Dance Program Description

The Bethany Dance Team creates and promotes school support and interest in athletics, develops high team standards, and provides quality family entertainment. The team performs a variety of styles, including pom, jazz, and hip hop, at all home football and basketball games. The program includes 10 to 16 athletes, who all have had former training and experience on high school, college, or studio squads. Each member prioritizes their education first and contributes discipline, dedication, and responsibility to the team.

Team Benefits

• Award-winning liberal arts education from Bethany College

• Scholarships awarded depending on need and talent

• Full participation at no cost
• State, regional, and national competition opportunities
• Guest coaching and choreography by professionals
• Attend all regular and post season games at no cost
• Academic support and tutoring
• Access to athletic training staff and health and counseling services
• Attend summer camp at no cost
• Conditioning, strength, and weight training during reserved team practices in weight room
• Access to dance studio and mirrors on a weekly basis
• Team members from all over the country
• All-female and co-ed opportunities
• Community service projects and mentoring children in area
• Housing and meals provided to recruits during tryouts at no charge
• Opportunity for private and videotape auditions
• AACCA Safety and Liability certified coaching
• Monthly open gyms
• Spirit programs and scholarships featured at Varsity.com and in American Cheerleader Magazine
   

Practices

Practices are held 2 to 4 days per week for 1.5 to 3 hours in addition to games. The team is equipped with mirrors, studio, and access to an athletic trainer. All members must weight-train and practice individually to maintain optimal physical condition and knowledge of material.

Each year the team builds skills and choreography by attending camps, competitions, and private instruction sessions.

Community Involvement

The Dance Team performs a combo routine with the Bethany Cheer Squad each year. The team also performs a fall performance routine for football homecoming and exhibits their annual competition routine at one of the spring basketball games. Swede Spirit Night, Homecoming, and Midnight Madness pep rallies are organized and led by the Dance Team and Cheer Squad. In addition, the team makes special appearances at alumni, athletic, charitable and community activities as scheduled.

The Squad hosts the annual "Lil' Swedes" Junior Cheer & Dance camp with the Dance Team for K-14 girls to teach cheerleading and dance skills, build self-esteem, and promote teamwork and a healthy lifestyle. The team also performs at KSHAA Kansas Spirit Spreader day clinic for Kansas middle and high school cheer and dance teams. Every two years, the Dance Teams participates in the Svensk Hyllningsfest festivities in Lindsborg.

Guest Judging and Private Camps

The Bethany Cheer Squad is available to judge other teams' tryouts or to conduct private camps tailored to teams' specific needs. Contact the Squad coaching staff for more information.

Financial Aid

There is no cost to be a member of the Dance Team. Uniforms, bags, registration fees, travel expenses, and other costs are paid for by the college. Fundraisers may be held for special purchases.

Dance awards are offered to selected students based on talent and contribution to the program. For more financial aid information, please contact Student Financial Services.

Tryouts

Tryouts for the team can be scheduled privately by setting up a time with the coaching staff. Out-of-state students may try out by video. Potential candidates for the team are encouraged to practice double turns and right, left, and center leaps. Commonly performed techniques include turns in second, switch leaps, axels, and calypsos. Contact the coaching staff for more information on trying out.