PDC Meet the Dancers: TAYLOR Dallas Mavericks Dancers

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Photos by Dominic Ceraldi and Velton Hayworth

TAYLOR is in her second season with the Dallas Mavericks Dancers.

She joined us at a recent Dallas Mavericks home game at American Airlines Center for PDC Meet the Dancers:

PDC: Talk about your dance background and what brought you to the Dallas Mavericks Dancers.

TAYLOR: I did your basic ballet and tap at three and four years old and then I went to cheer until I was 11. Then I did Select Drill and Drill Team in high school and stuck with it. After high school, I was on the Texas Legends Dancers for the 2014-15 season.

PDC: When you made the Texas Legends Dancers, was your ultimate goal to end up on the Mavs Dancers?

TAYLOR: Honestly, I never even imagined being on Mavs, I was just super grateful for Jen (Texas Legends Dancers Director Jen Contreras) for taking me on the Legends team and helping me grow as a dancer. She actually suggested that I try out for the Mavs. I didn’t think I was ready, didn’t think I would make it, but she told me to go and try out and here I am. It’s almost still like a daydream because I would’ve never seen myself accomplishing such a big goal and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to dance for the best team in the NBA.

PDC: What did Jen do that gave you the confidence that you could make the Mavs Dancers?

TAYLOR: She pushed me out of my comfort zone and saw a lot in me that I did not see in myself. She always encouraged me and planted that seed that I should go for it.

PDC: When you decided to try out for the Mavs Dancers, what did you do to get ready?

TAYLOR: Ally and I were on Legends together and we went to the DMD prep classes to get familiar with the style. From being on Legends, I was familiar with the power, but there’s so much to being on the Mavs Dancers that also includes being entertaining and finding that “spicy side”

PDC: What were some of the highlights from last season when you were a Dallas Mavericks Dancers rookie?

TAYLOR: The Seats for Soldiers game was amazing. I was on the plane when we went down to San Antonio to pick up the soldiers and I got to meet so many incredible and humble people. Then it was great to be able to put on a show for them at the game and it was just an overall amazing day. Another highlight was the first time I stepped out on the court to perform because the court at American Airlines Center is very different from the court at Dr Pepper Arena.

PDC: Is there still that feeling of excitement to go out on the court?

TAYLOR: Honestly, I still get the butterflies every time before we go out on the court to perform. I get the chills and it’s really like an adrenaline rush because I’m so excited. I come back off the court literally not even knowing what happened because I was so invested in the moment and being out there with my teammates.

PDC: In addition to being a Mavs Dancer, do you have a job or are you a student?

TAYLOR: I’m a full time student at the University of North Texas studying Fashion Merchandising and I am also a stylist for Micheal Kors.

PDC: How do you balance all of that with the demanding Mavs Dancers schedule?

TAYLOR: I keep myself on a tight schedule and literally write everything down on my planner and I also fill up the calendar on my phone so that I always have some type of notification coming in. If I’m sitting down too long, I’m probably forgetting something or missing an assignment, so I constantly stay on the go.

PDC: Being in your second season with the Mavs Dancers, what are the biggest differences in your role on the team?

TAYLOR: From last year to now, there are 11 rookies and I am the encouraging vet, trying to keep everybody positive and motivated and feeling good so that they can believe in themselves and believe in the team. I like to help keep the energy high and positive so that we can go out there and be the best that we can be.

PDC: If you got on your iPhone playlist, what music would we hear right now?

TAYLOR: My playlist goes from country to 80s and 90s R&B and hip hop, it really depends on my mood. I think the most you’d find are throwbacks from the 90s.

PDC: What are some of your favorite restaurants?

TAYLOR: I love the Daiquri Shoppe and Chicago’s Chicken Coop and new favorite is Roots  at Legacy Hall.

PDC: What are some of your favorite movies?

TAYLOR: Steel Magnolias is one of my favorites, Sixteen Candles, I’m a big fan of the John Hughes 80s movies.

PDC: What are some of your favorite TV shows?

TAYLOR: I literally watch cartoons or reality TV. If my TV is on, I’m watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians or SpongeBob.

PDC: Dream vacation, you can go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

TAYLOR: Probably a remote island that has a beautiful beach like Bora Bora. Ideally it would be secluded and there would be no cell phone service so I can actually relax and disconnect.

Fans can follow TAYLOR on Twitter @DMD_Taylor and Instagram @DMD_Taylor

For more photos and videos from the Dallas Mavericks Dancers, visit here

See pics from the Dallas Mavericks Dancers Calendar Release Party in the PHOTO GALLERY below:

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