The Benjamin Dance Team is an Upper School activity supported by the Benjamin Dance Ensemble.  This competitive team practices and performs through the fall and winter at football and basketball games as well as other school and community functions.  The team holds light, informal practices in the summer and begin their season with a rigorous two day dance camp in August.  Dance team competes at regional competition in February. 

2006-2007 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS:
Captain - Maddy Apple
Co-Captains - Bridget Riley & Calais Zagarow 
Nicole Alevizos, Maddy Apple, Alexis Araujo, Laura Baker-Finch, Alyse Bentz, Morgan Brannon, Angelica DeBiase, Gabi García, Tiffany Geiger, Ali McCraney, Bridget Riley, Kelly Ritenour, Kaley Schlechter, Jessica Wenger, Calais Zagarow

Dance Team News

2005-2006 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS: 
Captains - Maddy Apple & Rachel Ratner 
Co-Captains - Bridget Riley & Calais Zagarow 
Nicole Alevizos, Alexis Araujo, Laura Baker-Finch, Alyse Bentz, Morgan Brannon, Gabi Garcia, Tiffany Geiger, Kelly Ritenour, Kaley Schlechter, Jessica Wenger.

!Congratulations, Maddy Apple!            2006 Miss Florida Dance  
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2004-2005 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS: 
Captain - Tara Pillersdorf, Co-Captain - Ashley Simmons, Nicole Alevizos, Maddy Apple, Alexis Araujo, Morgan Brannon, Tiffany Geiger, Sabine Gempel, Sofie Ishaq, L. Ashton Leigh, Jamie McCluskey, Rachel Ratner, Bridget Riley, Calais Zagarow.  Alternates: Heather Bright, Kaley Schlechter

                  !Congratulations  Sabine Gempel ...newest member of the Elon Dance Team!

2003-2004 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS:  Captain - Rachel Bergner, Co-Captain - Marni Reed, Kristin Aiello, Maddy Apple, Sabine Gempel, Sofie Ishaq, Jamie McCluskey, Tara Pillersdorf, Rachel Ratner, Bridget Riley, Ashley Simmons, Aline Wachsmuth  Alternates: L. Ashton Leigh, Calais Zagarow

2003-2004 DANCE TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
2003-2004 was a great performance year for the Benjamin Dazzlers.  The team began with dance camp opportunities in the summer and in the fall.  Rachel, Maddy, Bridget and Ashton attended the Florida Dance camp at FAU in Boca Raton in July and brought back new routines as well as impressive awards. Rachel was selected as All American and Maddy and Bridget were picked junior All Americans.  Way to go, girls!  Before school began, the girls had a rigorous, two day workshop with instructors from Universal Dance Association were they learned new sideline dances and half-time routines to kick off the football season.  Rachel, Marni, Aline, Sabine, Maddy, and Bridget were picked to perform in the Pro Bowl (also known as the Hula Bowl) in Hawaii in February, 2004.  Once the season began, the girls plunged into a whirlwind of performances and dance opportunities at the school, as well as in the community.  The September 11^th Freedom Ride, hosted by WIRK, was a terrific moment to showcase the Dazzlers’ kickline and funk routines, along with an amazing jazz duet by Sabine and Aline. The Dazzlers performed at three American-German Club dates, as well as the holiday luncheon for the Junior League at the Breakers Hotel in December.  In January the girls were busy with the annual B.A.S.H. Variety Show and in February they attended the Florida Dance Competition at Garden’s High School where, along with the MS Dance Team, they walked away with numerous trophies and awards in both individual and team competition.  In March the Dazzlers performed for the Palm Beach Flower and Garden show and just recently, they concluded the year with their spring concert at the Eissey Theatre.  All in all, the girls had a successful season.  We would like to congratulate the seniors, many of whom will continue their dance training at the college level.  Congratulations Dazzlers for an amazing year! 

2002-2003 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS: Captain - Britney Lasater, Co-Captain - Maija Benincasa,

Maddy Apple, Rachel Bergner, Blair Buckman, Sabine Gempel, Jamie McCluskey, Sarah Nargiso, Tara Pillersdorf, Marni Reed, Ashley Simmons, Linnie Supall-Burks, Alternates:  Kristin Aiello, Stacey Maltin

      click photo to enlarge

2002-2003 DANCE TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

A great performance year for the Benjamin Dance Team!  The school year began with a successful EDA camp experience in August.  Dancers prepared for a rigorous performance schedule, dancing at home football and basketball games, the German-American Club, Jupiter Theatre, Abacoa Holiday Lights, The Junior League Holiday banquet, the BASH Variety Show, competitions and much more!  The highlight for many dance team members was the opportunity to perform at the Orange Bowl half-time show in January!  FDA competition in February and Starpower Competition in May were also successful events.  All in all, it was a great year for Dance Team!  Congratulations girls!

2001-2002 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS:  Captain - Jackie Campbell, Co-Captains – Heather Torretta, Jennie Tylka, Maija Benincasa, Rachel Bergner, Sabine Gempel, Britney Lasater, Tara Pillersdorf, Ashley Simmons, Linnie Supall-Burks, Aline Wachsmuth    

2001-2002 DANCE TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

2001-2002 was a very successful and productive year for the Benjamin Dance Team.  Under the direction of Captain Jacquie Campbell and Co-Captains Heather Torretta and Jennie Tylka, the Benjamin Dance team performed at school and community events, as well as the FDA (Florida Dance Association) competition in February.  Sophomore, Aline Wachsmuth and 8^th grader, Sabine Gempel, both came in 1^st in the soloist category.  The team received outstanding awards, including a special award for “Boy Band Mix”.  At Starpower Competition in May, the Benjamin Dance Team also won the “Pom-tastic” award for the same routine.  Congratulations to the entire team, and to Aline and Sabine for their outstanding performances.

In 2001, at  Nationals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Kate Hayden, freshman, placed 2^nd all around in the National Competition in her lyrical jazz solo.  Congratulations to Kate and to the entire Benjamin Dance Team for a fantastic year!

2000-2001 DANCE TEAM MEMBERS: Captain - Nikki Hodgkins, Maija Benincasa, Rachel Bergner, Kate Hayden, Britney Lasater, Courtney Powell, Cassie Scott, Ashley Simmons, Linnie Supall-Burks, Jennie Tylka, Aline Wachsmuth.

For further information, contact Mrs. Sara V. Salivar, Dance Team Coach, at ssalivar@benjaminschool.com    (561-626-3747 ext. 3623)