UNLV’s Rebel Girls & Company discuss what makes them a winning team
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — UNLV Rebel Girls and Company have been dominating the stage and earning top spots during fierce competitions. While each dancer brings in their own unique style, it’s all about the team becoming one on the dance floor.
It’s a fun environment for Genesis Scott but it’s also where hard work comes into play.
“It’s not just about the wins, it’s not just about the results but the journey along the way like you learn so much about yourself as a person,” Scott said.
The guys are showing out as much as the girls, it’s the inclusivity and the legacy of the team wthat enticed Jonathan Jaramillo.
“The guys were really brought onto the team to bring in a whole different vibe and to give men in dance a whole new opportunity, so that’s been a fun dynamic,” Jaramillo explained.
Brandi Slade is the assistant coach for the team and she previously spent 4 years dancing with Rebel Girls and Company.
“Over the years, we kind of tried to push the envelope in college dance,” Slade said. “We’ve competed in ICU world championships, we’ve gone on to do fun things like World of Dance and America’s Got Talent so we try to incorporate new things for our athletes.”
“There are many long, long days but because we have each other, we’re always able to persevere and get through it together,” Jaramillo added.
Rebel Girls and Company compete in nationals every January and have been top favorites in the hip-hop division winning titles over the last several years.
“We spend almost a month at a time perfecting one routine and one that we compete at the end of the year,” Scott added. ” It’s our whole year, we spend one month perfecting a routine day in and day out for several hours.”
It’s that electric synergy that makes them unstoppable.
“I think something we take pride in is that we try new things, that we try to put our best foot forward in everything that we do,” Slade explained. ” I’m very proud of them, I’m proud that they have trusted us as coaches to get them to that next level and we’ll be back for more.”
Rebel Girls and Company have won the UDA Hip Hop Division 1A National Championship with titles in 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2023 as well as 5 UDA Game Day Division 1A National Championship Titles in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023. They also placed second in the 2024 UDA College Nationals.
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