1. How can I be a part of the West Chester University Dance Team? 

 If you're interested in joining the West Chester University Dance Team, attending clinics and tryouts are required.  Tryouts take place in the spring and fall.  During tryouts, dancers are expected to demonstrate various skills and combinations to showcase their talent.  You can find more information about tryouts in the "Events" tab.  

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2. Does WCUDT compete? 

 Yes, the WCUDT competes at the Universal Dance Association (UDA) College National Championships in Orlando, Florida in January.  The team competes in the Open Division and participates in the hip-hop, jazz, and gameday categories.  In 2022, the Golden Rams secured first placed in the open hip-hop division.  

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3. Is the team involved in school spirit? 

 Absolutely!  The team loves to show its school spirit at various events around campus.  We also participate in home football and basketball games.  We love cheering on the Golden Rams!  

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4. What does our practice schedule look like? 

 Our practice schedule varies depending on the season.  During the Fall semester, WCUDT practices Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays for 2-3 hours.  During winter break the team practices almost every day for 6+ hours to prepare for UDA Nationals.  During the Spring semester, Monday and Wednesday practices, performances, and events around campus are still occurring.  

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5. Are there any requirements to be on the team?  

 Yes, our main requirements to be a member of the team include headspring, kip ups, triple (or more) pirouettes, variations of second turns and a right aerial are highly recommended.  If you do not have these skills, we work on them at each clinic to prepare you for tryouts.  To learn more about requirements and recommendations about skills, check out the tryout packet linked in the "Events" tab.  Requirements are subject to change each season.  

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6. What is the team's schedule like in the summer? 

 Our team is committed to being successful and working hard even in the summer.  While it is a time to relax, WCUDT prepares for the upcoming season with skill check-ins, pre-camp, UDA camp, preseason, and choreography.  All these events are mandatory for team members.  Pre-camp takes places a week before the team leaves to attend UDA camp.  Preseason begins a week before the fall semester starts to prepare for upcoming events, football games, and the season.  Throughout the summer WCUDT will also participate in national choreography for the upcoming season.  All choreography date is mandatory for team members.  

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7.  What does the team do outside of dance? 

 The team can build such amazing bonds with each other by spending so much time together at practices, events, sports games, and nationals.  We participate in many teams binding activities throughout the season and love getting involved in activities at WCU with each other.  

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8. Does everyone on the team get to perform at Nationals? 

 Unfortunately, not all team members take the mat for all dances.  For hip-hop and jazz, there are around 15 dancers that hit the national's floor.  Alternates are important to the team and are ready to jump in if needed at any point.  Currently, all members of the team take the mat for gameday.  This is a great opportunity to show our school spirit as a full team!  

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9. Can I be involved in other activities around campus/outside of campus while being on the team?

 Yes, but we always expect members to understand that our team is your number one commitment outside of school.  We have many members who participate in dance clubs, sororities, work, and clubs for their major/interests.  These activities cannot conflict with our required practice schedule and mandatory events.  

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10. Is WCUDT part of athletics? 

 No, we are not.  We are part of the WCU sports clubs.  

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11. What is the financial commitment to be on the team? 

Members are required to purchase team merch, costumes, and their nationals flight, stay, and participation fee.  We do fundraise multiple times a year to help bring these costs down for members.  

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12. Do all members go to Nationals? 

 All members on the team are required to go to nationals.  

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13. What do we look for during tryouts?

 We look for dancers who are hardworking, committed, can apply corrections, show their individuality, can adapt easily, are eager to learn, and value leadership.