Check Out Bianca Caryl’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Caryl.

Hi Bianca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been coaching and teaching dance in the valley for over 25 years. I have worked at the high school, studio, and collegiate levels. In 2020, I was asked to join the National Dance Coaches Association to assist with some leadership positions that needed to be filled. I eventually became one of the founding members of the Inclusion and Engagement committee, which worked diligently during the Covid shutdown to develop programs to help improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the dance team industry. I currently serve as the Director of Inclusion and Engagement for the NDCA and love every opportunity to share my passion with others. To date, we have successfully launched a DEI certificate training program for dance coaches, dance lesson plans, and other resources on our website that are geared towards multi-cultural genres and DEI, and My Dance Story, a quarterly feature for Inside Dance Magazine that shares personal stories of dancers who have had unusual or inspirational journeys of success in the dance team industry.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been a few bumps in the road. Any project that starts from scratch will face challenges moving from the concept phase into the logistical and fully operational phase. These things take time, sometimes much longer than we would want, but the result is worth the wait. For example, we have been working for nearly two years on creating a scholarship program to assist under-represented populations or dancers with financial hardships. Correctly establishing a non-profit fund, complete with a Foundation Board of Directors, and filing all the proper paperwork is highly time-consuming. However, we keep forging ahead to ensure we can eventually provide financial assistance to dance teams or individual dancers so that they can continue their training or purchase new uniforms and supplies. This is our dream, and though the process has been challenging, we can not wait to see the fruits of our labor come to life soon!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have just completed my 6th season coaching the athletes on the sidelines and performing at halftime of ASU football, basketball games, and other sporting events (Hockey, Volleyball, and Baseball). My work outside of the National Dance Coaches Association is serving as the Head Coach of the Arizona State University Sun Devil Dance Team (and Spirit Squad). Our program is known for outstanding performance and choreography and for being a part of the Sun Devil Marching Band while supporting Sun Devil Athletics with exceptional fan engagement. The ASU Dance Team is also a highly competitive program in its own right. We recently won 1st Place in D1A Jazz at The College Classic and drew many talented Arizona and out-of-state dancers to our recruiting events, clinics, and tryouts yearly.

Within the NDCA, I specialize in DEI as Director of the Inclusion and Engagement program. I help host coaches’ training, provide presentations around the country at conferences and events, and call dance professionals into our conversations about DEI issues. I am so proud of this work which would not be possible without the support of my amazing colleagues, our association directors, Teri Rowe and Carrie Smith, and our membership. What we are doing within the National Dance Coaches Association is slowly helping to improve the outlook and opportunities in the dance team industry by sharing our mission. We are committed to helping create a more diverse and inclusive dance team community. We are stronger when we take deliberate steps to include, value, and trust each other to create an upbeat dance team experience for all dancers, regardless of race, orientation, or background.

Are any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I love Dr. Chelsea Pierotti and her Passion for Dance Podcast, Larkspur Dance and Choreography, and their Dance Team Podcast. I also love Choreography Pros and their app, where you can find fun choreography and even free routines! Instagram accounts I follow with lots of good tips and information: Doctors for Dancers and Sharpen Up Dance Team Training.

Contact Info:

• Website: nationaldancecoaches.org
• Instagram: @nationaldancecoachesassoc
• Facebook: National Dance Coaches Association
• Linkedin: Bianca (Zumbo) Caryl
• Other: @zumbocaryl