Jul
16
BlazerDancers Auditions: It’s a Sister Thing
By sarahhecht Posted in: blazerdancers
It’s normal for siblings to have similar interests, but in the
case of current BlazerDancer Eri and her younger sister Lisa it’s uncanny. Both
dancing from a young age—Eri started when she was six and Lisa followed when
she was four—the two have shared remarkably similar paths.
Four years is an important number when it comes to athletics.
It’s the magic time when siblings don’t get to participate together, one
graduates as the other becomes a freshman. For Eri and Lisa this was just the
case.
Their journey begins at Westside Dance Academy in Tigard where
the two danced from a young age. With a four-year age difference they never
shared classes though they were at the same studio. High school followed with
Eri and Lisa both becoming members of the Tigerettes Dance Team at Tigard High
School. Eri graduated the year before Lisa was a freshman, so again, they never
danced together.
The big stage and University of Oregon Cheer was the next step
for Eri and four years later... Lisa followed. Now with the chance at being a
professional dancer for the Trail Blazers, Lisa is tracing Eri’s path one more
time.
As they make their way through auditions the pair are working
closely together. In a surprise twist, older Eri is seeking help from her
younger sister in choreographing her one-minute solo. “She’s pretty good at
choreographing, so I’m trying to get her help,” Eri said with a laugh.
The two will spend hours perfecting their routines, searching for
costumes and prepping their “game-ready” hair and make-up. Come Sunday
afternoon they’ll have their shot to make family history.
With no guarantees in the process it's a nervous time for both sisters. If all goes as the girls hope, Eri will enter her fifth season as
a BlazerDancer. If Lisa is selected she’ll be a rookie. The most incredible part
of being a BlazerDancer for the two of them? Dancing together.
We’ve never danced together,” Eri said. “This will be a first,
so it’s really exciting. It’s my little sister and she’s all grown up!”