Print RSS Newsletter

Junior Dancer Program Info

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-12-01 12:48

The DND Jr. program includes:

  • 4 routines choreographed by the Denver Nuggets Dancers
  • Weekly instruction from the Denver Nuggets Dancers
  • Small class sizes (classes split by age/skill level)
  • Pre-game, in-game, and halftime performances at 4 Denver Nuggets home games
  • DND Juniors warm ups
  • DND Juniors uniform
  • Performance pom-poms
  • 2 tickets to 4 home game performances (one for performer, one for parent/guardian)
  • End of year DVD

DND Jr. Teams:

  • Junior Mini’s
    - Beginning and intermediate levels
    - Girls ages 5-8
    - 2 classes, split by age level: 5-6 year olds and 7-8 year olds*
  • DND Juniors
    - Beginning and intermediate levels
    - Girls ages 9-18
    - 3 classes, split by age level: 9-11 year olds, 12-14 year olds, and 15-18 year olds*
  • DND Junior Elite
    - Advanced level
    - By audition only
    - Girls ages 9-18
* age groups subject to change.

There is NO AUDITION required to take part in the DND Juniors or Junior Mini’s teams. However, participants should have dance studio and performance experience. Please submit a copy of the dancer’s birth certificate or Driver’s license and a resume outlining dance experience at the time of registration. The DND Junior Elite team will consist of 12 advanced dancers, selected in December (audition details to be announced). Auditions are open to all dancers ages 9-18.

Participation Requirements:

  • All applicants must be at least 5 years old by October 1, 2012 and must be no older than 18 on April 15, 2013. No exceptions.
  • Proof of age is required to participate. You must provide a copy of your birth certificate or driver’s license (for dancers over 16) at registration.
  • A parent / legal guardian must complete a DND Jrs. Application, a Medical Release Form and a Waiver & Liability Release Form.
  • Dancers should have dance studio and performance experience. You must provide a resume listing all studios/classes you have attended with instructors name and current contact information.

DND Junior Elite Auditions:
The DND Junior Elite auditions will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Cherry Creek Dance Studio (2625 E. 3rd Ave. Denver). Audition registration begins at 4:30pm and the audition will conclude by 7pm. All dancers interested in auditioning must be:

  • a registered participant of the 2013 DND Juniors (see “How Do I Register?” in the FAQs)
  • between the ages of 9 and 18 years old as of January 6, 2013

Dancers will be evaluated on dance technique, performance ability, and positive attitude. The following specifics will be evaluated in the across the floor portion of the audition:

  • 6-step pirouettes (single, double, and triple; right and left sides)
  • High kicks (right and left sides)
  • Leaps (right, left and center)
  • Calypso jump
  • Turns in second

In addition, dancers will be evaluated on their ability to pick up across the floor combinations and on their performance of a 1- minute DND Elite dance routine (includes knowledge of choreography, energy, and facial expressions). Audition material will be taught at an audition workshop on Saturday Dec. 8 from 5-6:30pm. Cost of the audition workshop & DND Junior Elite Audition is $20. Registration for the workshop & audition will soon be available online. Please check back soon or email Amy Jo Wagner at ajwagner@pepsicenter.com to be placed on the DND Juniors informational email list.

DND Jrs. Performances (subject to change):

  • Friday, February 1: Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets
    • Tip off – 7pm
    • Performance Time: Halftime (approx. 8pm)
  • Saturday, March 9: Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
    • Tip off – 7pm
    • Performance Time: Halftime (approx. 8pm)
  • Friday, March 29: Nuggets vs. Brooklyn Nets
    • Tip off – 7pm
    • Performance Time: Halftime (approx. 8pm)
  • Wednesday, April 17: Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
    • Tip off – 6pm
    • Performance Time: Halftime (approx. 7pm)

DND Jrs. Practice Schedule:
Practices will be held once per week on Sundays, beginning in January 2013. Any dancer missing the last rehearsal prior to a home game will not be allowed to perform.

Practice Dates*:
Practices will be held once per week on Sundays, beginning in January 2013. Any dancer missing the last rehearsal prior to a home game will not be allowed to perform.

  • Practice Dates*:
    • January 6, 13, 20, 27
    • February 3, 17, 24
    • March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
    • April 7, 14
  • Practice Times:
    • Mini’s: 11am-12pm
    • Juniors: 12:15-1:15pm
    • Elite: 1:30-2:30pm

* Practice dates are subject to change.

Uniform and Warm-Ups:

The DND Juniors uniform is a white halter top biketard with athletic gold accents and has the same “Nuggets” lettering across the chest as the actual Nuggets Dancers uniforms!

