Dance Shows.. its that time of year

It's that time of year when dance teachers are busy.

With Christmas soon approaching, dance teachers are busy preparing for dance shows or any other stage show that has dance in it !

So far, every day this week I have been to a community dance show, with every night booked up for next week too.

Quite often we as dance teachers get so caught up in the whole organisation of the event that we forget why we are doing the show in the first place. It's hardly suprising as we spend most of the time back stage and dont even get to see the show ourselves.

A few years ago I organised childrens community dance shows, but as my dance school got bigger we outgrew many community venues. I also discovered the legalities of running such a show and decided not to puruse the shows on a grand scale due to lack of qualified volunteers and funding required to meet with regulations.

So, instead we have in-house shows. Keep them small and on a community vibe. Last night was the first time in years that I wasn't back stage and watched a show from start to end. I soon realised that these community shows are just as important to the performer than if the dancer was performing on a big theatre stage.

It's important to remember that any dancer who started to learn dance as a child had most probrably danced in a community show when then first started out. It's in these community shows where a dancer first learns lessons as a performer, builds confidence and after the event gains that sense of achievement. It is this that encourages them to continue to do better and gives them that determination to improve.

These are the crucial stepping stones to anyone who wants to become a better dancer and thank all the dance teachers out there who put all their efforts into organising these events for the community and for their students.

As I sit here on my cosy sofa surrounded by Christmas decorations, its a constant reminder that Christmas is about giving. So to all you dance teachers out there who give in so many different ways.. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you accept my offer by letting me give to you an opportunity on www.dancemass.com

How do adjudicators judge dance competitions ?

When I was younger and use to compete at dance competitions, I remember my dance teacher saying that apart from performing to the best of my ability I also had to make sure that I looked the part.

Now I'm an adjudicator I know why.

Often when adjudicating, there could be approx 20-40 dancers on the floor at the same time. How can an adjudicator possibly watch all of these dancers routines in just a few minute to judge? Well, its impossible.

Which is why as a competitor it is crucial to start dancing as soon as the music starts. This will catch the judges eye, and you will receive their devoted attention if only for a few seconds. An attractive costume will also help get you noticed on an overcrowded dance floor.

In the first few heats judges will mark down the dancers who they feel has the overall presentation of a projected standard to go through to the next round.

Its in this next round where other factors come into play.

When the competition is on a circuit ie.dancers compete by dancing around the dancefloor in an anti-clockwise direction, judges tend to mark when you dance past them. When you dance too close to a judge, you are too close to be seen properly. It is much easier to be able to look at a dancer from a distance. So remember this next time.. the judge is more likely to watch you when you past them.

When marking for final places, judges look for techinical ability, projection and controlled breathing. Breathing is very important for dancers, if you do not breathe properly it may look like you are rushing your steps and in doing so not finishing them off properly. This will deliver a poor presentation result.

When it's between two dancers as to who gets 1st or 2nd place for example and both dancers are able to express similar levels of abilities, projection, and rhythmical interpretations then the bottom line does come down to... yep you guessed it.. the costume !

Good luck for your next comp !

Take care

Dawn DeMendonca
Founder
www.dancemass.com

Whats the next dance craze?

My prediction would be that in freestyle we have to look at the future of house dance as being the next big thing. House music started in the 70’s but has now taken on a mainstream presence dominating the club and bar scene worldwide. It takes practise to master this style but so long as you are feeling the rhythm your movements will flow and you will be able to perform with fluidity. The uptempo pace will sure to get your heart pumping and a few pounds shifting. If you take the foundations of street, jazz & disco add influences of other dance genres such of latin and reggae..and put it all in your feet.. you have house dance. The key is to keep the flow (and your feet) going and look like your dancing on rollerskates !

These guys from Tokyo in Japan are hot !!

Whats HOT in Miami Florida ?

Dont let your dance school suffer in the economic gloom

Just watched the news ! Economic gloom is everywhere. Hows your dance school coping ? Has studio rental gone up ? Are your classes full ?

While I do not buy into this despondency, it is true that it’s time to radically change our approach as Entrepreneur Dance Instructors. Those who don’t will unfortunately suffer badly – but the good news is that those who are smart about this will actually increase their profits substantially in the months and years ahead.

The cost of a class in the UK is £5approx. So hopefully the credit crunch is not having a huge impact on our trade.,you may think. It is a fact that most dance schools are small businesses so even a slight decline in customers/students could have a massive negative impact on the business. Many that hire halls or studios will find that these prices have also been increased or will be increasing ! For those who teach in the less affluent areas will need to act quickly to financially survive this economic gloom !


So Im offering you a gift...
your gift is your solution. Whether your dance school is thriving or not in todays market, you need to be one step ahead and take your career or business to the next level. How do you do that ? Its simple, Open your market to the world. Teach dance online. Get with the times and start thinking ahead and act NOW. Dancemass.com is an online studio where you can teach dance classes in your own dancemass studio and have students from anywhere in the world attend your class. My gift to you is that you can have studio space on www.dancemass.com for FREE. All you need to do is claim it now !

