Aliso Niguel’s dance team has hit their mark this school year, dominating at nationals!

The team has been preparing since the fall, competing in smaller USA competitions between other schools as well as CADTD or, The California Association of Dance/Drill Team Directors, meets. The dance team was also able to get performances in a few pep rallies and other school events.

In the 2022 season,  Aliso placed first in the Character category at the Aliso Classic (CADTD) and Downey USA Regional. Additionally, the team has won top places in several other categories, including large jazz, large hip hop, medium hip hop, medium lyrical, and small jazz. 

This year, USA Nationals took place from March 24-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The team had not been to a regular high school nationals convention since 2019, so the familiarity was a struggle the girls had to overcome. Last year, the USA Dance Nationals Competition was virtual meaning most girls had no experience with the usual process and giving them a different idea of what to expect.

The team’s advisor, Mrs. Desiano says “I committed to them at the beginning of February that myself and the other coaches would do everything we could to make sure they were dance ready and prepared at nationals.”

Despite being in-person for the competition, with COVID-19  protocols the set up was different from the normal event. For the teams, this meant only family and friends were able to watch their performances. Coach Desiano explains how this was helpful to the team because it ensured there were no distractions and their family was right in center to cheer them on. 

Aliso was able to walk away from Dance Nationals with second place in their small jazz, a big accomplishment for the girls because they had struggled all year. On day two, the team was able to bring home two more wins, second place in medium lyrical and third place team hip hop. 

The team captain Alli Harding (12) shares “I’m so proud the girls got to experience a real, in-person nationals and make so many memories!”

Dance team leader Liv Sant (11) also expresses pride in the team, reporting how after COVID-19 “it was awesome to see that the team could pick themselves up with a new mindset, and goal to have a fresh start at a new season.”

Although USA National brings an end to the team’s competition season, the girls still have their upcoming showcase to look forward to before the new season starts again. 

In late April, the group will be hosting auditions for next year’s team to begin the excitement all over again!