An inside look at USASF/USA Cheer's National Conference 2024
July 11-13, 2024
New Orleans
With a lineup of world-class speakers, hands-on learning experiences and unforgettable presentations, this conference was not just an event—it was a celebration of everything that makes cheer and dance so extraordinary. Attendees dove deep into skill-building, explored strategies for business growth and connected with industry leaders. Relive the highlights and inspiring moments that made this year's conference truly unforgettable.
Mastering skills and mapping futures
Athletes and coaches had a full day of learning, gaining new skills, techniques, and choreography from top experts in cheer and dance.
The day wrapped up with a College Cheer and Dance Combine, where athletes explored pathways to college cheer and dance teams and learned how to find the best academic and athletic fit.
Additionally, 41 cheer and dance athletes were chosen to join the Worlds Athlete Ambassador teams for the 2025 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds. These ambassadors will work with the USASF social media team to interview participants, follow teams during warmups and provide live updates of the competition.
A day of inspiration and excitement
Keynote speaker C.L. Shepherd kicked off the conference with a powerful message of hope and transformation. Shep shared his compelling story of growing up with 15 siblings, overcoming numerous challenges, and his inspiring philosophy: Tough times do not last, but tough people do!
Throughout the day, attendees immersed themselves in a wide range of offerings tailored to their interests, exploring disciplines such as All Star, school, recreational, collegiate sideline, collegiate competitive and STUNT.
SpiritHQ-TheExpo dazzled with around 50 product and service suppliers, showcasing industry innovations and the hottest competitions shaping the future of cheer, dance and STUNT.
As the day wound down, athletes let loose at a Silent Disco, while adult participants enjoyed a vibrant kickoff mixer hosted by CheerSounds and a lively outing at Vintage Rock Club, sponsored by Rebel Athletic.
A high-energy finale and a memorable farewell
Attendees took the conference floor for an exhilarating final day, bidding farewell to peers from across the nation. The day was packed with high-energy skill-building, technique and club growth sessions led by industry legends. Athletes unveiled new choreography for National All Star Cheer & Dance Day, showcasing their routine during an electrifying closing session.
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National Conference 2024 Highlights
Featured Sessions
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Over 100 sessions awaited attendees at The National Conference 2024!
For Coaches, Dance Professionals, Club Owners
A Day in the Life of an All Star Studio
Athlete Injuries and Prevention
Audition Prep for Dancers: Setting Your Dancers Up for Success at the Pro and Collegiate Levels
Beautiful Baskets Boundaries: Establishing and Maintaining a Healthy Coach/Athlete Relationship Bridging the Gap: Two Entities, One Mission
Building a Winning Culture
Building Better Layouts
Building Coachable Athletes: Utilizing Person-Centered Coaching and Identifying Learning Styles
Cheer Coach Skills: Tumbling Skills
Cheer Coach Skills: Building Skills
Cheer Legality Official Training Cheer/Dance Coach: Step It Up! Elevate Performance Through Mental Mastery Choreography 101 with Victor and Kristin
Choreography Planning
Coaching with Empathy
College Baskets and Stunt Technique
Conditioning as a Tool in Injury Prevention
Conference Meet and Mingle, sponsored by FloCheer
Conscious Coaching: Get clear about what you're REALLY teaching
Dance Assembly
Dance Legality Official Training
Dance Meet and Greet with Colleges
Dance Professionals/Dance Coaches: Power Up! Three Power Moves for Peak Individual and Team Performance
Dancer's Mindset: Mastering Mental Performance for Peak Dance Excellence
Audition Prep for Dancers: Setting Your Dancers Up for Success at the Pro and Collegiate Levels
Beautiful Baskets Boundaries: Establishing and Maintaining a Healthy Coach/Athlete Relationship Bridging the Gap: Two Entities, One Mission
