Team: Hofstra University Dance Team
Head Coach: Kelly Olsen
Location: Hempstead, NY
Style: College Dance Team - Jazz
Hofstra University Dance Team's Custom Jazz Uniforms
Earlier this winter, Kelly Olsen, the head coach of Hofstra University Dance Team, got in touch with us about needing a jazz costume for UDA College Nationals. She was on a time crunch, but we're always open to a challenge! We haven’t worked with the team before, but their impressive reputation as 11x national champions preceded them.
The team just returned from another successful year at UDA Nationals, and Coach Kelly shared the inspiration behind their jazz costume. "Our jazz concept this year focused on heart, mindset, power, strength, and the highs/lows that each season has. We had 4 males and 16 females so we went with a design that united all. We also went with a blue ombré … blue being one of our school colors but the ombré to really make it different and stand out."
Their approach to costuming created a seamless and cohesive look across all team members, both male and female. We know this isn’t always easy to do, and don't think we've seen a team do it better! One of our personal highlights – we loved how the bodysuit silhouette highlighted the power and athleticism of the team and pulled their concept together! We also loved the vibrancy of the blue gradient against the dark marley.
Congratulations Hofstra University Dance Team - we're looking forward to watching your team's continued growth in the years ahead! Check out a video of their jazz performance at UDA, and more Q & A with Kelly Olsen of the Hofstra University Dance Team below.
Images courtesy of Hofstra University Dance Team
What makes your team/group unique?
Our team is unique because we pride ourselves on pushing our athletic ability. We love that dance is an art but we thrive off it also being a sport. We work hard to train as athletes and to provide routines that have a strong athletic base to them. We love good solo moments but also work really hard to have full team skills.
What does teamwork mean to your team?
Teamwork is the underlying requirement for a successful season. Being able to communicate effectively with your teammates will be what creates the magic on the floor. We talk quite often on HUDT about how we all win or lose together, and that everyone on the team has a role that is needed for a successful season. It does not matter if you are center, back row, or an alternate…everyone plays a part. Our program has committees and one of those committees is team building. This committee creates fun ways for our team to bond and grow together outside of practice.
What is your favorite memory?
A favorite memory from Nationals this season was coming out of the prelim round in 1st place. There were two groups of prelims but our score was highest of all the routines. This was a moment and feeling we will remember forever because a top finish in the Division 1 category is a dream 30 years in the making. In addition to this memory, the feeling of coming off the mat after the semi final category was incredible as well…each team member felt the energy and power on the floor…it was everything we have been working for as a program. And I have to throw in a 3rd favorite memory…the love we have received from all over in regards to this routine and the costumes. People were stopping us everywhere we went to tell us how much they loved our routine and it was a favorite of the entire weekend!
Images courtesy of Hofstra University Dance Team
What is/was your team’s biggest challenge/opportunity this season?
Our biggest challenge was also our biggest opportunity…we had our biggest team ever with 32 athletes. We had to learn to navigate with different personalities, different visions, and different backgrounds. We had to work together to face every challenge thrown our way and had to come out even stronger. I am proud to say that this is exactly what we did!
What was your inspiration/concept and how was it incorporated into your costume, choreography, and music?
Our jazz concept this year focused on heart, mindset, power, strength, and the highs/lows that each season has. We had 4 males and 16 females so we went with a design that united all. We also went with a blue ombré…blue being one of our school colors but the ombré to really make it different and stand out. The team absolutely loved this costume and that translated into their dancing to create a routine that truly embodied what HUDT is all about.
What are you most excited about for the future of the Hofstra University Dance Team?
There are so many things to be excited for with the future of this HUDT program. But most fresh, is coming back even stronger in the Division 1 jazz category next season. This means another costume designed by The Line Up and that just adds to the excitement. Our program has several mottos and one of them is to Face Everything And Rise…and that’s exactly what this program plans to continue to do day by day.
Hofstra University Dance Team UDA Jazz Routine
Hofstra University Dance Team - UDA Jazz 2024 Performance
