Bel Air Baton Twirlers Have 'Wow' Moment: Director

A group of Bel Air baton twirlers spun into the national spotlight recently, performing at the welcome concert before the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Already, event organizers have expressed interested in booking the team for future happenings.

"It was very surreal," said Christine Zoll of the experience. Zoll leads the TwirlTasTix, a group ranging in age from 6 to 21 that practices baton twirling on Main Street in Bel Air. Its members have competed together and individually at regional, state and national competitions as well as in Canada.

TwirlTasTix was among 12 youth-oriented groups selected to be a part of the inaugural festivities, Zoll said.

Performing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, TwirlTasTix delivered a five-minute choreographed routine that started with a traditional marching song, then progressed to more contemporary music. Batons were flying as the girls danced and soared across the stage, catching the sticks as they twirled.

"The goal was to show the old way of twirling, and here's how we twirl now," Zoll told Patch.

Following their early afternoon show, the twirlers were given VIP access to a concert that evening. Country star Toby Keith and rock band 3 Doors Down were among those who played, and fireworks capped off Thursday's events.

The experience was not about politics but about being part of history, according to the TwirlTasTix director.

"How often in your life do you get to see the President live?" Zoll said to Patch.

"I had parents hugging me and crying and saying how amazing the day was," she continued. "I had girls texting me [that] night thanking me for the best day of [their] life. It was a 'wow' moment in so many ways."

A highlight was seeing the nation's leaders connecting with people at the inaugural festivities, she said.

"Trump, after every performer, got up and personally shook every person's hand and thanked them for performing. Even for the bigger groups, he'd kind of pat them on the back," Zoll said. "It was nice to see how appreciative he was."

Days before, as the twirlers were in Washington for a practice run, they got a special surprise from Trump's second-in-command.

The girls were posing for a picture near the MLK Memorial when their liaison for the inaugural activities told them they would probably want to take another photo. Then Vice President Mike Pence appeared.

"He came over and shook each of the girls’ hands. He asked us if we were nervous, and they said, 'Yes,'" Zoll told Patch. "He leaned in to one of the girls and said, 'I'm nervous too.' His wife said: 'He really is nervous.' It was so cute and sweet, and we got a picture right then."

Zoll said the girls were charged up by the entire inaugural experience, which she hopes will lead to more high-profile events like the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C. The twirlers already perform in local parades and happenings such as the Little League World Series.

TwirlTasTix is currently enrolling twirlers. Registration is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at First Presbyterian Church, 224 Main St., Bel Air.

See Also:

• Bel Air Baton Twirlers to Perform at Inauguration Concert
• Make America Great Again Concert Celebrates Presidential Inauguration 2017

Image with Pence courtesy of TwirlTasTix. Still shot from YouTube video by 999thanh.