In response to high student interest, Whitworth Athletics started a dance team this fall! The inaugural seven-member team has been sharing its talents at football games in the Pine Bowl. It is coached by the multitalented Angela Pierson, MFA – a teacher, dancer, performer, director, choreographer and storyteller. After teaching dance at Whitworth for several years, she now joins us as a full-time staff member.
Q. What’s your background?
A. My journey with the arts began early. I started dancing at age 3, with tap and ballet initially, and then expanded to dancing competitively in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary and musical theatre. Over the years, I have had the privilege of traveling annually to train in larger markets, including programs with the Radio City Rockettes, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and a Paris Summer Dance Tour through SDF Productions. These experiences shaped not only my technique but also my understanding of dance as a lifelong practice rooted in discipline, storytelling and joy.
Q. How did you get into coaching dance teams?
A. In high school, I was a four-year member of our nationally recognized dance team. After graduating, my coach, who saw my potential as a choreographer before I did, encouraged me to apply for a teaching position with USA Dance in Los Angeles. I was selected and began traveling the West Coast to coach teams, discovering that I found just as much fulfillment in teaching and mentoring as I did onstage.
Q. How did you bring a dance team to Whitworth?
A. For the past five years, I’ve coached the dance team at Mead High School. Over that time, several of my dancers expressed interest in Whitworth but ultimately chose other colleges because they wanted to continue dancing more competitively at the collegiate level. After many conversations with students, families and even faculty members, some of whom are dance parents, it became clear that there was strong support for launching a dance team at Whitworth. That encouragement gave me the final push to make it happen.
Q. How has your year gone so far?
A. I’m so proud to announce the launch of the Whitworth Dance Team. More than just a team, we are a family, a group of committed student-athletes who approach every opportunity with open minds and bold confidence. Our strength lies in our dedication to one another. With every step, we spread positive energy and support, uplifting and empowering our community through our shared passion for dance.
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