NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: MAKE THEM LAST MORE THAN A WEEK

New Year's resolutions can be a good thing, but as I saw on social media recently, New Year's resolutions are more often than not the week's to-do-list. With a new year, we all have a chance at a fresh start! How exciting and awesome is that? This year will be my "weed the garden" of negativity, procrastination, and of things unhealthy: physically, mentally, and spiritually. One of my favorite quotes of ALL time is from Ferris Bueller. Ferris says, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you can miss it." This year, I'm going to look around. It is time to continuously be aware. Its time to be thankful not just for the big things, but for the little things and chose to enjoy life and all it's blessings. Things won't always be joyful, but you can chose to find joy in all things. It is time to be present!

This brings me to dance life, studio life. I am reminded of words that were told to me early on in my teaching career. A very wise man by the name of Joel Ruminer said, "If you are going to set an example, make sure to do it in front of an audience."  Bad apples...people who are never happy, and always seem to find fault with others. They are out there. None of us are perfect, and none of us on this planet know it all. We all deserve a little mercy and grace, and we should extend those things to others. But, we don't have to continue to play a role in the drama. Consider how life could be if a "weeding the garden" happened and positivity filled the building. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to make an example to get everyone and everything moving in a better direction.

New Year's resolution Number 1: Practice Better Communication. Another wise thing Mr. Joel said was, "If you believe everything your child says about me, then I will believe everything your child says about you." WOW!!! Now that's a statement, isn't it? We all know how young minds and their way of thinking can be altered by emotions. Children of all ages find security and comfort in talking to their dance teachers, especially when they are upset with friends and family. Emotions can jump in and people can say things that aren't exactly the truth because they story is heighten by how they feel at the moment. Unfortunately, some parents can behave like children by setting a terrible example for others. If a situation such as this arises, don't ever assume it is completely accurate. Assumptions create many other problems, and gossip causes even more. Instead of creating something out of possibly nothing or making matters worse, kindly go directly to the studio owner, parent, or fellow dancer instead of everyone in the class or lobby. I promise you, the situation can be taken care of more effectively if you'll do that instead of gossip to everyone else first. Better communication is a great step towards creating a healthier environment.

New Year's resolution Number 2: Stick to your Guns. Studio owners remember;  one bad apple really does spoil the bunch. One bad apple can take great apples and make them just is rotten. The stench can take over the room. As hard as it may be, it is best to weed the garden when the first weed pops up. It may be the best student in the class. It may be one of your sweetest students with four siblings, but it is not worth that one parent or one student destroying your studio or taking five other families with them spreading lies all over town. This goes back to Mr. Joel's advice. When you weed the garden, make sure you have an audience. There are two reasons for having witnesses. Number one is that no one wants to be shamed in public. Expelling someone professionally, and kindly with a witness may be enough to keep others from following the same path. The second reason is that the truth cannot be skewed by anyone.

New Year's resolution Number 3: Be the Positive Change. In the new year, stop and think about how you can be a positive influence and contributor to change for the better, not just for your life, but also for those around you. I like to call this "stop the drama". Let's go into the New Year gossip free and full of love! Let's all walk in to the dance studio and in to dance competitions with the goal of being the best you can be while appreciating others being the best they can be! Going back to the basics of good manners and respect of others will make a WORLD of difference within the dance community. Treating each other with kindness and compassion, in addition to showing a little grace and mercy, is the way to go. If you want a positive environment, you must set the standard and encourage it. You can still expel someone and show them love and forgiveness. Love and forgiveness doesn't mean you have to tolerate the bad behavior, but you do have to remain kind. After all, a person should know what the outcome will be if negative behavior continues if they have been warned.

New Year's resolution Number 4: Put Others First. Sometimes it's not bad behavior by anyone, but a studio may no longer be right for a dancer. The studio may not offer the program or classes needed or desired. This may because of enrollment. It may be because there aren't enough dancers interested in taking a class to provide it. It may be that the distance is just too much and they need a studio closer to home. Instead of creating a tense situation, go to your studio owner and explain in a respectful and kind way. If it is lack of a class or such, you never know, with good communication, the program, and/or class you so much desired may be added to the studio. It just may have been that the owner wasn't aware of the desire. When there is mutual respect and honest communication, everyone can still love one another and hug when they see each other without awkwardness. After all, isn't it about the children, what is best for them, their education and growth? Just because a student needs to switch studios, it doesn't mean that they didn't get where they are without the instruction and guidance from the teachers that got them to the current point. It doesn't mean the love is gone. (Now, I'm not talking about the student who has been at 5 studios in 5 years. Studio hopping is a topic to take on another day.) It is important to remember, dancers and parents, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. You may realize that you were better off at your original studio. If communication was good, and everyone ended on good terms, the door is open for you to return. And studio owners, what good advertisement is it for you that a student returned because the grass wasn't actually greener?

New Year's resolution Number 5: Be Kind. Some, not all, of the social media websites are very disturbing to me, as they have become more of a gossip site and a place to spread rumors and accusations rather than share knowledge and information. Before you post things in the new year, stop and think to yourself, "Is this kind, beneficial, truthful, and 100% accurate?"  You can still post a less than raving review without being spiteful. For example, if you have a poor experience with a dance competition, you may want to post your experience, but it also may be a good idea to contact the company and politely explain what happened. You may get a better understanding of the company and it's staff, AND get answers. Good communication works well for everyone! When you post in a not so spiteful way, your review, in my opinion, is taken just a seriously as the detailed good reviews because you don't come off as "just a bad sport". This goes for reviews on any business. As my husband says, "You catch more flies honey..."

