Yes, Virginia...There Is A Competition For You
You are the best judge of what your dancers need to feel to exude confidence when they compete. Find them a venue that they will feel comfortable with. Don't put them into an event too soon that will be too difficult for them to master and possibly shatter their self-assurance. At the same time, learn to read your dancer's ability and poise and comfortably push them when the time is right. Have them participate in events that they will do OK in, even though they might not be the top scoring dancer. These events, if entered with the dancer's right frame of mind and positive coaching from you, are the ones that will guide your dancers to do better. The student will see what's out there and know how they have to improve to keep in the running.
Every competition a dancer enters should teach them something. Every event should be considered to be a learning and growing encounter. All of our students need to learn through trial and error...sometime not all of the results will be pleasant. But in the long run, each and every event will be rewarding in one way or another.
I am well aware that geographical locations for some studios are the prime factor in deciding what events you are able to attend. Although this might limit your choices and perhaps even cut them in half, I feel positive that although you have to travel to attend any event...you will make the best choice possible. Let's take a broad overview and analyze some of the different types of competitions that are out there for you to consider.
My personal choice is to always try to attend a competition that has a workshop or classes connected with it. Any chance a dancer has to take a class with a teacher, other than from their studio, is a great learning experience for them.
A student who can adapt and eventually master many different styles and techniques becomes a more employable dancer and teacher in the future. As an educator, this combination of class & competition is paramount in my book. That does not mean that those events that are only competitive are not valuable learning tools as well...they truly are...in many ways. Try to strike a happy medium in your choices of venues to attend...mix and match them to fit your needs. I have done that for years and find it works out just fine.
Competitions can be scored through adjudication or only placement; a few have a "novice or recreational category", but most do not; some have title opportunities that are based solely on performance while others also require participation in classes as well as interview for the title; some have monetary awards for the "Top 5 or Top 10" or "Overall High" placement in quite a few categories, while many do not; most competitions provide the studio, in addition to the score sheet, with an oral critique tape from each judge, which is a great learning tool, while a few still do not; many have a "special awards judge" on the panel, a few do not; some have categories for vocal, clogging, pom pon and dance team, while most do not; some have age limits and do not accept dancers younger than 10 years of age, thus eliminating the beginner or intermediate competitor; the majority of the comps have a different panel of qualified judges for each city or location they go to while those that also have classes usually have their master teachers serve as judges as well; most, if not all competitions, offer the opportunity to go on to a National if you place high enough in the regional or state event. So you see the choices are many...your job as a teacher is to find the right one and most importantly read, know and understand all the various rules and regulations of the event. If you do not understand something...call and ask them to explain it further to you so you can comprehend what they are requesting. It's really important to know the rules of the game before you decide to play!
Learn to "read" the competitions before you make your final decision on attendance. If it is a competition with a workshop, know where their home base is and what styles of dance they are known for. If the judging panel is comprised of master teachers from their workshop, this should tell you quite a bit right up front. By reading the background of the teachers in the competition brochure, it will tell you what the "judging base" of this panel will be. Know what performers and routines from your studio will fit this bill and go with them. If the majority of the teachers/judges have Jazz, Hip Hop or perhaps Modern credentials...what do YOU think will do well?
If the panel of judges consists of professionals from different backgrounds and different regions of the country with experience in various dance disciplines...this too should give you some clues. You will probably not know up front who the judges will even be. In most cases this type of a panel only comes together at the competition itself and does not have predisposed group thoughts on what they like. It is not a unit that travels together about the country week after week having the opportunity to discuss what they have seen in many locales. Their likes and dislikes will usually be quite varied, thus providing a greater assortment of possible styles appreciated and thus awards presented.
And now you are thinking..."which panel is better?" Honestly, I feel there is no discriminate answer for that question. Both types of panels are great...thus both types of competitions are great. They each provide a different and wonderful learning experience for your students. I suggest you try to savor both of them in one year. It will make your season so much richer because of the assorted encounters your students will share.
The great American Will Rogers...you know of the "Follies" fame...once said, "I never met a man I didn't like". Well I'd like to take some literary license with his quote and paraphrase it to say..."I've never attended a competition I didn't like". Sure I have my favorites and like some better than others, but I cannot point my finger at one and say "I did not like that competition at all and we will not go back to compete there again". I have found good features in all the events I have attended as a competing studio over the years, and believe me there have been many.
