The SOMO Dance Crew was developed in a partnership with Coach Erin to give our Special Olympic Athletes a platform to compete and train within the professional dance world.
The benefits of Hip Hop training are:
Special Olympics Hip Hop is viewed as a bridge toward a more fully equalized dance world, providing the same opportunities and experiences for all populations and experience levels with the desire to dance with excellence and freedom. By fostering an integrated, creative community of dance athletes and coaches, we look forward to sharing our dances and journeys together while setting goals for each individual that lead to self-actualization and ultimately joy. Let the dance begin!
| Coaches | TBD – Head Coach Sandra Toledo – Assistant Coach |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Rockville High School Under 21 – 5:30pm to 6:15pm Over 21 – 6:15pm to 7:00pm First Practice March 7, 2024 Qualifiers: May 11, 2024, Urbanna High School, Ijamsville, MD State Games: Friday June 21, 2024, at Towson University |
| Medical & Volunteer Expiration Date | Sport’s State Games competition date June 21, 2024 The expiration date on an athlete’s Medical form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above date to participate in the upcoming season. Check athlete status here. Check volunteer status here. |
SOMO will provide T-shirts and Jackets. Athletes must return these at the end of the season. Athletes must wear their own black leggings/pants and white tennis shoes.
Location: Rockville High School, 2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville, MD.
Timing: Practice occurs on Thursday evenings. Hip Hop athletes of age 20 and under practice from 5:30-6:15 PM. Dance athletes of age 21 and older practice from 6:15-7:00 PM.
Activities: Each practice starts with a warm up that includes stretching and light cardio, followed by practice to learn choreography.
The State Hip Hop Competition is held on the Friday of SOMD Summer Games at Towson University.
All athletes must commit to attend at least 80% of practices, and participate in the Mandatory Qualifier, in order to be eligible to compete in Hip Hop at Summer Games.
Athletes participating in Hip Hop may also participate in other sports as long they can fully participate in each sport. See Guidelines for Managing Participation in Multiple Sport Policy. Athletes should seek Head Coach approval from both sports if they want to participate in more than one sport. Cheerleading and the Friday Evening Conditioning program do not need approval.
Athletes in Hip Hop compete as a team, so each athlete makes a commitment to support the team and attend team events. The Hip Hop Athlete Contract outlines these commitments. The Hip Hop Head Coach will distribute the Hip Hop Athlete Contract at the first practice.
