Blinn College Treasures Dance Team
Sarah Barland - Coach
Sarah is a former member of the Blinn College Treasures Dance Team
and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State
University in San Marcos with a degree in Exercise Sports Science
and minor in Political Science. She then started her teaching
career at Mesquite ISD where she taught for 2 years at Berry Middle
school. Sarah then went on to Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD
to become the Director of the Award Winning RL Turner
Lionettes. She was the director of the Lionettes for 7 years
before coming back to Blinn as the coach of the Blinn College
Treasures Dance Team and Cheerleaders. Sarah is also a 7 year staff
member with American Dance and Drill Team School. She has
been the ADTS Novelty Staff Captain and Social Officer Coordinator
now for the past 3 years. Sarah has traveled to Florida as a member
of ESP productions which is the half time production company of the
amazing Capital One Football game.
The move to Brenham is a great one that puts her closer to her family. Her sister, Alice Henrichsen, with husband Eric and new baby Brady are all in the Houston area and parents Mary Sue Carter and Ken Barland still live in the Golden Triangle. Sarah is a graduate of Orangefield High School, member and 3 year officer of the Orangefield High School dance team, and All-American Dance team member her Senior year. Her hobbies include taking dance classes, triathlons, reading, and watching college football!
Michael Brewster - Coach
Michael Brewster enters his first year at Blinn as cheer/dance
assistant.
He has been involved in cheerleading for 10 years as a participant, coach and choreographer. A graduate of Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in business management, he was a part of three NCA Collegiate National Championships during his time there, and was captain of the 2006 team. Brewster also owns NSC, a cheer services company specializing in camps, choreography and music mixes.
Originally from Tampa, FL, Brewster grew up doing everything but cheerleading as he won national titles in both roller speed skating and roller hockey. He attended Charleston Southern University on a football scholarship before having his career cut short by a knee injury during his freshman year.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Dance Team members does Blinn have?
Blinn will have between 20 to 26 dance team members.
Where will tryouts be held?
Heineke Gym on the Brenham campus
What athletic events does the dance team dance at?
The Blinn Treasures dance team performs at all home football games, select away football games, men’s and women’s home basketball games, and women’s home volleyball matches.
How often does the dance team practice?
Practices are held five days a week with additional weight training and cardio conditioning occurring two times per week.
Are try-outs open to the public?
No. Try-outs are closed to the public.
How are Blinn Treasures selected?
Dancers are selected based on their ability to represent Blinn College as well as their ability to perform required technical skills.
What are tryouts like?
We will have two open try-outs and a closed final try-out. You may attend just one or both open try-outs. The final try-out will be by invitation only. The final team selections will be made at the end of the final try-out.
What are required skills?
Skills required as a dance team member are:
Double/Triple turns on both sides, axel turns, and fouette
turns.
Leaps, switch leaps, center leaps, and tilt jumps on both
sides.
Any advanced skills across the floor.
Is there a weight or height limit?
There is not a weight or height limit, but all potential members must maintain the appropriate fit and toned physique in order to participate in the required movement.
Do Blinn Treasures dance team members receive scholarships?
Yes. Every member of the dance team will receive some form of scholarship ranging from room and board, full tuition and fees, ½ tuition and fees, or use of books.
MAKING THE TEAM
The Blinn Dance Team will host a number of tryout sessions each spring to assess the skills, abilities and potential of interested and qualified candidates for the dance team and positions.
Tryout sessions are intended to be low stress events. For that reason they are conducted in a practice-like environment during which the level of each candidate’s skills and talents, and their ability to work with current and prospective team members, will be evaluated. A short interview with the candidate may be conducted at anytime during the sessions.
We will have two open try-outs and a closed final try-out. You may attend just one or both open try-outs. The final try-out will be by invitation only. The final team selections will be made after the final tryout. Tryouts will be held in the Heineke Gym on the Brenham campus. To schedule dates to attend, e-mail sarah.barland@blinn.edu.
Come ready to tryout. Candidates should wear a flattering/supportive bright color sports bra and black hot shorts of their choice. Bring both jazz shoes and tennis shoes. There will be an area for you to freshen up.
Incoming freshmen must have already applied to Blinn College in order to try-out. Students cannot be admitted on any type of probation.
