Madison Cantor, junior dance major and Shark Talent Scholar, secured a spot on the Miami Heat dance team in August 2022. Her journey reflects not just a series of auditions, but a commitment to her passion for dance.
Cantor first auditioned for the Miami Heat dance team in August 2021 but didn’t make it.
“I was devastated. It was one of the first nos I received in my dance career. And after being sad and eating food for a week straight, I think I realized that everything happens for a reason,” Cantor said. “And I was able to take that year to build my connections here at Nova, and also starting to find who I wanted to be as a dancer and build my brand to help figure out what I wanted to represent.”
PHOTO BY BRIELLE AGUAYO Madison Cantor performs her routine “Alien superstar” during the Razor’s Edge Shark Talent Showcase.
She faced various challenges in the audition rounds. The initial solo routine and group auditions covered jazz and hip-hop styles. The interview process was equally demanding.
“I went through boot camp, which was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life. Mentally, physically, emotionally,” Cantor said.
The week-long training tested her both physically and mentally, pushing her to her limits.
“Boot camp is the most intense process you can ever go through in pro dance. It just requires a lot of mental and physical strength because we’re putting our bodies through a bunch of choreo, workouts,” Cantor said.
As a Shark Talent scholar, she not only immersed herself in her academic pursuits but also embraced the opportunities for personal and professional development. The scholarship program allowed her to focus on her studies, connect with peers and professors, and grow as a dancer.
“I really focused on building my training here and my education, really getting to know my professors, knowing what my program was requiring of me, being involved in school, and building friendships and relationships that I knew I wanted, regardless of making it into the Heat or not,” Cantor said.
Earning her spot on the Miami Heat dance team during her second audition in August 2022, Cantor was happy to showcase her dedication and passion for dance.
“I love dancing, I love performing, and I will never say no to any opportunity that gets it to me,” Cantor said.
Her favorite styles, such as “jazzy hip-hop,” contemporary and the dancing in heels, reveal her unique approach to dance.
“My favorite style right now is dancing in heels. I pop on heels, and I feel like a whole different person,” Cantor said. “I’ve always been who I am.”
She embraces her individuality, as she emphasizes the importance of being hardworking and kind while encouraging everyone to find their unique strengths.
“I think the dance community is tough in that regard just because they want a dancer to be able to have x, y and z dance skills and look and dance a certain way, and almost make it seem like you’ll only succeed if you’re a certain type of dance. And I always knew that was never going to be me,” Cantor said. “I loved how I moved and how I performed. And I was always going to succeed just being myself and nothing less or different.”
Her advice to aspiring dancers is to pursue their dreams and remain undeterred by external obstacles.
“I think for any dancer that’s wanting this to be a career, if you want it, then go and do it because no one’s stopping you but yourself,” Cantor said.
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