Flamettes Dance Team Learns To Practice And Perform From A Distance

Twenty-four girls sit hunched over and cross-legged in a misshaped circle on the grey rubber ground in the studio. They fidget with their clothing as three leadership members rundown future events, work out scheduling errors and discuss what it means to be a leader. Talking emerges as they all disperse, put away phones and spread out across the room. “Jump the line” by Harry Belefonte begins and the girls break into dance. 

The Flamettes will not get to physically perform during basketball games as normal this year, but the curtain has not closed on their performances. They have worked around new guidelines, recorded performances and spiritual blocks in order to continue dancing, all while fighting to become an official team with Liberty. 

Kayleigh Light, a co-captain, explained how the team had to revamp its normal schedule in order to abide by COVID-19 regulations. They used to practice three days a week but have had to condense down to one day. Due to exceeding the number of people allowed in the LaHaye Gym, the location where the Flamettes typically rehearse, the team moved to two off-campus dance studios; 7 Hill Dance Studio and Forest Dance Academy.

“It’s just super disappointing, but our motto this whole entire year has been rolling with the punches,” said Light. 

Although this is not how they expected their season to unfold, they feel blessed to be given the opportunity to perform virtually. Liberty’s athletic department has filmed the Flamettes performances that are played on the big screen during the basketball games. 

“I just have to think about other people and what they’re going through right now… how lucky I am to even be at a college that is on campus,” Jill Meyers, a freshman with the Flamettes, said.“I have other friends on other dance teams all over the country and they haven’t even gotten to perform anything at all, not even filming. The fact I even get to do filming right now, I’m lucky.” 

Through these obstacles, the dancers have learned to lean on God and each other. Every Tuesday evening, the dancers gather for Bible study. This year, the dancers have been resting specifically upon Psalms 19:21 ESV: “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”

“God has taken these closed doors and turned them into something beautiful,” Mia Nelson, the spiritual development coordinator for the Flamettes, said.

One of the doors the Flamettes are hoping will open is becoming recognized as an official Liberty team. They are currently in charge of providing all funds in order to cover needs like uniforms and pompoms. They have ambitions for multiple uniforms, competitions and even scholarships. 

“We would eventually love to have the athletics department recognize us as an official team,” Light said. “We want to promote school spirit and really appreciate any support we can get.” 

At the end of the day, the focal point of their team is to bring glory to God. They have learned to adapt and overcome the challenges this season brought and turn it into a blessing. 

“Christ is the center of our team,” said Nelson. “We dance because we have the joy of the Lord to dance. We dance to give other people joy.” 

The Flamettes virtual performances will be played during the men’s basketball games throughout the rest of the semester. Tune into the video streams to see the Flamettes perform.

Peyton Mackenzie is a Feature Reporter.