Stoney Creek varsity dance team alumnae bring dance to local middle schoolers
ROCHESTER, Mich. — Grace Krajewski & Lily Herbstreith, two Stoney Creek High School Dance team alumnae, grew up loving to dance and fully understand what it takes to be beautiful dancers and noble leaders in the local dance community.
The two girls started dancing as toddlers (in separate areas), meeting their friends at dance class, and learning to express themselves artistically. Grace began dancing when she was three years old at a local dance studio, where she later performed and competed as a competitive dancer on their dance team. As her training and talent expanded into perfection, she continued to thrive as a young dancer knowing she wanted to dance forever. After years of training with dedication and heavy focus, Grace then earned the opportunity to dance for the Michigan Ballet Theater.
She was privileged to perform in various classical ballets, including The Nutcracker, Copp茅lia, and Sleeping Beauty. After creating an impressive resume of dance opportunities and performances, Grace reached a crossroads where she needed to make a big decision. Grace needed to think about her future and which direction was best for her once high school arrived. After much thought, she decided the Stoney Creek Varsity dance team was the best place for her and decided to try out. Of course, Grace made the team and began a new chapter of dance, perfecting her skills. This is the time she met Lily.
Lily Herbstreith also started to dance at a very early age. Age 2, to be exact. And like Grace, she spent years having fun training to dance expressively, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Loving the many opportunities to make friends, learning great techniques, and being driven by joy and motivation, Lily knew from the beginning that she would love dance forever. At a young age, she competed at nationals in Orlando and traveled to compete at other dance competitions in big cities like Chicago. But soon, Lily would reach an age where she decided what she wanted to do with her talent once high school arrived. After much contemplation, Lily also chose to try out for the Stoney Creek High School Varsity Dance Team. And, of course, she, too, made the team.
The journey of both dancers offered many rewards, including memorable experiences, titles & achievements, and awards honoring their hard work and dedication. They both claim that making the Stoney Creek Varsity Dance Team changed their lives in many positive ways, and both also feel their Stoney Creek Dance Team coach has been their greatest inspiration thus far.
Grace was the Stoney Creek Varsity Dance Team captain in 2020-2021, a UDA Gameday Finalist in 2020, UDA Pom National Finalist in 2019, UDA Nationals Game Day 3rd place medal winner in 2019, and a member of the USPBL Senior Collegiate Dance Crew in 2019, a YAGP New York Finalist in 2017, and a Michigan Ballet Theatre company member. She is now pursuing a minor in dance at Michigan State University.
Lily was the Stoney Creek Varsity Dance Team Captain in 2019-2020, a UDA Gameday Finalist in 2020, a UDA Pom Finalist in 2019, a UDA Nationals Game Day 3rd place medal winner in 2019, and a member of the USPBL Senior Collegiate Dance Crew in 2019. She was also on the Grand Valley State University Dance Team in 2020-2022.
It鈥檚 incredible how these young local leaders have taken their journey as young competitive dancers full circle to highly knowledgeable adult coaches offering inspiration and elite training to young middle schoolers in the area. They have just begun and are eager to inspire young students to love dance just as much as they do while teaching principal techniques.
Grace & Lily are now the coaches of the new Cougars Elite Middle School Dance Team, a self-funded, competitive middle school program for dancers in the Rochester area who will soon be attending Stoney Creek High School. Their goal for this team is to prepare young hopefuls interested in dance or high school dance team success. They recently participated at UDA (Universal Dance Association) camp this summer at Oakland University with their students. The Cougars Elite team will be competing at regional dance team competitions alongside the Stoney Creek Varsity and JV teams later this year. Outside of competing, Grace & Lily are also excited to coach their young dancers through a few SCHS football game appearances and upcoming performance opportunities in the Rochester area.
Students in 6th – 8th grade who will be attending Stoney Creek High School and are planning on trying out for the Stoney Creek JV and Varsity dance teams, are welcome to try out for the team this Spring. Dancers on the team will learn the skills, techniques, and dance styles that will prepare them to be on the Stoney Creek JV or Varsity dance team. Dance team style vastly differs from what dancers learn in their dance studio, making it invaluable for them to be well-versed in the 鈥榙ance team鈥� style before trying out for future high school and college teams. This team also provides its members with memorable experiences, including performing at high school sporting events such as football games.
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