CMU Dance Team
The CMU Dance Team is a highly visible and integral part of Central Michigan University Athletic events and is a Nationally competitive team. CMUDT enjoys the privilege of performing at CMU sporting events, including all home football and men's and women's basketball games, pep rallies, community events, campus functions and more.Â
The CMU Dance Team is comprised of skilled members from diverse backgrounds, with training in studio dance, dance team and even backgrounds in competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, kickline, pom and drill team. Each and every ounce of various experiences elevates the team and draws on each's member's strengths in success and take great pride and dignity in supporting CMU, CMU Athletics and the Mount Pleasant community.Â
As three-time Division I National Champions, the CMU Dance Team competes in Dance Team Union's 'The College Classic' National Championships annually in pom and jazz categories. In 2023, CMUDT earned its first National Championship in DI Jazz and in 2024, won both DI Jazz and DI Pom Championships.Â
CMUDT is led by Head Coach Amy Bunting, who has been with the program for 25 years as of the 2024-25 season.Â
Tryouts are held annually. Information about tryouts and the CMU Dance Team can be found on the team's Instagram, @CMUDanceTeam.Â
Contact: Amy Bunting (abunting@moreycourts.com)
CMU Dance Team Tryout Information
Eligibility
To audition for the CMU Dance Team, you must be a full-time student at Central Michigan University or a transfer student who has already registered for fall semester and has been assigned a student ID number. Incoming freshmen are also able to audition; however they must supply proof of admission.
Tryout Details and Required Forms
For each day - you will need to wear appropriate dance attire and bring both tennis shoes and jazz shoes. The first day will include learning spirit dances, jazz, pom and hip hop routines. The second day will include review, interviews and auditions.
Upon conclusion, judges, choreographers and coaches calculate scores and will post team results. All collaborative administrative decisions are final.
About the Audition
Each dancer will perform with a partner assigned at registration. Tryouts will happen in pairs. The required audition elements are: spirit dance, jazz, pom, hip hop routines and one individually choreographed short routine. All dances will be between 20-40 seconds long. Â
Please be prepared to perform the following technical elements in your learned choreography:
- Variations of triple and quadruple pirouettes (examples: pencil turns, arm changes, coupe, attitude, etc.)
- Challenging turns in second position
- Leaps and jumps including, but not limited to: left and right jetes, center leaps, calypso leap, toe touches (possibly multiple in a row), firebirds/angel jumps, switch leaps, switch arabesque, switch open, tilt jumps, turning open leaps
- Leg hold turns
- Headsprings
- Variety of kicks
In addition to learned choreography, each dancer will be required to perform 2-4 counts of eight of their own choreography. This is intended to highlight any skills or genre each individual may want our judges to see - their strongest performance elements. Suggested elements for solo choreography include:
- Quadruple pirouette in parallel
- Two x 8-count turn combination in second position in order to incorporate complex elements such as changing spots, various arm positions, various leg positions, etc. that may not be in the choreography assigned.
- Center leap
- An acro/tumbling element (aerials are encouraged, but stay true to your level of skill (Examples: handsprings, variations of cartwheels, handstands, stalls)
- A flexibility element (examples: leg hold, leg extension, leg hold turns, illusion, splits)
- Technical elements showcasing versatility and or strong dance fundamentals
- Stylized choreo showcasing your forte/preferred genre
Required Items
- A $30 non-refundable audition fee will be collected at the time of registration as well. You are able to remit via cash app, venmo, apple pay, cash or check.
- Please have the application, waiver and medical release form in addition to a copy of your insurance card at time of registration.
- Application/Waiver
- Medical Release Form
- Photocopy of Health Insurance Card
- Current Physical signed by MD or DO indicating cleared for participation in Dance Team activities
- Headshot
- Proof of acceptance/enrollment to CMUÂ
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