The Universal Dance Association (UDA) was established by Jeff Webb and Kris Shepherd in 1980 as Universal Dance Camps.
The association aims to provide high-quality training to college and high school dancers through summer camps and clinics.
Emphasizing the highest standards in instruction, choreography, and routines, UDA’s nationwide summer camps offer personalized coaching to each team, focusing on both team growth and enjoyment.
Intending to inspire leadership in dance teams, UDA emphasizes the traditional role of dancers in supporting athletic programs and entertaining crowds.
Today, UDA stands as the largest dance team educator, conducting over 500 camp sessions and instructing more than 35,000 high school and collegiate dancers.
Just recently, universities from different states went against each other to be called the best.
When people talk about amazing dance, they often think of the University of Minnesota. In the recently held College Dance Team National Championship, the team recently secured their 22nd national title in the Pom category.
The dance team’s head coach Amanda Gaines expressed her deep pride, saying, “I have honestly never been so proud of [the] team.”
Their jazz routine, although they just earned second place, has become a sensation on social media, with millions of views on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram.
The nearly four-minute performance, set to “Dream On“ by Aerosmith, pays homage to the 2004 champion team.
Gaines and the dancers choreographed a routine that takes technique and skill to a new level, leaving people across the country in disbelief.
Although 20 people were performing on stage, it looked like there was only one dancing because of their impeccable synchronization.
Not only that, but they also managed to pull off synchronized no-hand cartwheels and multiple pirouettes!
Even non-dancers were amazed by their jaw-dropping routine.
“I don’t know anything about dance, what’s good (besides obvious things like falling down etc.) but this did look great! How in sync they are to my untrained eye! Well done,” one YouTube user commented.
Another online viewer reminisced about her days before as a dancer/choreographer:
“And these chills are why I miss dancing and regret not trying harder to be a choreographer. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING job to not only the dancers but the choreographer as well. BEAUTIFUL WORK.”
Passion over the prize.
Even though the jazz routine won the silver, Coach Gaines believes that spotlighting dancers in this way will bring more recognition to the entire sport.
“They are doing this because they are passionate about dance and Minnesota,” Gaines said. “The more people can support these athletes, the better for everyone.”
As of this writing, the University of Minnesota’s jazz routine video spread like wildfire on different social media platforms earning hundreds of thousands of views (if not millions) and still counting.
Lower-division dance teams from the University of Minnesota Duluth, St. Thomas, St. Johns, Mankato, and the University of St. Cloud also made it to the finals.
St. Thomas achieved fifth place in Division 1 Hip Hop Finals and fourth in Division 1 Jazz.
In Open Pom, Mankato State University claimed first place, the University of Minnesota Duluth took third, St. Cloud State secured fifth, and the College of St. Benedict earned seventh place.
In Open Jazz, Mankato State University took first, the University of Minnesota Duluth took second, St. Cloud State secured fourth, and the College of St. Benedict earned seventh place.
See their entire performance in the video below.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
