Michigan Dance Team Auditions

Interested in being a member of the Michigan Dance Team? Here you will find out what you need to know about the audition process and what it takes to be a Michigan Dance Team member. Being a part of the Michigan Dance Team is a wonderful experience but requires both time and money commitments, so be aware that each member is fully dedicated to the team.

Tryouts happen once a year in the Spring. If you have a legitimate reason that you cannot make the Spring auditions and want to inquire about an audition via video please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Audition Process

Candidates will go through several rounds of auditioning before they are offered a spot on the team. The candidates go through 1 cut, an interview and a final audition. Candidates will be required to learn several routines which could be in any style from jazz to hip hop or pom or all three.
For the first round of tryouts, candidates will go through a class-style audition using across-the-floor technique combinations as the basistheir assessment. They will also begin to learn one or more of the routines. At the end of the night, a cut will be made.

The second round begins with an interview, where candidates will have a brief informal interview with the captains and coach. Also that day, the candidates will finish learning the audition dances.

The last and final round of tryouts, candidates will be judged in pairs by a panel of outside judges. Candidates will do technique across the floor and center floor in front of the judges and then will perform the dances they have learned. Candidates will be scored on their technique, style, performance and memorization. Candidates' scores will be tallied on-site that day and will be notified within 24 hours of the decision.

Video Information

We are so glad you decided to audition for the 2010-2011 Michigan Dance Team and we look forward to receiving your video!   Please submit a headshot photo along with your $50 audition fee payable to “Michigan Dance Team” and send to:

The University of Michigan Dance Team

C/o Valerie Stead Potsos

3630 Meadow View Dr.
Dexter, MI  48130-9206

On your video, please demonstrate the following technique requirements in this order:

• Right and left leaps (jetes): Execute these across the floor.  At least 2 on each side.
• Right and left switch leaps: Same thing, at least 2 on each side.
• Leap in second: Coming from both the right and the left, at least one on each side.
• Switch center: Both Right and Left.
• Toe touch: Just one, center floor.
• Right and left pirouettes: Center floor, just prepare and do as many turns as you can CLEANLY do on each side.
• Fouettes: 8 regular fouettes center floor on the right side (these are the ones where your leg does bend and come into your knee each time).  If left is your good side, feel free to demonstrate that as well.

• Straight leg fouettes: (or turns in second) These are fouettes in which your working leg never bends, but remains out in second the whole time.  Please do 8 on the right side (and again if you wish, the left as well.  End the fouette combination in a double pirouette.)
• Fouetee Combination: Show us a fouetee combination that adds other skills, like axels, attitude turns, etc.
• Calypsos (jetes or leaps with the back leg in attitude): Begin with a chaine in releve and turn into the leap with the back leg in attitude.
• Turning Disks or Turning Leaps in Second: Begin with a chaine in releve, then a chaine in plie, then turn into a leap in second.
• Straight Leg Turns (right or left): Chaine in plie and extend your leg in front or to the side of the body.  Hold the leg while turning.  Just prepare and execute as many turns as you can cleanly perform.
• A Pom Skill Combination: Demonstrate correct arm placement and motions for High V’s, T’s Low V’s, Goalposts and any other pom skills.
• A Solo Technical Jazz Piece (no more than 2 minutes)
• A Solo Hip-Hop Piece (no more than 2 minutes)
• A Group Performance with you in it demonstrating Jazz, Hip-Hop and/or Pom skills (no more than 2 minutes)

If you have never done some of these technical elements, do not worry!  All we ask is that you try to do them all.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email or call!

At the beginning of the video, please state your name, a little about your dance background and briefly why you want to become a member of the team.  Please label your video with your name, address, phone and email address.  Sorry, videos cannot be returned.  As for attire, just wear dance clothes that show your body lines, nothing baggy, and wear your hair pulled back.  WE MUST RECEIVE YOUR VIDEO NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, April 14^th.  You will be notified via e-mail about your tryout result no later than Monday, April 19th.   If you are selected for the team, there will be a new team meeting on Tuesday, April 20th from 8:00-10:00 P.M. in room #3275 in the Central Campus Recreation Building.

If you have any questions about the video audition process or required technique, please contact coach Valerie Potsos at (734) 709-6155 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Thank you again for your interest in our program!

Best of Luck!

The Michigan Dance Team

Required Technique right and left leaps right and left front and side kicks right and left switch leaps leap in second from right and left chaine into a leap in second (flying saucer) right and left pirouettes fouettes and turns in second on right leg turns toe touch