Recently I had the opportunity to interview Jessica Smith, the Bengal Bell Dance Line’s Sponsor and Choreographer. According to Jessica, the Belles “are first and foremost, a sisterhood of all shades, colors and sizes.” Their team is “full of life, soul, and tons of energy.” Jessica looks forward to going to practice just to get in a good laugh. During football season, the Belles have a rally every week and the team has to work very hard to live up to the standards set by previous teams. Living up to their reputation creates extra stress, especially during practice. However, they always know that result is worth all the work and stress.
Jessica loves to motivate her team and uses a number of different ways. She advises them to
stay focused and to correctly learn the material. In order to help her girls improve their dance,
she reviews their previous performances with them and encourages them individually to make
any necessary corrections. To reward the girls who may have gone the extra mile, the girls do
“shout outs” after each practice. Just before each performance, Jessica gives them one last
pep talk basically encouraging them to just have fun and remember what they have practiced.
The night before state competition, Jessica and the girls meet in her room. It is a very emotional experience and it feels like the girls finally understand the purpose of all their hard work.
stay focused and to correctly learn the material. In order to help her girls improve their dance,
she reviews their previous performances with them and encourages them individually to make
any necessary corrections. To reward the girls who may have gone the extra mile, the girls do
“shout outs” after each practice. Just before each performance, Jessica gives them one last
pep talk basically encouraging them to just have fun and remember what they have practiced.
The night before state competition, Jessica and the girls meet in her room. It is a very emotional experience and it feels like the girls finally understand the purpose of all their hard work.
As a coach, she has had many proud moments. But, the state competition in 2007 sticks out in
her mind. The music began to skip as the girls were doing their routine. “I could feel my heart
sink in my lap.” The girls just kept on dancing. Even though the music skipped again, the girls
finished the dance perfectly. After they completed the dance, the girls were just devastated.
Jessica immediately ran to the competition director and requested the opportunity to redo the
dance with their backup music. When the director agreed, Jessica ran to inform the girls of their chance
to redo the dance and advise them of the things they needed to correct. Even though
they were exhausted, they performed their routine perfectly. The Belles ended up winning first in
their division and winning the state championship in hip hop. Jessica said, “I wasn’t proud
because we won, but because they didn’t get defeated when it was so easy to just give up.”
her mind. The music began to skip as the girls were doing their routine. “I could feel my heart
sink in my lap.” The girls just kept on dancing. Even though the music skipped again, the girls
finished the dance perfectly. After they completed the dance, the girls were just devastated.
Jessica immediately ran to the competition director and requested the opportunity to redo the
dance with their backup music. When the director agreed, Jessica ran to inform the girls of their chance
to redo the dance and advise them of the things they needed to correct. Even though
they were exhausted, they performed their routine perfectly. The Belles ended up winning first in
their division and winning the state championship in hip hop. Jessica said, “I wasn’t proud
because we won, but because they didn’t get defeated when it was so easy to just give up.”
Jessica believes the biggest mistake dancers make during competition is not recovering from a mistake. Some dancers give away the fact they made a mistake by making a funny face or
dropping their expressions. It is important, however, to remember that mistakes happen and no
dropping their expressions. It is important, however, to remember that mistakes happen and no
one is perfect.
As far as their uniforms,
anything that glitters and has
a “bling” effect is always a plus.
Although sequin uniforms are
beautiful on the field, they are
usually very uncomfortable for
the girls.
anything that glitters and has
a “bling” effect is always a plus.
Although sequin uniforms are
beautiful on the field, they are
usually very uncomfortable for
the girls.
Jessica’s personal goals for
each year don’t change.
Her first goal is to inspire each girl in some way. This is especially
challenging when the coach side
of her comes out. Sometimes
feelings can get hurt because
she has to be very firm. Nevertheless, she tries to be understanding and supportive. She tells them to never take her personally when she is coaching. Her second goal is “to create a year that is memorable, fun and successful.” She strives to ensure a great yearfor every girl, especially the seniors. Jessica’s top priority is that each girl tries their very best, not necessarily for the team
to win.
Success is usually the natural result of doing their very best.
each year don’t change.
Her first goal is to inspire each girl in some way. This is especially
challenging when the coach side
of her comes out. Sometimes
feelings can get hurt because
she has to be very firm. Nevertheless, she tries to be understanding and supportive. She tells them to never take her personally when she is coaching. Her second goal is “to create a year that is memorable, fun and successful.” She strives to ensure a great yearfor every girl, especially the seniors. Jessica’s top priority is that each girl tries their very best, not necessarily for the team
to win.
Success is usually the natural result of doing their very best.
I asked Jessica about her stand out dancers. She said she has four standout dancers this year – SuSu, LaPreshus, Kayla and Cayla. She said these four girls try their hardest in everything.
Watching them grow as dancers makes her proud to call herself their coach.
Watching them grow as dancers makes her proud to call herself their coach.
By Cyndi Marziani
Bailar Dancewear
