UPCOMING PRO CHEER ALL STARS WORKSHOP TOUR DATES
Learn from alumni dancers of the NFL and NBA, get partner discounts and exclusive tips on how to succeed at auditions! Visit http://www.procheerallstars.eventbrite.com/

• Phoenix – Centre Stage Dance Studio, Scottsdale, AZ
  Workshop Saturday, February 20, 2010, 2:00-5:00pm
  Weekly classes Wednesdays 9:00-10:00pm
  

• Atlanta – Rockdale Gymnastics, Conyers, GA
  3 Sessions Offered! Get a three-class discount or attend one at a time.
  1) Saturday, February 20, 2010, 3:00-6:00pm
  2) Saturday, March 20, 2010, 3:00-6:00pm
  3) Saturday, April 3, 2010, 3:00-6:00pm
  

• Cincinnati – Powerhouse Athletics, Cincinnati, OH
  Saturday, February 27, 2010, 1:00-4:00pm
  

• Virginia - Victory Lady Fitness, Richmond, VA
  Workshop Saturday, March 6, 2010 12:30-3:30pm
  Weekly classes Thursdays 8:00-9:00pm
  

• Indianapolis – Dance Legacy, Indianapolis, IN
  Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10:00am-2:00pm
   
• Don’t see your region?
  Join their mailing list to hear about opportunities near you

BRING A FRIEND AND SAVE!
Register two workshop attendees and receive $5.00 off. Enter discount code BUDDY and mention your friend’s name in the registration notes.  Visit the event site

SPEAK TO A CONSULTANT
Don’t know where to get started? They are here to help! Email Going Pro Entertainment with your questions and pro goals, and a consultant will respond within 48 hours.

Pro Cheer All Stars – Denver

Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010

Time: 1:00-4:00pm, Check in at 12:30pm

Location: Mountainside Fitness-Westminster - N.E. Corner of 120th Ave & Federal Blvd., 2861 W. 120th Ave., Westminster, CO 80234

Agenda:

• Audition tips and choreography from Pro Cheer All Star, Director of the RockStarz, former NFL Cheerleader and NBA Dancer Megan Savage
• Choreography from Kristin Engler, former NBA Dancer and Director of the AFL Colorado Crush
• Audition etiquette with Brienna Mercer, Director of the Denver Outlaws and former NFL Cheerleader
• Special appearances by the RockStarz
• Fitness and nutrition planning from Mountainside Fitness
• Glamour tips
• Makeup discounts with Be Cosmetics, the official makeup artist for multiple professional and college squads
• Attire discounts with Zonas Designs and Yipes!
• Apparel… and more!

Melissa George was born on October 16, 1979 and raised in Fleming Island, FL.  She started dancing at the young age of three and pursued her talent for 11 years at a studio, competing and performing with their competition team.  She then started cheerleading with her Jr. High School and High School where she served as the team’s captain.  In Melissa’s first year of college at University of North Florida, she was a cheerleader for the Ospreys until her spring semester when she first auditioned for the Jacksonville Jaguars Roar in 1999.  She continued cheering for the Jaguars until after the Super Bowl was held in Jacksonville on February 5, 2005.

During her six seasons, Melissa served as captain from 2002-2004.  Not only did she enjoy performing at home games, but also greatly enjoyed traveling the world representing the Roar.  Destinations include Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and several locations throughout the United States.  Her fondest memories are from the Armed Forces Entertainment military tours that took her all across Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Greenland.

Aside from the Roar, Melissa graduated from college in 2002 with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has been successfully involved within the insurance industry since then.  She has also been contracted several times as a Sports and Entertainment Consultant where she has helped put on events such as the Snooper Bowl, Oscar De La Hoya Boxing Match, the Ernest Wilford Golf Classic, and several concerts including big names like Snoop Dogg, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan.  Since she stopped cheering, Melissa has been represented by Beyond the Field Marketing as a model and spokesperson and has appeared in numerous TV and print ads.  This is her second year as a member of the Sweethearts for Soldiers and she also takes great pleasure in being an officer for the Professional Cheerleaders Alumni, Inc.  In her spare time she enjoys church and family events, sporting events, and working out.  Melissa welcomed a new addition to her family on June 2, 2008.  Her son Thomas was born in Jacksonville, FL and is her first child.

