Dance Team choreography can be a simple, elegant combination of a few perfectly matched line dances to your favorite music or it can be an intricate mix of line and partner dances, formation changes, movements that form shapes on the floor and transitions from lines to circles danced to a combination of different songs.

Dancing a choreographed routine with a team of people is exciting and fun, but choreographing the routine is even more thrilling.  As a choreographer you are the artist bringing the music to life through dance.  This is a rewarding experience that goes beyond footwork on the floor—it involves creating a performance that makes the audience feel like they are dancing with you and remembering you long after the music stops.

 
If you are an avid “Dancing with the Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance” fan, you’ll remember a favorite Pro and Celebrity dance couple performing a routine that everyone loved and how it affected you emotionally.  You might have imagined yourself dancing with the Pro or decided to create your own dance routine using similar steps and movements.

When choreographing a dance routine for a team of dancers there is an additional element of complexity involved because you are dealing with dancers of all experience levels, dance styler, personalities and interests.

As a choreographer you must consider all of these challenges yet remain true to the music and dance and not sacrifice the audience experience for a routine that is less than 100% perfect.

To begin choreography, choose your music. Next, choose your dances. Your music will determine the dances and how many basic repetitions of the dance or dance patterns you will complete.  You can use whole songs or combine multiple songs to create one routine.

My preference is to select music that make people tap their feet and want to dance, where the tempo is upbeat, the lyrics are positive and the lead vocalist is a powerful singer.  If the song stands out to the point that you want to listen to it over and over and immediately see yourself dancing to it, you’ve got a great song.  Use it.  If not, select another song.

Your routine could include line dancing, partner/couples dancing and/or solo dance steps used to change formations, cross lines or move dancers across the floor.  If using multiple songs, you might start off with a up-tempo song, cut it at an appropriate spot and add a slower song, then end the routine with another upbeat song to leave the audience wanting more.  Or you might want to communicate a more dramatic message, selecting smooth music that is a slower pace for the entire routine.  It is up to you.

Once you select the music, you can break down the song and create a phrasing map.  Count the beats in each section.  Listen to the lyrics and musical elements that allow you to be creative. Spotlight those parts of the song in your dancing. Make a note of this on your map. The routine should start to develop in your mind.  If nothing comes to your mind, it is probably not the right song mix for you.

 
After finalizing the music selection and completing a phrasing map, you can insert where the line dances, solo steps, partner dance patterns, formations, breaks, transitions, poses and special movements will go.
Sketch these ideas out on your phrasing map, assigning the dances to the different sections of the song, then begin choreographing the footwork while dancing it to the music (as you choreograph) to ensure that it fits perfectly and flows from one section to another.

Here is an example of how a phrasing map might look for an average routine combining line and partner dancing.  Your assignment of dances and transitions will be based on the music.
This is just an example.
Section 1
1-16     Dancers dance to position on floor from off-stage
or dance to position from an on-stage location.
(you may hold four counts and begin moving on count 5)
17-32   Catchy 16 count step pattern to set the formation and grab the audience’s attention

Section 2
1-32    Line Dance 1 
1-32    Line Dance 2 
1-16    Change Formation
17-32  Catchy 16 count step pattern to set new formation

Section 3
1-32    Partner Dance—Dance Style 1 
1-32    Partner Dance—Dance Style 2
1-16    Change Formation
17-32  Catchy 16 count step pattern to set new formation

Section 4
1-32    Line Dance 3 (could be Line Dance 1 with variations)
1-32    Partner Dance---(could be a combination of Dance Style 1 and 2)
1-16    Change Formation
17-32  Catchy 16 count step pattern to make an impact.

Section 5
1-32     Catchy 16 count step pattern (bow, wave, domino), dance off stage.

 

Your phrasing map will be different for each song and combination of songs you blend into a routine.  Have fun with it.

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Once your routine is choreographed, teach it to your dance team, practice, practice, practice, modify segments that are not working or don’t look like you expected it to, practice again, fine-tune steps and motions to achieve synchronization.  Improve your styling, smile, then get out into the world to perform your routine in front of an audience.

 

These two events provide you with opportunities to participate in Dance Team competitions for new and experienced dance teams.

The Dance Team Showdown at the Dance For All, Ft. Wayne, Indiana February 27-March 2, 2025
World Dance Showdown in Indianapolis, Indiana, November 13-16, 2025    

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