Photo Credit: Kristin Oakes P’28

Varsity Dance competes at a UDA competition in Fredericksburg, Va.

On December 14, 2025, the Flint Hill Dance Team returned to competing for the first time after a year, marking a major milestone for them. The team traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia to compete at a Universal Dance Association (UDA) Dance Competition, an experience that was both exciting and meaningful for every member of the team. After a year of rebuilding, stepping onto the floor again was a proud moment for the team.

The team competed in two categories: Varsity Jazz and Varsity Pom. The jazz dance was an expressive piece to the a capella version of “Control” by Janet Jackson. Their pom performance was a mash-up of songs including “This Is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris and Rihanna and “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC, reflecting a theme of thunder and lightning. When the team hit the floor with these pieces, they brought more than just dancing. Both routines explored a balance between difficult technique and movements of style. A total of nine members attended the competition including two seniors, five sophomores, one freshman, and one team manager. Despite being a relatively small group, the team demonstrated unity, dedication, and teamwork throughout warm-up, performances, and the award ceremony.

Leadership played a crucial role in the team’s success this season. Seniors and captains Nadia Ngata and Elisabeth Moreelo have been very helpful in guiding the team, both in practices and at competition. As experienced leaders, they set the tone for the team’s work ethic, helping underclassmen feel supported by working with the team, even coming in during office hours to help team members understand the dances more deeply. Their leadership helped strengthen the bonds within the team and create an encouraging environment where everyone could improve. In addition, the team is coached by Ms. Olivia Landrum and Ms. Sydney Foust, who worked closely with the dancers to refine choreography, build confidence, and emphasize the importance of teamwork. Before each performance at the competition, the coaches would give the team encouraging words to empower each other. Their guidance helped the team not only improve technically, but also deepened the connections of each team member.

Throughout the season, the Flint Hill Dance Team continued to grow stronger, developing a sense of closeness. Practices focused on collaboration and accountability, allowing dancers in different grades to come together as one unified team. This supportive atmosphere was clearly reflected in the performances at the competition. 

In the future, the team is excited to continue to build on this year’s success to place even higher at competitions next year. Their experience at the UDA competition in Fredericksburg served as a reminder of how far they have come and how much potential they have. With strong leadership, dedicated coaches, and a strong sense of unity among the dancers, the future of the Flint Hill Dance Team looks very bright.