OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City High School Dance Team is heading to Disney World on Feb. 3-5 to compete at the Universal Dance Association’s National Dance Team Competition, a dream come true for its coach and a great opportunity for the dancers.
Last year the competition featured more than a thousand dancers from 37 states and this year it’s even bigger, according to Dance Team coach Alyssa-Rae Morrison.
This will be the first year the OCHS girls are competing. The team competed at the UDA’s Battle of the Northeast on Jan. 7 at St. Joseph’s University and earned second place in its division, beating teams that have been competing for years, Morrison said.
At Disney World, the girls will be performing a jazz routine in the Large Varsity Division against 32 other teams. OCHS alumna Julia Giordano, a professional dancer, choreographed the routine with the help of another alumna, Stockton University Dance Team junior Kylie Gruber-Kolmer.
“The team has always wanted to compete and do bigger events,” said Morrison, who like senior captains Mya Rihl and Alex Payne of Upper Township has been dancing since she was a toddler. The coach said this was the year to get the team to competitions — before her seniors graduated.
“I grew up dancing since I was 2. It has always been a dream of mine to have a dance team,” she said. “When I started teaching at OCHS in 2012, I was teaching dance in the Physical Education department and learned quickly there were a lot of talented dancers in the school.”
Morrison said they did some performances with a small group and had a spring show with all the dancers in the program, “but getting a legitimate team together took some time. I wanted to do it right. I wanted it to be a team that was respected and consisted of the most talented dancers so when the time came to compete, we’d be ready.”
She said taking a team to UDA competitions has been a dream of hers for years.
“I am beyond excited to finally be taking a talented, focused, close-knit and fun group of dancers. I didn’t have this opportunity in high school and am so excited for them,” she said. “One of the best things to come out of the dance team is getting so many dancers from all the different studios to work together at an elite level. I also love that this is a steppingstone for them to dance in college.”
There were a few stumbling blocks to get to the point where the team and the coach were ready to compete. Morrison went on maternity leave in fall 2019 then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, stopping in-person education, and she had another baby in fall 2021.
Rihl and Payne, both 17, have been on the team since freshman year in 2019, when the team was formed. Morrison said they always wanted to do competitions and watching other alumnae go on to dance in college and seeing them at UDA college nationals gave them more motivation.
“I knew this was the year to get us into UDA competitions,” Morrison said. “The girls have worked so incredibly hard to get to this point and are excited and nervous for next weekend. I am so proud of them and know they are going to grow as dancers through this experience. It is paving the way for the future of this team.”
Rihl and Payne have been dancing since they were 3 and 2 years old, respectively.
“I love being able to spend time with such a great group of girls and I also like to see our ideas come to life with such a good team. It’s great,” Rihl said. She dances at New Motion in Somers Point.
“I like anything from ballet to hip-hop — all styles,” she said. “We do a lot of hip-hop, but this year we’ve also broken into a lot of contemporary and modern.”
“I love the community environment,” Payne said. “I love hanging out with everyone here. We have a great group of girls. They’re all super-talented. I was excited that none of them have really competed so this is kind of the first time and it was exciting to see them compete for the first time.”
Both said they are looking forward to enjoying Disney World after the competition, which brings with it a bit of nerves.
“I think the best part is just getting the dance onto the stage and the good feeling of relief after we have competed,” Rihl said, smiling.
The focus is the competition, but the girls are hoping they’ll find some time afterward to hang out with Mickey and Minnie. Team members worked hard for the trip, not just with practice but by raising more than $10,000 to pay for it.
“Mya and Alex have been my go-to’s since their freshman year,” Morrison said. “Mya is extremely reliable and mature. I can ask her to do anything for the team and the answer is always yes. She is someone the team members have always looked up to. Both girls are very approachable and helpful for new members. They are always there for their teammates.
“Alex is incredibly creative and always has new and unique ideas,” the coach added. “They both have done so much for this team and are the reason we are successful and thriving.”
Morrison said Sara Maimone “has been a huge help since last year” with the dance team and that college alumnae come back and support the team when they are able.
Any dancer is welcome to try out for the team.
“As a member of the team, you must have a good standing with grades and attendance and be available for practices and events,” Morrison said. “The current team represents seven studios in the area and they have intense weekly schedules.
“We make a calendar for the whole year as soon as the team is decided and really stick to it. They have practices during lunch and every Friday. If a performance is coming up, we schedule more and work around their schedules.”
In addition to the competitions, the team performs at pep rallies, basketball games and other events.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
I recently read your article titled “OCHS Dance Team Taking Its Moves to National Competition,” and I wanted to express my excitement and admiration for the OCHS Dance Team’s achievements. It’s truly inspiring to see their dedication and talent recognized at a national level.
The commitment and hard work demonstrated by the OCHS Dance Team in preparing for a national competition is commendable. Competing at such a prestigious event requires not only technical skill but also teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. It’s evident that the dancers have put in countless hours of practice and preparation to showcase their talents on a national stage.
I appreciate how your article highlights the impact that this opportunity has on the dancers and the wider OCHS community. Participating in a national competition not only provides a platform for the dancers to showcase their skills but also fosters personal growth, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment. The support and encouragement from the OCHS community play a crucial role in nurturing the team’s success and fostering a strong sense of unity.
Your article also sheds light on the significance of this achievement for the OCHS Dance Team as ambassadors of their school and community. By representing Ocean City High School at a national competition, the dancers exemplify the talent, dedication, and spirit that OCHS stands for. Their accomplishments bring pride and recognition to the entire school community.
I want to extend my congratulations to the OCHS Dance Team on their success and their upcoming participation in the national competition. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to other dancers and highlight the importance of dedication, teamwork, and pursuing one’s passions.
Thank you for sharing the story of the OCHS Dance Team with your readers. Your coverage not only celebrates their accomplishments but also highlights the positive impact that dance and extracurricular activities can have on students’ lives. I wish the OCHS Dance Team all the best in their national competition and future endeavors.