After capturing numerous first-place honors, including a world championship in April, Utah Valley University dance coach Bri Sorenson says the heart of their program is their motto: "First-Class, first place."
By Barbara Christiansen | Photography by August Miller
above: UVU represented Team USA in the Team Cheer Jazz category, winning gold with a slightly altered version of the routine that won them first place in UDA’s Division 1 Jazz national competition.
After capturing numerous first-place honors, including a world championship in April, Utah Valley University dance coach Bri Sorenson says the heart of their program is their motto: “First-class, first place.”
“We don’t want to just train good dancers, but good people,” Sorenson says. “They are kind, and they are classy. They represent the university well and have good reputations.”
At a parade in Utah County this summer, one bystander commented how friendly the dancers were and how they took time to meet the public cordially.
Fourth-year dancer Sam Taylor says she has learned much from her experiences, but one thing stands out to her.
“The biggest thing I will take away is the idea of being first-class,” she says. “It will have a positive influence on my life. It is the most important thing I have learned.”
The dancers are not the only ones who appreciate that emphasis on being first-class. Greg Williams appreciates the emphasis a lot, he has a daughter currently on the team.
“I am pleased the team’s expectations are high,” he says. “The dancers are more prepared for the real world.”
“My daughter learned some things about the role they can play outside of being a dancer,” he says. “They are things like supporting teammates, having a good work ethic, getting enough sleep, and time management. You do it because you love to dance, and you really want to be a part of something special.”
The UVU team has won several national titles at various competitions in prior years, but this year they participated in — and won — a different, more massive event.
“While we were at nationals, some people reached out to us and encouraged us to look into the ICU World competition,” says Ashley Hardison, UVU’s Spirit Squad coordinator. The International Cheer Union held its championship event in Orlando in April. It included teams from around the world, from both universities and professional groups.
“It was essentially the Olympics for dance and cheer,” Hardison says. It included an opening ceremony with a parade and flags of the nations, medals for the winners, complete with playing that country’s national anthem, and a closing ceremony stating each country’s medal count. UVU’s dance team members say the experience was moving.
“We will never hear the National Anthem the same way again,” Sorenson says. “The pride and patriotism — you will never forget that feeling of accomplishment.”
“When they were singing the National Anthem, we had tears coming down our faces. It was the coolest thing,” Taylor says. “The fact that we were chosen out of the entire country was insane. Wearing the country’s flag on your chest is amazing. I am representing the United States of America, the entire country. It was kind of surreal and a little bit of pressure.”
With the win, more people are watching UVU’s dance team. The number of followers across the team’s social media accounts has almost doubled, from nearly 4,000 to 7,300. It also eliminated the element of surprise in future competitions, as UVU’s reputation has grown.
Not everything about the team is as visible, however.
“There was a deaf girl at the championship that had some special needs also,” says Taylor, who is majoring in deaf studies. “I saw them signing. I went over and talked to her in sign language. I think she was glad to see that a USA representative was willing to talk to her. It was good to use my schooling, and was cool to be able to put aside the dancing and be able to talk to this girl.”
When they were singing the national anthem, we had tears coming down our faces. It was the coolest thing. The fact that we were chosen out of the entire country was insane.
“You sacrifice a lot to be on the team,” Hardison says. “For example, you work family vacations around dance. You have to be a full-time student. You do community appearances and ribbon-cuttings. There isn’t really an off-season.”
Although they are not under the umbrella of athletics at UVU, the dancers perform at many athletic events throughout the school year.
Sorenson says she likes to teach perspective, telling the dancers not to worry about elements such as their competition. “We can only control what we put on the floor,” she says.
Another challenge is fundraising. The budget from UVU doesn’t cover all the expenses, and the dancers work part-time or raise funds by creating relationships with companies, getting donations and sponsors.
“The dancers learn about dance, friendships, discipline, teamwork, and being dedicated to something,” Hardison says. “You can’t learn those on your own. Anyone who watches them knows they are professional and collegiate. They are being their best version. We take it very seriously. Satisfaction comes from mastering skills, setting goals and accomplishing them.”
Taylor outlined a typical day, along with the rewards.
“We get up, go to school, practice from 4 to 7, go home, do homework, then go to bed and do it all over again,” she says. “But it has made me so involved with Utah Valley University. It is easy to get a little disconnected from the spirit part of it. Dance team has given me an in. Not only am I improving my danceability and getting better, but I am involved with UVU and getting to know so many amazing people I wouldn’t have been able to know without the program.” ◼
