The Revere High School dance team returns to the basketball court after two years, gaining members and developing its new style.

Rebecca Ray, an intervention specialist at Revere High School, premiered this year as the dance team coach. She has been studying dance since the age of three. She minored in dance in college and continues to teach at local studios. She also coaches cheerleading at the middle school. Ray mentioned some of the team’s goals and some of the obstacles the team must overcome.

“Our goals are to work together as a team and to make sure our choreography is clean and together. We have dancers that have been dancing their entire lives and some that have only been dancing a few weeks now . . . . Our biggest obstacles are bringing everyone to the same level and looking cohesive, which unfortunately means some girls will not be challenged as much and some will be working very hard. Our team has been great about offering help at and after practice and [we] always encourage each other,” Ray said.

Revere sophomore and three-year dancer LaBrea Johnson began her first season on the dance team. She spoke about the team’s goal for the season, and she talked of her favorite parts of the dance team.

“Our goal is to continue to do well at games, as well as getting more people interested, so the team can be better next year
and have more members . . . . My favorite part is Miss Ray bringing in some of her friends who are Cavs Girls to help choreograph the dances. I do not really have a least favorite part about it . . . . Something nice that happened was getting a lot of positive feedback after our first halftime performance,” Johnson said.

Ariel Brinker, who was also on the Revere Middle School dance team, is a freshman who has danced for twelve years. She spoke about some personal things she does to help herself and the team.

“I practice every day and for anyone who wants it, I go over the dances slow and with counts,” Brinker said.

Ray commented on some of the team’s strengths and weaknesses by explaining how the team tackles new skills and techniques.

“Our strengths are that our dancers are always willing to try any skills or choreography thrown at them. Weaknesses are that we only have a few dancers, so dance formations are limited and if someone is sick or cannot make practice, it is tough to cover that up. We only have eleven total [members] this year, but we are hoping to build the program next year,” Ray said.

Brinker mentioned that the team had two guest choreographers in preparation for the season, and they will be having one more later in the season. Ray spoke of her favorite part about coaching, and what she is looking forward to this season.

“My favorite part of coaching is getting to work with the kids. Helping them learn and accomplish new skills is such a great feeling . . . . I am looking forward to seeing the growth of our dancers,” Ray said.

The seniors this year are Breanna Greenfield, Tori Sobolewski and Aaliyah Nelson. The dance team will perform next at the Revere Varsity basketball game against Barberton on January 20 at 7:30 pm.