It seems like a year has past since the 2020 MSHSL dance tournament, in reality it was just six weeks ago. During the tournament Minnesota Dance News held a giveaway for us and the University of Minnesota Duluth dance team's Alison Pomerleau won the grand prize, a Dancers of Minnesota photo shoot for her and up to three friends.

It was great to be able to capture the talented dancers that call UMD home again. Matt had been able to capture some team photos a few years ago in Duluth.

We knew that there was this thing called COVID-19 when this shoot took place, but I don't think any of us had a clue what the next two weeks were to bring.

The dancers were on spring break when this photo shoot took place and we all learned that online learning would be the name of the game for the foreseeable future (the email came halfway through our shoot).

The next week saw the world change, at least for the moment, and I (Matt) have grown to cherish these photo shoots even more than before now that we are grounded from photo sessions for what looks like the next several weeks. Thank you Kami, Amber, Jordan and especially Alison for coming to this final photo shoot before Corona took over.

Meet the dancers from the University of Minnesota, Duluth who shared the afternoon with us.

Alison Pomerleau

• Studio: Woodbury Dance Center
• Graduation year: 2022
• Color: Maroon
• Favorite movie: The Greatest Showman
• Beverage: Water
• Game: Cards Against Humanity
• Music/Artist: Harry Styles and Justin Bieber

Any other fun facts about you and your dancing career?
I spent 16 years at Woodbury Dance Center attending Nuvo Dance Convention and Hall of Fame and Masquerade Nationals each year, earning Nationals Championships numerous times. I was a senior captain there before trying out for the UMD Dance Team. Transitioning from strictly studio dance to dance team has been a huge difference and I have loved both worlds!

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Kami Ashanti

• Graduation year: 2022
• Favorite color: Burgundy
• Favorite movie: Grease
• Beverage: Sprite
• Game: Monopoly
• Music/Artist: Miguel

Fun facts: I like to play ukulele, guitar, piano, and my favorite dance style is contemporary.

Amber Fleck

• Graduation year: 2021
• Favorite color: Yellow
• Favorite movie: The Shining
• Beverage: Water
• Game: Monopoly
• Music/Artist: Pink Floyd

Any other fun facts about you and your dancing career?
"I had the honor of winning three state championships in a row with my team from Eastview and got to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show and hold the American Flag at Super Bowl 52 in 2018! I have also had the honor of making history with UMDDT and performing pom for the first time this past year and making it to finals in both pom and jazz as well."

Jordan Fleek

• Studio: Northern Force Dance Company
• Graduation year: 2021
• Favorite color: Grey
• Favorite show: World of Dance or The Office
• Beverage: Kombucha
• Game: Life
• Music/Artist: Lewis Capaldi, Post Malone, Khalid

Any other fun facts about you and your dancing career?
I grew up training at Stagedoor and Northern Force Dance Company for 15 years. During those years, I attended 10 National competitions (Starquest, Masquerade, Showbiz, and Hall of Fame) Doing very successful at all of them. In high school I was apart of the Fall Blaine Dance Team and was named Freshman and Sophomore of the year and Bengalette of the season and most positive every year. I was on Miss Dance Team Minnesota in 2016 receiving 1st in California with our Large Group Lyrical. I danced with Justin Timberlake in The Super Bowl 51 Halftime Show. I have been on the UMD Dance Team for three going on four years, being the Captain for both my Junior and Senior year and receiving the Bulldog Award my Sophomore and Junior year.