The Eastern Washington Elite Dance Team is a nationally recognized regional All-Star dance team.  Our dancers come from all over Eastern Washington and Oregon.  We have 4 teams:
                -Youth Grades 6 and under
                -Junior Grades 5-9
                -Senior Grades 9-12
                -College Open Hip Hop

The Elite Dance teams are directed by Coach Teri Rowe (B.A. PE/Dance, M.S. Exercise Physiology).  Teri has over 25 years of coaching experience at the middle school, high school and college levels.  She is the past president of the Washington State Dance Coaches Association and WA. State Spirit Judges Association.  Teri has coached various teams to 13 National titles.

Our program is designed to encourage participation in middle school and high school dance and cheer teams, dance studios and team sports.  This is the major reason most of our teams practice on Sundays.  The Elite team is an advanced, competitive experience and our goal is to continue our winning tradition at the national level with all of our teams.  We have competed annually at the Seattle Sonics competition and UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida. This event is broadcast by ESPN and is seen as the premier national championship event for dance teams!  Our Open Hip Hop team will compete at USA College Nationals in Las Vegas.  Winning 5 National Dance Championships in one season definitely set the bar high for the new 2007 teams, but we know we will continue our tradition by working even harder this year!

Practices and classes are held at the Elite Cheer & Dance Center at 8382 Gage Blvd #N, Kennewick WA.  We have a 42x46 suspended dance floor, with parent viewing areas.  Practices are held on weekends to encourage students to remain active in their school sports and activities.  It is not a perfect system and it takes great communication, but we have found this greatly helps students lead a full, active life at school and at home.  The Sunday practices will be on a rotating schedule to allow some flexibility for families.  The Elite program encourages family involvement.  We know it is a large commitment on your part and we invite you to travel with our team to competitions and performances.  Our success depends on the support of our great parents!

Our philosophy is to set a high standard for our dancers and to do our best to help them achieve the team goals.  Developing friendships with other area dancers is one outcome we value highly.  Graduating Seniors are provided with help in searching for college dance scholarships, auditions and for pro experiences.  We are proud to have dancers at:
                -Hawaii Pacific (7 on 100% scholarship)
                -UNLV Rebel Girls (3 on partial scholarship)
                -WWCC Pom Squad on partial scholarship
                -WSU Pom Squad
                -UDA Summer Camp staff

2006 AWARDS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS
            UDA National Champions Sr Jazz
            UDA National Champs Junior Hip Hop
            USA  National Champs Sr Hip Hop
            USA  National Champs Jr Prep Jazz
            USA  National Champs Jr Prep Hip Hop

PAST NATIONAL RANKINGS

National Champions-Jr Hip Hop
2nd Jr Jazz, 4th Sr Pom

National Champions Jr Hip Hop
3rd Sr Jazz and Hip Hop

2nd Jr Hip Hop
3rd Sr Jazz and Hip Hop

2nd Sr Pom

National Champions Sr Pom

OTHER AWARDS EARNED
Sonics Dance Competition
                “Best of the Northwest”
                Champions 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001

FUND RAISING
We offer optional fund raising events all year to help individual dancers earn money for their costumes and trips.  You can participate in as many or as few of these events as you like during the year. 

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?
Teams are selected by audition process and notified of selection via email/mail after the audition.  Parents meetings start May and the first team practices will be held the weekend of May 7 (days/times depend on which team you are on  Fund Raising will get underway immediately with a May car wash.  During June, Seniors, Juniors and Youth will attend camp to qualify for UDA Nationals. Teams all start performing in the summer at various community events.  Serious performances begin in the Fall and the Sonics event is usually sometime during the first two weeks of December, but we won’t know that date until summer.  We will be adding more competitions to our calendar this season and hopefully it will include a trip to the new DANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN APRIL 2007.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Can I still participate on my high school team? Yes, but the time management and communication takes effort.  One practice each month and tech classes should enable you to continue to other activities fully. 

1. I live out of town, how can I participate? You do not have to attend tech classes at the Elite Center if you live out of town. You will be required to be taking classes of the same type at your home studio. Dancers from Spokane, Pendleton, Walla Walla and Yakima have participated successfully on the Elite team with good organization.

1. Can I miss some practices? Practices and performances are always required.  In the summer, we do allow flexibility for family vacations, church and sports camps, etc. Once September 1 comes, ALL practices must be attended. Plan your schedules carefully to not schedule on top of Elite practices.

1. Can I miss practice over Thanksgiving or Christmas break to go on vacation? This is our “gear up” time for Nationals and all practices are vital.  We need ALL dancers at every practice over each break and we ask that parents do not schedule family vacations during the practice times. There is time before/after the practice sessions to allow time for a little vacation.

1. How do I stay informed? Monthly parents meetings with minutes and regular emails are the best way we keep our parents informed.  There is a direct correlation to success on the Elite team and the number of parents meetings you attend.  These meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and are RECOMMENDED highly.

1. How are finances handled? Monthly account statements are given out at the Parents Meetings. Mike Passmore, our business manager, handles all of the finances for the team. He prepares a team treasurer’s report each month so you know the status of the team account, along with your personal expenses.  You are free to discuss your dancers expenses at any time with him.