USASF Worlds Dance Team Competition

Wendy Garofoli | May 05, 2008 | there are 0 comments

PACE's winning jazz routine

Last weekend, I had the honor of judging the USASF Worlds dance team competition held at Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida. The top teams from across the country and around the globe competed in divisions of pom, jazz and hip hop for the chance to be considered the best of the best. Dancers attended from 30 countries, including China, Germany, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Japan and the Ukraine.

The talent was top-notch, to say the least. I was blown away by the polish and precision of some teams- most of which are comprised of high school kids who pulled off clean, crisp synchronization while executing extremely advanced technical elements. In the jazz category, I witnessed some superstar performances from PACE, a cheer and dance gym located in Orange County, California. One of their routines, which had a sort of monkish theme, gave me the shivers up my spine. Its intensity and climatic finish were breathtaking. I actually had my hand over my heart as I watched. It was the kind of moving experience you would expect from professionals. Truly spectacular.

The much-hyped hip hop category lived up to its reputation for being the liveliest event of the dance team competition. The house seats were packed to the brim as teams brought a wide variety of authentic hip hop style, from locking to krumping to Southern bump. The America's Best Dance Crew influence was definitely palpable, as the groups were pulling off wilder partner stunts, stalls, and footwork than witnessed in competition before. A team from the U.K., who won the international hip hop division, was out of this world. They painted their faces like mimes and rocked a crazy popping routine that would have made Boogaloo Sam proud!

The highlight of the weekend, in my opinion, was watching the international teams. While many of them couldn't demonstrate the technical prowess of the U.S. dancers, they more than made up for it in heart. You could see the pure joy on their faces as they performed. There were times that I literally had to choke down tears, and looking down the panel of judges, I noticed I wasn't alone. The best part was the support and camaraderie that each of the international and U.S. teams showed for one another. You don't see that kind of cooperation at a typical regional or national competition. That's what made this Worlds event so special. Congratulations to all the teams that performed and gave it their all! You were a pleasure to watch and an inspiration to dance teams everywhere.