Rayna Reid is aware of competitors. Greatest acknowledged for her fierce, athletic dancing and personality-packed solos, the previous comp star has lately introduced her skills from Alexandria, Virginia, to the College of Minnesota Dance Staff. This month, she’ll be competing in her first Common Dance Affiliation Faculty Nationwide Championship. The stakes are excessive for Reid’s first UDA look: All eyes will probably 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 group.
How is your first 12 months of school going?
It’s a bit hectic proper now, however I’m having fun with it. Being part of the dance group has helped me a ton. Having a bunch of those who share the identical ardour as me makes the transition simpler. I’ve made plenty of shut buddies fairly shortly 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 group commitments together 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 making an attempt to determine which examine habits work finest for me, and I really feel like I’m getting the grasp of it.
How’s the eating corridor?
It’s really not that dangerous! It’s simply the timing. We get carried out [with practice] round 8:30 or 9 pm, and the eating corridor closes at 9, so we’ve to hurry over from apply. However the meals is first rate. (Sort of.)
Is there something about being on the U of M Dance Staff that has shocked you?
It’s been difficult determining the best way to go from being an unbiased dancer to a group dancer, however I form 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, making an attempt to include some features of solo efficiency into a bunch whereas nonetheless mixing in.
I’d by no means carried out pom earlier than since I got here from a contest studio, so studying that—the best way 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 quite a bit on Matt Greco and Alyssa Jacobs. They’re two of my greatest 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 per my coaching this season. There’s a recreation facility [close to] the place I stay, so every time we don’t have apply, I am going there and work on pom and jazz method. I’m making an attempt to ensure the whole lot seems to be intentional and equivalent to the entire group. I’m additionally making an attempt to raised my stamina since school practices will be extra intense. I’ve been engaged on retaining my teammates and myself hype for the elements of the dance which are very hard-hitting and tiring.
The college provides a sports activities psychologist for the dance group. I see her each different week, simply to debrief and discuss faculty and life. Being homesick has been a giant matter. After each session I’ve along 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 buddies from totally different colleges. I’m additionally excited for everybody to see our routines as a result of we’ve been working so exhausting. I’m not anxious 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 group, that might make me the happiest.
The hype surrounding this 12 months’s occasion is ramping up. How does it really feel to be a part of a high-profile group?
I’m nonetheless making an attempt to course of that I’m on the U of M Dance Staff! It’s exhausting for me to appreciate even once I’m in apply—I’m like, “Wait, that is the group that I used to be watching on TikTok a 12 months in the past.” I’m excited to be part of one thing so huge. I’m simply making an attempt to calm down and be right here for my group. I need to do my finest and not likely fear about what social media has to say.
What can followers look ahead to about this 12 months’s efficiency?
“Intense” is the phrase that we’ve been utilizing. When folks watch it, they’re gonna be like, “Whoa, that is Minnesota.” We’re not one thing you may look over. You need to preserve watching. Our group 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 group as a result of everybody desires it so badly.
