Dear Athletes and Parents, 

Welcome to another great year for the Farmington Tiger Dance team! Last year was an amazing season for the FDT and we are anticipating another great year in 2023-2024! 

Before you try-out ask yourself the following questions:
1.  Do I like to have lots and lots of fun?
2.  Do I want to make a bunch of new friends next year?
3.  Do I LOVE to dance?
4.  Am I willing to dedicate myself to the sport of dance during the months of October – February?
5.  Can I effectively manage my time during dance season?  (i.e., keep my grades up and be in dance????) 

If you answered YES to all of these questions, then you are ready to embark on a fantastic season of dance, fun, & friendships!!! 

Information about Try-outs:
ATHLETES REGISTERING MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL ON FILE in the FHS Athletic Office! You can check physical status by contacting the hs athletic office at 651-252-2514.

Tryout Videos- Available March 4th 
Athletes will be responsible for learning choreography and skills prior to the beginning of tryouts. This information will be provided to them in videos posted on our website. Athletes will learn 6-10 eight counts of last year's varsity kick and jazz routine, also various skills they will be asked to execute.
During the tryout athletes will be asked to perform individual skills, as well as the choreography learned from the videos. 
The videos for the tryout will be posted March 4th. Videos will include; kick choreography, jazz choreography, individual skills, a kick set and a mock tryout. 

Tryout Days
Tryouts will be held over 4 days: March 7th, March 9th, March 10th and March 11th. This year tryouts will be held in person at Boeckman Middle School or Farmington High School. The first day we will hold a large group review day. Athletes only attend the first day and one additional day. When athletes register they choose when they would like to have their individual tryout slot. They only need to arrive on the day they register for but we offer tryout slots on three separate days. 

Tuesday March 7th- 4:30 PM - 6 PM @ BMS Gyms 1-3
FULL GROUP PRACTICE
Everyone trying out attends this practice. We will meet as a large group at Boeckman MS, review the choreography you already learned and get to know the athletes. Tryout groups will also have a chance to meet and work together. 

Thursday March 9th - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 5-7PM @ BMS Gyms 1-3
If you sign up for a tryout slot on Thursday you will arrive and meet at BMS Gyms 1-3 by 5pm. We will allow 15 minutes for music and review.  If you need more time for stretching please arrive earlier. Tryout Appointments will begin at 5:15pm. Each Tryout group will consist of 4-6 athletes with a 15 minute time slot per group. Athletes will need to stay the whole time incase of callbacks. 

Friday March 10th - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 5-6:30PM @ BMS Gyms 1-3
If you sign up for a tryout slot on Friday you will arrive and meet at BMS Gyms 1-3 by 5pm. We will allow 15 minutes for music and review.  If you need more time for stretching please arrive earlier. Tryout Appointments will begin at 5:15pm. Each Tryout group will consist of 4-6 athletes with a 15 minute time slot per group. Athletes will need to stay the whole time incase of callbacks. 
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Saturday March 11th - BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 9-2PM @ FHS Studio
If you sign up for a tryout slot on Saturday you will arrive and meet in the FHS Recital Hall by 9am. We will allow 15 minutes for music and review.  If you need more time for stretching please arrive earlier. Tryout Appointments will begin at 9:15am. Each Tryout group will consist of 4-6 athletes with a 15 minute time slot per group. Athletes will need to stay the whole time incase of callbacks, so please bring a healthy lunch/snacks.
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Team Announcements
Team announcements will be done through email and posted on our website by noon on Sunday March 12th. 
Please remember, the Tiger Dance Team is a High School sanctioned sport. Athletes are registering to try out for placement in our program. Registering for try-outs does not guarantee placement on our roster. Results are announced by the number you are given at the beginning of tryouts.  Please do not trade numbers with anyone. Spring tryouts are to determine if an athlete is ready to be part of our program.  We do not set varsity and junior varsity rosters until the fall.

ALL RESULTS ARE FINAL!!!!
We require a 72 hour cool down period. After this time has passed please feel free to reach out to the coaching staff with any questions you may have. 

