The 2002-03 season marks the 15th year the Miami HEAT Dancers have been the focal point of the HEAT's in-game entertainment. They continue to enjoy their status as one of the NBA's elite dance teams. These talented ladies have appeared on ESPN, Ocean Drive TV, E!, Sportstown, Deco Drive, NBA’s “Inside Stuff,” Comedy Central, and Telemundo’s “Casting”—a show that documented the entire 2001-02 audition process. Many of our dancers have appeared in commercials, magazines, music videos and have toured the country with musicians.

We recommend you browse their bios to learn more about them and what exactly makes them tick.

Staying at the top of their game is owed, in large part, to Janine M. Thompson—a very busy woman.

Thompson, a Miami native, holds the prestigious role as Director and Choreographer of the NBA-renowned Miami HEAT Dancers.

Known for her creativity, themed performances and energetic hip-hop performances, Janine is the fire behind the HEAT Dancers. No stranger to the NBA, she entertained South Florida basketball fans for six years as a HEAT Dancer herself. For the past three WNBA seasons, Miami SOL fans have enjoyed Janine’s handiwork as director of the Sol Patrol, a co-ed entertainment group of dancers and tumblers. She also serves as Co-Director and Choreographer for the University of Miami Sunsations.

Under Janine’s leadership, the HEAT Dancers are in the spotlight as one of the NBA’s most elite dance groups. In fact, Sacramento Kings All-Star Chris Webber was recently quoted in the February 2003 issue of Stuff Magazine, deeming the Miami HEAT Dancers as the Best Dance Team in the league.

"Part of the reason they hired me was because I was a former HEAT Dancer and I was very familiar with the game operations side of the organization," says Thompson, who graduated from Killian High before attending UM. "This allows me to provide more for the dancers, since I am more in tune with their needs."

The primary need, of course, is to nail the dance routines. Thompson's elaborate, entertaining, cutting-edge dance sequences involve a lot of movement and, of course, precision coordination among the dancers.

And a great amount of thought and consideration factors into each routine.

"Once we create a routine, we have to make sure we structure it so it appeals to everyone," she says. "It's challenging.

"I am a perfectionist. I do enjoy my job, though. Now that the team is starting to gel more, it is making our work easier and a lot more exciting."

Dancer Appearance Calendar