For more audition information, Pro League Prep Classes Schedules, and to Pre-register go to www.ungleague.com

Power House of Dance Frisco
214-387-0193
www.powerhouseofdance.net

The Richmond Lady Raiders Dance Team spring auditions will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2010!

Address: 9699-D West Broad Street

Get a sneak preview of the Lady Raiders at these activities:

* AIFA All Star Game at the Richmond Coliseum
Saturday, January 23, 2010 7:30pm
Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

* Pro Dance Class at Victory Lady Fitness, Glen Allen, VA
Thursday, February 4, 2010 8:00-9:00pm
$10.00 each, Free for Lady Raiders and Victory Lady Members
RSVP to ladyraidersdanceteam@gmail.com, Pay at the door.

Why become a Richmond Lady Raider?
* Perform at the Richmond Coliseum for thousands of fans!
* Represent the finest ladies of the city of Richmond
* Receive benefits such as gym membership and salon discounts
* Make lifelong friends and memories
* Make history as the inaugural Lady Raiders Dance Team

Audition Information
* Closed to the public, family, and friends
* Must be 18 yrs of age or older
* Must have high school diploma or equivalent
* Submit registration form and photograph
* Bring snacks, a water bottle, a towel, and items to freshen up

Judging Criteria
* Physical fitness and personal appearance
* Dance technique, style, strength and completion of movement
* Showmanship, personality, energy, and enthusiasm
* Communication skills and professionalism
* Positive attitude
* Strong teamwork skills
* Growth potential

Audition Attire and Look
* Dance or athletic half-top (stomach must be showing)
* Form-fitting hot pants or shorts (no full or capri length pants)
* Dance sneakers, tennis shoes, or jazz shoes with non-marking soles
* Performance-ready hair and makeup

Location
* Victory Lady Fitness Center
9699-D West Broad Street
Glen Allen, Va. 23060

Cost
* Registration Fee: $25.00

Audition Format
* Check in begins at 2:30pm
* Submit registration forms, copy of photo ID, recent photo
* Learn Lady Raiders 60-90 second cheer/dance routine

Team Information
* Required new team meeting & rehearsal Sun., Feb. 7, 2:00-7:00pm
* Year-round commitments
* Perform at all home Raiders games March-June 2010
* Rehearse Saturdays 3-7pm February-June 2010
* Rehearse occasional Fridays 7-10pm March-May 2010
* Work outs and dance classes on weeknights
* Instruct classes for the Raiderettes youth program
* Instruct classes for the Silver Line ladies’ dance program
* Appear in the Richmond community and beyond
* Receive sponsor benefits and discounts

Register or Inquire
* Email Laura at ladyraidersdanceteam@gmail.com
* Download forms at www.richmondraidersprofootball.com

I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii but raised here is Sacramento, California.  I guess I started like many professional dance/cheerleaders by splitting my time between the dance company and cheerleading squad in high school.  Most of my dance training post high school was at a local studio in Sacramento, Step 1, run by Pepper Von.

The first team I ever cheered for was the Sacramento Surge.  They were a professional football team in the now defunct World League of American Football, which later became NFL Europe.  While it was a small league, it gave me the foundation of working within a team and professionalism.  Our director of our squad, the “California Girls Cheerleaders,” was the former Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), Debbie Bond.  She definitely ran our squad with the same philosophy of DCC, stressing discipline and excellence. 

I also cheered in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Sacramento Gold Miners, as a “Pure Gold Cheerleader.”  This squad was directed by Pepper Von and Mary Wright.  Again, it was an experience working with a smaller league but the Sacramento fans were very supportive and loyal to their team.

