University of Michigan Dance Team Leads Youths in Dexter Dance Camp

Cheers of “Let’s Go Blue!” filled the hallways at in Dexter on Thursday as volunteers from the University of Michigan Dance Team hosted the fourth day of a summer dance camp.

The weeklong camp, which began Monday, is taught entirely by UM dance members and features activities and dances tailored to students’ ages and abilities, culminating with a final performance for parents at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

“Our instruction combines the basic foundations of dance and cheerleading,” said Valerie Stead Potsos, studio owner and UM dance team head coach. "We focus first and foremost on leadership and team-building skills as well as routines performed on the sidelines during games."

Potsos said students also learn dance techniques required for competitive dance teams.

"It's a great opportunity for students to meet our dancers on a one-on-one basis and feel like they are part of the team," Potsos said. "It's also a way to tap into the girls' interest, and hopefully one day they will try out for our team one day."

UM sophomore Mary Jane Miele said this was her first year instructing a camp for youth.

“The kids are so excited and eager to learn,” she said. “We have a lot of fun teaching them dances and routines that we perform on a regular basis during the school year."

Some of the routines include "Go Blue!" and the UM fight song, senior Becca Schleicher said.

“We incorporate a lot of games that help the girls with choreography,” Schleicher said. “Everything relates back to dance.”

Schleicher said she has been instructing the camp for the past three years and particularly enjoys working with the younger girls.

“The younger ones are energetic and impressionable,” she said. “They have a lot of team spirit, and I like that we can point them in the right direction.”

In February 2012, the UM Dance Team will host another camp at the university called "U Meet the Athlete," which benefits C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. Students will work with professional dancers and perform at a UM women's basketball game. No date for the camp has been set as of this posting.

For more information on future UM summer camps or about Dancer’s Edge programs, call 734-424-2626 or visit www.michigandanceteam.com.