Frequently Asked Questions
Tryouts
Do you offer and prep classes prior to tryouts?
- We do offer clinics for all dancers interested in trying out for the NVDT Program. These clinics emphasize technique, conditioning and style of dance. Clinic dates are Wednesday, April 6th, Wednesday, April 20th and Wednesday, April 27th, with all dates 3:30-5:00pm. Clinics are $5 each. (Current 8th graders - NO penalty for arriving AFTER your school day is finished!)
If I can not attend the clinic, does that mean I will not make the team?
- NO! This is a great opportunity we offer for dancers so they know what to expect for tryouts. Although it will be beneficial, it is not necessary to attend in order to make either team.
What if I can't stay at tryouts for the whole time?
- If this is the case, please notify the coaches at check-in. We understand that dancers have prior commitments and are willing to work with you on your tryout time. We have had situations where dancers could only attend for a short period. In this case, dancers will be placed in the first groups of tryouts.
How do I register for tryouts?
- If you go to the tryouts info page, there is a link for athletic registration, all registration forms and a checklist of what is needed for tryouts.
What is the difference with a sport physical and a school physical?
- Each year, athletes need an updated physical for the duration of the season. There are two possible physicals to get depending on your year in school.
- School Physical: All incoming Freshman are required as students to have a current school physical on file. If your school physical is up to date, you do not need a sport physical for tryouts.
- Sport Physical: This is needed to tryout for any athletic team if you do not have a school physical up to date. This is typically for students who are in grades 10-12.
What do I wear for tryouts?
- Dancers must wear a black top and black bottoms.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Either jazz shoes or gym shoes will be best for tryouts. Do not buy jazz shoes for tryouts if you do not have a pair.
- No jewelry!
- Hair neatly pulled back and out of face.
When do we find out who made the team?
- All results will be posted at by the end of school on Friday, May 6th; results for each team will be posted with tryout number, NOT dancer name.
-Locations for results: NV (Main) Dance Bulletin Board in Athletic hallway, NVDT website, Neuqua Dance Team Twitter, & Neuqua Valley Dance Team Instagram
How many dancers are selected for tryouts?
- There is no set number of members per team. Tryout results contribute to the number of members on each team.
Do we tryout by ourselves?
- No! You will audition in groups of three.
Who judges tryouts?
- As in any other athletic team, the coaches judge the tryouts. There is also a panel of guest judges who have dance backgrounds which will contribute to scoring on the second day of tryouts.
Do I need to have a dance background for tryouts?
- It is strongly suggested to have a dance background prior to tryouts. We move very quickly with terms at tryouts, so having an understanding of skills would be beneficial. Attending clinics will help prepare you for the tryouts with terminology, proper execution of skills and style of dance.
I am not old enough for tryouts yet, but am interested in the near future. How do I prepare for tryouts?
- It is best to start taking classes incorporating both Jazz & Ballet styles of dance. Flexibility is also very important to be able to execute skills correctly. Taking a stretch & tech class will help in both flexibility and technique.
Can I be on a studio company and Dance Team?
As long as the company competition season does not interfere with the Poms/Dance Team competition season, it is acceptable. If dancers' studio competitive season conflicts with the dance team competitive season, they will have an option to only be on the dance team for the fall season.
- We do offer clinics for all dancers interested in trying out for the NVDT Program. These clinics emphasize technique, conditioning and style of dance. Clinic dates are Wednesday, April 6th, Wednesday, April 20th and Wednesday, April 27th, with all dates 3:30-5:00pm. Clinics are $5 each. (Current 8th graders - NO penalty for arriving AFTER your school day is finished!)
If I can not attend the clinic, does that mean I will not make the team?
- NO! This is a great opportunity we offer for dancers so they know what to expect for tryouts. Although it will be beneficial, it is not necessary to attend in order to make either team.
What if I can't stay at tryouts for the whole time?
- If this is the case, please notify the coaches at check-in. We understand that dancers have prior commitments and are willing to work with you on your tryout time. We have had situations where dancers could only attend for a short period. In this case, dancers will be placed in the first groups of tryouts.
How do I register for tryouts?
- If you go to the tryouts info page, there is a link for athletic registration, all registration forms and a checklist of what is needed for tryouts.
What is the difference with a sport physical and a school physical?