Another one of the teams I had the privilege of cheering for was the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, as a member of the “Fastbreak Dance Team.”  Heidi Hopper was our director and a former pro cheerleader herself, with the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush.  Heidi also ran her squad with a healthy dose of discipline and it was a much more dance-oriented squad.  Heidi’s goal was to have a very well rounded dance team, which is what we were.  After Heidi’s retirement from the team, Wendy Rogers took over.  Wendy was also a former Sac Kings Fastbreak Dance Team member from my first year.

The greatest thing that the “Fastbreak Dance Team” taught me was perseverance.  I did not make the team my first time auditioning.  Even more challenging, I did not make it back after being on the team my first year.  That taught me not only to be humble but not to take my position on the team for granted.  I did later rejoin the team for an additional two years with was fantastic.

The season following my last year on Kings, I auditioned for and joined the Oakland Raiders as a member of the “Raiderettes.”  The team was directed by Mary Barnes.  Our head choreographer was Karen Kovac and assistant choreographer was Ramona Braganza.  The Raiderettes was the first team I cheered for that had an even greater following beyond the local area of the team.  I definitely felt the difference cheering for such a huge organization within the NFL.  I had a great time cheering for them all three years.

My swan song as a pro cheerleader came as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, “Gold Rush Cheerleaders.” Again, there was such a mystique with cheering for the 49ers on “Goldrush”  Like the Oakland Raiders, the 49ers had a huge fan base and I always felt the passion of the fans throughout the country on various promotional events.

One thing that sounds chiche’ but is very true in my case is the friendships that I made in my years of cheering.  I had dance team members from all of the pro teams that I cheered for in my wedding party.  Many of them are my closest friends to this day.  The years that I cheered professionally were as follows:

1991- Sacramento Surge, “California Girls Cheerleaders”

1991-92 - Sacramento Kings, “Fastbreak Dance Team”

1994 – Sacramento Gold Miners, “Pure Gold Cheerleaders”

1994-96 – Sacramento kings, “Fastbreak Dance Team”

1996-99 - Oakland Raiders, “Raiderettes”

2000 - San Francisco 49ers, “Gold Rush Cheerleaders”

As for my life now, I feel like an average, everyday wife and mother.  I have been married to my wonderful husband, Sean for six and a half years and we have a beautiful four year old son named J.C. (John Curtis).  Like most mothers, I juggle home life with my job.  I work for the California Prison Health Care Services.

On the side, I enjoy working out and taking fitness classes…Zumba is my favorite and I recently completed my instructor training in Zumba!  I was drawn to Zumba because of the Latin dance influence as well as the fact that anyone can do it.  It’s a ton of fun.

Hey all you Cheerleaders and Dancers out there!  Have you always had the desire and drive to perform at highest possible dance level?  Are you ready for some cheer and dance?  To become that “Superstar” you are cut out to be?  This is an opportunity that you don’t want to miss!  The United National Gridiron League (UNGL) is gearing up for the 2010 season and is hosting its second team auditions for cheerleading/dance candidates to fully staff five (5) of its eight (8) teams.

The UNGL is looking for unique and charismatic women who possess outstanding talent, beauty and dance ability/performance.  If you have what it takes then they want to see you!  Up close and personal at their upcoming auditions is where you want to be.  Utilize this experience as a launching pad, or a road map to become a professional dancer, acting, and/or the start of a modeling career.

Ladies of cheer and dance, this is an exciting opportunity for you to get maximum exposure at the professional level. As part of their elite/glamorous dance team, you will be involved in a “sorority type” environment with other positive women, in which will motivate you as well as uplift your spirits.  Team members will also participate in a professional photo shoot, plus be featured exclusively in their national swimsuit calendar. “Top Models” will soon be discovered! Their calendar shoot will also take place at a tropical location, at the end of the season in 2010. So stay tuned, the BEST is yet to come!

