TEAM NAME:
Seneca Dance Team
CLASSES:
IHSA 1A, IDTA single-A
MORE STUFF TO KNOW:
IDTA State routine: A Lyrical
Coach: Julie Dziedzic
Conference: Sangamon Valley, Tri-County
Where in IL: the next town west of Morris, or, a couple towns east of Ottawa!
Season tidbits: 3rd at IHSA sectionals; 26th on Day 1. In IDTA, their lyrical reached a state-qualifying score at the February 2nd competition at Mattoon. Hosted an IDTA/IHSA comp on December 15.
Extra note: They’ve got one of the nicest dance rooms in the state! I saw it for myself in the summer of ’16…jaw dropped.
THE SUPER-QUICK INTERVIEW:
What’s it like to perform at such a high level in both IDTA and IHSA?
It’s extremely exhilarating and exciting, as you never really know what’s going to happen at each competition and the fact that we ended up dancing with the best of the best at IHSA state.
Was there a point in the fall or early season when you realized you were going to have a great winter?
We knew this season was going to be great from the start because we all relate to the dance and share a strong connection with each other. When we really started to have a good feeling about this season was when we placed first for IHSA at our first competition of the season at Gardner.
What are your team’s technical strengths?
Everyone on the team has their own strengths and weaknesses, but everyone brings something different to the dance. Each of us have studio backgrounds so we incorporated our ballet skills into our dance as a way to stick out from the other dances, but above all, we work really well together as one.
What are the keys to a good lyrical dance?
The most important key to a good lyrical routine is having a story behind the dance which helps to emotionally connect the team together. Our saying this year that we say before every performance is, “Don’t go through the motions, go through the emotions.”
Favorite styles of dance to perform?
We have a good mixture of favorite styles on the team…it ranges all the way from jazz to lyrical but that’s what makes all of our dances unique and stand out.
Favorite styles of dance to watch?
Our team loves watching hip hop! Even though we lack in that style, we still love to watch it and definitely get down to it in the audience!!
Other teams you’re fans of?
We all dance at studios with people from Ottawa, JCA, Morris, Streator, GSW, and Troy Middle School, so we love supporting them!!
Favorite moments of the season up to this point?
Receiving first at our first competition was a big accomplishment and gave us the confidence we needed. Also placing third at our sectionals for IHSA was a very special and exciting moment because our hard work had finally payed off after missing it by not even a point last year. But the most important thing that’s happened is how much we’ve really connected as a team. The bond that this team shares is such a special bond like no other, and we wouldn’t change it for the world.
ILLINOIS DANCERS
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]
STL-area teams go beast mode with IHSA sectional, IDTA qualification implications
1.17.20
Polished, January-level dances face the two rubrics at a huge southwestern IL comp [more]
IDTA state qualification spots up for grabs for central IL teams
1.17.20
Another 2-rubric Saturday for top-tier teams from around the middle of the state [more]
Start time pushed back to NOON!
1.17.20
Snow kidding, this comp is a key to a lot of teams heading into sectionals [more]
Up Next: an oversized schedule and we love it! It’s Huntley!
1.10.20
No scrubs at all in the longest day of dance this season [more]
Up Next: it’s Chicagoland’s classic January comp!
1.10.20
North and NW suburban teams…plus a huge name from the western ‘burbs…are ready to heat things up on a wintry Saturday [more]
Up Next: a rare IHSA-only event outside of the Chi area
1.10.20
One of 1A’s most prestigious programs hosts a fiery selection of teams from around the state [more]
Up Next: 2nd consecutive weekend of dance for eastern and central IL
1.10.20
It’s almost an IHSA sectional preview–2 of them–at this weekend’s IDTA/IHSA clash at Charleston [more]
Up Next: Major teams set to clash at the southern tip of the state
1.10.20
Those IHSA and IDTA rubrics are ready for ya, southern IL teams! [more]
Up Next: Porterettes play host on a wintry Saturday
1.10.20
What was once a shorter comp years ago now boasts a full day of state-worthy teams [more]
Up Next: Sailorettes welcome teams to their end-of-break battle
1.3.20
A couple 3A and a fun assortment of 1A and 2A teams converge on Argo’s unique gym [more]
Up Next: Chi-area teams prep for two state contests
1.3.20
Maine East’s beautiful, old building hosts Chicago area teams dancing under both rubrics [more]
Up Next: east siiiddee!!!! gets the spotlight
1.3.20
Time for Central and East Central IL to shine at VG as winter break wraps up [more]
Up Next: southern IL and STL-area wrap up break
1.3.20
Big day at Belleville East is a major test for both IDTA and IHSA routines [more]
Up Next: day-to-night action in the ‘shire
12.13.19
Mid-December tradition continues at SHS with elite lineup [more]
Up Next: big-name teams meet up at the edge of the Chicago metro
12.13.19
Tasty blend of IHSA / IDTA-focused teams make up the field at Seneca [more]
Up Next: Central IL teams converge on the Peoria area
12.13.19
IDTA / IHSA action heats up in the middle of the state [more]
Up Next: STL’s ready to rumble
12.13.19
Illinois’ southern and St. Louis area teams go at it at the Althoff IDTA comp [more]
Up Next: 3A doin’ work at Dub V
12.13.19
Roll up your sleeves, 3A, ’cause it just got serious [more]
Up Next: Saturday morning showdown at DeKalb
12.13.19
With sectional assignments posted, 1A and 2A teams start the match-up game at DeKalb [more]
Up Next: cozy gym and amazing 2A teams at CL Central’s comp
12.04.19
The floor, the fieldhouse, and the school have tons of vintage character for an amazing group of teams at CLC [more]
Up Next: category awards back for 1 day at an IHSA comp
12.04.19
Amazing gym, category awards, and one of IL’s most popular teams at the GBS comp [more]
Up Next: 3A champs host on Sunday
12.04.19
GW vs LWC, new stuff from LP, and probable excellence from so many others at Naperville North [more]
Up Next: IDTA season launches at GSW
12.04.19
Some prominent IHSA teams join in on the fun at Gardner-South Wilmington [more]
Up Next: a crazy talented split schedule at Minooka
12.04.19
Who needs an IHSA state crystal ball to look into the future when you can just come to the Minooka comp? [more]
Up Next: modern dance, vintage gym, great hosts at Batavia
12.04.19
Chi-area teams from the central and far west suburbs meet up [more]
Up Next: the 2A champs host a huge showdown
12.04.19
Big name teams battle for 2A prestige at Lake Zurich [more]
Up Next: 2A in the morning, 3A and 1A in the pm
11.28.19
Props to these teams for dancing at the end of Thanksgiving weekend [more]
Up Next: an afternoon-only sesh at Deerfield
11.20.19
After your morning at Libertyville, head 11 miles south for part 2 at Deerfield! [more]
Up Next: a morning-only sesh at Libertyville
11.20.19
Preview and fan tips from the host team! [more]
DANCERS EVERYWHERE
Iowa’s state contest: from an IL point of view
1.4.20
Part 1 of our look at Iowa’s dance scene viewed from Illinois [more]
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