Dressed in sparkling white uniforms, Gabrielino’s new Song team has been turning heads this school year. After more than a decade off campus, the program has officially returned, and many students are asking the same question: What is Song, exactly?
According to Coach Anissa Marie “Song is considered the sister team to Cheer, with an emphasis on dance technique, including turns, leaps, tricks, and more.” Unlike Cheer, which often highlights stunts and tumbling, Song focuses on precision, musicality, and performance quality.
That mix of styles is what makes Song so unique. “Song is like Cheer and Dance had a baby,” said Songleader Kiera Trang with a smile. The team combines the athletic energy of Cheer with the technical foundation of Dance, making it something entirely its own.
“An obvious difference between Song and Cheer is for sure stunting,” said dancer and cheerleader Julina Mireles. Song is filled with dramatic leaps and pirouettes while Cheer, sharp motions.
Song choreography often includes Jazz, Jazz Funk, and Hip-Hop—styles that prioritize boldness and audience engagement. And while Dance is considered an art form, Song is recognized as a sport, requiring stamina, flexibility, and sharp precision. Mireles explained “There’s a lot more emotion in the dances we do in Dance Team, and there’s a story to tell, while Song I feel is there to look cute and sassy.”
Although Song rallies and dances beside the Cheer team during Friday Night Lights in bedazzled uniforms, their first true spotlight came late in September, when the five-member squad took the floor at the fall rally and performed a flashy routine to the song “Maneater”.
For freshman Ava Diaz, the performance was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. “We practiced that routine so many times I think I can do it in my sleep,” she joked. The pressure of performing for the first time was hard to shake. “Even though I knew that dance like the back of my hand, I was still extremely nervous since it was our first performance”. Despite Diaz’s worries, the crowd’s response made it obvious that Song was back in style.
Being a novelty the five members worked extremely hard to show that the appeal of Song lies in its balance of spirit and creativity. Sophomore Samantha Muro explained, “I originally wanted to do Cheer, but Coach Mark asked if I wanted to try Song. I ended up really liking it because it’s more dancy. I felt like I didn’t fit Cheer, and Song seemed like it had more creative freedom.”
Even with a small roster, the Song team has already become a spirited presence at football games, performing beside Cheer on the sidelines. Their routines add an extra flash of energy to the games, proving that Song’s comeback is more than just a throwback, it’s a fresh new start.
Gabrielino’s Song team is here to stay and with Song’s successful kickoff, hopefully the team will eventually grow and expand.
