Ashlee Amos, a USTA Professional member from Maryland, has a broad background in the performing arts and gets to bring her experience to the judging table now. See what she has to say about all of that!
Inside Loop: As a retired athlete who also competed in drum corps and color guard activities, how would you compare/contrast them to our baton twirling world?
Amos: Baton twirling, color guard, and drum corps each have their own unique qualities that make them different from one another, but the activities themselves are more similar than you'd think. As a young twirler entering high school, I wanted to twirl for my school's marching band, but there was a catch (pun intended); I had to join the color guard in order to twirl. It was only up from there, from marching University of Delaware's “Delazure,” with world class finalist “AMP Winterguard,” and the Hawthorne Caballeros from New Jersey. (RUMP!)
For me, color guard was easier to catch onto because of the similarities in revolution, artistry, timing, and perfection, among many other skills necessary to be successful. Of course, all athletes strive for perfection, but I felt that I was at an advantage when I entered the color guard world because of my background in twirling with the Wheaton Dance/Twirl Teams. I had felt for a long time that baton twirling is more about the technical aspects and less about artistry, and vice versa about color guard and drum corps, but boy was I wrong! Color guard and drum corps are ALL about technique; it truly is vital to the activity. Like twirling, everyone has their own technique depending on where you live, who you were taught by, etc. I've now been teaching high school color guard for nine years, and I always tell my kids, “If you can't spin basics together, you won't ever be able to spin the hard stuff together.” The foundation of basic skills in color guard and baton twirling are so important to the activity and maintaining standards/expectations, so the athletes can push themselves to meet those expectations, depending on class and skill level.
I feel that a large portion of twirlers tend to turn away from color guard, but I think everyone should have the chance to learn it. It's helped me immensely from a technical perspective, as well as performance quality and expression. Since being involved in color guard, especially at the open and world class level, my ability to analyze errors, skills, and even in general in my everyday life, has skyrocketed. Releasing a piece of equipment and where that equipment is in relation to your body (where your fingers are, where your elbow is, where your hand is on said equipment) can make or break the skill, and the consistency of the skill. I've taken that analytical ability and applied it to my judging when giving feedback. As far as performance quality and expression go, drum corps made me fall in love with performing all over again. I felt it was much easier to perform and express myself in color guard, I think due to the nature of the equipment and ability to let loose more than in twirling. I would love to see more twirlers learn to let go a little and learn how to love performing. The balance between performance and technique is skill needed to take both actives to the next level, as well as joining together and supporting each other.
Inside Loop: As a new USTA judge, what will be your philosophy as you sit behind the table viewing athletes?
Amos: Being able to be on the other side of the table is a privilege, and I am so incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do so. When judging, I feel that I can offer a little bit of a different perspective and different comments to give back, since my background consists of more than twirling. I want to give back to the young athletes who will carry this sport to the next level by giving meaningful feedback to athletes, both positive and constructive. If we want to keep athletes pushing themselves to be better and keep learning, we have to reward them. Criticism is necessary to improve in any sport, of course, but too much can be debilitating and discouraging for some athletes, especially the younger ones. These young athletes are the future of our sport, and they should be encouraged to keep pushing and keep doing what they love. Maintaining a positive relationship, and even mentorship, between athletes, coaches, and judges is pertinent to the success and growth of our sport.
Inside Loop: And as you know, we always ask: What are three things the twirling world probably doesn't know about you?
Amos:
- I have a twin brother, Austin, and we were born three minutes apart. I think that we sometimes have twin telepathy moments. One year, when we were at NBTA Nationals, toddler Austin was taking a nap on the field house bleachers, and I was warming up to get ready on the floor. As soon as I stepped onto the floor to start, he woke up from his nap just in time to watch me. I'm so grateful for the friendship we've been able to have over the years as we've gotten older.
- I am a third generation twirler on both sides of my family. Both of my parents' moms were twirlers or were part of drum corps. That's actually how my parents met each other- growing up and competing against one another! Baton, color guard, and drum corps are popular activities among my family! I was literally born into the activities.
- After graduating from the University of Delaware, I started working at the Register of Wills for Cecil County, Maryland. I love my job- every day I learn something new - and I enjoy helping the public during a difficult time in their lives. What's funny is that my mom had the same job about 22 years ago working for the same boss!