Building a Winning Culture
Building Better Layouts
Building Coachable Athletes: Utilizing Person-Centered Coaching and Identifying Learning Styles
Cheer Coach Skills: Tumbling Skills
Cheer Coach Skills: Building Skills
Cheer Legality Official Training Cheer/Dance Coach: Step It Up! Elevate Performance Through Mental Mastery Choreography 101 with Victor and Kristin
Choreography Planning
Coaching with Empathy
College Baskets and Stunt Technique
Conditioning as a Tool in Injury Prevention
Conference Meet and Mingle, sponsored by FloCheer
Conscious Coaching: Get clear about what you're REALLY teaching
Dance Assembly
Dance Legality Official Training
Dance Meet and Greet with Colleges
Dance Professionals/Dance Coaches: Power Up! Three Power Moves for Peak Individual and Team Performance
Dancer's Mindset: Mastering Mental Performance for Peak Dance Excellence
Diving Into the Rules and Going Beyond the Scoresheet
Exceptional Athlete 101
Exploring the All Star Dance Tiers
Flexibility Training
From a STUNT Official's Eye: You Make the Call
Game Day Cheer Management
High School Cheer: Elite Partner Stunt Technique
High School Cheer: Intermediate Partner Stunt Technique
High School Rule Changes
High School/College All-Girl Pyramid Techniques
How To Hit Zero
How to Start a Club/High School STUNT Program
How Tumbling Relates to Building in Body Shapes
Improving Flexibility
Improving Jumps
Interpreting Doctor Notes and Physical Forms
Jumping In: All in for All Star
Keynote Speaker: C.L. "Shep" Shepherd
Life After All Star-College and Beyond
Lite Bite Lunch and Live QandA
Make the Most of YOUR Meeting
Making Practice Fun
Making Your Pro Shop Profitable
Making Your STUNT Routines Work for You
Morning Wake Up: Barre in the Bayou
Person-Centered Coaching/Learning Styles
Physical Therapy/Injury Prevention
Positive Motivation: Getting the Best From Athletes
Preparing High School Athletes for Recruitment
Road to a Paralympic Dream
Sink, Swim or Float: Where Am I headed in my All Star career?
Spotting, Safety and Sport Compliance
Standing on Business: Setting The Standard From Day One
Structuring Your Overall STUNT Season
Structuring your Season and Daily Practices
Struggling vs. Solutions
STUNT Summary of Changes for the 2024/2025 Season
Stunts: Tips and Tricks (Drills you probably aren't doing)
Success for 1st- and 2nd-Year STUNT Programs
The Leading Cause of Death in Athletes. Are you ready?
The Power of Our Breath!
The Vital Role of Strength Training For Cheerleaders
Tips and Tricks to Achieve Scoresheet Drivers-Tumbling and Choreography
To Focus or to Refocus. That is the question!
Train Smarter Not Harder
Training Skills for the New College STUNT Routines
Tumbling for STUNT
Twisting Techniques for Tumbling
Tying It All Together: Winners Have Systems-Systems Over Results.
USA Cheer Round Tables with Experts and Panel
USASF Membership: Hot Topics
Using AI to Generate Emails and Communication
Utilizing Technology in STUNT and Cheer
Watering Your Own Grass: Hiring and Retention Practices to Improve Your Program Staff!
What We See Matters! The Power of our Mind’s Eye and Mental Rehearsal!
Exceptional Athlete 101
Exploring the All Star Dance Tiers
Flexibility Training
From a STUNT Official's Eye: You Make the Call
Game Day Cheer Management
High School Cheer: Elite Partner Stunt Technique
High School Cheer: Intermediate Partner Stunt Technique
High School Rule Changes
High School/College All-Girl Pyramid Techniques
How To Hit Zero
How to Start a Club/High School STUNT Program
How Tumbling Relates to Building in Body Shapes
Improving Flexibility
Improving Jumps
Interpreting Doctor Notes and Physical Forms
Jumping In: All in for All Star
Keynote Speaker: C.L. "Shep" Shepherd
Life After All Star-College and Beyond
Lite Bite Lunch and Live QandA
Make the Most of YOUR Meeting
Making Practice Fun
Making Your Pro Shop Profitable
Making Your STUNT Routines Work for You
Morning Wake Up: Barre in the Bayou
Person-Centered Coaching/Learning Styles
Physical Therapy/Injury Prevention
Positive Motivation: Getting the Best From Athletes
Preparing High School Athletes for Recruitment
Road to a Paralympic Dream
Sink, Swim or Float: Where Am I headed in my All Star career?
