Meet Cassie Lindsey, Phoenix Suns Dancers Coach and Former ASU Dance Team Member!
"Say YES as much as you can, even if it scares you and never take any opportunity for granted."
For this week’s edition of More Than Poms, we are featuring…
Cassie Lindsey
Phoenix Suns Dancers Coach and Former ASU Dance Team Member
1. Tell us about yourself! What is your background and how has that led to where/who you are today?
As a Phoenix native I have danced and taught at several studios and schools here in the valley. I grew up in Ahwatukee and trained at many studios including Master Ballet Academy and Tempe Dance Academy. After high school I danced with the Arizona State University Spirit Squad Dance Team for three years. I was very lucky to be a part of the 2017 ICU World Championship team and won gold in the jazz category. After college I still had such a passion for performing and I wasn't ready to give it up, so I tried out for the Phoenix Suns Dancers. For several years I danced from Fall-Spring on the NBA court and all through the summer I taught high school and college dance camps with UDA. As time went on, I was offered more positions with Varsity Spirit such as judging regional and national competitions, choreographing summer camp material, and even commentating on ESPN for NDTC and College Nationals. After the Phoenix Suns NBA Finals appearance in 2021 I thought I would be done dancing. Right when I was finally ready to say goodbye our current coach at the time decided to step down. That was when the position opened, and I thought why not apply? In 2022 I was offered a coaching position alongside Weezy and we have been here ever since! I feel like my whole life I knew I was going to make a career out of dance, but I never thought it would be in sports. It really was something I fell into at the perfect time, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
2. What are some of the most valuable moments and take-aways from your time on a college dance team? And what do you see now as a UDA instructor for college camps that maybe you didn't realize while being on a team yourself?
There are so many great things I learned from being on a college dance team. Growing up in studio it's an individual sport. Of course you do group dances, but all national competitions boil down to one dancer. Dance team is a whole other world. You are one unit and what you do impacts everyone else. That was my most valuable lesson learned; well that and how to push a sled at 6:00 in the morning. It also introduced me to UDA and some of my most valuable friendships that I still have to this day. On the flip side, once I became an instructor and saw the other side of things it was a huge reality check. I got an exclusive look at how those top three winning teams worked and how they got to be where they are. How they practice, their relationship with their coaches, even where they draw inspiration from. Looking at the differences between the ASU program and other nationally ranked teams now it is clear as day what we needed to do to go the distance, but when you're in it looking out, you cannot always see why. With that being said, we still placed every year including our third-place jazz routine in 2016 that is one hundred percent my favorite of all time!
3. What made you take the leap to the pro level and how did you prepare for it? What are some of your highlights of being an NBA dancer?
To be honest, when I tried out for the Phoenix Suns Dancers, I thought I would be there for two years at the most. There were a few other girls who had gone from ASU Dance Team to pro and I wanted to check it out. After one season I was hooked. Not only with the style of dance but how everything worked behind the scenes. Putting on a show of that size 40+ times a year is not easy to do. Some of my favorite memories were dancing in Brazil and Mexico City, being on stage with Dierks Bentley, and the entire NBA Finals experience in 2021. My advice for any dancer going into the pro team world is to find the team that suits you. Every NBA and NFL team has an identity, and you will have a much greater experience if you can be yourself.
4. Was being a coach something you always dreamed about? Tell us about your experience being a coach for the same dance team you were once a member of and what that means to you! And now being on the other side of things, as a coach - what do you recommend dancers focus their attention to when going after their professional dance dreams?
My first coach Sumer Meyer was a huge role model for me. I had always thought about coaching a college team, but she inspired me to move my aspirations to the NBA. I also have to shout out my last coach on the team Kaitlyn Conley. She was a huge catalyst in the growth of this program and her style still inspires so much of what we do today. Being on the other side of things feels very natural. The knowledge I gained from UDA has helped me stay organized and creatively inspired. It means so much to me that dancers have great things to say about this organization, and that is because of the culture we've built and the talent we are so lucky to have. If you are a dancer looking into college or pro team dance, I always say research! If you are a hip hop dancer you look at schools like Cincinnati, SDSU, UCF, or teams like Clippers and Mavs. If you are a jazz dancer you look at schools like FSU, Hofstra, Ragin Cajuns, or teams like Bulls and Brooklynettes. Once you have narrowed it down practice their style, not only in dance but appearance. Attend clinics, ask veterans for advice, follow them on social media. You want to show up to auditions looking like you're already on the team and all you need is a uniform.
5. As you see the dance community continue to evolve, what are some goals that you have for yourself and for your team, along with any advice for other dancers wanting to reach the same goals that you have?
The dance community, especially here in Arizona has changed so much since I was in college. My goals are to continue coaching for as long as I can. Anyone can create great routines, but I want to grow great people. I truly think that everyone who leaves our organization is better for this experience and that is all I can ask for! I could see myself coaching a collegiate program one day, but for now I am super happy to be where I am. My advice for anyone wanting a career in dance or coaching is do not have tunnel vision. You could think you want to live out in LA but once you get there it may not be a great fit. Keep your options open and try everything! If I never walked into that tryout eight years ago, I wouldn't be where I am today. If I let myself think it was 'professional dancer in New York' or failure I would not have the amazing life I love so much. Say YES as much as you can, even if it scares you and never take any opportunity for granted.
HUGE thank you to Cassie for taking the time out of her busy schedule to share her story, wisdom, and encouragement with all of us! What an incredible journey she has had and I love how she continues to pour into the dance community with her passion for dance and bettering others.
I hope you enjoyed this interview and feel motivated to keep your options open and try everything, as Cassie said, you just never know where you might end up! Might be better than your wildest dreams. I love what she said about finding a team / place that you can be yourself - somewhere you feel at peace and confidently you is where you’ll thrive! And that goes for any job, career choice, move, life event etc.
Until next time, thanks for reading!