A Little About the Ballroom Team

Savana Carter
Staff Writer
  It is that time of year again, and the Bonneville ballroom team hosting tryouts once more. The tryouts were held in the auxiliary gym at 4 p.m. going until 6 p.m. for two days. These days are April 25th through the 26th, each day being a new step for future performers. April 25th is the clinic where they teach two routines. April 26th was the actual tryouts where the students reviewed the dances  that were taught the previous day as well as getting judged. They auditioner dance with expertend partner, and get judged on how they do. A few days later the results will be posted.
  Bonneville's ballroom dances during basketball games, football games, and competitions. The times for practice are four days a week from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. during the first trimester, and also from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. during the second and third trimesters; there may be extended or extra practices during the competition season. Missing practice can be difficult to make up for. There are videos online showing what was learned the previous day. Missing practice will set everything back. Terri Guymon, the ballroom team manager, said: “Anyone can join ballroom. We have three different groups on the team: beginning, intermediate, and advanced, so all are welcome.” The ballroom team encourages anyone to join no matter their dance skill level. Ballrooms perform from October to March once every couple of weeks but depending on when football or basketball games and competitions are happening. New dancers are taught dances such as Cha-Cha, Swing, Waltz, Foxtrot and Samba. As they progress and improve, they learn other styles such as Rumba, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Jive, and more. The team has different types of competitions: Team, Syllabus, and, Open. 
  There is a middle school team now as well, led by Coach Javie Guthrie. Green team, the most beginner, is coached by McKinley Christiansen this year. Silver, intermediate, is coached by Sara Guthrie, and Gold, the most advanced, is coached by Javie Guthrie and Tiffani Bailey. Having a middle school team will give the dancers a head start as well as know what to expect when transferring to the high school team. The extra time gives them six years instead of four years to dance with the school.
  Bonneville ballroom is glad to have new members join the team. The auditioners skill level does not matter, since they teach everything that a student needs to know to make the team. Tryouts are held each year, always giving a chance to those who want to dance their hearts out. They are needing performers for next season because the numbers on the team are plummeting. If anyone wants to join or even just try, please do. Contact Terri, any of the coaches, the BHS ballroom Instagram page, or any of the current performers.