Spotting, Safety and Sport Compliance
Standing on Business: Setting The Standard From Day One
Structuring Your Overall STUNT Season
Structuring your Season and Daily Practices
Struggling vs. Solutions
STUNT Summary of Changes for the 2024/2025 Season
Stunts: Tips and Tricks (Drills you probably aren't doing)
Success for 1st- and 2nd-Year STUNT Programs
The Leading Cause of Death in Athletes. Are you ready?
The Power of Our Breath!
The Vital Role of Strength Training For Cheerleaders
Tips and Tricks to Achieve Scoresheet Drivers-Tumbling and Choreography
To Focus or to Refocus. That is the question!
Train Smarter Not Harder
Training Skills for the New College STUNT Routines
Tumbling for STUNT
Twisting Techniques for Tumbling
Tying It All Together: Winners Have Systems-Systems Over Results.
USA Cheer Round Tables with Experts and Panel
USASF Membership: Hot Topics
Using AI to Generate Emails and Communication
Utilizing Technology in STUNT and Cheer
Watering Your Own Grass: Hiring and Retention Practices to Improve Your Program Staff!
What We See Matters! The Power of our Mind’s Eye and Mental Rehearsal!
What You Said Isn’t What They Heard!
Where is the line: Tough Coaching versus Emotional Abuse.
Where is the line: Tough Coaching versus Emotional Abuse.
For Athletes and Junior Coaches
Board of Directors Town Hall with Athletes and Junior Coaches
Building Levels 1-2 for Cheer Junior Coaches
Cheer Athlete Collegiate Cheer and Combine Prep
Cheer Athlete Mental Performance Lab: Losers Have Goals. Winners Have Systems.
Cheer Athlete Skills Class: Conditioning Class and Jumps
Cheer Athlete Skills Class: Rubber Band Class
Cheer Athlete Skills Class: Training
Dance Master Class: Game Day
Dance Master Class: Hip Hop
Dance Master Class: Jazz
Dance Master Class: Pom
Exploring Hip Hop Authenticity
Focused and Fearless: Elevating Your Game
From Athlete to Leader: Navigating Your Next Evolution
From Routines to Real Life: Navigating Life After All Star
HeadSmart Concussion
Healthy Boundaries: Understanding Your Relationship with Your Coach
Building Levels 1-2 for Cheer Junior Coaches
Cheer Athlete Collegiate Cheer and Combine Prep
Cheer Athlete Mental Performance Lab: Losers Have Goals. Winners Have Systems.
Cheer Athlete Skills Class: Conditioning Class and Jumps
Cheer Athlete Skills Class: Rubber Band Class
Cheer Athlete Skills Class: Training
Dance Master Class: Game Day
Dance Master Class: Hip Hop
Dance Master Class: Jazz
Dance Master Class: Pom
Exploring Hip Hop Authenticity
Focused and Fearless: Elevating Your Game
From Athlete to Leader: Navigating Your Next Evolution
From Routines to Real Life: Navigating Life After All Star
HeadSmart Concussion
Healthy Boundaries: Understanding Your Relationship with Your Coach
Hip Hop Combo
How to Spot Acro for Dance Junior Coaches
How to Spot Tumbling Levels 1/2
Junior Coach: Not Just a Title, But a Responsibility
Lunch-N-Learn with Nicole Leago-Devall
Keynote Speaker: C.L. "Shep" Shepherd
Making Teammates Better: Leadership and Positive Initiation
Managing The Pressure, Fear and Adversity Surrounding Recruiting, Improving and Performing!
Mapping Dance Choreography for Dance Junior Coaches
Master Class: Dance Off and Improv
National All Star Cheer and Dance Day-Learn and Film
Orientation for Athletes and Junior Coaches
Preschool FUNdamentals Skills and Spotting
Progressional Teaching / Maximize Score Sheet for Junior Dance Coaches
How to Spot Acro for Dance Junior Coaches
How to Spot Tumbling Levels 1/2
Junior Coach: Not Just a Title, But a Responsibility
Lunch-N-Learn with Nicole Leago-Devall
Keynote Speaker: C.L. "Shep" Shepherd
Making Teammates Better: Leadership and Positive Initiation
Managing The Pressure, Fear and Adversity Surrounding Recruiting, Improving and Performing!
