If you happened to go to the Detroit Pistons? Jan. 17 home game against the New Orleans Hornets, you probably saw a familiar face on the court.
Dancing with the Pistons? Junior Automotion Dance Team was Savannah Moeller, 11, of Oxford.
‘The most exciting part is performing in front of the people and having an adrenaline rush,? said Moeller, whose first time performing was during the first timeout of the Pistons? Dec. 29 home game against the Orlando Magic (which they won, 88-82). ‘It went really well and I felt really good about it. I think the others on the team did also.?
The Jan. 17 game was Moeller’s final time performing with the Junior Automotion dancers: the age limit for that group is 7-11. Besides the game-time dance, they also performed at a Palace dance pom competition.
According to the Pistons website, the junior automotion team began in 1996. The program’s purpose is ‘primarily to foster youth relationships with Automotion, to teach dance technique to the potential future of Automotion and to teach young girls what it is like to be on a professional dance team.?
Moeller, an Oxford Middle School student, originally found out about the dance team from the internet, auditioned in December and was accepted a few days later.
‘I went to the Palace [of Auburn Hills], they taught us a routine and we had to do it,? she recalled. ‘They put us into groups to do the dances and they judged us.?
She hopes to someday be on the adult Automotion team and has even met members of the Pistons Dance Team Automotion
‘They help teach our classes and they’re really supportive,? she said. ‘They go back stage and help us get ready. They line us up out on the sidelines. They’re a big help and are all really nice.?
Moeller’s mother, Kim Caufman, is proud of what her daughter has been able to accomplish. ?[Savannah] loves dance and reaches out and grabs any opportunity to do it,? Caufman said. ‘This one just sounded like something different. To be able to perform in front of that many people, she’s never had the opportunity to do that. I’m really proud of her.?
Moeller, who’s been dancing competitively since the age of six, currently trains at Lake Orion’s L.A. Dance and hopes someday to become a professional dancer and possibly an actress.
‘My dance teacher is Miss Laura [Berger], and she inspires me to go out there and have fun and follow my dreams,? she said.