In January, the UNGL will hold team Cheerleading/Dance auditions to select the best performers to staff their eight dance teams.  The second of these auditions will be held on Saturday, January 23rd, Sunday, January 24th and Saturday, January 30th.  Here is an invitation to participate in the UNGL Cheerleading/Dance tryout audition at the early registration rate of $20.00 (be sure to register by January 5th to receive this special rate).

 At this audition, you will learn the following:

- Learn a very modern and up-tempo Jazz/Pom routine that will showcase and highlight your cheer/dance technique.

- Learn an exciting/upbeat Hip-Hop routine that will get the crowd hyped!  (We want to see you “work it with all of your swag and energy!)

- Perform to the highest level & be evaluated in front of a professional judging panel of current/ former pro cheerleaders, choreographers, and directors.  (Yes, we will crack a warm smile and give much support.)

- Meet an entire new network of friends and dancers to share this exciting experience with and talk about some great cheer/dance stories.

Those five teams will be:

• Dallas Bluestorm – Sunday, January 24th
• Miami Scorchers – Saturday, January 30th 
• North Carolina Comets – Sunday, January 24th
• Ohio Marauders – Sunday, January 24th
• Virginia Swarm – Saturday, January 23rd

Below are the teams that will be holding auditions in the month of January. Please click on the teams below to get information on each team audition.

Virginia Swarm

Ohio Marauders

Miami Scorchers

Dallas Bluestorm

Carolina Comets

Be the first and sign-up ASAP!  ALL DANCERS GO TO: http://www.ungleague.com/cheerleaders.php and register now!

Please note: A professional photographer will be on hand to shoot LIVE-ACTION photos of your performance and other fun stuff.  So look your VERY best and make sure you are “camera ready” on “audition day”.  Pictures also will be available to purchase on the UNGL website within a few weeks preceding the auditions.   

The UNGL is the “First-of-its-kind” national minor league for professional football.  Headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut, league play is scheduled to begin this March 2010 in 8 markets.  Their goal is to have 22 teams nationally. The league model is similar to what triple AAA baseball is to the MLB, the D-League is to the NBA, and the AHL is to professional hockey.  With all of the anticipation of the players in position for kickoff of our 2010 season in March, their cheerleaders/ dancers are pumping it up and preparing for auditions. They are EXCITED and ready to “Bring It!”

 The UNGL intends to supply a talented and glamorous group of professional cheerleaders/dancers whom soon will be ready take on an ELITE position as a dancer in our action pack football league.  The experience alone will embrace each cheerleader/dancer in every way, individually and as a team.  By being a part of our prestigious cheerleader/dance teams, you will feel that you can deliver the highest level of competitive cheerleading/dance within the UNGL in all aspects of dance, public relations, and spectacular representation.

“Yes You Can!”  As their players are sweating it out on the field, this an opportunity for all of you talented and beautiful women to showcase, entertain, and capture your magnificent presence in front of their local, regional, and nationally audiences.  As part of a DYNAMIC dance team for their 2010 inaugural season you will be the pioneer teams of the league starting off the New Year with a bang!

They want to make 2010 even more impressive!

Tryout Information:

Date: January 30, 2010

Location: Spectrum at Howard Hughes Center

Time: 11:00 AM

Attire: Two-piece outfit required – No hosiery

Non marking dance or athletic shoes

The 2010 AVP Dancers Team begins in April!

Please RSVP or ask questions here: avpdancers@gmail.com

Stay tuned… more information to come soon regarding game day outfits and rehearsal times. 

When: Saturday, December 5^th

Time: 1 PM – 3PM

Where: A.I.M. Dance Studios (383 Marietta Street Suite B Atlanta, GA 30313).  There is parking directly across the street from the studio and they will be someone waiting in the parking lot with parking passes so you won’t have to pay for parking!!

