Paige Burns is in her fifth season as dance coach. Photo courtesy of Paige Burns. 

DOROTHY LAKSHMANAMURTHY | STAFF REPORTER | dlakshmanamurthy@butler.edu

Arriving at Hinkle Fieldhouse in her scrubs, dance team head coach Paige Burns switches into her coaching role after a 12-hour shift as an ER nurse at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital’s level one trauma center. 

Burns tries to split up her weekly schedule between designated nursing days and dancing days, but additional shifts, meetings, practices and games occasionally push her to fulfill two roles in one day. 

“Even if I am running into a 7 p.m. practice after an ER shift, I still find a way to be there,” Burns said. “I might only be one person, but I am one person that does everything I can to fulfill both of my passions.”

This busy routine has been the norm for Burns since she graduated in 2018 from the University of Kentucky — where she was also a member of the dance team — with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Burns jumped into both her current nursing job and coaching position immediately after graduation. She even took on a third role during the 2021-22 NFL season as a Colts Cheerleader. 

Senior dancer Audrey Elvers finds Burns’ ability to take on multiple roles impressive.

“Her schedule is crazy,” Elvers said. “I applaud her for being able to balance it all, especially because her jobs are not easy. Being an ER nurse can really weigh heavy on your heart, and then being a coach takes so much time and energy to make sure we can be the best we can be.”

Burns sought out the Butler coaching position during her senior year of college when she noticed that St. Vincent Hospital was only a 16-minute drive from Butler’s campus. She contacted former dance team head coach Cassia Martin to express her interest in helping out the team and became an assistant coach for the 2018-19 season.

After Martin’s departure the following season, the head coach position quickly fell into Burns’ lap. The team was still in a developing period at the time when it had only been considered a part of Butler Athletics for two years. Despite this, Burns saw the team’s youth as an opportunity to grow alongside it.

“I was heading into this position so young,” Burns said. “And I still find myself having to figure out things as I go. For instance, when I teach the team to be patient and about accountability, I am also taking those lessons to heart for myself. We are all learning together.”

Allowing the team to grow further, Burns has made several changes throughout her six years as head coach. She has increased the original 20-member standard to take up to 32 dancers and pushed the program to start competing at Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals, which they will attend for the third season this year.  

“I knew the moment I became head coach that I wanted to get the team to UDA,” Burns said. “Butler’s program gets these incredible dancers, and we have such a strong team every single year. I was like, ‘We got to take this on tour and show the world.’”

Burns’ most recent change happened this year when she chose a male dancer to be on the team for the first time in program history.

Sophomore Kyler Alford is grateful for Burns’ belief in him and expresses the extra effort Burns has put in since his arrival on the team. 

“She worked with me to get my opinions on uniforms since that was all brand new,” Alford said. “Then at one of the recent games, she noticed that my uniform was a little tight and she came up to me first to ask ‘What can I do to fix this to make sure you are comfortable?’ It shows how much she truly cares about every aspect, detail and person that is a part of this team.”

Burns also utilizes her past dancing experience to influence her coaching style. During Burns’ time in Kentucky, she was nominated for the 110% award and the Game Day award. She was also a part of the team’s second-place success when they were selected to represent Team USA at the ICU World Championships.

With Burns’ various dancing accolades, Elvers observed her elevated ability to boost gameday energy.

“[Burns] definitely knows how to make the game day environment special,” Elvers said. “Everyone knows ‘Hinkle magic,’ and talks about the exciting energy that the games bring, and the dance team tries to enhance that magic. [Burns] definitely knows how to bring that energy with her own college dancing experience, and especially by being a part of a Colts game day from field-view.” 

However, Burns almost did not continue with dance during her childhood. She began dancing when her mom enrolled her in classes at three years old. After the studio she attended shut down while she was in middle school, Burns decided to move on to try out other sports, such as volleyball and soccer.

She was heavily involved in soccer — playing at the varsity level — but was redirected toward her initial passion for dance through an arts credit class instructed by Avon High School’s former dance team coach Jennifer Hinshaw. 

“I just needed to get my arts credit,” Burns said. “And I thought it would be fun to do a dance class since I had not danced in four years. I chose the level one class because I did not think I was good enough to be in any other level, but Hinshaw pulled me aside and said ‘You need to be on the dance team,’ and I took her word.”

As for Burns’ passion for nursing, that was instilled through her love for science and anatomy. She wanted to be a part of a job where she could not only pursue science but also help people.

“I love being a trauma nurse,” Burns said. “Unfortunate accidents can happen to people — it can be one of the worst days of your life — but I get to be a part of a team that does everything they can to take care and help people through those tough times.” 

Although her nursing and coaching jobs may seem extremely different, Burns notes many parallels between the two. 

“Both of my jobs have opened my eyes immensely,” Burns said. “For both roles, it is all about planning and being calm when things might be going wrong. It is about being that leader who is ready to anticipate the next step or move. One of the biggest things is empathy – for my patients, dancers and everyone I work with.”

In the midst of her sixth season as head coach, Burns’ excitement for this year amplified after the team’s practice on Nov. 6. Post-practice, Burns turned to assistant dance coach Alyssa Hartsock to express that the team is beginning to dance as a more unified group. 

As Burns watches the team constantly improve, she looks forward to what the rest of the season will bring.

“I say this every year, but this is the most talented team I have ever had,” Burns said. “They have taken every challenge I throw at them head-on, and they are always ready to work hard. I cannot wait to see how much more they grow.”