From emotional lyrical to popping hip hop, precision drill, high kicks, turns and lifts, Killeen ISD dance teams stepped into the spotlight Tuesday in a revived district showoff at the Live Oak Ridge Middle School gym.
Nine middle school dance teams performed 18 routines in front of a large, appreciative audience of family, friends and educators just in front of the upcoming dance competition season.
Killeen ISD high school dance directors served as judges, providing critiques for each middle school team.
High school dance team officers did double duty, volunteering to help run the event and performing in exhibition to end the high-energy show.
Assistant Fine Arts Director Deborah Barrick welcomed the crowd and expressed excitement over the rare gathering of nine middle school teams and five high school teams for a friendly warm-up to competition.
The showoff was an annual production for many years, but this year’s event was the first since 2019 and will likely continue.
The two-hour showcase ran like a regular competition, with Ellison Emeralds assistant director Savannah Carr serving as announcer as teams took turns on the gym floor.
Nolan dance team coach Krislyn Bark said the event was a great way for dance students and teachers to collaborate, get a peek at what their peers are up to and cheer on the hard-working, talented student dancers.
“What’s exciting is that our community gets to watch what we’re doing,” she said. “These dances we do we work on the whole year as well as other routines. They get to see the hard work the girls are putting in all year.”
Middle school teams included Manor Flames, Nolan Blue Diamonds, Smith Showstoppers, Union Grove Golden Belles, Rancier Ruby Roos, Patterson Sapphires, Liberty Hill Lionettes, Palo Alto Sparklers and Live Oak Ridge Diamonds.
The teams performed in a variety of competition categories, including officers, lyrical, pom, jazz and hip hop. Each team received a participation trophy.
The event ended with officer dances from the Shoemaker Silver Stars, Chaparral TopCats, Ellison Emeralds and Harker Heights Crimson Belles.
“It’s really important that we are able to do this,” said Bark. “They can get their nerves out before we compete outside the district.
“It’s great to see the variety of all of our dancers. They are super-excited. We’re ready.”
A photo gallery from the middle school dance team showoff is available here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720323501479
