4 Mindset Tips to Conquer Pro Dance Auditions
Former 2-year NFL Cheerleader for the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, shares her dance audition tips for professional dance and professional cheerleading auditions.
Overcoming dance audition nerves, getting through the pro dance audition process , NFL cheerleading auditions, what it took to become an NFL Cheerleader, and all things professional cheerleading audition tips and dance team advice.
Performed at Super Bowl XLVIII, alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Fray.
Performed and interacted with communities here in the U.S., and as far away as Hong Kong.
The Sideline Secrets
- Denver dance companies
- Dream Project
- Dancetrax
- Choreographed and performed at the Oprah 2020 vision tour.
Mentality is everything when preparing for dance auditions. We all know that it gets tough to get out of your own head and overcome the anxiety that comes along with the dance audition process.
Whether you are aspiring to become an NFL cheerleader or an NBA dancer - Liz goes through her top 4 secrets on overcoming a negative mindset and tips for dance auditions.
CHANGE THE MESSAGE
“There is so much truth behind speaking reality into your life. When you speak to friends and family about the upcoming dance audition in those weeks leading up to the big day – it always tends to reflect your deepest feelings of, “I am so nervous” or “I do not feel like I am ready, in certain aspects.”
CHANGE THE MESSAGE.
Take “fake it until you make it” with a grain of salt because although there is definitely truth behind speaking reality into your life, it is not a band-aid that fixes everything.
So the challenge to you, is to again, change that message! Change the way that you talk to friends and family before your pro cheer audition. Instead of continuing to reflect your negative feelings, start saying out loud, “I am really nervous but I know that is my body’s way of getting me ready for a really big moment in my life.”
Just that alone changes the way that, not only those around you see the dance audition process, but you do as well. Your brain is listening when you shift your mental. If you say positive messages out loud – your brain will start to hear it and that changes the way you walk into a dance team audition. You will just naturally be more confident!
Carry this through all of the tips as we go along because this is the number one, most important thing you can do for a pro dance team audition.
2. RECORD YOURSELF
Record yourself in everything related to the upcoming pro dance audition – dancing in the audition outfit, your hair, your dance makeup, and your dance interview questions.
When watching yourself dance, you can send those positive messages right back:
“Wow I look really good when I hit my end dance poses” or “I really like how I am doing this!”
Yes you can find things to improve on, but more importantly you find things in yourself that you want to show off. This will have you walking in more confident in your ability to become a professional cheerleader.
3. PRACTICE TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF - AND RECORD IT.
“I was a young mother auditioning for the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and there had not been a mom on the team for 10 years at that point. We all have those things we tend to worry about being a barrier in making our dream dance team. Practice talking about those things. Whatever that is in your life.
I went into dance auditions with that nervous energy like, “I am a mom, I do not know what I am doing here.” That feeds into your pro dance audition - how you perform, interact with the judges, and the whole experience.
So practice speaking about yourself: “I am a mom and I have worked really, really hard to bring myself to a place in life where I can pursue my dreams while supporting another human.” Boom - that changes the message completely. It does not come naturally so look into a mirror, record yourself, and just practice what you want to say.
4. MAKE FRIENDS
Make friends prior to the dance audition. Social media connects us so easily now and you can find other dancers auditioning for the same dance team. Reach out and talk to them. When you are feeling nervous or in your head, it is great knowing everyone else is going through the exact same process: seasoned auditioners, vets, we all experience it.
Trust me, this helps tremendously with feeling confident in yourself when you walk in.
BIGGEST PIECES OF DANCE ADVICE:
FIND THE GOOD
“If you like dance interviews, technique, the choreography portion - hype that up! Highlight the good and really just take everything in.”
BRING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT YOUR PHONE TO WORK ON
There will always be times you are waiting around and the anxiety starts rolling. Bring something aside from your phone to work on.
“I brought shoes. Shoes that were unlaced and that I did not plan to wear for the audition. It gave me something to do with my hands while I was sitting alone by myself that made me feel purposeful. It also gave me a moment to breath and jump right back into the experience.”
ALL THINGS LIZ:
Liz has a strong passion for hard hitting choreography and teaching dance students of all abilities. She was a Denver Broncos Cheerleader for two years, where she had the opportunity to perform at Super Bowl XLVIII, alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Fray. She also traveled as an ambassador for the Denver Broncos as an NFL cheerleader, performing and interacting with communities here in the U.S. - all the way to Hong Kong. She has performed with local Denver dance companies: Dream Project, Dancetrax, and choreographed/performed at the Oprah 2020 Vision Tour. Liz currently resides with her daughter and fiancé in Denver, Colorado. She keeps busy teaching dance fitness classes to students of all abilities and ages. During the day she tutors students with disabilities as a Reading Specialist.
Instagram: justyourlocallizzy
A huge thank you to Liz for sharing her pro dance journey, dance team audition advice, and pro dance tips to our community! XO.