The one terrific feature that all competitions have in common is opportunity. In simple terms, they provide a venue unique to our profession that affords our dancers the chance to dance. Our students have the opportunity to get on a stage and perform for their family and friends. They have the opportunity to see the local and regional talent that they are part of too. The have the opportunity to grow as a dancer because even if they are "the best" in their studio, they will see that there are better dancers than themselves. They have the opportunity to see the rewards of real teamwork in action. They have the opportunity to meet and make many new friends and some of these friendships can and do last for years to come. They have the opportunity to advance their personal goal to do better every time they get on the stage...any stage. They have the opportunity to feel good about themselves and realize that hard work and determination does pay off in the long run. They have the opportunity to learn that there is a difference between "dancing and performing", which must be mastered before they as a student of dance can master their art. One opportunity after another, they are all there and they are provided for our dancers through
competitions.
Over the years, I have seen a dramatic decrease of local performing opportunities in our community. Other than the end of the year studio performance, our dancers have limited chances to perform and showcase their talents except at competitions. In a big city like Miami, we only have 2 local community sponsored events each year that dance participation is a part of, but not the main attraction. I would be thrilled if we had more! If you have a local showcase or even a competition to have your dancers attend...do so, I am sure it would be a great and worthwhile experience for them.
Years ago I would take our Company to nursing homes, schools, civic events and charity affairs when the chance or invitation came our way. Today, the available events, locations and invitations are fewer and fewer. That is sad because it was such a great way for the dancers to perform their craft as well as feel good about being able to contribute something to their community. Perhaps that trend will change, I hope so, as I think "performing just to perform" is a fantastic way to grow in the arts.
As you have undoubtedly surmised by now, I am a fan of competitions if they are used properly as a learning tool for the trade. But, I must admit there is one personal gripe I have with most competitions ... their award categorization. I am definitely not a fan of "all the above Gold" trophies and awards that plunder the system of honesty in rank. If the Bronze, Silver and Gold system is so widely accepted by the sports world...why can't we, the dance world, accept it too? Why must we have Platinum, Diamond and who knows what else as our top awards? Bronze and Silver awards have gone by the way side. I think this is doing an injustice to our students. They all think they are hot stuff when they come home with nothing lower than a Gold. They tell all their family and friends they got a Gold trophy! But we the teachers, who know better, know it really was not a gold. Because they're a gold medal winner, they think they are the best, reached the top and can rest on their laurels...wrong!
At most competitions these days ALL the dancers come away with at least a Gold medal...which in reality is a Bronze. Those that received High Gold...really got a Silver. And those that took home Diamond or Platinum...really got the Gold! These "higher than gold awards" deflate the award system while at the same time inflate the student's egos giving them a false sense of pride and accomplishment. We, as educators, sit at the events and see entries that really are not up to par, need to work and practice, yet they get a Gold award. Is this really encouraging our students to work harder? Is this really preparing them for the outside world of daily challenges to overcome to reach their personal goal? I think not.
I have no problem with the competition organizers announcing the Top 5 or 10 in each category of Bronze, Silver and Gold. I think that is fair and let's the student know that even though you received a Bronze award, you were the "top" in that division. So now you need to persevere and work to achieve a Silver or maybe even a Gold the next time. Or if you got a Gold award, there were 3 entries that scored higher than you in the Gold category, so you were not "the best". Thus again reiterating the need to continue to work harder so perhaps your ranking will improve. This gives the competitors something to work towards. I also think Special Awards; Top Score in an age division; Most Entertaining or Overall High Score awards are fine. They are great motivators for the dancers, and are awards they can look forward to possibly attaining.
When I was young and would ask my mother for something she thought I did not deserve or was too young for she would say to me..."If I give you a diamond necklace at age 12, what am I going to give you at age 20 that you can and will appreciate?" I think that is what's happening with our awards at competitions...the dancers, in most cases, are getting too much too soon. Teach them reality and honesty by giving them what they truly deserve, be is Gold, Silver or Bronze, and not all that "fluff" that is being presented today.
