Having gained professional dancing experience with one Detroit pro basketball team, Chelsey Buhler is ready to take that experience to the next level.
Buhler, 18, an Ortonville resident and recent Brandon High School graduate, made the final cut for the Detroit Pistons? Automotion dance team during tryouts July 20-21.
She said she is the youngest of the 21 women on the dance team, with all the other members in their 20s. She also said Automotion members must be at least 18 years old, so she was not allowed to try out until this year.
She is currently in her second year with the Shockwave dance team for the Detroit Shock of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and serves as one of the team’s three captains.
As of press time, the Shock currently have an 19-8 overall record, good for second place in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference behind the Connecticut Sun. The Shock, who have already qualified for the WNBA playoffs, conclude their regular season schedule with an Aug. 13 game against Connecticut.
Buhler said as soon the Shock are done with their season (which could be the end of September or beginning of October, depending on how far the Shock advance in the playoffs), she will begin her work with Automotion.
Buhler said the tryout process consisted of three different cuts. Those that survived the first cut July 20, were invited back for the second round of tryouts, July 21, and those that survived the second cut went through an interview process and were asked to perform a special talent later in the day.
After performing her tap dancing and hula hoop routine for the judges, Buhler said she waited ‘about two or three days? before receiving word that she had made the team.
The Pistons and Shock have the same dance director, Rebecca Girrard. Buhler said her experience with the Shockwave gave her confidence when trying out for Automotion.
‘It definitely helped knowing her (Girrard),? Buhler said. ‘I knew the style of dancing they were looking for.?
She said she has not yet met her future Automotion teammates, but will have plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with them. Buhler said once she gets going with her Automotion schedule, she will practice with the team five days a week.
Once the Pistons? season starts, Buhler will perform with her Automotion teammates at all the Pistons? home games, and the dance team will also make more than 200 community appearances each year.
Buhler will juggle her Shockwave and Automotion duties with her college schedule at Oakland University this season. Buhler, who will be entering her freshman year at Oakland in 2006-07, said she plans to minor in dance, but has not decided on a major yet.