Mapping Dance Choreography for Dance Junior Coaches
Master Class: Dance Off and Improv
National All Star Cheer and Dance Day-Learn and Film
Orientation for Athletes and Junior Coaches
Preschool FUNdamentals Skills and Spotting
Progressional Teaching / Maximize Score Sheet for Junior Dance Coaches
Routine Mapping for Cheer Junior Coaches
Rubber Band Class
Stage Presence and Storytelling: Selling your Performance to the Audience
Rubber Band Class
Stage Presence and Storytelling: Selling your Performance to the Audience
Tips on Transitioning from Athlete to Junior Coach
Uncovering Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Understanding our Identities presented by RISE and USASF DEIS Updates
Uncovering Inspiration in Unexpected Places
Understanding our Identities presented by RISE and USASF DEIS Updates
USA Cheer Combine
View From The Stand: A Judges Perspective for Junior Coaches
View From The Stand: A Judges Perspective for Junior Coaches
Thank you!
A huge thank you to our incredible presenters for making this conference a success!
Anahid Arrieta, STUNT Official, Rules Interpreter
Sarah Miller Bate, USASF Dance Rules
Sarah Miller Bate, USASF Dance Rules
Blair Bergmann, University of Kentucky
Glenda Broderick, USASF Regional Director, SE
Levon Burton, Premier Athletics Nashville
Daniel Campbell, USASF Conduct and Compliance
Glenda Broderick, USASF Regional Director, SE
Levon Burton, Premier Athletics Nashville
Daniel Campbell, USASF Conduct and Compliance
Kathleen Cassino, RISE
Katie Chard, USA Cheer
Jessica Chatto, USA Cheer
Amy Clark, USASF Membership
Robin Coe, Winners Choice Championships, Double Good Virtual Fundraising
Julianna Collazo, RISE
Jackie Consiglio, Choreographer
Shea Crawford, Brandon All Stars
Shayna Danielsen, The California All Stars
Caleigh Epolito, Rain Athletics
Denise Farnsworth, USA Chee
Lindsey Farris, World Class Championships
Dana Fielding, USASF Cheer Rules
Robin Galik, USASF Regional Director, NE, W
Dwyane Garrett, Unity Cheer Inc.
Kinshasa Garrett, USASF Regional Director, SW
Mia Gonzalez, USASF Leadership Intern
Amy Haney, USA Cheer
Ransom Harper, USA Cheer
Belinda Harvey, Impact Cheerleading
Chris Hendon, Stars Vipers
Oscar Hernandez, Choreographer
Becky Herrera, CheerForce
Shawn Herrera, CheerForce
Ashley Hoffman, Dynamic Cheer and Dance
Shauna Holm, USASF Regional Director, MW
Chelsea Horn, Choreographer
April Jensen, Consultant
Brantley Jittu, Choreographer
Julie Jones, SSB Performance
Kristin Jones, Elevation Athletics
Katie Chard, USA Cheer
Jessica Chatto, USA Cheer
Amy Clark, USASF Membership
Robin Coe, Winners Choice Championships, Double Good Virtual Fundraising
Julianna Collazo, RISE
Jackie Consiglio, Choreographer
Shea Crawford, Brandon All Stars
Shayna Danielsen, The California All Stars
Caleigh Epolito, Rain Athletics
Denise Farnsworth, USA Chee
Lindsey Farris, World Class Championships
Dana Fielding, USASF Cheer Rules
Robin Galik, USASF Regional Director, NE, W
Dwyane Garrett, Unity Cheer Inc.
