Representing 114 varsity dance programs from all across Illinois, we’re proud to feature the 230 dancers of the 2021 8 Count Audio All-State Dance Team!
These dancers were nominated by their coaches for the 2020-21 school year (including varsity programs that were active in non-competition or competition settings between summer 2020 and spring 2021).
The idea behind the first-ever all-state dance team
After passing the 4-decade mark under several sanctioning organizations (IDTA, TDI, Halftime Illinois, IHSA), Illinois high school dance teams have never had the statewide opportunity to recognize their top dancers on a single roster. As the state’s leading media source for information on the sport of competitive dance, we’re honored to recognize dancers from across the entire state–regardless of school size, location, competition organization, competitive status, or competitive achievements. Each program, whether competing for points and trophies or just expressing their talents at halftime, has their own stars…and we’re thrilled to designate them as 8CA All-State dancers!
The nomination process
We sent nomination forms to varsity coaches around the state. Our outreach list included teams that were assigned to an IHSA sectional, teams that appeared on a schedule at an IHSA competition but did not go to a sectional, and teams that competed solely in IDTA. We also reached out to teams that were listed as “halftime” programs according to the IHSA directory, along with teams that may not have competed in 2021-22 but have accrued past achievements in competition settings. Dancers then voluntarily sent in their biographical forms and, optionally, a headshot or other photograph. The compiled roster of 8CA All-State honorees was posted on our 8 Count Audio social media outlets in the spring of 2021.
BREMEN
LOYOLA
MAINE EAST
ST. IGNATIUS