Professional dancers aim to both entertain and electrify their audience. Behind their calm and collected composition and their perfectly choreographed moves, lie sweat, determination and patience.

Niles North is very fortunate to have not one, but two talented dance teams– Auroris and Vikettes.  While most people consider each group to be an extension of the other they are, in fact, very different.

Vikettes have been performing for Niles North since the late 1960s.  These hard-working and energetic dancers have represented North in competitions throughout the state while also performing at pep assemblies and sporting events.  Their main routines consist of kicks, poms, jazz and hip-hop dance.

Senior Vikettes captain Erin Ray is proud to be a part of such an energetic team. “I love it,” she says “It’s my life. It may be extremely competitive but it teaches girls how to have self respect and give it all you have.”

Unlike Vikettes, Auroris Dance Company does not engage in competition. However, they do perform during pep assemblies where their sole objective is to entertain the audience.  From August to January Auroris prepares for its annual show.  Their performance consists of 20 numbers, all with varying lights, costumes, music and dance styles.  The company often asks guest choreographers to teach them a new dance routine for the big show.  All of Auroris’ success would not be possible without the guidance and support of their coach, art teacher Deanna Sortino.

Auroris focuses on a variety of different dance styles ranging from cultural and ethnic dance to hip-hop, jazz and ballet.  This expansive spectrum of dances makes their performances much more entertaining.

“To have an experience like this is amazing. We learn so much and love what we do,” sophomore Saadat Kaplinsky said. “I’m so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful team, and loving family!”

Auditions for both teams are intense and intimidating. Students are required to perform a dance number before a panel of three to four judges.  When demonstrating their skills, dancers must prove that they have both technique and the ability to quickly learn a routine.  Before preseason tryouts, Vikettes and Auroris hold dance clinics for those students interested in joining the team.  This allows prospective dancers to practice their routines, perfect their skills and increase their knowledge of the activity.

This year, nearly 100 dancers auditioned for Auroris but only 27 made the team. Auroris holds two days of auditions, one for hip-hop and the other for jazz dance.

Sophomore Sivan Eliasoff, a former Vikette who’s now part of Auroris, said, “Auditions for both teams can be nerve-racking. Although both auditions focus on the same skill, Auroris looks more for technique, while Vikettes focuses on dance ability.”

About 80 girls tried out for Vikettes; only 35 made the cut.  Since then, even more have dropped because of the pressure.

Unlike Auroris, which consists of one unified team, Vikettes is comprised of three separate groups: Freshman, Junior Varsity and Varsity.  Teacher  Jody Klenetsky runs the entire Vikettes program.  When she isn’t arranging competitions, she’s coaching the Varsity Vikettes.  Team members credit a great deal of Vikettes’ success to her efforts at creating a unified team.

The biggest difference between these two talented dance teams is that Auroris is co-ed, while Vikettes is just for girls.

Vikettes and Auroris Dance Company are both demanding and challenging.  However, each have their own style of dance and performance.

Next time these talented, hard-working and committed dancers perform (catch the Auroris show, “Spectrum,” on Jan. 25-26 in the Auditorium) for you be sure to show them your appreciation now that you know what goes on behind the scenes.