by Paige Hollendonner/ 8ca staff writer

Hinsdale South Danceline has always been known for their unique throwback name, but this team sure does not fall short with its modern technique, and impeccable pom skills. Hinsdale South Danceline is a State Champion Dance Team, winning multiple TDI and IDTA State Champion titles, while also making a name for themselves on the IHSA State floor as well.

It is no surprise that this team has always been a force to be reckoned with, but this year they are bringing something new to the table. I was fortunate enough to observe one of their intense summer practices, and I was able to talk to Coach Courtney Gillette, along with the captains and seniors about their goals for Danceline in the 2018-2019 dance season.

​Let’s start with the summer practices for this team. In years past summer practices were held the few days leading up to UDA Summer Camp at NIU, but with camp falling on a weekend this year, Coach Gillette had to get creative. I asked her a few quick questions about how she was running the summer practices this year.

Official Team Name:

Hinsdale South Hornet Danceline

Class:

IHSA 2A, IDTA AAA

Location & Conference:

Darien, IL (West Suburban Conference)

Coach:

Courtney Gillette

Q: How often does Danceline practice during the summer?

​A: New members to Danceline have a week of practice in early June and all members practice for 2- 2.5 weeks during mid-late July.

​Q: What does a normal summer practice look like?

A: During summer practices dancers are busy learning new technique, learning the camp home routine and preparing for Junior Hornet Dance Camp.  During Junior Hornet Dance Camp week Danceline members run the camp in the morning and then come back for practice in the afternoon.

​Q: How does this year’s summer practices differ than in years past?

​A: During summer practices dancers are busy learning new technique, learning the camp home routine and preparing for Junior Hornet Dance Camp.  During Junior Hornet Dance Camp week Danceline members run the camp in the morning and then come back for practice in the afternoon.

Once I observed the beginning of the intense summer practices, I had some questions about their technical skills. Over the past few years, Hinsdale South has definitely been stepping up their technical difficulty. More and more dancers are able to execute advanced technical combinations, making them an even more competitive team not only at IDTA, but at IHSA as well. Coach Gillette explains how they are incorporating more technique training into their practices, as well as encouraging technical training at a nearby studio.

Q: What has been the most difficult technical element for the team to accomplish so far?

A: Our dancers come from a wide variety of dance backgrounds, some have been dancing their entire lives, while others are brand new to the dance world.  We constantly strive to bring everyone to a cohesive technical standard; educating our novice dancers while still pushing and motivating our more advanced dancers.

Q: What are some technical goals that you have for this upcoming season?

A: Each year we see our team’s technical skills advance, we hope that this year is no exception.  This year the entry point to the Varsity Competition Team is three turns in second followed by a double pirouette.

Once the practice started to wrap up, it ended with running their camp routine a few times. This ensures that no memory glitches occur the next day at practice, and the dancers can pick up right where they left of the practice before. These practices are exhausting but I still had a few questions that I wanted the seniors’ input on as well. Especially for Hinsdale South Danceline, the senior dancers have a lot of influence on what this team does, and the success that is desired, so I wanted to hear their goals for the season.

I asked each senior dancer what their overall goal was for the team this year, along with any smaller technical goals that they desired the team to reach by the end of the year. I also was curious what their favorite genre of dance was, even though they are all a part of a very strong poms team!

Marcia Paine (Captain):

My goal for the team is for there to be more motivation and positivity throughout the entire season! As for a technical goal, a team goal for us is to get team turning discs and three a la secondes into a double turn. Lastly, my favorite genre of dance is pom because it helps me become stronger!

Katrina Haines (Captain):

My overall goal for this season is to have as much fun doing something that we all love! I also want to create more bonds between both the Varsity and JV teams. A technique goal for this season is to achieve team turning disks and three a la seconde turns into a double down. As for my favorite genre of dance, it would have to be pom, because it’s the only type of dance that I’ve continuously done and it is a fun style of dance!

Tressa Ferguson (Captain):

My overall team goal is for everyone to give 100% at practice everyday and be determined to perfect every routine so we can hopefully make day two at IHSA state! My technique team goal is three seconds and a double down. I believe we can all get it by competition season!  And my favorite genre of dance is jazz. It’s so entertaining to watch.

Jessica Duan:

Our overall goal for this year is to make sure we hit our pom movements nice and strong and being careful about placement. I want everyone to be motivated to learn new routines and make sure that we take into account certain changes that are being made and learn them quickly. A team technique goal that I think could be really cool is a turning disc. My favorite genre of dance is probably watching hip hop because I love the energy and the music combined together!

Allison Mazurek:

My overall goal for this year is for the team to make it to day two of IHSA state. A team technique goal for this year is to have 3 seconds and double down. And my favorite genre of dance is hip hop bc I love the energy and music!

Hearing everyone’s perspective on the upcoming year, Hinsdale South Danceline is gearing up for a successful year ahead of them. Many achievable goals are in sight and this team has the drive and dedication to make sure that they shine even brighter than they did last year!

Thank you for letting me join your summer training and good luck this season!

I would also like to give a brief 8 Count Audio welcome to new South JV Coach: Shannon Dominiak-Eddy! I look forward to seeing your success with Hinsdale South JV this season!

Hinsdale South Hornet Danceline at State

IDTA 2008: 3rd in AAA Pom; 3rd in AAA Kick

IDTA 2009: 2nd in AAA Pom; 4th in AAA Kick

TDI 2010: 5th in AA Kick; 6th in AA Kick

IDTA 2010: Champions in AAA Pom; 5th in AAA Kick

TDI 2011: 3rd in AA Pom

IDTA 2011: Champions in AAA Pom; 2nd in AAA Kick

TDI 2012: 3rd in 3A Pom

IDTA 2012: Champions in AAA Pom; Champions in AAA Kick

IHSA 2013: 18th in 2A

TDI 2013: 3rd in 2A Pom; 3rd in 2A Kick

IDTA 2013: Champions in AAA Pom; Champions in AAA Kick

IHSA 2014: 20th in 2A

TDI 2014: 2A Grand Champions; t-2nd in 2A Pom; Champions in 2A Kick

IHSA 2015: 13th in 2A

TDI 2015: Champions in 2A Pom; Champions in 2A Kick

IHSA 2016: 23rd in 2A

IDTA 2016: Champions in AA Pom; 3rd in AA Kick

IHSA 2017: 16th in 2A

IDTA 2017: Champions in AA Pom; 2nd in AA Kick

IHSA 2018: 23rd in 2A

IDTA 2018: Champions in AAA Pom; Champions in AAA Kick

8 Count Audio got to visit with the team in the fall of 2016 (Paige’s senior year on Danceline), and they were one of our first Featured Teams!

Paige Hollendonner is going into her 2nd season as an 8CA staffer and her 2nd year on the Illuzion Dance Team at Carthage College. Follow her on Twitter for expert commentary during comp season (@8caPaige)!