Dynamite Express Jazz Dance and Drill Team

Dance Connection 2 got its start in 1986 when owner Mary Anna Gooch started Dynamite Express Jazz Dance and Drill Team. Joining this team is a way for students who love to perform to get as much out of their dance experience as possible. The dancers on this team range in age from 5-17. The groups within the Dynamite Express are Dance Line, Rockets, Xplosion, Firecrackers, Sparklers, and Snapcaps. Members are encouraged to take classes in Jazz, Ballet, Pom Pom, Hip Hop, Tap and Tumbling. Click here to view other classes Dynamite Express may take.

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More About The Team

The drill team is a level up from recreational, providing a slight bit more instruction time but a jump in the amount of performance time the children get to enjoy. This builds experience and practical, hands-on application versus just instruction and theory. It also helps build teamwork application as children are assigned into groups for multiple-dancer movement exercises versus just individual movement.

Dance Connection 2 provides all of its instruction and classes with experienced instructors and staff who have been teaching children of all ages for years. Most of the instructors have been teaching for more than a decade and have danced and competed themselves. There is no shortage of knowledge, background and talent that can be shared with new students and children as well as parents who want to develop their child’s dance career.

Being a members of a Dance and Drill Team is a wonderful experience for many dancers. Dynamite Express provides them with a safe place to express and be themselves. Dancers also gain life lessons that will carry over into other areas of their life. Their love for dancing and performing will have the chance to shine through.

Meet The DC2 Dynamite Express Drill Team Director

Tanya Norman

Tanya Norman took her first dance class at Dance Connection 2 was with Miss MaryAnna’s beginning jazz class. She was turning 9 at the time of her first dance recital. Her passion for dance grew quickly and she wanted to become more involved. After her second dance recital she tried out for the drill team and became a Dynamite Express member. In 2001 at the age of 13 she danced with their junior company and competed in her first nationals in Hollywood. Tanya danced for the next couple years in junior company improving and growing as a dancer, and by age 15 she moved up into their senior company.

She has built her progress and talent through excellent and amazing teachers and choreographers. Tanya Norman was chosen as the 2005 dance scholarship winner for her dedication, hard work and integrity. She continued to gain experience by also dancing for Highland High Schools One Image Dance Company throughout high school. Her senior year ended with two honorable awards for Outstanding Choreographer & Senior of 2006. Meet Our Other Faculty…

Tanya Norman & Students At Season To Shine

My daughter looks up to Tanya so much! Her dedication to all of the kids is outstanding! HOW DOES SHE DO IT! With over 150 kids on the Dynamite Express team, she knows everyone’s name individual personality. She choreographs to their strengths and gives everyone a chance to shine!

Dynamite Express High School Halftime Performance

Snapcaps • Sparklers • Firecrackers • Rockets • Dance Line

Welcome to the best Dance & Drill Team in the Valley. Dance Connection 2’s very own drill team totals over 100 beginning and intermediate dancers that love to perform on different stages across Arizona. Dynamite Express is broken down into 5 different groups based on age. Our youngest, Snapcaps, who start at age 5 all the way up to our late teen group Dance Line. This diversified group of girls have a passion for dance and a drive for teamwork.

Not only will they get to perform, but the drill team members also get lessons taught by highly qualified teachers in Jazz, Ballet, Pom Pom and Tumbling. Their skill set will continue to grow throughout their time on the drill team. This experience can take them places in the dance world.

Dynamite Express Performs Here

Local High Schools
Community Colleges
Harlem Globe Trotters
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Coyotes
Arizona Rattlers
NAU & ASU
Stage shows
Parades

Dynamite Express is A Well Rounded Team

Not only do students learn to perform, but they also love to train in many different styles of dance ranging from hip hop, jazz, ballet, tap, tumbling and much more. Some girls even take additional Dance and Drill classes in order to keep up with their own will to succeed.

Dancers Learn More Than Just Dance!

In addition to dance, together the drill team learn more than just dance skills. The life lessons they will be taught will follow them forever.

Become A Knockout!

In addition to performing at local events, a select group of dancers from each age division called the Knockouts, compete at both regional and national dance competitions and conventions.

The Knockouts are another part of the Dynamite Express dance and drill team. Within each age range, a few advanced dancers are chosen to be part of the competing group, Knockouts. They display amazing dance ability and a dedication to dance along with having a love for performing. Along with the performances through Dynamite Express, drill team members are eligible to perform and compete in local and national dance conventions and competitions.

Knockouts Are A Great Group Of Girls!

The elite dancers of the dance drill team form the Knockouts. They were selected based on technique and performance quality, but also in their constant drive for friendships and teamwork. These girls are preparing themselves to enter into the DC2 Dance Company when they are ready.

Dance Connection 2 truly does have something for everyone!

What is Dance and Drill Team?

Dance and Drill teams are essentially a team of dancers, some beginning, some advanced, who enjoy the performance side of dancing. The routines are a mix of jazz, pom pom and tumbling. The dancers work together as a team and/or with a coach to create amazing choreographed routines for the enjoyment of people within the community. Many high school and colleges have dance teams and/or drill teams to support their sports departments. This is separate from cheerleading. Of course Dance Connection 2 has an amazing group of girls in their dance and drill program.

There is nothing better than watching a dancer get up on a stage and wow the socks off an audience.

Team Work

As children grow older, they begin to develop a sense of themselves and who they are. They also want to find people who have something in common with them and form relationships. They have a set group of people who work together as a unit and they live and breath dancing and performing. Together they develop a relationship and begin to find a better understanding of themselves through dance. Dynamite Express is an amazing place for young dancers to grow.

Dance Connection 2 started dance and drill teams to show off the amazing talent as a results of our dancers’ dedication, hard work, and team commitment!

Children who love to dance and perform may want to join the dance and drill team at Dance Connection 2. Being part of this amazing team can be a very exciting time for a child who loves to dance. There are so many benefits in joining a dance and drill team. It not only provides physical exercise but a sense of belonging and self-esteem.

We Invite You To Join Dynamite Express!

Dance Connection 2 wants to invite anyone that has a love for performing to check out Dynamite Express. To become part of Dynamite Express Dance Team you must be between the ages of 5 and 17. There are different levels within Dynamite Express based on age.

When joining the dance and drill team at DC2, there is the opportunity for dancers to share their love of dancing. The dancers on the drill team have a love for performing. They astound audiences in the valley on a regular basis. Not only will they get to perform, but the drill team members also get lessons taught by highly qualified teachers. Their skill set will continue to grow throughout their time on the drill team. This experience can take them places in the dance world.