If Collegiate Dance Team
is the Goal...

Start Today

Collegiate Dance Team recruitment does not begin senior year.
It begins earlier than most families realize —
and the expectations continue to rise.

Over the past year, more than 200 dancers participated in collegiate-style combines through North Carolina Dance Team Alliance. Many were talented. Many were driven. Many simply did not understand the timeline or the level of preparation required.

The Collegiate Dance Team Track was created to provide that structure.

This is a year-round training pathway designed for dancers who are serious about pursuing collegiate Dance Teams — whether they are exploring the possibility or fully committed to that goal.

250+
College Staff Connections
200+
Dancers at Our Combines
This Year
20+
Students Who Moved On
to Collegiate & Pro Teams
5
Seasons D1 Coaching
10+
Years in TV & Film
Coach Tess Liantonio
Led by Experience

Tess Liantonio

Professional Choreographer & Division I Coach

◆ Former Head Coach, UNC Charlotte Dance Team (5 seasons)

◆ Recruited and ran collegiate tryouts at the Division I level

◆ Prepared dancers for Collegiate Nationals

◆ In active dialogue with 250+ collegiate dance staffs nationwide

◆ Founder of North Carolina Dance Team Alliance

◆ Professional performance and choreography credits in television, film, and national broadcast

◆ She has evaluated hundreds of auditions and understands what separates potential from readiness.

More importantly, she believes readiness can be trained.

Dance is a skill.

Athleticism is built.

Confidence is developed through structure, repetition, and honest feedback.

This track is not reserved for "finished" dancers.

It is designed for committed ones.

Who This Track Is For

The Collegiate Dance Team Track Is Open To

The program operates outside of high school team programming and is structured to complement existing commitments. The only requirement is commitment.

◆ Middle School Dancers
◆ High School Dancers
◆ Studio dancers
◆ Current
high school
dance team members
◆ Dancers exploring the collegiate pathway
Program Structure

A Training Program
Built Around Three Core Areas

I

Technical & Athletic Training

Training is led by former professional dancers, with tumble instruction provided by a former Level 12 gymnast. Technical gaps are identified early and trained with intention, not overlooked.

  • ✦ Ballet
  • ✦ Jazz
  • ✦ Lyrical
  • ✦ Pom
  • ✦ Hip Hop
  • ✦ Tumble
II

Collegiate Performance Training

Dancers train for collegiate expectations — not just competition routines.

  • ✦ Quarterly Performance Projects
  • ✦ Quarterly Progress Reports
  • ✦ Recruitment-Style Weekends
III

Recruitment Preparation

Auditions should feel familiar — not overwhelming.

  • ✦ 3 Mock Tryouts with Current Coaching Staff & Team Members
  • ✦ Completed Audition Portfolio
  • ✦ Industry Seminars
  • ✦ Networking Opportunities
  • ✦ Senior Letters of Recommendation
  • ✦ Program Matching Guidance
  • ✦ Parent Education Nights
Inside the Studio

From Studio to Sidelines

Tess coaching in the studio
Expert Coaching
Game day performance
Game Day Performance
Studio training session
Studio Training
Dance practice
Practice & Polish
Dancer performing a split
Flexibility & Strength
Pom performance
Pom Precision
Tess demonstrating technique
Hands-On Instruction
Studio training session
Studio Training
What This Track Builds

By Senior Year...
Dancers in This Program Should

✦ Execute advanced skills consistently→
✦ Perform multiple collegiate styles confidently→
✦ Maintain stamina under pressure
✦ Understand recruitment timelines→
✦ Present themselves professionally→
✦ Enter auditions prepared —
not surprised

Placement is never guaranteed.
Preparation is.

Studio Culture

What This Is About

This is not about trophies. It is not about comparison. It is not about ego.

◈

Building college-ready dancers

Technically disciplined. Mentally resilient. Professionally prepared. Supportive teammates.

◈

Structure Is a Form of Care

Correction is a form of investment. Preparation is a form of respect.

◈

A Long-Term Pathway

This is a long-term pathway —
not a seasonal add-on.

Enrollment & Timeline

Cohort Size Is Intentionally Limited

To protect individual attention, technical integrity, and studio culture.

1
Enrollment Opens
March 1, 2026
2
Private Evaluations
Begin in May
3
Summer Onboarding
Begins in June
4
Full Training Season
Begins mid-July
Dancer performing leg hold
Dance team at football game

If Collegiate Dance Team is
part of your dancer's long-term vision,
intentional preparation should
begin now.
Charlotte now has a structured pathway.