Pro Dance Spotlight: Skyleaders Dance Team Director, Amanda

This week’s Pro Dance Spotlight is on NBA D-League Skyforce Skyleaders Dance Team Director, Amanda. She spent 2 years on the court as a dancer herself, before stepping into the role of Game Operations Manager, Group Sales and Director for the highly-acclaimed Skyleaders Dance Team. The former Skyleader (2006-08) has also appeared in local productions of Chicago, Fame, Godspell and Seussical the Musical. We caught up with Amanda to learn a bit more about this ambitious pro dancer turned director!

Name: Amanda Simon
Team: Sioux Falls Skyforce
Years on squad: 4 (two dancer/ two coach)
Occupation/school: Dance Team Director, Game Operations Director, Group Sales Manager for the Sioux Falls Skyforce
Degree: Communication Studies/ Theatre & Fine Arts; Painting from the University of Sioux Falls

What’s your favorite pro cheer & dance memory? I would have to say my entire first year as a coach. Through our league (NBA Development League), I was able to spend a day in New York with Danielle and the Knicks City Dancers. I also caught a preseason game at the Garden and was down on the floor with a media pass. Traveled to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves Dancers and talk to their director as my girls were able to perform at halftime in front of a sold out crowd! Also went to L.A. and caught a Lakers game. Went to other D-League venues to see how teams do their thing on game days.

What do you do with your time outside of pro cheer & dance? Musical Theatre is a necessity! Sharing my passion with kids has also led me down the path of Theatre for Young Adults/Children’s Theatre. Throughout the year I direct, choreograph and help produce musical theatre with kids.

What is your dream job? Choreographing and directing musical theatre

What accomplishments are you most proud of ? Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Certificate of Merit for Choreography in the musical Fame!

What was your prior cheerleading/dance experience? My senior year of high school I went out for the dance team and I haven’t stopped since! My background consists mostly of Musical Theatre which I am very grateful for. I’ve had the opportunity to dabble in ballet, tap, jazz to name a few, but through the Sioux Falls Skyforce Skyleaders, I was able to branch out into other genres.

What advice would you give to those auditioning for pro cheer & dance teams next season? PERFORM! You will be in a room of gorgeous, talented women and you need to stand out! In my auditions, girls come from a broad range of backgrounds; no experience, strictly cheer to 20+ years of dance. I’m looking for potential (as a dancer and teammate) and a passion for performance. There’s a great George Balanchine quote that sums it up: “I don’t want people who want to dance, I want people who HAVE to dance!”

Sioux Falls Skyforce Skyleaders Dance Team

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