To kick off the 2013-2014 school year, the Ladybirds Dance Team, dubbed the “official dance team of Johns Hopkins University”, performed at the annual Orientation Week O-Show.
Their number, choreographed by the team’s senior members, was a combination of styles: some aspects lyrical, some jazz and of course some Ladybirds pizazz. This O-Show performance not only commences the school year, but also introduces the dance team to potential new members.
Auditions have since been held, and the Ladybirds are excited to welcome four new freshmen members to their team.
This student-run and student-choreographed team focuses on several different dance styles, including pom, jazz, lyrical and tap.
The Ladybirds perform at a variety of home sports events, with experience appearing at Hopkins football, basketball and lacrosse games. Their other performances range from large off-campus showcases to small, more intimate set-ups. Aside from appearing at the many Hopkins dance showcases, last year the Ladybirds performed at an off-campus MICA showcase. However, most exciting is the group’s big, spring concert show.
To facilitate their operations as an entirely student-run organization, the group has its own leadership committee, which delegates the tasts of organizing performances, publicity and other secretarial matters.
Auditions took place the Tuesday night after O-Show. This year, approximately twenty to twenty-five undergraduate students signed up to audition.
Auditions are taken very seriously and provide potential new members with a variety of ways to showcase their talent.
To begin auditions, the team and prospective members warmed up with the usual Ladybirds leading routine. Then, this year’s co-captains, Ally Tanzola and Joanne Gamble, taught prospective members an excerpt of the dance from the O Show, and an excerpt of the dance from last year’s Spring Showcase. Prospective members quickly memorized the moves, and then separated into small groups to perform their newly learned dance in front of the team.
However, the audition process did not end there: current teammates also taught prospective members jump and turn combinations across the floor.
The auditions were taped, and the Ladybirds reviewed the tapes afterward to evaluate each prospective member on her audition.
Each potential member possesses a unique dancing background, thus her individual expertise is assessed with respect to where she would fit into the dynamic of the rest of the team. The Ladybirds consider every aspect of her future with the troupe, paying particular attention to what fresh and underrepresented elements she can bring to the table.
With 12 talented members already apart of the team prior to this year’s auditions, the Ladybirds accepted their maximum of four new members, reaching the established team cap of 16 total members.
The team meets and rehearses three times a week, including a longer practice on Saturdays, to stay in shape and prepare for performances throughout the school year.
Their first performance with the Babybirds will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 at Hopkins’ home football game, where the Ladybirds plan to exhibit a brand new routine. Be there to see what this evolving and promising dance team has been rehearing with their newest members!
Also, students can find their videos on YouTube and like their Facebook page for information on upcoming shows.
For more information about the Ladybirds, visit their new website or email them at jhuladybirds@gmail.com.
