The Brebeuf Jesuit High School is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their Girls Varsity Dance Team 
finished 1st Place in the Indiana High School Dance Team Association State Championships. The team closed out their highly successful season as State Champions in the AA Jazz division and State Runner Ups in the AA Hip Hop division! Also, this was the third State Championship for the Brebeuf Dance Team, winning previously in 2010 and 2012. Additionally, one of their soloists finished 4th in State Senior Solos and two of their younger soloists finished 3rd and 5th in the State Junior Solos.
Ann Coan, the Head Coach of the Brebeuf Dance Team, describes their team as a diverse group of talent and technical backgrounds. All 22 dancers work for the benefit of the team, which has produced multiple State Championships. The team has been described as “outside the box of typical high school dance teams”, “mature”, and “exploring new territory in choreography and performance.”
In Ann’s opinion what separates their dance team from other dance programs is the culture of the Brebeuf Dance Team which is one of hard work, mutual respect, and openness to growth. The girls lift up and empower each other for the benefit of the whole.
Aside from the Regional and State Championships, Ann’s proudest moments being part of this dance program have been watching all the girls who have gone on to pursue dance in college, be successful not only with their continued dance education, but as a person in whole. Also, Ann says that it is heartwarming all of the vets who return on their breaks to stop in on practices to give a hug and touch base. The fact that they want to continue their connection with the team after they have graduated.
In Ann’s opinion, the one thing that the seniors tend to know about dance that the younger dancers still have not learned is how to find a balance between their academics and intense dance practices. They also know that the team can only reach its highest potential with everyone on board – physically, emotionally, and mentally and will lead with humility to pull those struggling afloat.
Ann’s goals for the team this year is to always perform and compete at a level above what they accomplished the prior year, and do so with a cohesive team trained in a positive, yet demanding, environment. Her ultimate goal for each dancer is for them to graduate and leave the program as an empowered young woman with a voice and a calling.
Some of the other things Ann believes we should know about their dance team is that she has been teaching and coaching dance for the past 24 years. She builds her teams on heart and respect. She believes that if, when her girls graduate, she can say they were challenged and successful, have a heart to serve others, and had fun along the journey, she has accomplished her mission.
If you would like more information about The Brebeuf Prep High School Dance Team, visit their website at brebeufathletics.org/dance or email them at acoan@brebeuf.org. You can also “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Ann Coan of The Brebeuf Prep High School Dance Team.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
