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Dr. Rapps and Carroll Dance team outside Fiserv Forum
The dance team at Carroll University is a special group, where the love for dance is only one part of the experience. Team members learn the ups and downs of life, build lifelong friendships and strengthen bonds through countless hours of practice and performances.
"My favorite part about the dance team is my teammates. I love dance, but it’s the team that makes it even more special," said one of two captains, Abby Mahoney. “I am lucky to have a group to share the same passion I have and are so supportive.”
Dr. Julie Rapps, who is in her 25th season coaching Carroll’s Blaze Dance Team, is a fundamental part of what makes the team so special. While she educates the dancers on the history and traditions of the team, Dr. Rapps’s approach goes beyond training dancers; she fosters a warm environment, offering mentorship both on and off the dance floor.
“What I enjoy most about coaching is the relationships with the dancers and watching them develop as dancers, young adults and leaders throughout their years on the team,” Dr. Rapps said. “Coaching Carroll’s dance team has been one of the great joys of my life.”
In a joyful twist, Dr. Rapps has also joined a team of her own as a dancer for the first time. She is now a member of the Milwaukee Bucks Grand Dancers (BGD). Inspired by teaching dance in Carroll’s musical theater program, she auditioned in July and made her exciting debut in October on the floor of Fiserv Forum. The teacher had become the student, and Dr. Rapps's dancers were as proud as any coach would be.
“I was beyond excited to find out she would be continuing her own dance career,” said Braden Schrock, the team’s other captain. “I am not exaggerating when I say that many tears were shed! It was so amazing to be in the audience for someone who has spent so many years watching us!
“She absolutely killed the performance,” Mahoney added. “We were way up in the nosebleeds and screamed so loudly when we saw her run out of the tunnel, she spotted all of us and the biggest smile appeared on her face. We were all so excited and proud.”
After stepping back from dancing in 2005 when her son was born, Dr. Rapps reconnected with her passion during the pandemic, taking online classes in her basement. She then saw the Bucks Grand Dancers as a unique opportunity to get back on “the stage.” She said the audition was a thrilling experience; though the choreography was a challenge, her four decades of experience and precision in movement gave her confidence leading into her first chance to show out.
“The performance was an incredible rush – thousands of people cheering for us in a big arena,” Dr. Rapps recalled. “And it was made even better by my own personal cheering section! I was so touched that every member of the dance team that didn’t have class came to my first Bucks Grand Dancers performance.”
For Dr. Rapps and the Carroll dance team, it was another amazing moment to share among coaches, dancers and Blaze alumni. A lot of great memories have been created since Dr. Rapps took over in 2000. One of the top highlights came a couple of years ago when the team worked tirelessly throughout the season to improve in their competitions.
“At the last competition of the year, the team earned first place finishes for both of their routines, which combined with some high soloists’ placements from the team, allowed us to win the whole competition,” Dr. Rapps replayed. “It was a very exciting and emotional day!”
But as excited and proud as Dr. Rapps and the dancers are of their on-the-floor successes, it always comes back to the camaraderie, support and closeness that makes the Blaze Dance Team an incredible group. Whether it’s a big slumber party filled with hours of dancing, laughing and creating long-lasting memories, or Christmas parties and summer boat days, the cohesive culture of the team is second-to-none.
“This team really is a family, and Dr. Rapps is like a mother to a lot of us, giving us honest critiques, but also supportive, uplifting and encouraging,” Schrock said. “And I have grown so close to my teammates. They truly are the most kind, considerate and genuine people I know. I genuinely couldn’t imagine my college experience – or my life – without this team.”
“Dr. Rapps cares so deeply about our team, both inside and outside of dance,” Mahoney added. “As a captain, I face lots of ups and downs, but she always made me feel welcome to talk about my concerns and she validates my feelings. She puts so much trust into this team.”
That trust is displayed in Dr. Rapps's coaching style, running the dance team as a democracy with the coaches having veto power. Putting the control in the hands (and feet) of the dancers is what helps ensure the team’s performances stay fresh and modern with a coach having spent a quarter of a century guiding the squad. Admittedly, Dr. Rapps saw her experience as a potential negative when trying out for the Bucks Grand Dancers.
“Many Bucks Grand Dancers are very cool, groovy movers that just ooze style and rhythm,” said Dr. Rapps. “My performance style is more sharp and precise given how I coach my dancers. I worried my style would be too different to fit in well with the team.”
I tried to get the two captains to play the role of “coach” and asked them to offer Dr. Rapps some constructive criticism. After all, she is in the spotlight now. One of the young women gave just the slightest of peeks into an area of improvement. But both captains stuck to the positive, encouraging theme of the Blaze Dance Team.
“I would love to see her become more loose and relaxed, especially in hip-hop,” Mahoney suggested. “She is very detail-oriented and cares about each movement, look and step to make it the absolute best. Dr. Rapps has such elegance, poise and sharpness when she dances.”
“Dr. Rapps’s greatest strength is 100 percent her energy,” Schrock added. “All of the dancers out there were phenomenal but her energy and excitement make her the star!”