The Northern Michigan University Dance Team recorded a historic achievement by advancing to and placing in national dance competition finals for the first time. The team took 9th place in Pom and 14th place in Jazz at the Division II level at the 2025 College Classic National Championship in Orlando, Fla., in April. Members built on the success of last year's noteworthy milestone of qualifying for national competition for the first time in NMU history.
“It was surreal,” said Allyson Smail, team president. “Last year, we gave it everything we had, and even though we didn't make it to finals, it motivated us to work even harder. Coming back this year and making it to finals was such a full-circle moment, and a reflection of all our hard work and growth throughout the season. Watching the dancers perform at that level really showed how far we've come and what we're capable of when we stay focused.
“This year, we had a lot of new members, so the team dynamic was different. We focused a lot on refining our technique and fine-tuning our competition routines. The fresh energy from the new dancers and a stronger focus on the details really helped to take us to the next level.”
The strides are particularly impressive for a student-run, self-funded team that lacks the resources or support other teams might have available. Smail said she knows firsthand how much dedication goes into making everything work, from fundraising to organizing practice schedules. She expressed pride in the team's commitment and ability to keep pushing forward, despite the challenges. Next year, the team has elevated its goal to placing even higher in finals.
“One thing we're really going to focus on is improving our choreography,” Smail said. “At competitions, we got feedback about wanting more dynamic, professional-level choreography—something you'd expect from experienced choreographers. Since we are a student-run team, we don't have the same expertise or resources. Still, we will work hard to make the choreography stronger and more creative. If we can improve in that area, it'll push us further and help us place higher. We might not always know exactly what the judges are looking for, but we're committed to making each routine as dynamic as possible.”
In addition to Smail, other members of the team who competed were: Lillian Anderson, Rilan Cope, Jenna Filieri, Abigail Foskuhl, Ava Hansen, Madeline Longson, Keira Loranger, Abigail Luke, Audrey McInstosh, Tiffany Myres, Fairyn Novak, Nina Osier and Erin Seiler.
According to its website, the NMU Dance Team is made up of students from diverse dance backgrounds who draw on each other's strengths to succeed as a team. Members serve as NMU ambassadors on campus and in the community, performing at home football, volleyball and basketball games, as well as various university events. The team's faculty/staff adviser is Tricia Bush.