Just For Kix is a program of dance team instruction that allows young people to experience the fun and rewards of dancing with a team.  Along with dance skills & many dance styles, dancers learn cooperation, perseverance & team work.  A minimum of four performances are scheduled throughout the season to include a year-end Spring Show.  Her classes will run from January – April and are offered to children Pre K through 7th Grade.  There are no auditions for classes, which run once a week.  They welcome novice as well as experienced dancers

Here is Anneka’s story she shared with us:

I was born and raised in Kansas City MO.  At the young age of 4, I grew up knowing I wanted to be a dancer!  From the studio to the field!  High school Football field that is!  In High School is where I experienced being both a dancer and a cheerleader.  The hard work paid off and I was a pro at hitting a double pirouette and no longer a novice at hitting a chair with my stunt partner.  I wasn’t able to have the best of both worlds in college, so I decided to split my talents up…my first two years I decided to cheer.  I then auditioned for the Minor Soccer Leagues Kansas City Comets Dance Team, made the team and graduated college a dancer.

After college and my final season as a Comets Dancer, I wanted to step it up a notch and pursued my dream to be an NFL cheerleader.  In April of 2004, I was a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader!!!  After my 2nd year of cheering I wanted to continue my passion and continue performing.  From there I went to both Houston and Chicago to audition for Beyonce.  I was told “I wasn’t allowed to outshine the star!” and that boost of confidence moved me right on to Atlanta, GA where I’ve performed at The Dirty Awards, as an extra on MTV’s Made and in several showcases.

While residing in Atlanta, I also decided to start my own mentor program known as Releve Dance and Mentor Program, where my motto is to uplift and encourage young girls through dance and mentoring.  After receiving an email from a good friend in Minnesota, I saw an opportunity to become a Program Director for Just For Kix.  I applied and here I am…  Just For Kix Program Director of Atlanta.  Now, Just For Kix has several programs in the Midwest (i.e., Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa just to name a few), but Just For Kix Atlanta is the FIRST Program in the South!!  So… I’m excited to be the FIRST Just For Kix Program to hit the south.  

As many times as I’ve “retired” and tried to let it go…we as dancers know….you just can’t shake it!  So I plan to continue mentoring and performing until I’m 150…as both are what I love and are the exact reasons why I was put on the earth!!!  To entertain and give back!

Now, I got really excited going through those pictures!  Oh to relive those times.  I miss it so… much!!!

Anneka's final season

Congratulations to Kiara for bringing home 2 Gold medals (13-14 age group) in the tumbling and double mini trampoline competition at the World Age Games!!  This competition was recently held in St. Petersburg, Russia November 14 – November 22, 2009.  Kiara was successful at earning a coveted spot on the USA Gymnastics T&T team to represent the United States at the World Age Games.  This talented young lady competed against the best gymnasts from 32 other countries to defend her World Title as the #1 ranked Power Tumbler for her age group.  Teammate Shaylee Dunavin placed an impressive second for the USA.

Kiara resides in Southern California and is the only child of Todd and Monique Nowlin who are very proud of her.  Her parents knew she had a special talent at 18 months old when she would flip over the couch.  Of course, they wanted to her to be safe and she was enrolled in “Mommy & Me” classes.  Once Kiara was more coordinated with her tumbling, they would move furniture and she would tumble from one door to another in their home. 

Kiara is on the California All Stars Sr. Coed Team and also cheers on her high school cheerleading team.  She is disciplined and very dedicated with her sports and does her training at Wallers Gym Jam Academy.  Currently, she is on the USA Gymnastics Junior National Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline Team.  Click here for her team biography.

Also, Kiara is the USASF 2009 Merit Based Scholarship Gold Recipient – a high honor in all star cheer.  Click here to verify her achievement.

Even though Kiara has numerous awards, over 200 medals, and accolades for her exceptional gymnastics and tumbling skills, she is just like most young girls.  Her favorite color is pink and one of her favorite movies is “Get Smart” with Steve Carell.  She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to the beach, shopping, and playing with her dogs Sooner Sammie and Nellie Tuesday.  Kiara is looking forward to college and hopefully earning a scholarship for her talents.  One university that catches her eye is UCLA.  After college, she aspires to become a pediatrician. 

