The Carnegie Dance Team recently competed and won awards in the MA State competition at Klein Oak High School, making waves in the Houston-area dance community. MA Dance, renowned for its commitment to fostering team skills and celebrating achievements of student dancers, employs a reward system designed to honor excellence and encourage growth. As a group, the Carnegie Dance Team embraces this ideology, seeking to provide members with the opportunity to showcase their passion for dance through creativity and innovative techniques.
“The CDT participates in a wide variety of dance genres at competitions, including jazz, pom, contemporary, and hip-hop. We typically compete four times a season, and the MA State event was our third competition of this year”, said team officer, Lillian Logue.
As one of the most anticipated events on the team’s calendar, MA State served a proving ground for the dancers to test their skills, refine their performances and push their limits.
The team brought home an array of top placements, showcasing their hard work and dedication towards the performances.
The first-place trio, a performance by junior Mari Sakai and seniors Ella Pham and Esha Bhavsar, was a standout moment that earned high praise from judges and the audience. Meanwhile, the officer dance, performed by the six officers — seniors Laila Payne, Catherine Hu, Jae Bi and Ella Pham, junior Lilly Logue, and sophomore Kaitlin Doan — showcased the depth of the team’s skills. Each performance demonstrated the hard work that has become correspondent with the team.
Behind the scenes, the team is student-led, with officers responsible for a variety of tasks including selecting costumes, directing practice and coordinating competitions. Their commitment to practice reflects their excellence as they meet twice a week after school from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in addition to occasional practices during lunch breaks. This dedication is also strengthened by assistance from former team captain, Audrey Kim, a CVHS alum, who helped choreograph routines for the team this season.
While the team’s achievements are impressive, the team places equal importance on creating a supportive environment. The emphasis on camaraderie and sportsmanship is evident in the team’s approach toward training and competition.
“While we aim to perform our best in each competition and bring home some awards, we also want to support each other and enjoy the experience together,” Logue said.
“I find it important to be friends with the underclassmen. There is no ‘I’ in team. The way to master dance is to work together and have good chemistry,” Hu said.
Echoing Hu’s idea of friendship, Logue describes the team as her family: “I treat them with compassion and empathy, and even if we occasionally disagree, we always work together to finish strong.”
This strong sense of unity within the team impacts their performances and personal growth as athletes. Logue’s description of the team as a family in the excitement and preparation for the CPD Nationals. Anticipation is now rising towards nationals, when the team will next take the stage. This event promises to bring new challenges, new judges and new audiences.
With eyes set on the future, the team is more than ready to leave a mark on the dance scene. Whether they’re claiming top honors or simply sharing the joy of dance with one another, the team’s commitment to excellence will ensure that their success story is far from over.