The 2013 DND Juniors will wear a new style of warm-ups! GTM Sportswear’s “Challenger warm-ups are the same warm-ups the Nuggets dancers wear! The Navy/Columbia Blue/White combo can be viewed at GTMSportswear.com and will be available for dancers to try on in December. The Warm-ups will have the DND Juniors Logo embroidered on the back in full color. Returning DND Juniors do not need to purchase new warm-ups. If you are interested in purchasing new warm-ups, the $100 warm-ups fee is due on or before you scheduled fitting.

All dancers new to the DND Junior program must attend a warm-up and team uniform fitting on either December 8 or 15. All fittings will be done at Cherry Creek Dance Studio (2625 E. 3rd Ave. Denver). During their assigned fitting time, DND Juniors will try on samples of the junior dancers’ warm-ups and team uniform. Several sizes will be available to ensure proper fit of each piece. The available fitting time slots are:

  • Saturday, Dec. 8 from 2:30-3:30pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 8 from 3:30-4:30pm
  • Saturday , Dec. 15 from 2:30-3:30pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 15 from 3:30-4:30pm

Parents of new DND Juniors or parents interested in purchasing new warm-ups or a new uniform must sign up for a uniform fitting time by emailing their preferred date/time slot to Amy Jo Wagner at ajwagner@pepsicenter.com. Junior dancers should wear light colored undergarments to their uniform fitting.

Program Fees:
A non-refundable $250 uniform fee will be due at the time of registration. This fee includes the cost of the DND Juniors uniform ($128), poms ($22), and warm-ups ($100). Dancers will get to keep all items after the season ends and will be responsible for supplying their own all-white athletic shoes for performances. The “bling” option is available for dancers interested in adding some sparkle to their uniform. For just $10, approximately 25 rhinestones will be hot-fixed to the area surrounding the “Nuggets” patch on the chest of the unitard. To select the “bling” option, simply circle “YES” on your registration form and include the $10 charge in your registration fee.

Tuition fees ($75/month for January through March and $50 for April) are due on the first of each month: January – April*. Tuition covers the cost of instruction, tickets, and an end of year DVD including all dance performances. Total program cost is $525.

*10% tuition discount for each additional sibling enrolled – discount taken off of monthly tuition (Jan – Mar: $67.50, Apr: $45)

* Pre-Season Registration discount: Register before October 12, 2012 and receive 10% off your monthly tuition! All paperwork and registration fees must be received on or before 3pm on October 12, 2012. Discount cannot be combined with sibling discount. (Jan – Mar: $67.50, Apr: $45)

Uniforms and Warm-Ups:
All dancers new to the DND Junior program must attend a warm-up and team uniform fitting on either December 15 or 16. All fittings will be done at Cherry Creek Dance Studio (times TBD). During their assigned fitting time, DND Juniors will try on samples of the junior dancers’ warm-ups and team uniform. Several sizes will be available to ensure proper fit of each piece.

FAQ's:

What style of dance will the DND Juniors perform?
The Junior Nuggets Dancers will perform routines similar in style to the Nuggets Dancers routines; a combination of hip hop, jazz dance, and character.

What is the time commitment of a DND Jr.?
DND Juniors will need to be available for weekly rehearsals from January through April 2012. Dancers will need to be available from approximately 6:30- 8:45pm on performance nights.

How many spots are available?
Due to practice and performance area restrictions, only the first 25 applications in each age level will be accepted.

How do I register?
Download and complete the DND Juniors application. Mail completed application, signed waiver & liability release form, medical release form, copy of dancer-s birth certificate, dancer-s resume (dance history) and non- refundable uniform fee ($250 - please make checks payable to Denver Nuggets Dancers) to:

DND Juniors Program
Attn: Christina Hengst
1000 Chopper Circle
Denver, CO 80204

Is there a deadline for registration?
Yes. Applications are due by 3pm on Friday, December 14, 2012.

Can I purchase additional tickets?
Yes. Contact Christina Hengst at (303) 405-6188 to purchase additional tickets for friends and family.

Who will instruct the weekly dance classes?
Current members of the 2012-2013 Nuggets Dancers will choreograph and teach each class.

When do the rehearsals take place?
Rehearsals will take place on Sundays from January through April 2013. DND Junior Mini’s will practice from 11am-12pm, DND Juniors will practice from 12:15-1:15pm and the DND Junior Elite will practice from 1:30-2:30pm.

Where are the rehearsals held?
Rehearsals will be held at Cherry Creek Dance in Cherry Creek North (subject to change).

Can I stay and watch the weekly rehearsals with DND Juniors?
Due to limited space in the dance studio, family members are not able to stay in the classroom.

For additional questions, please contact DND Juniors coordinator Amy Jo Wagner at (303) 405-1206 or by email at ajwagner@pepsicenter.com.For registration and ticket related questions, please contact registration coordinator Christina Hengst at (303) 405-6188 or chengst@pepsicenter.com.