- Each year, athletes need an updated physical for the duration of the season. There are two possible physicals to get depending on your year in school.
- School Physical: All incoming Freshman are required as students to have a current school physical on file. If your school physical is up to date, you do not need a sport physical for tryouts.
- Sport Physical: This is needed to tryout for any athletic team if you do not have a school physical up to date. This is typically for students who are in grades 10-12.
What do I wear for tryouts?
- Dancers must wear a black top and black bottoms.
- Shoes must be worn at all times. Either jazz shoes or gym shoes will be best for tryouts. Do not buy jazz shoes for tryouts if you do not have a pair.
- No jewelry!
- Hair neatly pulled back and out of face.
When do we find out who made the team?
- All results will be posted at by the end of school on Friday, May 6th; results for each team will be posted with tryout number, NOT dancer name.
-Locations for results: NV (Main) Dance Bulletin Board in Athletic hallway, NVDT website, Neuqua Dance Team Twitter, & Neuqua Valley Dance Team Instagram
How many dancers are selected for tryouts?
- There is no set number of members per team. Tryout results contribute to the number of members on each team.
Do we tryout by ourselves?
- No! You will audition in groups of three.
Who judges tryouts?
- As in any other athletic team, the coaches judge the tryouts. There is also a panel of guest judges who have dance backgrounds which will contribute to scoring on the second day of tryouts.
Do I need to have a dance background for tryouts?
- It is strongly suggested to have a dance background prior to tryouts. We move very quickly with terms at tryouts, so having an understanding of skills would be beneficial. Attending clinics will help prepare you for the tryouts with terminology, proper execution of skills and style of dance.
I am not old enough for tryouts yet, but am interested in the near future. How do I prepare for tryouts?
- It is best to start taking classes incorporating both Jazz & Ballet styles of dance. Flexibility is also very important to be able to execute skills correctly. Taking a stretch & tech class will help in both flexibility and technique.
Can I be on a studio company and Dance Team?
As long as the company competition season does not interfere with the Poms/Dance Team competition season, it is acceptable. If dancers' studio competitive season conflicts with the dance team competitive season, they will have an option to only be on the dance team for the fall season.
Commitments/Practice Schedule
What is the summer commitment?
- Over the summer, we will have practice 2 times per week
- Host Jr. Poms Camp Monday, July 18th - Wednesday, July 20th
-AWAY UDA Dance Camp for JV & VARSITY: Monday, July 11th - Thursday, July 14th in Wisconsin Dells, WI
(More info for camp is found on our Camps page!)
What is the practice schedule?
- Starting the third week in August, both JV & Varsity practice:
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Monday: Technique at Monarch Dance Academy 3:00pm - 4:30pm
What events do the teams perform at?
JV:
- Naperville Labor Day Parade
- Blue/Gold Scrimmage Game
- Sophomore Home Football Games
- Homecoming Events
- Boys Sophomore Home Basketball Games
- Competitions (6 including Conference)
VARSITY:
- Naperville Labor Day Parade
- Blue/Gold Scrimmage Game
- Varsity Home Football Games
- Homecoming Events
- Pep Assemblies
- Boys Varsity Home Basketball Games
- Variety Show
- Competitions (7 including Conference & Sectionals)
- State Championship (if qualified)
- Over the summer, we will have practice 2 times per week
- Host Jr. Poms Camp Monday, July 18th - Wednesday, July 20th
-AWAY UDA Dance Camp for JV & VARSITY: Monday, July 11th - Thursday, July 14th in Wisconsin Dells, WI
(More info for camp is found on our Camps page!)
What is the practice schedule?
- Starting the third week in August, both JV & Varsity practice:
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Monday: Technique at Monarch Dance Academy 3:00pm - 4:30pm
What events do the teams perform at?
JV:
- Naperville Labor Day Parade
- Blue/Gold Scrimmage Game
- Sophomore Home Football Games
- Homecoming Events
- Boys Sophomore Home Basketball Games
- Competitions (6 including Conference)
VARSITY:
- Naperville Labor Day Parade
- Blue/Gold Scrimmage Game
- Varsity Home Football Games
- Homecoming Events
- Pep Assemblies
- Boys Varsity Home Basketball Games
- Variety Show
- Competitions (7 including Conference & Sectionals)
- State Championship (if qualified)