Samford University introduced Alexandra Casanova this past week as the new head coach of the dance team. After not having a dance coach this past season, the dancers and Samford are excited to introduce a new face to the team.
Casanova began dancing at the age of three when her parents placed her in ballet classes. After this original class, she took ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, hip hop, lyrical and pom.
After dancing for so many years, she became an Auburn University Tiger Paws. She was then given the opportunity to dance on the University of Kentucky’s dance team.
Due to COVID, her dance team and the rest of the world were shut down. However, this brought her to Samford, where she got her masters in elementary education and her bachelor’s in psychology.
She began teaching dance less than two months ago when a mother of one of her former students reached out to her and asked her to help privately train her daughter in preparation for auditions for her school dance team.
This snowballed, and she began helping girls prepare for their tryouts for dance teams at different middle and high schools across the community. One of the parents informed her of the open position at Samford.
When asked, Casanova said that she wants to take the dance team to a nationally competitive level, and she is expectant for the success of the 24 returners and 9 new members.
Her vision for the dance team is “deeply rooted in President Taylor’s broader vision for the athletic/spirit programs,” as she wants them to “have integrity, be committed to excellence, be competitive at the highest levels and win,” said Casanova.
Casanova showed her passion for the team through everything she said.
“My goal is to build a program that not only develops strong, disciplined dancers, but also empowers these young women to use their God-given talents to compete—and shine—on a nationally competitive level,” said Casanova.
Kayleigh McKinnis, an upcoming senior member of the SUDT, describes her hopes simply.
“My expectations for this season is to enjoy the process and have fun while doing it,” said McKinnis.
McKinnis talked much about the changes that the SUDT has had to go through, but she said, “I hope that as a team although change is hard that we can be flexible and adaptable to whatever comes our way this upcoming season.”
McKinnis talked not only about her expectations for the season, but for Coach Casanova. She met Casanova, funnily enough, at Target and felt that she knew her already.
The dancer describes Casanova’s strength in leadership and passion for dance and Samford.
“You can tell through her words and actions she truly has her team’s best interest at heart and wants this program to grow and thrive,” said McKinnis.
With a new season ahead and the new up and coming Coach Casanova, it is the hope for the Samford Dance Team to grow, compete nationally and win!
