Saints Dance Attended Pro Action Dance Camp

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 7, 2023) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) competitive dance team participated in the Pro Action Dance Camp in Las Vegas from July 23-24. The Saints were represented by seven dancers, including four first-time attendees. OLLU attended the camp for the second consecutive year.

The Pro Action Dance Camp is a two-day intensive camp that features training with prominent choreographers and producers in the dance world. The camp hosts National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA) dance teams regularly in addition to college programs from all levels. The participants learned routines on the first day and performed them for a professional recording before the camp concluded. The camps provide new performances yearly that are 90-seconds apiece. The training pushes dancers outside of their comfort zone and provides valuable techniques that can be used in the future. The Saints danced alongside Texas universities, including Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Texas Tech University, the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and the University of Houston.

Head Coach Crystal Brock said, "OLLU dance has continued to make strides as entertainers and competitors in the world of competitive dance and gameday. Pro Action sets the example and expectations for our dancers with its intensive training camp, which prepares us for a successful season. The abundance of choreographers, coaches and professional dancers attending the camp truly impact how we train and work to reach our team goals."

Co-Captain Madison Smith is entering her junior year and attended the camp. Smith commented, "My dream is to dance for a professional team one day. It was so inspiring to dance alongside the best of the best!"

Captain Madicela Perez will be the lone senior leader for the 2023-2024 season. Perez said, "The Pro Action experience this year was an unforgettable moment. I feel blessed enough to attend and work with the best in the dancing world."

Iyana Robinson was one of the freshmen to experience the camp for the first time. Robinson stated, "I loved learning and performing with such a large diversity of dancers and professionals. It was a new challenge learning the routines, but I was able to obtain valuable experience as a dancer and performer."

The Saints also had an opportunity to tour the Richard MacDonald Art Exhibit at the Bellagio. Brock noted that the sculptured muscle details and technique in moment are a great lesson in dance education. MacDonald happened to be in his gallery for the day and took time to show the team his pieces and talk about his upcoming projects and Guinness World Record achievements.

The competitive dance squad is preparing for the 2023-2024 season. The Saints will attend multiple sporting and community events throughout the year.