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
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
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
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
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