North Carolina State University Athletics
Inside the Chalk Box: Aubrey Hine
10/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Oct. 22, 2014
RALEIGH, N.C. - In this week's Inside the Chalk Box, junior Aubrey Hine discusses the art of a floor routine and the process that goes into getting a new floor routine. Inside the Chalk Box is written by one of the student-athletes on the NC State gymnastics team, discussing the team's preparation for the season.
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By Aubrey Hine
Floor routines in college are all about a performance, yes, the skill level is important but I think it's the choreography and the way the routine is presented that captivates an audience. For this reason, a lot of thought, time, and energy are put into each gymnast's floor routine. Since it takes some time to truly master a new floor routine and build up the endurance to go with it, we normally keep our routines for two years before getting a new one. Some girls will get a new routine when they come in freshman year, while others may keep their floor routines from their club team for one or two years. It all just depends.
This year, was my first time getting a new routine. I'm already a junior and the floor routine I had my freshman and sophomore year was the same routine I've had since junior year of high school. Though I loved the routine, I was more than ready for a change. The first step in getting a new floor routine is picking the music. This is a lot more challenging then it may seem, especially for me since I had never picked my own floor music before. Luckily our associate head coach Colleen Johnson helps us throughout this entire process. She typically works with a DJ to cut all our music and once its ready she is the one who choreographs our routines. My last routine was fun and upbeat so I knew I wanted it to be similar in style. I found a piece by Shakira that I really liked and gave it to Colleen [Johnson] so she could find some other music to mix with it.
After the music is finished, the next part of the floor routine process is the choreography. Colleen and I went into the gym early on two different days and we worked together for roughly three hours to complete my routine. Since I love dancing, picking up the dance moves and remembering them comes fairly easy. However, to say I am a perfectionist would be an understatement so I know that I will continuously be going over each part until everything feels comfortable and perfect!
Gymnasts tend to each have their own unique styles of dance which helps to personalize their routines. This year we will have quite a few new routines. Brittni Watkins, a junior on the team is very eager to show off her new routine. Last year her routine was very dramatic and sharp but this year the fans will get to see a fun, bubbly side to her personality. One of our freshmen, Chelsea Knight, also got a new floor routine. It's easy to tell that she's an excellent dancer and will have no problem playing to the crowd. As for me, my routine this year is definitely more mature than the one I had last year but it still incorporates some of the shakes and dance elements that I loved from the previous routine. Floor has always been my favorite event because I love performing and I love dancing.
Now that I have a new routine, I can't wait for my junior season with the Wolfpack and the opportunity to showcase my new routine. I have high hopes for a strong floor line up this year, not only in our tumbling but in our presentation performance too. January is not far off and with new routines we are definitely looking to make STATEment! Go Pack!
RALEIGH, N.C. - In this week's Inside the Chalk Box, junior Aubrey Hine discusses the art of a floor routine and the process that goes into getting a new floor routine. Inside the Chalk Box is written by one of the student-athletes on the NC State gymnastics team, discussing the team's preparation for the season.
--
By Aubrey Hine
Floor routines in college are all about a performance, yes, the skill level is important but I think it's the choreography and the way the routine is presented that captivates an audience. For this reason, a lot of thought, time, and energy are put into each gymnast's floor routine. Since it takes some time to truly master a new floor routine and build up the endurance to go with it, we normally keep our routines for two years before getting a new one. Some girls will get a new routine when they come in freshman year, while others may keep their floor routines from their club team for one or two years. It all just depends.
This year, was my first time getting a new routine. I'm already a junior and the floor routine I had my freshman and sophomore year was the same routine I've had since junior year of high school. Though I loved the routine, I was more than ready for a change. The first step in getting a new floor routine is picking the music. This is a lot more challenging then it may seem, especially for me since I had never picked my own floor music before. Luckily our associate head coach Colleen Johnson helps us throughout this entire process. She typically works with a DJ to cut all our music and once its ready she is the one who choreographs our routines. My last routine was fun and upbeat so I knew I wanted it to be similar in style. I found a piece by Shakira that I really liked and gave it to Colleen [Johnson] so she could find some other music to mix with it.
After the music is finished, the next part of the floor routine process is the choreography. Colleen and I went into the gym early on two different days and we worked together for roughly three hours to complete my routine. Since I love dancing, picking up the dance moves and remembering them comes fairly easy. However, to say I am a perfectionist would be an understatement so I know that I will continuously be going over each part until everything feels comfortable and perfect!
Gymnasts tend to each have their own unique styles of dance which helps to personalize their routines. This year we will have quite a few new routines. Brittni Watkins, a junior on the team is very eager to show off her new routine. Last year her routine was very dramatic and sharp but this year the fans will get to see a fun, bubbly side to her personality. One of our freshmen, Chelsea Knight, also got a new floor routine. It's easy to tell that she's an excellent dancer and will have no problem playing to the crowd. As for me, my routine this year is definitely more mature than the one I had last year but it still incorporates some of the shakes and dance elements that I loved from the previous routine. Floor has always been my favorite event because I love performing and I love dancing.
Now that I have a new routine, I can't wait for my junior season with the Wolfpack and the opportunity to showcase my new routine. I have high hopes for a strong floor line up this year, not only in our tumbling but in our presentation performance too. January is not far off and with new routines we are definitely looking to make STATEment! Go Pack!
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