Piston-powered performance: Chatham woman earns spot with Detroit NBA squad’s dance teams Dancers

If you watch a Detroit Pistons home game this NBA season, keep an eye out for Brooklyn Vandenbogaerde.

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The 18-year-old Chatham woman is now a member of the Detroit Pistons Dancers who perform throughout home games.

Vandenbogaerde loves to dance and wasn’t ready to give it up as she headed off to her first year at the University of Windsor’s criminology and law program.

“Growing up at All that Jazz (dance company), I loved dance and I definitely wanted to keep doing it after graduating,” she said.

Vandenbogaerde said she was looking at different opportunities to continue dancing when she learned of tryouts for the Pistons dance team.

“I’ve been dancing my whole life and I really found, specifically, a love for hip-hop and that’s one of (the team’s) most common styles (of dance),” she said.

“I’m also huge basketball fan so I figured with the location and the fact that I love basketball, it would just be the best fit for me.”

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Vandenbogaerde attended prep classes in June to learn what the dance team was looking for before auditioning in July.

“I honestly thought it was a long shot,” she said.

Vandenbogaerde noted while at the Pistons Performance Center during the audition, the judges said they were still not sure who they wanted, so they began calling out the numbers of several dancers to repeat a dance.

“At that point, I was kind of freaking out, because my number was called,” she said.

Vandenbogaerde said when they completed the dance, the judges said, “’Just kidding, welcome to the 2024-25 team.’

“It was honestly just a huge relief to me,” she added.

Lisa Lester, founder and former owner of All that Jazz, said Vandenbogaerde began dancing at the studio when she was two.

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“Even at a young age, it was clear that Brooklyn had a special gift on the stage,” Lester said. “She always gave 100 per cent in every genre of dance, excelling particularly in hip-hop, jazz, and acro.”

Vandenbogaerde has won numerous dance awards over the years “with judges consistently recognizing her incredible performance abilities and undeniable passion,” she added.

“She’s a strong, athletic dancer who loves to challenge herself and learn new things.”

Vandenbogaerde embraced new challenges when trying out for the Pistons dance team, including taking on heels classes and pushing her limits, Lester said. Being one of 18 out of 400 chosen for the team “speaks volumes about her dedication and talent.”

“Myself, Chris Rich, and all of her dance teachers over the years are beyond proud of her,” Lester said. “We can’t wait to see her shine on this next stage of her journey.”

Vandenbogaerde looks forward to performing at the Detroit Pistons home opener against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 23.

“It’s usually sold out, so it will definitely be the biggest crowd I’ve ever been in front of,” she said.

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