MIAMI (WSVN) - Dozens of driven contenders strutted their stuff at the American Airlines Arena, Sunday, as they set their sights on becoming Miami Heat Dancers.
The pressure was high as some applicants swiveled and gyrated on the hardwood in the hopes of moving on to the next round.
Those overseeing the intense dance-offs said they’re searching for the most talented, energetic and poised dancers in town. “There will be three rounds consisting of different things: freestyle, a jazz funk round and a Miami-based choreography round,” said Heat Dancers manager Natalia Gonzalez.
For some, this is their first leap to making their dream come true. “I come from a small family: my mother, my grandma and me,” said Fabiana Bracho, “so, really the sisterhood, having a family, people that support you, back you up. That’s the main reason why I really want this, just to have that sisterhood.”
For others, it’s about staying part of that family. All previous dancers must also try out.
“Being a Heat Dancer, it’s not just dancing. It’s not just what you do on the court,” said Jeanelle Gomez. “There’s so much more than that. There’s so much outside of the court, in the community.”
Lindsey Murray was a Heat Dancer last season. “Passion is very strong, and when you have a strong passion for something, you can do anything you put your mind to,” she said.
Murray ought to know. Sunday’s court challenge is nothing compared to what she recently went through. She was diagnosed with cancer after doctors found a tumor the size of a grapefruit behind her rib cage.
“When you encounter something like what I went through, you find the fighter in you to push through, and find the strength in you that you didn’t realize you had, and you just keep pushing through,” she said.
Now, Murray hopes her dance moves ensure her a spot on the team for a second year. “It comes down to how bad you want it, and I want it pretty bad.” she said. “It’s actually harder, when you’re trying back up, because you know how good it is.”
About 40 dancers will be picked from Sunday’s group, and they will start boot camp week the next day. They will also have to pass some business interviews, pose for a photo shoot and, of course, do a lot of dancing.
Gonzalez said she looks for some specific traits in her dancers. “I look for, definitely, personality, somebody who engages me, somebody who makes eye contact with me and somebody who’s just having fun,” she said.
A total of 25 dancers will be picked at the end of boot camp week.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.