The Ensworth After-School Dance Teams are year-round performance groups for students who not only have a passion for dance, but who seek to train in a more advanced environment and also pursue dance at a higher level. Both teams require a high level of commitment throughout the course of the school year and perform at various community events, such as football and basketball halftimes, assemblies, regional competition, and our annual spring dance concert. Dance styles include jazz, hip hop, pom, and lyrical.

• Junior Dance Team (Paws & Stripes) - For rising Grades 4-5 students
• Middle School Team (Claws & Fangs) - For rising Grades 6-8 students

Teams are leveled out into two sub-groups as determined at the time of their audition according to their current skill level. These groups perform within their team separately as well as together over the course of the season (August-May). See each team's description page for more information.

If the higher commitment level is too much for your schedule, don’t worry! We offer recital dance classes in all styles for 4th-8th grade dancers that are also fun and engaging. In other words, it depends on the child's interest level. Dancers who want a more intense experience can participate on the team and take recital classes. Dancers who want a less intense experience can take only recital classes instead of the team.

• Auditions are open to currently enrolled Ensworth students who have had previous experience in dance performance/competition or at least two years of prior training. 
• Students who are new to dance and/or who are unable to make the team time commitment are encouraged to sign up for recreational dance classes instead. Recreational classes meet once per week and perform in our annual dance concert.
   

Audition Process and Dates

Students must pre-register to secure their intent to audition. The audition process will include demonstrating movement across the floor (skills) and learning a short jazz/hip hop combo that will be performed in small groups at the end. Students do not need to prepare anything in advance. Review the list of frequently used team skills in the section below. All try-outs and clinics will take place in the Red Gables Campus Inman Gym.

Attire: Please wear all black fitted dance attire. (Top: leotard, tank, shirt. Bottom: dance shorts or leggings). Jazz shoes are preferred. Hair should be styled neatly and pulled away from the face. 

• Junior Team Tryouts - Friday, May 17 (3:00-5:00pm) Red Gables Campus - Inman Gym 
• Junior Team Clinic- Wednesday, May 15 (3:00-5:00pm) Red Gables Campus- Inman Gym
• Middle School Team Tryouts - Monday, May 22 (5:30-7:30pm) Red Gables Campus - Inman Gym
• Middle School Clinic- Tuesday, May 14 (5:30-7:30pm) Red Gables Campus- Inman Gym

*All clinics and try-outs are closed to the public. No videotaping or photography permitted. Parents may drop off and pick up their child for these events. 

Team Skills

Below is a list of skills frequently used in dance team choreography for your reference, though not all skills are required. Students will be able to showcase any other additional dance skills during their audition window.

• Technical Skill Examples:  grand jetés, leap in second, toe touch, sissone, firebird, single/double/triple turns, calypso, leg holds, kicks, splits, a la seconde turns, tilt leaps or jumps
• Hip Hop Tricks: Kip Up, Headspring
• Tumbling (standing skills or passes)
• A la Seconde Combination: A series of 4 a la seconde turns into a double.

 

Please check back for information on the 2025-26 school year