Day in the Life of a Phoenix Suns Dancer - Jordyn Siegfried
Pro NBA dancer for the Phoenix Suns, Jordyn Siegfriend, takes us through a day in her life as a Suns Dancer in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Phoenix Suns Dancers perform at all Phoenix Suns home games but Jordyn takes us through life as a pro dancer, outside of the Footprint Center. Life as an NBA dancer can be hectic but it is full of hard work, big dreams, and years of training. We hear what it truly takes to be an NBA dancer behind the scenes, her journey to becoming a professional dancer, the hard work that goes into being a pro dancer, and more!
Dance Background
I grew up dancing recreationally in a studio outside of Kansas City, Missouri.
While I took all types of dance styles, I was really invested in ballet, pointe, and took summer intensives at Kansas City Ballet.
My senior year of high school, I decided to shift gears and joined my high school’s pom dance team. I had the opportunity of attending dance competition and winning at our state dance competition!
After years of dance and musical theater, I knew I wanted to continue dancing in college with my college dance tam. I knew that I wanted to get a degree in dance, so I earned my BFA in “Dance Performance” here in Arizona and was hired on by a contemporary dance company. However, I missed being able to dance “pom” and the more commercial dance style.
I auditioned for the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders and made it to the final round before unfortunately getting cut. When I did not make the team, I decided to audition for the Phoenix Suns Dancers.
This is now my fourth season with Suns Dancers! I have now been to Mexico City with the Phoenix Suns organization, choreographed multiple dances for the court, and danced at many of the Phoenix Suns playoffs games for the 2021 season.
DAY IN THE LIFE
Phoenix Suns Dancer
4-year Veteran NBA Dancer
Jordyn Siegfried
Pro Dance Audition Journey
I actually took dance audition prep classes and auditioned for the Arizona Cardinal Cheerleaders before making the Phoenix Suns Dance Team.
Not making the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders was great fuel for me to train at an Arizona dance studio and I took dance classes like crazy, the summer before auditioning for the Phoenix Suns Dancers. Knowing what to expect from a pro dance audition helped me feel more comfortable and confident going into Suns Dancer auditions. While it was tough making it to the final round of Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader auditions and not making the cut, looking back, I needed that extra dance practice and push to make the Phoenix Suns Dancers.
I have also found that I really enjoy dancing on a court, having 50+ NBA home games a season, and our style as a dance team has become more hip hop, which I love!
What was your first year like as a Phoenix Suns Dancer?
I have now been a Phoenix Suns Dancer for four years… so crazy!
I remember feeling so nervous. For everything.
Every community appearance, every dance practice, and I had such crazy anxiety the first few Phoenix Suns games as an official NBA dancer. Hilariously enough, at my first Phoenix Suns game ever, I walked out to the completely wrong side of the court before dancing during “NBA player introductions.” I had to run, in the dark, to the right spot in our dance formation before the lights came up. It makes me laugh now and makes me realize how many moving parts there are to the job of being an NBA dancer that become second nature over time.
Biggest struggles that you overcame as an NBA dancer?
I suffered a “Grade 2 Sprain” of my ACL from dancing in September of 2020, shortly after making the Suns Dancers for my fourth season and resuming dance practices.
Getting injured in dance, seriously, for the first time in my dance career has been really challenging. Gratefully, my employers have been fantastic and so supportive. No surgery was needed but I did need a ton of strengthening and rest to avoid any career-ending dance injuries.
So in addition to games, dance practices, and my job as a Pilates instructor, I have added in 3-4 physical therapy appointments a week - all roughly 2 hours long - to get and keep me in game day-ready shape. Lots of sacrifices and priorities had to be made, but it was so worth it.
My support system has been amazing and I am grateful that I only had to miss out on dancing at a handful of games before returning to the NBA court. We put our bodies through so much strain as professional dancers and it really reinforced how necessary it is to take care of it.
***If you find yourself injured in dance, it is so important to stay positive and listen to your body. You only get one body and when it is your career, it is imperative that you are kind to it! It is cheesy, but you can do anything you set your mind to!
The best part about being an NBA Dancer?
The best part of being a pro NBA dancer is being a part of a group that is working towards a common goal.
Not just your dance team, but the entire sports organization is putting together an amazing show for our fans to enjoy. Seeing it all come together at NBA games, sometimes with seconds to spare, is what makes this chaos so beautiful!
What it means to be a Phoenix Suns Dancer?
This job has shaped me as a dancer and a woman.
Looking back at the person that I was at my first NBA dance audition for the Suns Dancers in 2018, I am completely different from the person that I am now.
Dance wise, I have grown so much, especially in diversity of styles. I have grown as a jazz dancer, a hip-hop dancer, and even a ballroom dancer (we have really fun latin-themed nights!).
As a person,I am now so much more confident and sure of what I bring to the table. My overall confidence and self-love has dramatically improved, something that can be really tough to find as a dancer in a visual industry. I have also gained some of my best friends for life.
I could not be more grateful for these relationships and the experiences that we share with each other.
Something most people do not know about NBA dancers?
We all tend to have other full/part-time jobs or are students. Learning about all of the other dancers/cheerleaders with other passions and hobbies showcase just how talented our industry is!
For example, I am a certified Pilates Instructor. When we are not practicing or at games, I teach group classes and private sessions on the pilates reformer machine at two pilates studios in the Phoenix, AZ area. It has become such a passion of mine, and it has influenced how I dance as well as how I cross-train.
Some of my other teammates are full-time students in college, have corporate sales jobs, are certified estheticians - we have tons of variety!
Something that you can not live without as a pro dancer?
I can’t live without my massage gun. It is a life saver for recovering after a crazy multi-game, multi-practice week.
Biggest piece of advice to aspiring NBA dancers/Pheonix Suns Dancers?
Try and prepare yourself by training in a variety of styles.
While each NBA dance team tends to have a primary style, there are usually theme nights and halftime performances that may require more variety. Taking classes will also improve the speed you pick up choreography, which will help you in auditions and in keeping up with the pace of an NBA schedule.
@jordynsiegfried
A huge shout-out & thank you, to Jordyn!
For sharing your story and allowing us to feature your journey as a pro dancer!
We admire your go-getter personality and contribution to this industry! XO!
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