Parent Meeting
A parent meeting is scheduled for 6:00 pm on  Monday March 20th in the FHS Large Lecture Hall. This meeting is only for athletes and families that are placed on our roster. At this meeting we will go all important information regarding being a member of our program. It is important for athletes placed on our roster and their parents/guardians to be in attendance.

Additional Tryout Information:
On our team, early is on time and on time is late.
MSHSL does not allow teams with spring tryouts  to place individuals on a final roster until our season is in session. Team Placement (Varsity or JV) is determined at the beginning of winter season. Tryouts are for a position in the program.

Try-Outs: 

• Wear ALL BLACK
• Dance shoes
• Hair pulled away from face in a practice bun
• Full water bottle
• Current physical must be on file at FHS
• Snacks/Lunch if trying out on Saturday
• Bring a positive attitude and a great smile!  

Each tryout group will have a varsity level leader that will stay with them throughout the duration of their tryout. This leader will be there to answer questions, help with choreography, and give positive encouragement. 
We understand that tryouts can be very stressful. Coaches will interact with student athletes, encourage them and do their best to make everyone feel comfortable. Remember, this is a spring tryout. We do not expect athletes to be perfect, what we look for most is potential. 

You will be given a number upon registration.  We will be scoring you using criteria that is similar to the scoresheet used in actual dance competitions.  The judging sheet is for the coach’s reference only. Please do not ask to see your scoresheet. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions
How many dancers are on each team?  
There is no set number.  Whoever is capable of performing at each level will determine the numbers on each team.  The MSHSL does restrict the number of competitors on varsity rosters. Varsity Kick - 34 maximum competitors, Varsity Jazz -  26 maximum competitors. 

How many teams does the Tiger Dance Team have?  
We have 5 different competitive teams. Varsity High Kick, Varsity Jazz, Junior Varsity High Kick, Junior Varsity Jazz, and B-squad Jazz. 

When are practices during the season?  
A calendar hasn’t been finalized yet – Our tentative practice schedule once teams are set is as follows:
Varsity - Monday, Tuesday, & Friday 4:00-6:30pm, Wednesdays 3:15-5:30pm and Saturday practices before competition begins. Varsity also may hold morning technique/lifting practices throughout the season.
JV -     Monday, Tuesday, & Friday 4:30-7pm, Wednesdays 3:45-5:30pm and Saturday practices before competition begins. 
Everyone- Thursday 5:00-7:00pm

When is the Dance Season?  
The Varsity and JV Dance season starts the Monday after MEA weekend in October.  JV dance season ends in Mid/Late January and Varsity season ends in February depending on post season.   We do have training opportunities over the summer in June and July that includes JFK Camp. Fall performance team is separate from the winter team but is a great option to get you ready for the winter season. 
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What is JFK Camp?
Every summer Just for Kix offers camps exclusively for members of high school dance teams.  This year Farmington is attending camp June 25th - June 28th in Storm Lake, IA at Buena Vista University.  Athletes learn a number of routines, sport specific skills and have numerous opportunities for bonding. Attending camp is completely optional and is only open to athletes that are placed on our roster. 

Is dance experience required?
While previous dance experience is not required it is beneficial to have some experience in dance before tryouts. 

Can I still participate in other activities?
That depends. Because we are high school sanctioned and in order to maintain the integrity of our sport all of our practices, team events and competitions are mandatory. We do make accommodations when necessary for school sponsored activities like band, choir, etc.  We cannot make accommodations for activities that are not sponsored by the school. We do have athletes that are able to manage still participating in non-school sanctioned activities, however it is on them to work out an accommodation schedule with the other activity in order to participate. Additionally, each individual needs to decide what is best for them. The Tiger Dance Team will not modify team requirements to accommodate non-school related activities. 

We understand some student athletes may have tryout date conflicts and could require accommodations. We would be happy to help in any way. Please reach out to the coaching staff to discuss flexible tryout options by emailing us at  ftdtcoaches@gmail.com

If athletes or parents have any questions regarding the Farmington Tiger Dance Team, please don’t hesitate to contact a Coach. 
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!!
 FDT COACHES
FTDTcoaches@gmail.com 

Register now