Dancing into history at Cambridge
MILTON, Ga. — When the Cambridge Dance Team first stepped onto the competition floor this year, they were not just performing a routine. They were making history.
This marked the very first season of a dance team at Cambridge, and with it came equal parts excitement and uncertainty. Under the leadership of teacher and sponsor Gena Barnhardt and community coach Leslie Malone, the vision was simple but bold: build a legitimate program made up of quality dancers who shared a true love for performing. What unfolded over the course of the season exceeded even their highest expectations.
Comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, the team competed two numbers, hip hop and jazz. In their debut season, they earned two first place finishes, two second place finishes, and two third place finishes. To place both routines at every competition was an extraordinary accomplishment for a first year program. At State, where only the top six teams are called to the floor out of 21 competing teams, Cambridge heard its name announced twice. The team placed third in hip hop and fifth in jazz, a moment that cemented their arrival on the Georgia dance scene.
Rather than naming captains this inaugural year, the focus remained on unity. Every dancer learned to lead by example, support one another, and grow together. Before each performance, the girls channel their excitement into high energy moments that reflect their genuine joy. They truly love to perform, and that passion is undeniable when they take the floor.
After each competition, wins are celebrated with reflection. The team sits down together to review score sheets, always asking how they can improve. That mindset of constant growth is already shaping the foundation for seasons to come.
Looking ahead to the 2026 and 2027 season, interest is high and auditions will be competitive. The team will also expand its presence by performing at home football and basketball games, bringing a new level of entertainment and school spirit to Cambridge athletics. Tryouts are scheduled for April 21 through 23, and a mini camp will be held July 15 through 17 to share their love of dance with the community. Details can be found on their instagram page: @cambridgebearsdanceteam.
For Coach Malone, the pride is unmistakable. These dancers took a brave leap into something new, trusting the process and each other. In doing so, they did more than win placements. They built a program, a culture, and a legacy in its very first year.
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