Last semester a new organization was introduced to Mississippi State University. The Starlight Dancers, a minority dance group, mixes various forms of music and dancing to create a performance like no other on campus.
The Starlight Dancers were founded by Ralph Brown, whose passion for dancing inspired him to form a group with a more contemporary feel to it.
“We do all different kinds of dancing,” said squad leader Apryl Gunn. “We’ve done everything from majorette to hip-hop. It’s just whatever feels right.”
With rap or hip-hop music in the background, their performances are upbeat and energized. They’ve performed to several popular songs in the past, including “Work, Baby, Work” and “Rock the Boat” by Master P.
After performing at several Greek functions and a couple of times at the Sanderson Center as entertainment, for example, the Student-Faculty Basketball game, the Starlight Dancers are quickly becoming known around campus. They will be performing during Homecoming week and at the game on Saturday. Although they are not dancing on the field, they will have a place in the stands to perform next to the band, and will be able to dance at all of the games for the rest of the season.
“We’re hoping to get to dance on the field at some point,” Gunn said. “We have to show ourselves in the right light and prove that we can represent MSU in the right way. Hopefully they’ll eventually see that we can do that.”
None of this comes without practice, however. After such a demanding practice schedule last semester of putting in several late nights a week, the Starlight Dancers have tried to ease the load to a degree. This semester, practices are on Friday nights and Saturday mornings. With a GPA requirement to meet, the members of the team have to have time for schoolwork as well as practice time. “We lost a couple of girls last semester, and we definitely don’t want that to happen again,” Gunn said.
For those who are interested, tryouts are held every fall and are open to freshmen through senior girls.