The Columbia University Dance Team is a collegiate dance team that performs and appears locally and competes nationally. The team was founded in 1994 by Francine DeSanctis.

Congratulations to the members of the 2009-2010 Columbia University Dance Team!

Gabriella Baez

Kristin Cummings

Charity Garner

Chloe Hill

Gabby Hogan

Kelly Knox

Stephanie Millman

Haley Moon

Lauren Potter

Joelle Robinson

Morgan Somerset

Lindsay Weaver

Competitions

We compete in the Spring Semester at the NDA National Collegiate Championship held each year in Daytona Beach, FL. The Dance Team has placed in the Top 10 in Division I Finals three times in the past four years. 

Performances

We perform on campus and locally at various events, including: Columbia Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, and Volleyball games. The team appears at events such as home Football games and the annual Coogan Run. Please see our Calendar of Events for dates and locations of performances. 

Style of Dance

The Team performs routines comprising of three distinct styles of dance: Jazz, Hip-Hop and Pom. Precision and uniformity as a Team transcends all three styles of dance, as these are the key qualities that we are judged on.

Auditions 

Auditions are held each year in September and April.  We welcome dancers of all backgrounds.  Each dancer auditioning should be able to execute mid to advanced level leaps and turns. These elements include triple pirouettes, fouette turns, and various switch-leaps. Prospective dance team members need not be able to perform all of these elements at the time of their audition. However these elements will be expected from each team member by mid-season. 

Auditions will be held over the course of two to three days during which you will be taught several eight counts of choreography. You will be notified by the morning after the last day of auditions as to whether you have been invited to join the team. 

Please wear form fitting clothing and dance footwear to the audition. Please do not wear tennis shoes.

You must bring proof of insurance and passed physical in the last calendar year in order to participate.

Practice and Conditioning 

The Team holds 2 ½ to 3-hour practice sessions each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday night in Dodge Fitness Center located on Columbia University’s main campus.  All members are also required to condition (running, light weights and abs) on off-days. 

Fundraising 

Each Team member is expected to spend 1-3 hours a week helping the Team fundraise the money to pay for our Team to go to the NDA National Collegiate Championship.