OK...time to get off my soap box and back to the topic at hand...competitions that are right for your dancers. Let's examine Virginia's situation first. She is 10 years old and a first year company member; stands out with above average technique in most of her classes; has 1 group routine and 1 Duo; although her Duo partner has competed once before, she is a novice competitor. What will serve her needs the best? Because she does well in her weekly classes, I suggest you look for an event that has a workshop in addition to an adjudicated competition. She will feel comfortable in the classes. They in turn will give her confidence and will provide her additional training and exposure to various styles, techniques and teachers. Search for a competition that has a Novice category for the Duo, as this puts her in contention with other dancers of the same caliber. She and her partner will not be fighting an uphill battle before they even start.
Wendy will be next to wonder about. What serves her best? She has been competing groups, duos and solos for several years now and has always been an above average competitor, but never quite attaining that elusive top award. She is a 13 year old confident solo performer and her technique has greatly improved over the past year. I feel this is the right time to challenge her to do better and perhaps even her best with at least her solo. Find a comp for Wendy that has a solo section that is not adjudicated, but scored by placement only. If you feel she is ready for a title, encourage her to enter. As a first time title competitor, enter her in a title competition that only has performance and no other events for scoring. This will keep the pressure to a minimum and allow her to concentrate on her performance and nothing else.
What will serve the desires of Xiamara? She is a seasoned competitor, and at 15 years old, has the desire to become a professional dancer and wants to achieve all she possibly can. Find a venue that is known to have great master classes, scholarship awards for the best dancers in the classes and a tough panel of professional competition judges. There is no better time than now to face the music and know that it is a tough battle to become a professional dancer these days. There are hundreds if not thousands of dancers that are better than her out there...all waiting in the wings with stars in their eyes. There are several national membership organizations that start with regional winners and allows them to advance to a state level and then to the national level. This would be a good choice for Xiamara. If she wins the state and goes on to the Nationals, she will face dancers that have also won their state levels and are ready to do their best just as she is. In addition to performance, these types of solo events usually have classes in all disciplines of dance for the entrants to be scored in and an interview to go through as well. There are many facets to this type of an event... and all of them will prove valuable if Xiamara plans to go "into the business".
Yvonne is a very insecure 9 year old and has shied away from doing anything but groups. Although she has great attributes and good technique, her insecurities have always held her back. Why not find 2 other dancers that will compliment her and each other and choreograph a Trio for them? This could hopefully be the chance to get Yvonne to feel confident in a smaller group, yet still not alone on the stage. I suggest that you enter the Trio, along with her group routines, in a competition event only. Let her concentrate on her new performance challenge and not be distracted by worrying about how she will do in classes. Make sure the event is adjudicated, so the Trio will get its just award and feel comfortably rewarded for their work.
Last but not least we come to Zara who, for the past five years, has been far from being zealous about competing. She is an average dancer, a loyal member of your company, has good attendance in class and rehearsals, has wonderful performance capabilities with lots of sparkle in your group & production routines, but has never shown any real enthusiasm to go any farther... that is until now. She'll be graduating from high school next year so this year she decides she wants to do more and that to her means a Solo. She does not want a Duo or a Trio...only a Solo and a Jazz routine to boot! You have your doubts as to her technical success. But because she has that effervescent sparkle on stage, you do not want to burst her bubble and turn her down. You have several challenges to face and overcome. First of all you need to convince this average dancer with great stage presence that she should do a Musical Theatre Jazz piece, where her personality attribute will shine through and do her a great justice. Once she is comfortable with that, then you have to find a competition to showcase this "first time older soloist" just right. Definitely go the adjudicated route she needs to feel somewhat secure that she will get an award of some kind. Look for a venue with a varied panel of judges from different dance backgrounds, musical theatre pieces usually do well if done well.
Search on the Web to see what comps have a Special Awards category, that she might be recognized for her great performance qualities. If Zara, as a first time soloist, can do well enough to obtain recognition in any category, she should be a content and happy dancer who will go on to her senior year with grace and confidence, courtesy of you her teacher and the competition you find for her.
Yes, there are competitions out there to fit your dancers and your studio like a glove...you just have to find them. Do you attend competitions? If so, what protocol do you use when it comes to choosing a competition for your dancers? What is at the top of your list when making your decision? How many competitions do you attend each season? How often do you attend Nationals? How or do competitions provide benefits your dancers? If yes...what are they? If no...why not? Please share your feelings about this subject with me and all Dancers' readers. You can send me your thoughts, comments questions or suggestions to danceun@aol.com. I'll look forward to receiving them. Until next time...Thanx for chatting!