TRYOUT INFORMATION

***Make sure your SPORTS PHYSICAL and ACTIVITY PACKET are completed and turned in or you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRYOUT.


Please see the Tryout Sign Up form for more details about these requirements. 

Links to the Preparticipation Physical form and the Activity Packet can be found after April 1st at: 

JHS Activities Website > Athletics > Athletic Forms 

 2025 COMPETITIVE DANCE TRYOUTS: april 14-16

 TRYOUT INFORMATION: Tryouts for the 2025 JHS Competitive Dance Team will take place on April 14,15, and 16 from 4-6pm at Jefferson High School. Please plan to attend all three days of tryouts. If you are unable to attend each day of tryouts or need to arrange a video tryout option, please reach out to Coach Kelley and make other arrangements. The choreography for tryouts is posted below that you will be expected to learn BEFORE the first day of tryouts. We will review the routine during the first two days of tryouts! 

For more information, please follow us on Instagram @cavs.dance where we will be posting updates on tryouts and other important information! 

For other questions, please contact Coach Aliah Kelley: aliah.kelley@k12.sd.us

Tryout FAQs: 

Q. What will tryouts look like?

A. Tryouts will consist of a tryout dance routine and a dance skills portion. We will practice the routine during the first two days of tryouts and we will also work on the dance skills that will be a part of the tryout. The last day of tryouts will be the final tryout in small groups where you will perform the dance skills and tryout routine for scoring!

Q. How are the tryouts scored?

A.  The tryout routine will be scored based on memory of the routine, technique/correct choreography, projection and confidence, facial expressions/performance quality, and our overall impression of you as an athlete (positive attitude, work ethic, desire to improve, coachability, etc.). Dance skills and technique are important for a competitive dance team and will be looked at and scored during your tryout as well, but we are also looking for athletes who have the potential to learn and grow and are willing to work hard and improve! 


Q.  What skills will be a part of the tryout?

A. If you would like to work on some specific dance skills before tryouts, here are some suggestions: 


-Pirouettes (single, double, triple, 4+, however many you can do)

-Turn combo of your choice/pirouettes of your choice (coupe turns, pencil turns, a la secondes, a la seconde combo, changing spot turns, etc.)

-Toe touch, Split leap, Calypso, Jumps or leaps of your choice (Firebird/ring leap, turning disc, center leap, switch leap, tilt jump, any other jump or leap that you want to showcase)

-Kicks and flexibility

-Extra skills of your choice (hip hop tricks, kip up, head spring, front handspring, back handspring, front or side aerials, side sumi, suicide/waterfall, leg hold, scorpion, needle, etc. Any other skill or trick that you want to showcase!)

If you don't have any of the skills listed, don't worry! There are no specific skills that are required to try out. We will practice the skills for the first two days of tryouts. We are looking for potential, not perfection. Technical skills are great to have, but we are also looking for athletes who can successfully learn and execute the tryout routine and who are eager to work hard and learn new things. 


Q. What if I can't make it to in-person tryouts and need to do a video tryout? 

A. Video tryouts are an option! Make sure you indicate on your tryout sign up that you will need a video tryout and the reason for absence so that the coaches are aware. The video tryout will consist of the same skills portion and tryout routine portion as the in-person tryouts.

Click here to see the video tryout guidelines!

Q. What if I have more questions?

A. Contact Coach at aliah.kelley@k12.sd.us!