The stress of dance competitions
August 28th 2006 03:31
The kind of dance competitions I'm familiar with are the urban/hip hop types, groups of 4-20 people showcasing a 3-7min routine in front of a large audience and a select panel of 3-7 judges.
Sydney has quite a few of these comps held throughout the year by different organisers but the same rules apply to all of them - be original, creative, entertaining and versatile, apart from all the technical requirements.
Dance crews who enter range from amateurs who practice in their garage/backyard and dance for fun, to the more professional groups where dancing IS their life.
This explains why I haven't been posting on this or even on my Hiphop blog for a whole week; every night is a late night rehearsal for hours at a time. Bruises, various injuries, sore muscles are all worth it. Plus, all the exercise makes you sleep even better.
I think entering one or two dance comps a year with a good break in between is a great way level up your dancing skills - it sets a goal with a deadline and makes you train harder and more frequently.
So far this year I've entered 3 dance comps. My group Groovesteps won the first one, came second in the next one, and with Caramell we took out the Shakedown Sydney finals just yesterday and will be heading to Melbourne at the end of October for the national finals. Still waiting on footage.
Be cautioned if you're thinking about entering a dance competition like these; it'll mean less of a social life, less contact with your family and loved ones, maybe not a lot of sleep, and worries that you'll screw up majorly and be the ultimate reason why your group didn't do as well as they'd hoped. Prepare yourself for disappointment and always remember that it's about the journey, what you've learnt and how much you've grown during the process, not if you win or don't even place...
Just keep dancing.
Sydney has quite a few of these comps held throughout the year by different organisers but the same rules apply to all of them - be original, creative, entertaining and versatile, apart from all the technical requirements.
Dance crews who enter range from amateurs who practice in their garage/backyard and dance for fun, to the more professional groups where dancing IS their life.
Caramell at Shakedown Sydney Finals
This explains why I haven't been posting on this or even on my Hiphop blog for a whole week; every night is a late night rehearsal for hours at a time. Bruises, various injuries, sore muscles are all worth it. Plus, all the exercise makes you sleep even better.
I think entering one or two dance comps a year with a good break in between is a great way level up your dancing skills - it sets a goal with a deadline and makes you train harder and more frequently.
So far this year I've entered 3 dance comps. My group Groovesteps won the first one, came second in the next one, and with Caramell we took out the Shakedown Sydney finals just yesterday and will be heading to Melbourne at the end of October for the national finals. Still waiting on footage.
Caramell at Shakedown Sydney Finals
Be cautioned if you're thinking about entering a dance competition like these; it'll mean less of a social life, less contact with your family and loved ones, maybe not a lot of sleep, and worries that you'll screw up majorly and be the ultimate reason why your group didn't do as well as they'd hoped. Prepare yourself for disappointment and always remember that it's about the journey, what you've learnt and how much you've grown during the process, not if you win or don't even place...
Just keep dancing.
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Comment by Melinda
Travel France
Congrats on winning the final. That's a pretty amazing achievement. Best of luck for the national finals!!!!
= )
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
I can't imagine what it's like to be part of a jazz troupe, I'd probably go crazy! The shows at the eisteddfods are incredible though so I understand the hard work, sweat, blood and tears put into producing a showcase.
Thanks Melinda!
Comment by Drumstick
i've always believed it was better to lose than to win. you always learn more and improve more from your losses.
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
It's true that people who keep winning feel like they're on the top and they have nothing more to improve on and so they take it easy and then out of nowhere BAM overtaken!
Comment by Drumstick
Been reviewing the footage from shakedown btw. U Rocked It!
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
Ooo footage! Where where where? Hehehe thanks
Comment by Drumstick
btw, what was the beat used for cassie's me and you for your shakedown show? loved it
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Aaliyah
Comment by Trina
Hiphop
Confessions of a Serial Dancer
Competitions
Clubbing
Hey Anon, which group were you with? Thanks for the congrats and we'll be sure to represent Sydney!!!
Hi Aaliyah, nice name btw (is that your real name?) Anyways body control just takes time and practice. Remember your center and keep it tight (i.e. suck your tummy in when you're dancing, just like when you do pilates). It's hard to explain over the net but make sure you practice in front of a mirror and videotape yourself to assess your progress.
Comment by Anonymous
from johnohn
p.s mi e-mail address iz i_eat_puc@hotamil.com
Comment by Balletluva
Im 12 years old and i am looking for small competitions to eter in for ballet. I am on pointe and want to be a ballerins so i need some were to start off right? I live in Sydney Neutral bay so really any were close to there. I would be coreographing it myself ao please hear me when i say small competitions, but please do not judge my dancing ablities by this because i do 5 hours of ballet a week not to mention jazz and contempry.Thank you very much.
Comment by Lacie May
I've Been Dancing For About 9 Years Now and Im 15..
And I Want To Know How Can I Become More Successful With My Dancing ?
And Get Noticed ?
Someone Reply Please xxxxYour text goes here