Nashville IDTA State Week 2020

IDTA STATE WEEK FEATURED TEAM: NASHVILLE

TEAM NAME:

Nashville Stingers Dance Team

CLASSES:

IHSA 1A, IDTA single-A

MORE STUFF TO KNOW:

IDTA State routines: A Lyrical, A Jazz

Coach: Alyssa Lohmann

Conference: Southern Illinois River-To-River

Where in IL: 55 miles SE of St. Louis, or 51 miles N of SIU Carbondale

Season tidbits: 9th at IHSA sectionals. In IDTA, hit a qualifying score for jazz every time performed (5 comps); first qualified their lyrical on 2/2 at Herrin.

THE SUPER-QUICK INTERVIEW:

What’s it like to dance in both IHSA and IDTA?

It is definitely a challenge to switch between the two, especially because IHSA sectionals are in the middle of our IDTA competition season. To prepare for this, we get IHSA feedback at IDTA competitions. Since the scoresheets are different, it is important to make changes leading up to the IHSA sectional, to better fit the IHSA scoresheet. Once IHSA competitions are over, we go back to focusing on the IDTA scoresheet for two more IDTA regional competitions and IDTA state.

What has been the key to you guys having consecutive good seasons in IDTA?

Dancer retention is key. For us, we get beginning dancers every year, and we have to train them up to be able to dance with our 4-year members. It is easier to do this when we have veteran dancers to help this teaching process. Thankfully, we have 2 seniors this year who have been a great help in getting the newbies up to speed.

Any secrets to a having good lyrical routine, and also a jazz routine?

Our biggest help for both routines has been listening to the judges. Their verbal feedback gives us suggestions on how to improve the routines and create better visuals. It is also important to work on technique at every practice. While technique is only one item on the scoresheet, having great technique can also improve other areas of the scoresheet, including team unity and difficulty.

What skills are you guys especially good at, and how many of your dancers have a studio / technical background?

Each of our dancers have very different skills, for some of them it’s turns, others prefer leaps and jumps, but they all push each other to achieve different and better skill sets. I’d say the best skill of the veteran members are a la secondes. They love to push themselves to do changing spots, floats, differing arms, you name it.

None of our dancers have a competitive studio background. Some of them took lessons at a local studio at a young age, but those who did switched over to the school-sponsored dance team in middle school. This year, we have 7 members, 2 of which joined the team in October and have never danced before then.

Other teams you’re fans of?

The team definitely loves watching Centralia hip hop, and a few of them have friends on the team. Some of them have also formed really great friendships with girls from the O’Fallon dance team.

Favorite moments of the season up to this point?

I’d say a team favorite would be the Herrin competition, where they not only placed first, but received qualifying scores for both their jazz and lyrical routines. They are looking forward to competing with both routines at state. Another favorite for our seniors (and me, their coach) would be Start the Beat, where they performed their duet (choreographed by me) and earned first place, giving them the opportunity to perform this duet as an exhibition piece at the state competition!

ILLINOIS DANCERS

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Nashville!

2.13.20

This steadily rising program has now put together a couple nice seasons in a row! The Nashville dancers hit Springfield this weekend with a competitive lyrical and a dominating jazz routine [more]

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Gardner-South Wilmington!

2.13.20

These versatile athletes from the very edge of the Chicago metro area looked great in Bloomington and are now set to compete in single-A pom and jazz at IDTA state [more]

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Murphysboro!

2.13.20

This team’s enjoying a breakout season and are bringing the heat to IDTA state with their jazz and pom dance routines [more]

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Seneca!

2.13.20

They attracted a lot of attention in 1A a couple seasons ago, looked great in Bloomington at IHSA state, and are poised to bring their lyrical talents to IDTA state [more]

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Marion!

2.12.20

Known for their strong kick tradition, Marion frequently packs a punch when it comes to pom and lyrical work. The southern Illinois powerhouse once again graces the IDTA state floor in multiple categories this weekend [more]

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Jacksonville!

2.12.20

Breakout 1A stars in IHSA a couple seasons ago, the J’ettes have been a force in IDTA for years and will show that legacy again this weekend at IDTA state [more]

IDTA State Week Featured Team: Elmwood!

2.12.20

They rocked both days at IHSA state and these pom specialists are back for more at IDTA state this weekend [more]

One more shot to qualify for IDTA state!

2.7.20

Who’s got a little more left in the tank? Teams will go the extra mile to try and qualify for IDTA state in what we’re calling Last Chance Weekend! Here’s a look at the different situations that got them there [more]