Jean Gordon
Wednesday, February 2, 2022 1:38 pm
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A Rutherford County native, Montana Bright, who is an operating room nurse at Atrium Health in Charlotte spends part of her free time at her part-time job as a Honey Bee dancer for the Charlotte Hornets.
Declaring she's been a dancer "my entire life" Montana had dreams of becoming a Honey Bee. After auditions that lasted over a month, Montana shared how she learned she had been selected as a Honey Bee.
The 26-year-old Chase High graduate, who received her BSN, RN from Gardner-Webb University, learned she was selected on the 2021-2022 Honey Bee team while she was actually on her job as a nurse. She was assisting on a pediatric cardiac surgery case at Atrium Health when a co-worker-friend delivered the news.
Montana's co-worker Meg opened the doors to the operating room and announced Montana had been selected as a Honey Bee.
"Due to being in the operating since 6:30 a.m. that day I was unable to check my email or social media accounts and had no idea the post had been made," Montana recalls.
"I had just completed the almost one-month long audition process and immediately cried when she told me the news," she said.
Montana, the daughter of Sherry Bright of Forest City and Brannon Bright of Forest City, explained the auditions process. Round one was virtual due to COVID-19. Dancers who advanced to round two, including herself, were allowed to meet in person.
"We learned a routine and performed it the same day, and from there, 30 dancers were chosen to move on to round three," Montana explained. Round three consisted of multiple routines, a professional interview, talent night, and physical fitness evaluations over a two-week period.
"The Hornets organization takes such good care of us. They truly care about and appreciate the Honey Bees and what we bring to the game day experience for fans," Montana said.
There are Honey Bees at all Hornets games during the season although all team members do not work every game. There are 22 women on the team and every game features from 12 to 16 dancers.
"One of the requirements of being on the team is to have a full-time job or be a full-time student, so all of us are able to balance either work or school and still be able to dance as well," Montana said.
Montana admits she had been a dancer "my entire life."
She was a student at DreamWeavers Dance Studio in Forest City for many years and credits the studio and its dancers for preparing her the long nights of dance she is still fortunate to experience today.
"My entire life, I have always gone from school to dance practice, and now, I am so thankful to be able to go from a full-time job to dance practice, too. DreamWeavers has always been my second home and I attribute my love for dance to their inspiration and guidance," Montana said.
"I am especially grateful to Pam Strickland, Macey Butler and Ritchie Garland for always encouraging me and pushing me to pursue a dream that I once thought of as unachievable."
Montana said she followed in the footsteps of fellow Forest City native, Farrin Eddy as she entered the professional dance world.
Prior to becoming a Honey Bee, Farrin and Montana were cheerleaders for the Charlotte Checkers hockey team.
She learned about the Charlotte Checkers CheckMaters while she was still in college at Gardner-Webb.
"After seeing what she (Farrin) had accomplished on the team, I decided to audition as well once I moved to Charlotte after graduating nursing school," Montana said.
"I am so thankful to get to experience professional dance with a childhood friend and I continue to admire her talent and passion," she added.
From time to time Montana's friends, her mom, her dad and other relatives have had the opportunity to see the lifelong dancer still doing what she loves.
Visit the Charlotte Hornet website for videos of the Honey Bees.