Angela Pierre, member of the Pace University dance team, has been dancing since she was six years old, so when the opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl came, which was hosted locally for the first time, it was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.
“The experience was amazing” said Pierre, a junior nursing major also minoring in psychology and women and gender studies. “’Every time I went to the rehearsals, it felt like a mini concert.”
Performing in the Super Bowl is a once in a life time experience, so it’s natural for one to feel nervous and star struck at the same time.
“I was nervous going into it because I didn’t know what to expect, but the love and professionalism from the staff for the Super Bowl was comforting” Pierre said. “Surprisingly, Bruno Mars is actually really short in person, but he is a great performer along with his bandmates. They connected with audience on a fun, personal level.”
The opportunity arose when Ana De Villegas, who is the head coach for the Pace dance team, as well as the owner of the Gotham City Cheerleaders, was approached by the NFL casting company for the halftime show.
“I was given some liberty on bringing members that are not necessarily on the GCC” De Villegas said. “I was thrilled to extend the opportunity to a few of our Pace Dance Team members because they are absolutely hard workers. Balancing all the things that college life brings is not easy, and this team really puts in a lot of hours rehearsing.”
De Villegas contacted three of the dance team members, but there was one thing about Pierre that De Villegas knew would be what the NFL was looking for.
“I knew that her passion and love for performing was exactly what they were looking for in order to draw the energy necessary from a stadium with 90,000 people!” De Villegas said.
Dancing isn’t just a form of entertainment for Pierre. It’s an escape of the everyday life, a way to connect with people that goes beyond words.
“Music is my escape and I connect with it through dancing” Pierre said. “It’s a powerful feeling when a person can relate to you through music and dance. Using body movements to portray a message or a feeling can be serene.”
Pierre and the rest of the dance team can be seen performing during the Pace basketball games, with the next one being Saturday, February 8th as the Setters take on American Int’l at 1:30pm.