Please visit http://www.kiaranowlin.com/ to get more information on this amazing young lady.

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What professional dance/cheer team were you a member?  I was a member of the 1994-1995 World Champion Chicago Bulls, a former Luvabull, during the iconic Michael Jordan years!

How many years/seasons were you a member?  1 year

When did you begin competing in Fitness? Why?  In 2001, I started competing.  I have been dancing since the age of 4 so I love performing and wasn’t ready to give it up. Plus, I have been passionate about fitness and my health since my college days.  I also was a member of my gym’s performance team from 1998-2001 and many on the team competed which gave me the initiative.

How many years have you been competing in Fitness?  8 years…my how time flies!

How is competing similar to your experience as a dancer/cheerleader? How is it different?  Similar in way that I get a rush when dancing into front of large groups…it’s a blast!  Different because as a cheerleader I performed with others vs. fitness where I am performing solo competing for a placing. 

How do you think your experience as a professional dancer/cheerleader prepared you to be a Fitness competitor?  I definitely think it helps as far as nervousness or stage fright, having been on stage my whole life that usually is the least of my worries.  The squad experience is somewhat similar to being a Savage Girl, belonging to a team.  It pushed me to my limits!  I was learning and performing dance moves I never thought possible, I do that today with fitness.  I also learned a lot of self-discipline during my NBA cheerleader days…you need that when it comes to competing.

What is your favorite Fitness trick/move?  I love love love power push-ups and shushanovas!!!

How did you decide on the theme for your Fitness routine?  With the help of my amazing, fun-loving coaches Cathy & Paula!

What one tip would you give pro dancers/cheerleaders who are thinking about competing in Fitness?  Just Do It!  It’s a great way to follow your passion of performing and dance well into your 30s, 40 and even 50s!

Photo by Gordon J Smith

Photo by Gordon J Smith

My name is Erica Emond.  I have cheered ALL MY LIFE!

I started out cheering for Taunton Cubs (Taunton, MA) football when I was in elementary school (1984).  I cheered through 8^th grade (1989) for this team.  I also cheered for my middle school (Mulcahey Mustangs) and was a captain in 7^th and 8^th grade (1988-89).  I tried out in 8^th grade for the Varsity team at Taunton High School.  Three f my girlfriends and I that cheered together in middle school made the varsity squad.  My 4 years of cheering in high school (1989 – 1993) were the best!  My best friends are the girls I cheered with.  Great times were had at games, competition and most of all cheerleading camp.  My funniest memory of camp was winning an impromptu lip singing contest to “Baby Got Back!”  My sophomore year we were state champions and placed usually in the top 3 spots at all the local events.

Once I entered college, I retired from cheerleading for a few years.  I commuted to Bridgewater State College and earned a Chemistry degree with minors in Biochemistry and Physics.  I got asked by a local middle school to choreograph their halftime routine while I was in college.  I had a heavy workload at school, but managed to find the time to do it. 

After graduation (1998), I got a full-time job at a pharmaceutical company in Brockton, MA.  My little cousin was 6 years old at the time and signed up to cheer for Taunton Pop Warner.  They were in need of coaches and my uncle put my name down.  Little did I know what I was getting myself into!  I ended up coaching the next 8 years for Pop Warner.  I stayed with the same group of girls, more or less, and we worked our way up from the Mighty Mites to the A team.  I went from teaching them how to spell TAUNTON in a cheer, to how to do basket tosses and heel stretches.  This team of 35 cheerleaders was phenomenal!  I became good friends with some of the parents and got to see a group of girls grow to be young ladies.  During those 8 years, I got engaged, married (2000), and had a son (Matthew) in 2004 and was pregnant with my daughter (Jillian) in 2006.  So life was very busy for me.  These cheerleaders placed 1^st in the Hockomock League in 2004 and 2^nd in 2005.  They went on to a regional competition from there where they placed 8^th in the region, 2^nd in their state!  We had 7 basket tosses hit all at once.  Heel stretches, liberties, you name it!  When they graduated 8^th grade and moved to high school, I retired from coaching for a few years.

