TRYOUT INFORMATION

Our tryout sign-up form for the 2025-2026 school year is not posted yet. During Spring 2025, there will be a Google Form below to sign up for tryouts! 

Follow us on Instagram @cavs.dance to see when our tryout information is posted. 

***Make sure your PHYSICAL is completed and turned in or you will 

NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRYOUT.

For a sports physical to count for the next school year, they must be completed after April 1st.  

If you already have a sports physical on file for this school year, your physical will still be active for tryouts but you will need to get a new physical completed for the next school year before our summer open gyms begin. If you do not have a physical on file already for this school year, then you will need to have one completed and turned in before our first day of tryouts. Everyone will need to fill out the activity registration form online. 

 2025 COMPETITIVE DANCE TRYOUTS: to be announced

 TRYOUT INFORMATION: Tryouts for the 2025 JHS Competitive Dance Team will take place on TBD 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 will be posted here that you will be expected to learn BEFORE the first day 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 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 during your tryout, but what is just as important is to have athletes that 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.

 JHS Dance Video Tryout Requirements

Q. What if I have more questions?

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