A&M-COMMERCE ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF DANCE TEAM FOR 2012-13 SEASON

COMMERCE, Texas –- Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletic Director Carlton Cooper today announced the formation of a Lion Dance Team, which will begin in the fall of the 2012-13 athletic season and perform at various Lion home events. In addition, Cooper announced the hiring of Ashley Rocke as A&M-Commerce’s Head Dance Coach.

“This is an exciting day for A&M-Commerce as we continue our goal of charging forward,” Cooper said. “We are looking forward to adding a dance team to add to our game day experience, and I can’t think of anyone better to head up this new venture than Ashley Rocke. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and connections in the Northeast Texas area and I am looking forward to great things out of the A&M-Commerce dance team.”

Rocke is an award recipient and graduate of the University of North Texas where she was the founding President of Chi Tau Epsilon Honor Society for Dance. Ashley was the 2000-03 Appearance Director for the NBA Dallas Mavericks Dancers, and aided in coordinating appearances for the dancers throughout the community.

Her specialization is in the area of drill and performance team training, and she provides training and choreography for both high school and college teams.  Rocke has also directed both competitive and non-competitive teams as well as developed concepts and marketing for two dance studios in the Dallas area.  Ashley is additionally on staff with The Hockaday School and Dance Industry Performing Arts Center.  She is an International Choreographer for TIGI Haircare, under the Artistic Direction of TIGI and Esalive Event Management.

Rocke has been given the task of forming the first dance team in A&M-Commerce history.  Preliminary auditions for the 2012-13 Lion dance team will be held Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Field House on the A&M-Commerce campus.

Those interested in auditioning are encouraged to attend prep classes, which will be held March 8, 20 and 22 and April 12, 17 and 19 for a cost of $10 per class. Final auditions will be held Saturday, April 21 at the Field House.

For more information on auditioning to be a member of the Lion Dance Team, including the application process, prep classes and auditions, contact Ashley Rocke at (903) 468-8659 or email at Ashley_Rocke@tamu-commerce.edu.