Dance Team Director Audrea Jones

Wow! What a whirlwind experience these past two months have been for me in my first year as director. It seems like auditions were held just yesterday, yet we’re already just two weeks away from our first home preseason game. I eagerly anticipate the start of the season where for the first time in twelve years, I will not be dancing on the court in costume. Instead, I will be taking care of behind-the-scenes details and critiquing the dancers. I will miss the performing aspect of it, but I am excited about this wonderful new experience as the Sonics Dance Team Director!

Auditions were held this past July at Bellevue Community College. We had an outstanding turnout of nearly 200 talented guys and girls vying for spots. It was a long, grueling day for the dancers as well as the judges making very tough decisions as to who would make the next round. The finalists selected went through a second phase of dance auditions as well as personal interviews. In the end, we selected a team of sixteen dancers, 14 females and 2 males. The team is comprised of six rookies and ten veterans, two of which returned after taking a season off, along with a set of sisters this year.

They didn’t have much time to celebrate the good news, as they were put to work right away. I scheduled a Dance Team workshop the very next weekend in which they learned four routines from guest choreographers. We continue to rehearse twice a week, perfecting dance routines and still learning all the while.

Lindsay and Kelly strike a pose with a young fan at the NBA Rhythm & Rims Seattle Tour Stop. Sonics Photos

The Dance Team members do a lot more than just dance. They are involved in many charity appearances and promotions throughout the community. These are just a few of the charity events the Dance Team has been involved with this past summer: Virginia Mason’s charity auction, KJR’s Groz with Gas-a-thon, the NBA Rhythm & Rims tour, American Heart Walk, and the first annual Sonics & Storm Celebrity Golf Tournament.

In addition to the two home preseason games at Key Arena, the Dance Team will also be making appearances at the preseason games in Spokane and Yakima.

I truly believe team unity and team bonding is the key in having a successful season. As a team, we’ve decided to meet once a month outside of games and rehearsals just spending time together, getting to know each other and having fun. We had a picnic a couple of weeks ago for our September outing and will be going bowling for our October excursion.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this first edition. Check back once a month throughout the season to keep up with us and our busy schedule!