Just go to www.dancemass.com to register your free studio space and start teaching any style to students at any level all over the world today.

Best Wishes

Dawn DeMendonca
Founder
www.dancemass.com

do you teach dance part time ? or full time ?

For many dance teachers, their passion for dance grew from a childhood hobby to a part time income. Why part time ? Mainly because they feel that teaching dance full time will be too exhausting for their body and will not have enough students in their local area to provide a full time income. For most, dance has always been a hobby and continue the art into adulthood in the form of teaching.

If you are self employed and teach dance full time.. you must be exhausted ! I remember teaching 15 classes a week and although I done this for a few years, lesson planning became demanding together with increased admin. Being self employed is also a huge responsiblity therefore usually meaning more time is required. Lack of business knowledge can also play a huge impact in loss of earnings.

Now I want you to imagine this..

What if.. you could teach dance 24 hrs 7 days a week without feeling exhausted ?
What if.. you could use an easy business tool to explode your profits ?
What if.. you could reach students not just in your local area but worldwide, would your income increase?

Well..You can !.. and more..

All you need to do is

Register Now for your FREE studio space on www.dancemass.com. Upload your teaching video and have students from all the world attending your class 24 hours a day, 7 days a week earning you an income whilst you sleep, work and play.

See you in there !

Dawn DeMendonca
Founder
www.dancemass.com


ps. Happy Halloween and this is No trick ! This is really a treat.. You even get a free warm up video when you claim your free studio space now on www.dancemass.com

is there money in dance ?

I went to a video studio today in London and got talking to one of the staff members when I was off camera. She use to dance when she was younger and even started to further her education in dance but despite her passion and advanced ability she then decided to drop out and get a job instead. Her reason for quiting was because she felt that dancing as a career wouldnt be able to support her financially. I often wonder how many other really talented dancers are out there who decided not to take up their passion of dancing as a career for same reason... (money). Why is it so difficult to earn a living through dance ? What are the solutions ?

I support all of you out there who struggle with life as a dancer..and I want to help you. Its a fact that teaching dance is the most popular way of earning a regular income, but can your body really cope with teaching dance full time ? Well.. I got some exciting news for you !! What if your class was available 24/7 with students from around the world attending your class.. how much would you be earning then ? The solution is simple, all you need to do is teach your moves online...and have a worldwide student base 24/7, dont limit yourself go for your dreams ! all you need to do is sign up on www.dancemass.com and guess what?...you dont even have to pay for studio/hall rental !

Do it now, what are you waiting for?
www.dancemass.com

How you can make your dance school into a full time business

I have met so many dance teachers who run dance schools with the belief that a dance school could only be a part time business.

All it takes is to apply marketing strategies, develop a good business model and a creative vision for your future.

visit www.dancemode.co.uk

DanceMode started off as one after school club and has now developed into a nationwide dance school specialising in freestyle/streetdance. With a bit of time, planning, and dedication you can do it too.

What is freestyle dance ?

Had a meeting today with IDTA examiner Lisa McLean. We discussed the definition of freestyle dance which brought about some thoughts as what it actually is and what others interpret it to be.

In my view freestyle is a dancer who freely expresses themselves to any genre of music.

However did you know there is actually a style of dance called "freestyle"? The Freestyle technique was developed from disco dancing.

An example can be found here


This style of dance has been around for years with thousands of dancers around the world competing and performing. The underlying question is why has this style not been recognised in the commercial world ? Freestyle dance is danced to dance electro music.. again a worldwide market.

Is it because its called freestyle ? therefore people interpret freestyle to be more street based and so this technique is dismissed?

Heres an example of a street based freestyle...



What does freestyle dance mean to you ???

Dawn DeMendonca
www.DanceMass.com

How you can earn a regular income as a dancer

After being in the dance industry for over 15 years, I often hear the same comments from dancers around the world "I havent got any money". Dancers for years have been dancing simply for the love of it. Although the passion, creativity and flow of movement is good for the soul the reality is dancing as a career cannot provide a stable financial income. Unless you are famous ! and trust me.. most dancers DO NOT become famous !

Its a fact that the fresh dancers are working in the commerical world for free these days just to get on a music video, therefore leaving the more experienced dancers still waiting for an audition.

Experienced dancers then decide to teach as their only way to achieve a regular income. But for how many more years can one dance for and continue to keep up to date with current trends?

Dance is an ever evolving worldwide industry with new moves, new styles and new interpretations created by the second. Dance is the only language that is universal. Its time to bring recognition and financial success to dancers worldwide. Its simple.. all you have to do to get paid is share new steps with a global audience by just clicking the link below.

www.dancemass.com is launching 17th October 2008.
Earn teaching dance online....you deserve to get paid whilst you sleep ! This is a massive opportunity you cant afford to ignore.