The Rock Bridge High School dance team is headed to Orlando, Florida, for the NDA High School Nationals to compete three amazing routines in hopes of taking home a national championship title.

The Bruins are competing in Small Varsity Jazz, Large Varsity Team Performance, and Large Varsity Pom. They’ve got the talent and the drive to pull off success this year, but the final results will come down to wowing the judges with their choreography and execution.

The 16-member dance team will be traveling to the Sunshine State from Columbia, Missouri. This talented team has had NDA Nationals on their mind since May of 2017. 

Most of the dancers who make the team come with previous dance training that continues into their high school career. The team is very grateful to have immense training under their belts, but that is never enough to guarantee success at NDA. The hard work and dedication needed to perform clean and perfectly execute each routines is why the competition is so tough.

Head coach Lyria Bartlett shared her favorite part of coaching and gave Varsity TV a full breakdown of how this team continues to compete and place on top! 

"This team has a drive for excellence and a knowledge of dance that is rare," Bartlett said. "They desire to win and work hard all year long for the end goal. My favorite part about coaching for Rock Bridge is helping to develop these extremely talented dancers into incredible teammates and problem-solvers."

It's a team effort when it comes to coaching these young women. Head coach Bartlett is joined by four other coaches who help build the team throughout their season. Stacey Buske, Amy Schirmer, Caroline Sundvold, and Lauren Rodriguez are the experienced coaches and alumni who share the leadership and cleaning responsibilities of the team. Bartlett said the coaching staff is committed to continuing a long running Bruin Girl legacy. This legacy includes the amazing choreographers who have helped create their routines.

Alex Blitstein has choreographed their Jazz routine for the past three NDA nationals. In 2016, their Jazz routine placed third and last season the team placed second. In 2018, they hope to climb the ranks to the championship spot. 

The team brought in Stacy Paydo to create a magical routine for their Team Performance. 

“We want to cast a spell on the audience,” Bartlett said. 

Their 2017 Team Performance brought home second place and, again, the dancers are preparing for a win. 

Pom this year was choreographed by Coach Bartlett herself. They will be performing to the Queen classic Bohemian Rhapsody.

“Trying to go rock and roll here with an interesting, memorable piece of music.” 

We should expect a difficult turn sequence in their Pom routine with reverse rotating spots. It’s been a challenge for them this year to stay altogether and, if it hits, the sequence is sure to impress everyone watching. The audience should also be waiting for potential full team aerial cartwheels and kip-ups.

The Bruin Girls’ tricks have improved so much during the past year. Their secret? Extra time and training outside of practice with a tumbling expert! With strong individual talent as well, be ready for plenty of highlighted dancers throughout the performances.

The girls chose to opt out of having captains this year and instead “distribute the workload based on personal strengths while making sure that no one is ever burdened,” Bartlett said. “Our job is to work together as a unit, never forgetting that everyone contributes, sacrifices, and strives for the benefit of the entire team.”

Varsity TV caught up with RBHS Senior and the only four-year member, Jessica Lynn Stefan, while she was packing for nationals to hear about her experience with the team and how it feels to be competing on the nationals stage for the last time. 

She says her favorite part about being a Bruin Girl comes down to camaraderie and school involvement. The dancers perform all football season to bring school spirit. Nationals week is the last week of being a team and she doesn't take the bonding time for granted. 

Reflecting on her final year Stefan shares:

"Being a senior, taking the NDA stage for the last time is of course bittersweet. Going to nationals means the season is near the end, but this year around it means my whole Bruin Girls career is ending. It’s my last time ever dancing with this group of girls which means I have to soak up every moment during this week."

Tune in to Varsity TV and be sure to watch the Rock Bridge High School Bruin Girls take on NDA Nationals this weekend!

By Megan Miles

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