Now my son Matthew is 5 and my daughter Jillian is 3.  He plays flag football for the Taunton Cubs.  I was asked to join them as a coach.  I am currently coaching the C team (ages 8 – 9) for my first season back.  It’s very hectic with working, a family, and choreographing a routine, but I love it.  I enjoy seeing the girls learn from me.  I like knowing they’ll take this season and all they’ve learned and apply it to their cheering in the future.  I’ve always said I think I am a better coach than I was a cheerleader.  I loved cheering and competing, but I get to do both and connect with the youth of today.  I love to be a positive influence on them and show them, with strong will and effort, there’s so much they can accomplish.  Those Pop Warner girls are now seniors in high school.  I went to a Friday night game and saw them cheering the other night.  We took pictures together and one commented “where it all started”.  I’m glad they think of me that way.  I like to know they enjoyed their years with me and I hope to carry on that image with all my future teams. 

I look forward to my Jillian being able to cheer.  She runs around the house now saying “5-6-7-8” and then does a pike jump or toe-touch.  I can’t wait to be the parent watching their daughter.  I can’t imagine the nerves!!

My Mom (Norma Pimenta) wrote a book “Smiling Eyes” and it travels through all my years of cheering and coaching as well as hers.  You can read all about our successes and failures throughout our cheer careers.  It also entails a tragic accident she was in and the rehabilitation process, along with losing my grandmother to a fast spreading cancer.  It’s a very relatable book for all of us that have lost someone dear and for all of us that love the sport of cheering.

Alumni Cheerleaders highly recommends this great book “Smiling Eyes” for your reading pleasure.  The author is Alumni Cheerleaders member, Norma Pimenta – Contact her at smiling.eyes2005@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

What professional dance/cheer team were you a member?  Cincinnati Ben-Gals

How many years/seasons were you a member? 3

When did you begin competing in Fitness? Why?  I love performing and I saw competing in fitness as a challenge after I retired from the NFL.  I was in good shape but I wanted to take my physique to the next level.  I also love hanging out with the other girls and the rush when I get on stage!

How many years have you been competing in Fitness? I did my first fitness show when I was only 19!  I competed for two years back in 2001 and then took a break to cheer in the NFL and came back in 2008.

How is competing similar to your experience as a dancer/cheerleader? How is it different?  It is similar because you are performing in front of people and it is high energy and physically demanding.  However, I think that competing is more challenging when you are on stage performing out there by yourself whereas when you are on a team you are performing with 30 other girls on the field.  You really feel the pressure!

How do you think your experience as a professional dancer/cheerleader prepared you to be a Fitness competitor?  It helped so much as I was already comfortable performing in front of people and because of the physical demands of cheering in the NFL I was already in good shape and had a strong background in dance and gymnastics.

What is your favorite Fitness trick/move?  I love my standing back tuck into a push-up!  It is one of the more challenging moves that I do in my routine but I think that is why I like it so much because it feels great when I nail it on stage!

How did you decide on the theme for your Fitness routine?  I was talking to Cathy Savage about doing something a little out of the box that wasn’t something the judges would expect and she came up with Braveheart and I was like Yes!  This is my husband’s favorite movie….he wanted to use a song from the soundtrack in our wedding and he was heartbroken when I didn’t go for that so he was pumped about my fitness routine, LOL!

What one tip would you give pro dancers/cheerleaders who are thinking about competing in Fitness?  Go to a show!  After you watch a show and see the routines performed not only will you be so excited to start working on your own routine but you will see the different styles of routines that are performed and get a feel for what you want your routine to look like.  Also look into getting a trainer….I recommend Cathy Savage!

Photo by Gordon J Smith

Photo by Gordon J Smith

 

Going Pro Entertainment is hosting a series of workshops for future professional dancers and cheerleaders in multiple U.S. cities.  Going Pro hopes you will refer these opportunities to women who would make good audition candidates! Attendees must be 16 years of age and older. 

