time at a home basketball game! Look for registration and up coming camp dates on Edline.

WHY SHOULD I DANCE?

  1. Dance promotes a satisfying sense of accomplishment, can be a confidence booster, stress reliever, can help build physical fitness and aid your health.
  2. Sports and fitness activities help students focus, improve concentration and build friendships.
  3. Dance is an excellent form of exercise and can also improve coordination and balance.
  4. Dancing is fun, especially to songs we love! 
  5. Learning new routines can help with memory.
  6. Dance fundamentals last a lifetime.

WHO CAN JOIN DANCE TEAM?
It is encouraged for members 8th grade and up to join dance team. However, there are many opportunities available for students in lower grades. Ask the coach how you can participate! Dance experience is strongly encouraged. Ms. Candace provides private lessons for interested members who are inexperienced.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN DANCE TEAM? 
If you have had dance experience or are currently receiving instruction and have a great attitude, you should join the team! If you would like a more personal answer, just ask current dance team members how they feel about being on the team and what we do throughout the year. Take advantage of the unique opportunity Bayside provides and become a Bayside Dancer! Be apart of a growing program that will have a positive impact during your time at Bayside.

HOW DO I JOIN THE DANCE TEAM? 
It’s easy! Contact Ms. Candace and let her know you are interested in joining. She will send information directly to you or meet with you personally to discuss team requirements, budget and all the fun activities dance team partakes in throughout the year. Interest meetings will be held throughout the year on campus.

For more information about the Dance Team:
Contact Bayside Dance at (251) 338-6422 or
Ms. Candace at (251) 422-3848 or email chawes@baysideacademy.org.