Rayna Reid is aware of competitors. Greatest acknowledged for her fierce, athletic dancing and personality-packed solos, the previous comp star has just lately introduced her abilities from Alexandria, Virginia, to the University of Minnesota Dance Team. This month, she’ll be competing in her first Common Dance Affiliation School Nationwide Championship. The stakes are excessive for Reid’s first UDA look: All eyes shall be on Minnesota because it defends its pom title and goals for first place in jazz after ending second in 2025.
Dance Spirit caught up with Reid forward of the occasion to speak dorm life, studying pom, and what it’s actually like to bop on a high staff.
How is your first yr of faculty going?
It’s a bit traumatic proper now, however I’m having fun with it. Being part of the dance staff has helped me a ton. Having a bunch of those that share the identical ardour as me makes the transition simpler. I’ve made lots of shut associates fairly rapidly due to it.
What’s your main?
It’s journalism, however I believe I need to change it to psychology.
What’s it like balancing dance staff commitments along with your lessons?
My first semester has been a mixture of thrilling and overwhelming, however in a great way. It took me a bit to get used to the tempo. There’s extra independence and much more duty. I’m nonetheless attempting to determine which examine habits work greatest for me, and I really feel like I’m getting the grasp of it.
How’s the eating corridor?
It’s really not that unhealthy! It’s simply the timing. We get achieved [with practice] round 8:30 or 9 pm, and the eating corridor closes at 9, so we’ve got to hurry over from follow. However the meals is respectable. (Type of.)
Is there something about being on the U of M Dance Crew that has stunned you?
It’s been difficult determining learn how to go from being an unbiased dancer to a staff dancer, however I sort of like worrying about two dances slightly than 20, [like I did as a competitive dancer]. It’s been refreshing to concentrate on these two, attempting to include some features of solo efficiency into a bunch whereas nonetheless mixing in.
I’d by no means achieved pom earlier than since I got here from a contest studio, so studying that—learn how to make my strikes as sharp as doable and sticking and holding them—has been difficult.
Have you ever discovered mentorship with any older teammates?
I lean loads on Matt Greco and Alyssa Jacobs. They’re two of my largest inspirations. It’s good to see how they deal with every step and the way I can incorporate that into my dancing, too.
How have you ever been making ready for UDA?
I’ve been specializing in staying in keeping with my coaching this season. There’s a recreation facility [close to] the place I reside, so every time we don’t have follow, I’m going there and work on pom and jazz method. I’m attempting to ensure all the pieces appears to be like intentional and equivalent to the entire staff. I’m additionally attempting to higher my stamina since faculty practices could be extra intense. I’ve been engaged on protecting my teammates and myself hype for the components of the dance which are very hard-hitting and tiring.
The college provides a sports activities psychologist for the dance staff. I see her each different week, simply to debrief and speak about college and life. Being homesick has been a giant subject. After each session I’ve together with her, I really feel a lot extra relaxed and have a weight taken off my shoulders.
What are you most trying ahead to at UDA?
I’m excited to see the opposite groups and associates from totally different faculties. I’m additionally excited for everybody to see our routines as a result of we’ve been working so onerous. I’m not frightened about what anybody says. I simply need us to be pleased with ourselves.
If I got here off the stage figuring out that I left all of it on the market and did what I needed to do for my staff, that will make me the happiest.
The hype surrounding this yr’s occasion is ramping up. How does it really feel to be a part of a high-profile staff?
I’m nonetheless attempting to course of that I’m on the U of M Dance Crew! It’s onerous for me to appreciate even once I’m in follow—I’m like, “Wait, that is the staff that I used to be watching on TikTok a yr in the past.” I’m excited to be part of one thing so huge. I’m simply attempting to calm down and be right here for my staff. I need to do my greatest and not likely fear about what social media has to say.
What can followers sit up for about this yr’s efficiency?
“Intense” is the phrase that we’ve been utilizing. When individuals watch it, they’re gonna be like, “Whoa, that is Minnesota.” We’re not one thing you possibly can look over. You need to hold watching. Our staff is so distinctive—all of us have totally different strengths, and once we come collectively it’s like one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than. I’m so grateful to be part of this staff as a result of everybody desires it so badly.
