This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 Champion Issue of Showstopper Magazine.

Photography: Ana Ochoa, Design: Holly Childs

From the sunny streets of Walnut, California, Jordan Takai has pursued her passion for dance for 18 years. From her early days at her studio Dancecapdade to winning a Showstopper Crystal Award at just 10 years old to her current role as a captain of the Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) Dance Team, Jodan has become more than just a dancer. She’s a leader and a champion.

On Being Captain

A senior at CSUF, Jordan is honing those leadership skills as a captain of their 18-time national champion dance team. “Being one of the captains has been an incredible journey filled with hard work, dedication, and a deep love for dance and the team,” she shared. “It’s truly an honor to lead such a talented group of dancers who share the same passion as me.”

After competing on the team for four years, she’s witnessed the team’s growth first-hand, something she described as both “humbling and inspiring.” The team dynamic shifted this year. Twelve new dancers were added, making the 21-girl team the largest at CSUF. Jordan attributed their success to “working well together” and “constant communication.” “Our team is very supportive of each other and that is something that keeps a positive atmosphere in the dance room.”

On Winning

That positive atmosphere paid off and the CSUF Dance Team went on to win first place at UDA Nationals in Division 1 Jazz! Placing sixth in the division just a year prior, Jordan described it as their “comeback year.” “We decided to go with a completely different style for our jazz routine than what is usually expected from Cal State Fullerton,” she said. “I remember when the coaches first revealed the song to us, we all absolutely fell in love with it and couldn’t wait to dance to it. As the season went on, we really focused on being consistent with our technique and tricks in the routine to make sure we all felt confident by the time we hit the Nationals’ floor.”

Beyond Winning

While it’s clear Jordan is no stranger to winning—she even keeps her Showstopper Crystal award in her bedroom “as a reminder of where it all started and how far [she’s] come”—she believes success goes beyond awards. “To me, being a champion is about striving for excellence in everything we do, both on and off the dance floor. It’s about pushing ourselves to be the best dancers, teammates, and individuals we can be while constantly challenging ourselves to grow and improve. While winning awards is nice, the journey, growth, and impact we make along the way is truly what makes a champion.”

This mindset hasn’t always come easy for her, though. When she was younger, she struggled with perfectionism, and was “really hard on [herself] as a dancer.” “As I have gotten older, I have realized that confidence is key and just being yourself is all you need,” she shared. “It is impossible to be perfect as a dancer, so all you need to do is trust the process and never give up when following your dreams.”

This spring, Jordan will graduate from CSUF and leave her role as captain of the dance team, something that fills her with bittersweet emotions.” She’s sad to be closing this chapter of her life, but excited for what the future holds. “I feel like I’m in a place where I’m ready for the next challenge and I hope to bring the skills and experience I have acquired to the professional world of dance.” Jordan hopes to dance professionally for an NFL or NBA team and to continue using her leadership skills to uplift those around her. “My goal is to inspire others to pursue their passion for dance fearlessly, to strive for excellence in everything they do, and to leave their own unique mark as dancers.”

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Holly is the Editor-in-Chief of Showstopper Magazine! A designer, writer, and photographer, keeping up with Holly is easier said than done as she regularly travels to new places. As the mastermind behind the magazine, Holly has a knack for finding great stories and getting them on the page. She and her furry assistant Cornelius are always up to something fabulous! You can follow Holly's travels and breathtaking experiences (and even magazine updates) on Instagram (@hollyachilds)!