NEW FACES, SAME ENERGY, YOUR 26-27 LEGENDS DANCERS
Tristin Meza /August 26, 2026
Twenty-two dancers stood in formation, waiting for their next instructions. After four days of intense choreography, rehearsals and cuts, the final moment of Texas Legends dance team training camp had arrived.
They were told to look side to side, followed by silence for what seemed like an eternity.
“While you’re looking side to side, say congratulations to your new teammates’” Co-Director Leti Espinosa said.
The room erupted.
The cheers, hugs and celebrations were a complete 180 from the tension that filled the room just a few seconds earlier. Realization set in for the dancers, they made the Texas Legends dance team for the 2026-2027 season.
Making the squad was anything but guaranteed. The process started on Sunday, August 16th at Next Step Dance Studio. The initial audition welcomed 48 hopefuls to make the team, all coming from different backgrounds and experiences. They were competing for an invite to the four-day training camp that would take place the following Monday through Thursday.
An invitation to training camp was only the beginning. Throughout the week, dancers competed to stay alive and make it to the final day.
For Leti and Co-Director Jen Contreras, there is not a set number of roster spots to get to. They mentioned that it was always tough trimming down the final spots, especially when it includes getting rid of returners from the previous year’s team. The process is also about finding dancers who can do more than just execute choreography.
“We are looking for big performers, someone who can perform to the person sitting in the last row, someone who is coachable, and ambassadors to represent the Legends at the highest quality,” Espinosa said.
Jen offered a similar perspective that is beyond what happens when the music starts.
“Maturity is the biggest one,” she said. "We like dancers with listening skills, ability to take feedback and critiques, dancers who have been coached hard so they know what to expect from being on a professional dance team.
Both coaches understand the expectations firsthand. Jen and Leti are former professional dancers, bringing their own experiences into the way they educate future generations. Jen spent time with the Dallas Mavericks, while Leti danced with the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue, and the Texas Legends.
For Leti, the connection with the Legends goes back to her own audition. She remembers flying into Dallas from McAllen, Texas, on the morning of her tryout. What started as a trip to audition turned into a lasting connection with the Legends organization.
Now, they are both on the other side of the process.
This year’s squad includes 10 returning vets and 12 rookies. Among those rookies is Laila Bobier, a former majorette at Grambling State University. Her path to the Legends began with a suggestion from her mother.
“My mom initially told me about it, so I looked into it,” Bobier said.
She decided to attend the team’s prep classes, and the experience convinced her to take the next step.
“I went to every single prep class and had the greatest time ever! Miss Rachel, I love her and her choreography and knew I had to audition.” Laila is now looking forward to meeting new people and performing in front of the home crowd this season.
For returning dancer Leah McClellan, the experience is more about what happens after making the team. McClellan is entering her second season with the Legends, and had high praise for her coaches and how their investment has helped shape her into a better dancer.
“The coaches want you to grow, week in and week out they invest in you,” McClellan said. "I came from a different team, and having their encouragement affirms to me that I’m in the right place!”
The emphasis on development is intentional. For Jen and Leti, making the Legends is not supposed to be the final destination. They want the dancers to leave the organization prepared for opportunities at the highest levels of professional dance.
“We can both agree on wanting them to make it to the major leagues. We intend to coach them hard because whenever they do get to that level it is very hard and very demanding. We don’t want anyone going into that blind and unaware. We want to give them all of the coaching, training and tools that they need to go on to the next level,’ Leti shared.
That outlook has already played out in the careers of former Legends dancers, with alumni moving on to opportunities with the Dallas Stars, Dallas Wings, Golden State Warriors, Houston Texas, and Texas Rangers Six Shooters.
For the 22 dancers who survived this year’s audition, that may be in their future, but first comes the season.
The Legends dancers will perform at home games and make appearances at community events during the season. Legends fans will have their first opportunity to meet the squad at the annual Texas Legends Fan Fest on October 18th.
The first performance in front of the home crowd will come on November 13th at 7 p.m. as the Legends host the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
The nerves from the audition process have wrapped up, anticipation for the new season is creeping in, and the opportunity to make the most of it is just now beginning.
To view more photos, click here.
To view the announcement video, click here.