With the longest season at NDA, the Notre Dame Dance Team started practices this summer in preparation for competitions and sporting events. 

Captains this year are seniors Bridget Kapic, Katie Crane and junior Anna Zimmermann. 

“We practice about nine hours a week currently but practice up to 15 hours a week during competition season in the winter,” explained Kapic. 

This year the dance team has no new members and all are returning team members, which is beneficial because the team has “the potential to pick up where we left off last year and be really good,” said Zimmermann. 

Last season they finished third place in pom and jazz at the regional competition, along with many other impressive awards. They hope to continuously improve as the season progresses. 

“One of the hardest parts about being on the dance team is the commitment and hard work required with it being a multiple-season sport and having to practice most days of the week,” Crane explained. ”I think NDA students should know that our team works really hard, from weight lifting and practicing to cheer on our fellow NDA sports teams.”

The dance team has three dances this year, which are pom, kick and jazz. Choreography for the pom and kick dances are actually hired by the coaches so the team can get the best opportunity at competitions. The kick routine is choreographed by their coach Karmen Bushman. 

While most people only see the sideline and halftime routines, the dance team competes at competition invites, regionals and, if they qualify, at state. 

“Our first competition of the year is Midwest Dance Fest on November 16 in Hartford. After that we have the Ashwaubenon Invite, Little Chute Invite, Bay Port Invite, Regionals, and potentially State,” said Kapic. 

One of the dance team’s favorite things is seeing fans at these competitions. Seeing NDA supporters supporting them at competitions gives them extra motivation to dance even harder. 

While the dance team is lots of hard work, the dance team members enjoy seeing it all come together and getting closer to the fellow members. 

“The best part of being on the Dance Team is competing with my team.  You get very close with your team members and going onto the floor to compete there is such an insane energy, and I love the feeling I get when I know we hit a routine,” Zimmermann said.

You can see the Dance Team on the sidelines this year at football and basketball games and they hope to see as many fans as they can at their competitions this year.