FIFTEEN UNIVERSITY DANCERS STEPPED ONSTAGE AS “BILLIE JEAN” BEGAN—THEN ONE PERFECTLY TIMED MOVE SENT THEIR COMPETITION ROUTINE VIRAL The University of Ottawa Dance Team combined sharp jazz choreography, remarkable synchronization and nonstop energy in a performance built around Michael Jackson’s iconic hit.

University dance competitions typically draw tight-knit crowds of peers, families, and fellow collegiate performers. Yet, an on-stage routine from the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees Dance Team has found an audience stretching far beyond the campus auditorium. Titled “BILLIE JEAN,” the competition piece features 15 student dancers whose performance has captured widespread attention online, drawing more than 334,000 views. The upload highlights how an energetic collegiate routine can break out of its niche and reach far beyond its original competition setting.

Recorded at Be U: The Final Event, a major Canadian varsity dance finals competition, the performance showcases the team in the jazz large-group category. Rather than relying on a single standout, the routine emphasizes high-energy ensemble cohesion, precise timing, and sharp competitive polish across all 15 dancers. The synchronized movement and changing staging give the piece an engaging flow from start to finish, offering viewers an exciting look at collegiate dance executed at a remarkably polished level.

 

At the heart of the performance is Bryn True, who took on the demanding dual role of both choreographer and dancer. Creating a cohesive large-group routine for 15 performers requires a keen eye for visual staging and group dynamics, and stepping onto the stage to execute that vision alongside her teammates makes the feat even more compelling. True’s dual commitment anchors the piece, balancing intricate group work with the shared energy of a close-knit varsity squad.

The performance’s digital footprint includes 334,436 views and 4,670 likes in the platform snapshot. For a video of a performance from the Canadian university dance circuit, those engagement figures indicate substantial reach on the platform. The clip shows how compelling group choreography can translate to the screen, where watching the smooth coordination and physical stamina of competitive dancers in motion offers an experience that description alone cannot fully capture. Explore more high-energy competitive routines choreographed and performed by the University of Ottawa’s varsity dance ensemble.

 

The routine represents a dedicated subset of the University of Ottawa’s broader program. Entering its 32nd year in 2026, the Gee-Gees Dance Team regularly trains across jazz, contemporary, and lyrical disciplines. The 15 performers featured in “BILLIE JEAN” are among the 32 members listed on the official 2025–26 roster, demonstrating the depth of talent within the squad. The Music Man readers will appreciate how this selected large-group entry highlights the rigorous preparation and collective focus that define university-level competitive dance.