For years, we've eagerly turned on our TVs and watched as Tucsonans hit the screen, showing up on shows from cooking contests to singing competitions.
Now it's time for one of the biggest dance challenges of them all: "So You Think You Can Dance."
Fourth-generation University of Arizona student Avery Gay advanced through the initial audition phase and will appear on the latest episode, set to air Monday, March 25 on Fox. In the episode, dancers compete for a spot in the Top 10.
"It's very nerve-wracking," Gay, a sophomore in the School of Dance, said in a press release from the UA. "All eyes are on you. I tend to overthink and stress too much, but adrenaline helps me perform better. On TV shows and competitions I tend to do my best because the adrenaline amps me up."
University of Arizona dance student will be on an upcoming episode of "So You Think You Can Dance."
Gay began training in ballet when she was only 6 years old and has been participating in competitions and performances since.
"The reason I like ballet so much is because it is so difficult," Gay said in the press release. "I love the challenge. I love to grow and improve from it every single day. When you have a strong ballet base, you can do anything in dance."
In 2016, she was part of "So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation," which features dancers ages 8-13 years old, and youth talent show "Steve Harvey's Little Big Shots." Two years later, she was on NBC's "World of Dance," which is a televised competition with celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo and Derek Hough.
"Avery is super fierce in a physical sense," School of Dance associate professor Liz George said in the press release. "She has a really strong, solid training base. And I love seeing students enter the space when they realize that they are not just dancers, they are creators. She's now in that space."
Fellow dance majors Madison Kotch and Olivia Zeiml also auditioned for the show.
"Getting to be a part of something that I always dreamed of felt fulfilling after my years of work and education in dance," Kotch said in the UA's press release.
"Having two of my best friends there with me definitely released a lot of the stress and reminded me that we were lucky to have each other as a support system," Zeiml said in the release.
"So You Think You Can Dance" airs Mondays on Fox. Check your TV listings for the time.
University of Arizona sophomore Avery Gay will be on the March 25 episode of "So You Think You Can Dance."