Kinshasa Garrett, USASF Regional Director, SW
Mia Gonzalez, USASF Leadership Intern
Amy Haney, USA Cheer
Ransom Harper, USA Cheer
Belinda Harvey, Impact Cheerleading
Chris Hendon, Stars Vipers
Oscar Hernandez, Choreographer
Becky Herrera, CheerForce
Shawn Herrera, CheerForce
Ashley Hoffman, Dynamic Cheer and Dance
Shauna Holm, USASF Regional Director, MW
Chelsea Horn, Choreographer
April Jensen, Consultant
Brantley Jittu, Choreographer
Julie Jones, SSB Performance
Kristin Jones, Elevation Athletics
Celia Kohima, Davenport University
Marcy Kuzemchak, IASF
Katie Lamb, Odyssey Cheer Company
Annette Laron-Pickett, USA Cheer
Nicole Leago-Devall, USASF Board of Directors
Monica Livingston, Positive Coaching Alliance
Jim Lord, USA Cheer
Debbie Love, Coach
Alli Lumpkin, Western Kentucky University Cheer
Kaitlyn Lyday, USA Cheer
LeRoy McCullough, USA Cheer
Melissa McGhee, The Ohio State University Dance Team
Marcy Kuzemchak, IASF
Katie Lamb, Odyssey Cheer Company
Annette Laron-Pickett, USA Cheer
Nicole Leago-Devall, USASF Board of Directors
Monica Livingston, Positive Coaching Alliance
Jim Lord, USA Cheer
Debbie Love, Coach
Alli Lumpkin, Western Kentucky University Cheer
Kaitlyn Lyday, USA Cheer
LeRoy McCullough, USA Cheer
Melissa McGhee, The Ohio State University Dance Team
Joseph McGibboney, Arizona Royals
Justin Miller, GymTyme
Jeanne Meyers, USASF Conduct and Compliance
Jillian Norko, USASF Leadership Intern
Cheryl Paquette, USASF Dance Adjudication
Jacob Parker, Rain Athletics
Lauren Pennington, USASF Leadership Intern
Tyler Phillips, USASF Cheer Scoring and Rules
Kelly Quigley, USA Cheer
Kristen Rosario, Top Gun All Stars
Brandon Seagondollar, California Baptist University STUNT
Justin Miller, GymTyme
Jeanne Meyers, USASF Conduct and Compliance
Jillian Norko, USASF Leadership Intern
Cheryl Paquette, USASF Dance Adjudication
Jacob Parker, Rain Athletics
Lauren Pennington, USASF Leadership Intern
Tyler Phillips, USASF Cheer Scoring and Rules
Kelly Quigley, USA Cheer
Kristen Rosario, Top Gun All Stars
Brandon Seagondollar, California Baptist University STUNT
C.L. Shepherd-Keynote, Shep Inspires, LLC
Carmon Silano, CheerSounds
Shawn Simmons, Judge, USASF Credentialing Instructor
Carmon Silano, CheerSounds
Shawn Simmons, Judge, USASF Credentialing Instructor
Kristen Simpson, Who We Play For
Daney Soto, Dance Mania
Alison Stangle, USASF
Lindsay Stephens, DO
Maryelle Stephenson, Dance Athletics Plano
Jordan Thomas, Rain Athletics
Heather Toper, USASF Compliance
Nice Trigani, Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Alexis Trost, Energizers Dance
Lee Trudell, USA Cheer
Vanessa Vail, Dance Athletics Denver
Meredith Walker, USASF Conduct and Compliance
Bryn Williams, USASF Leadership Intern
Carter Williams, Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Daney Soto, Dance Mania
Alison Stangle, USASF
Lindsay Stephens, DO
Maryelle Stephenson, Dance Athletics Plano
Jordan Thomas, Rain Athletics
Heather Toper, USASF Compliance
Nice Trigani, Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Alexis Trost, Energizers Dance
Lee Trudell, USA Cheer
Vanessa Vail, Dance Athletics Denver
Meredith Walker, USASF Conduct and Compliance
Bryn Williams, USASF Leadership Intern
Carter Williams, Professional Dancer, Choreographer
Harold Williams, Judge
Maria Wisman, DPT, The Cheer Doctor
Chris York, California Spirit Elite
Maria Wisman, DPT, The Cheer Doctor
Chris York, California Spirit Elite
We are grateful
for the support of these participants at the SpiritHQ - The Expo 2024
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