by Kathy Hain-de Jong, Founder and President, College in 3-2-1/Dance into College
Learning and growth tend to occur when people come together with a common interest. That was my experience at the 2025 National Dance Coaches Association Conference (NDCA) in Irving, TX, in May. While the numbers in the association and attending the conference are still small, the dance team industry is beginning to develop a path forward that promotes growth in a structured way to benefit all involved. The mission must be to keep the focus on the health, safety, and advancement of the dancer, but secondarily, assuring that coaches in the dance team industry are trained and valued as any other athletic coach.
Kathy Hain-de Jong, Founder of College in 3-2-1/Dance into College, greets high school and college coaches at the NDCA Conference.
The rise of the dance team industry was on full display May 15th-18th. At the NDCA conference, about two dozen vendors, including Dance into College, displayed booths promoting their products and services. Costume and uniform vendors brought their best and brightest bedazzled samples. Combine and convention opportunities, dancewear, pom, and dance training vendors educated attendees.
About 15 minutes down the road, Tribe 99, a dance combine and choreography business, was hosting their annual main event, The Dance Combine. Hundreds of college dance team prospects gathered to demonstrate their technique and performance skills to dozens of college team representatives. While Tribe 99 may have put the concept of the dance combine on the map, several other companies are now presenting the format throughout the country.
Dance teams no longer live in the shadows as an afterthought. An industry is developing, and with growth comes challenges. At the conference, I was encouraged to see veteran and rookie coaches taking advantage of sessions on topics from incorporating storytelling in choreography to improving kicks to developing leadership.
I presented a session titled “Advocating for the Super-Student-Athlete: Assist with Navigating College Admissions and Recruitment.” I believe it is vital for high school and college coaches to hear the challenges high school dancers face as they try to be students at their peak, train and participate in their studios and dance teams, and participate in clinics and combines across the country, all while sifting through the avalanche information and frankly, misinformation, about how to make a team.
I applaud the coaches who attended and those who presented sessions. Melissa McGhee, Head Coach of The Ohio State University Dance Team, presented one of the most enlightening sessions titled “Bridging the Gap: Improving the College Dance Recruiting Process.” I was encouraged that she recognized that the college dance team recruitment process was fundamentally flawed. She emphasized that the NDCA was taking steps to help minimize the effort needed by dancers, including developing a common recruitment video that teams can opt to utilize. While it’s a good first step, much work remains.
A few questions must be answered: What entity should lead the development of the standardization and rules for college dance teams, dancer recruitment, and competitions without the presence of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)? The dance team industry includes more than coaches. How do we bring all parties to the table to create processes and standards that level the recruitment playing field, promote industry growth, and recognize college dance team members as Super-Student-Athletes who must have the same benefits and support as other athletes? Agreeing that there is a problem is the beginning of the solution.
It was a pleasure meeting many of the caring leaders of the industry at the conference. I look forward to continuing to advocate for high school students with a passion for dance and doing my part to move the industry forward.
Dance into College by College in 3-2-1 specializes in advising US high school dancers from 8-12th grade. Each dancer has a unique set of talents with different expectations for their college dance experience. We welcome dancers who want to find the best-fit college as a dance major, double major, or for a college dance team or company. We limit the number of dancers we serve to provide dedicated assistance. Comprehensive services are available for 9th-12th grade.
For more information, visit www.danceintocollege.com and follow us on Instagram and YouTube @danceintocollege.