Dear Prospective Dance Team Member,

Thank you for your interest in the Golden Girls, Johnson County Community College's Dance Team. Fall of 1999 was the inception of our Dance Team and the response from the JCCC community has been overwhelming.

Below you will find some frequently asked questions about the Dance Team.



WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A DANCE TEAM MEMBER?
In order to be eligible, a student must be enrolled in twelve credit hours per semester. Students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. All previous college course work counts toward the grade point average including any transfer credit courses or College Now classes taken in high school.



WHAT EXPENSES DO DANCE TEAM MEMBERS INCUR?
Team members do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for performance costumes, team warm-ups, bags, pom-poms and other necessary costume items. Performance make-up is provided for all team members. Team members may be required to purchase dance shoes and tights. Team members also participate in fundraising events in order to cover competitive entry fees, excessive travel, props, or other miscellaneous expenses that occur throughout the year. Typical fundraisers include: a sponsor and letter-drive campaign and sponsoring events at JCCC.



HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE ON THE JCCC GOLDEN GIRLS?
Usually, a maximum of 12 scholarshipped positions and 2 alternate (non-scholarshipped positions) positions will be selected though less may be selected.



HOW ARE THE DANCE TEAM MEMBERS SELECTED?
JCCC utilizes a two-step audition process in order to select the Golden Girls.

Step 1: Traditional auditions are scheduled each spring during which potential team members will attend a clinic to learn dances, cheers, and technique that will be performed for a panel of qualified judges. Participants selected during this audition will be invited to complete Step 2 of the audition process. The number selected at this first audition is NOT limited.
Step 2: Participants will attend summer AUDITION practices that will focus on technique, dances, cheers, and exercise and conditioning. At the end of these practices, final selection of the Team will occur. Participants selected for the Team will be invited to attend Fall/Spring practices.
*All those participants selected for the final Team are required to meet with the team’s guidance counselor, enroll in Fall classes, and sign a contract with the JCCC Dance Team before formal placement is awarded.



WHO DOES THE CHOREGRAPHY FOR THE TEAM?
The coach or other professionals choreograph all competitive routines. However, experienced team members who express interest in choreographing basketball game routines, sideline routines, and cheers will be given the opportunity with the coach's approval.



WHERE AND WHEN DOES THE DANCE TEAM PERFORM?
The Dance Team performs at the men and women's Cavalier home basketball games. They also perform at community events and may perform at post-season tournaments.
The Dance Team also travels to Florida (NDA) to compete each year. The Team competes in the Division II Collegiate Category against other top 2 and 4-year institutions. The Team has won numerous national awards and was named the United Performing Association’s 2006 Collegiate Hip Hop Champions and the 2004 Third Place Collegiate Grand Champions.



WHAT TYPE OF COSTUMES DOES THE DANCE TEAM WEAR?
All competitive costumes are hand-selected and/or custom-designed by Coach Erin Fine. All competitive costumes are original designs tailored to each routine. In addition, the team owns numerous costumes, three warm-ups, and a set of poms that are used for basketball and community performances. All costumes are the property of JCCC, however team members may need to purchase one to two pairs of dance shoes, and two to three pairs of tights.



WHAT ADDITIONAL HELP DOES JCCC PROVIDE THE TEAM MEMBERS?
Each Dance Team member works directly with a JCCC guidance counselor to ensure appropriate classes and credit hours are taken in order to graduate on time or transfer to a four-year institution. This also benefits the team members because they can enroll earlier than the "general enrollment period". Additionally, scholarships are available for up to 12 members of the team. At JCCC, EDUCATION COMES FIRST.



HOW ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED?
Scholarships are awarded at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters to Johnson County residents, out-of-state residents, and international students at their rate of pay upon meeting the following criteria: 2.0 cumulative grade point average, enrollment in twelve credit hours, and satisfactory completion of all Golden Girl duties.



WHEN ARE AUDITIONS?
Auditions are scheduled for the beginning of May each year. Audition dates and information are announced in January/February. If you would like to receive an audition application, please contact Head Coach Erin Fine.



WHAT TECHNICAL SKILLS DO I NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE DANCE TEAM?
Dance technique is an important focus on our team. Technique classes are scheduled into our daily practices. Some technical skills that are focused on throughout the year and choreographed into our routines are: fouette turns, a la seconde turns, double/triple pirouettes, axle turns, switch leaps, turning switch leaps, switch center leaps, grand jetes, center jetes, and more. Although it is advantageous for team members to already know the above technical skills, we do practice and work toward mastering these skills throughout the year.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, WHO CAN I ASK?
If you need further information or would like to schedule a visit, please contact Coach Erin Fine at (913) 469-8500, ext. 3553 or epfine@jccc.edu. Advisor Holly Stayton (913) 469-8500 ext. 3534 or hstayton@jccc.edu .
Again, thank you for your interest!

Sincerely,
Head Coach
Erin Fine