Don’t wait, sign up now! http://www.procheerallstars.eventbrite.com

FALL 2009 WORKSHOP LOCATIONS:
Kansas City Pro Cheer All Stars Workshop
Saturday October 24, 2009 2:00-5:00pm
Led by Missy Georges, NFL-Chiefs and IFL-Omaha Alumna
http://www.procheerallstars.eventbrite.com
missy@goingproentertainment.com

Indianapolis Pro Cheer All Stars Workshop
Sunday November 15, 2009 1:00-4:00pm
Led by Kristie Minton, NFL-Colts and NFL ProBowl Alumna
http://www.procheerallstars.eventbrite.com/
kristie@goingproentertainment.com

2010 WORKSHOP LOCATIONS:
Buffalo, New York
New York City, New York
Washington, DC
Miami, Florida
Chicago, Illinois
Omaha, Nebraska
St Louis, Missouri
Denver, Colorado
Los Angeles, California
Atlanta, Georgia

If you are interested in learning more about Going Pro Entertainment or hosting a workshop in your city, please go to www.goingproentertainment.com

Going Pro Entertainment is the premier resource for professional cheerleaders and dance services.

What professional dance/cheer team were you a member? I cheered for the New England Patriots in 2002.

How many years/seasons were you a member? I cheered for 1 year.

When did you begin competing in Fitness? Why? I have always been active my whole life.  I began dancing at 3 years old and have really never stopped.  In high school and college I cheered for football, basketball and the competition team.  At the end of my sophomore year in college, I made the Patriots Cheerleading Squad.  When I was finished cheering, I knew there had to be something else out there for me.  Performing is a passion for me, and I have always loved to hit the gym hard.  Fitness was the perfect fit.  I went to see a show and it was love at first sight.

How many years have you been competing in Fitness?  I have been competing for 4 years now.  Wow does time fly!

How is competing similar to your experience as a dancer/cheerleader? How is it different? The rush I used to get when running onto the field to perform for half time is the same rush I get when I walk onto that stage.  There is nothing else like it, and I love every second of it!  It is different in the sense that when you are cheering for a professional team, you are dancing with a group of girls.  In fitness, it is not a team sport.  You have to go onstage alone for your routine and for the physique round.  I will never forget when I stepped on stage for the first time, I was so nervous.  I was used to having a team of girls with me!!  However, I have gotten used to it and I actually get really excited to walk on stage and perform my fitness routine.

How do you think your experience as a professional dancer/cheerleader prepared you to be a Fitness competitor? I have always been a performer, but when I became a cheerleader I really learned the meaning of performance.  I got the opportunity to dance for 10’s of thousands of fans.  I got to make people smile, and cheer, and get excited.  I take that with me onto the stage and my job is to make everyone in that audience as excited to see my routine as I am to do it.  I promise to bring one heck of a show every time I compete and after 4 years people know they are going to get that!

What is your favorite Fitness trick/move? I love, love, love to fly through the air!! My favorite tricks are shushunovas!

How did you decide on the theme for your Fitness routine? My theme this year is “bollywood”.  We got the idea from Slum Dog Millionaire.  I was so touched by the movie that I wanted to pay tribute to the children of Mumbai and my routine is the tribute.

What one tip would you give pro dancers/cheerleaders who are thinking about competing in Fitness?  I would tell them to go for it!   I have made some of my best friends through competing, had the most amazing memories, traveled all over the country, and have pushed myself to places I have never thought possible.  Competing has made me a better person and I am thankful every day I have had the opportunity to experience all that I have.  I think everyone should be able to experience the same. Take the chance! It is an absolute ball!

Annette Perry
Ms. Bikini Universe Short Class Champion 2009
Ms. Fitness Atlantic Champion 2009
NPC Jay Cutler Classic Bikini Champion 2009

Photo by Gordon J Smith

Photo by Gordon J Smith

Photo by Gordon J Smith