As we go into the new dance year, let's enter the year with respect. Respect not only for the art of dance but respect for your studio owners, teachers, clients, fellow dancers, fellow dance parents, guest artists, and dance competition staff. Love, respect, manners, and common courtesy combined with joy, kindness, compassion, peace, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and self-control all while striving for excellence. Sounds good to me and that's the path I chose for 2017! Let that be your theme of this new dance year too. One by one, we can truly make a difference in the dance community.

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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QUALITY NOT QUANTITY

I have said numerous times over the years, "Quality not quantity." When I first began judging over 20 years ago, I wrote it on score sheets. I preached it to my students and to dancers at competition. I STILL preach it today. It's not about what you attempt to do, but rather what you execute correctly.

Some people have this preconceived idea that a competition piece scores well because of the amount of technical elements and tricks that are in the choreography...Wrong!  There are many facets to the overall score. The costuming and overall appearance subconsciously has an effect on the outcome of the score, as well as the dancer's confidence, energy level, and connection. The technical success during a piece is vital to the score. In addition, the way in which the dancers transition, and the overall execution of the piece have a large impact.  How clean a routine is has a huge effect of the score!  Sometimes, parents and dancers find it easier to blame the teacher and/or choreographer for not putting enough elements in the routine. They may blame not placing at competition on that, rather than looking at the totality of the piece and the dancers themselves. When this happens, the pressure to add more and more can create an entirely new problem. The problem: pressuring the teacher to add more to the dance, and pressuring the teacher to teach things for which the dancers are not technically ready.  If an outside choreographer is used, this can create unnecessary pressure for them to put in skills or a style in which a dancers aren't ready. You cannot successfully get from A to D without mastering A, B, and C first. (I will post on this subject another day!) Too many elements can be put in the number, and/or they may be elements the dancer just isn't ready to do in a performance. The routine can then score poorly because of elements that are not executed properly. Please remember that sometimes less is more.

On the subject of technical elements that dancers are not yet proficient; often times skills are placed in choreography to "give them something to work on". In my opinion, this way of thinking is backwards. I believe that a dancer should work hard, and that elements should be given to them to perform as a reward for mastering technique. Choreography shouldn't be used as a trial and error time to put pressure on the dancers to see if they can get new technical skill in time for performance. By operating this way, you are gambling. What if the dancers don't successfully master the skills in time? If they aren't ready to perform an element, then the choreography must be changed. Changing a set piece opens a big can of worms. The number doesn't look the same, dancers have to stress about new parts, formations can be different, and the list goes on and on. Reward dancers by adding the technical elements to choreography AFTER they are mastered. If you want something in a piece next year, work on it this year so they are ready.  Other forms of competition parallel this.  For example, a coach would never instruct a basketball player to try things in a game that they can't even do in practice, such as dunking or 360 degree spin moves.  The results of doing that in a game would be a disaster and make the player look very foolish in front of the spectators and their own team mates. The same goes for dance. 

As you prepare to go into the competition season, take a good look at your dancers. Are they still falling out of their turns or extensions? If so, take it out! Now! Give them time to work on perfecting the piece so they will not be worried about last minute changes. You can't be scored on something you didn't do, however, points are taken away for something you attempt but don't do correctly. Work hard to master skills THEN those skills can be used in next year's choreography.

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
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BLURRED LINES

Categories at dance competitions have become very blurry in recent years. Sometimes I find myself frustrated thinking, "Are there any solid true-to-form pieces choreographed anymore?" As educators, it is our job to train the next generation, and to make sure they are knowledgeable in the distinct forms of dance knowing the difference between styles. When choreographers begin to blur the lines of dance categories, or teachers enter routines under the wrong category, we begin to confuse the future of our dance world, and different art forms can begin to die. Dancers today are the teachers and choreographers of tomorrow. Yes, there is evolution which is wonderful. Everything must grow, and change is a part of life. But evolution does mean kill; it means the gradual development of something, especially from the simple to the more complex form. There is a category and a place for everything to be appreciated. Each choreographic work just needs to stay true-to-form and/or compete under the right subject. There is also a category called "open" that is a perfect place for blends of styles.

The difference between lyrical and contemporary needs to be clearly defined in each piece at dance competitions. I know I am not alone here when I say I have even seen contemporary dances that were entered into the jazz category. I have also seen straight jazz numbers entered in musical theater. There is a big difference between these forms of dance, and sometimes it almost feels as if routines are placed in whatever category they can manage to be in so that dancers can compete the same genre multiple times. The answer may lie in teaching and/or choreographing in a more diversified range of subjects and styles so the dancer has an opportunity to grow in more than one area. Instead of having two contemporary pieces, maybe consider having one contemporary and a solid lyrical or jazz piece. This would help the dancer to be more well rounded, and also help with keeping the categories free of these "blurred lines".

I was taught that lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet and jazz choreographed to the lyrics to tell the story through movement and to express the emotion of the song. I was taught that contemporary, short for contemporary ballet, is a fusion of ballet and modern pushing the envelope and evolving the shapes to make the piece more abstract in form. Both can still express a story line and emotion, but contemporary is modern in nature and can have a more raw and pure feeling incorporated in the movement . With contemporary, sometimes it seems to be just a blend of, for lack of a better word, junk. Seeing a piece on television and trying to emulate the style, sometimes doesn't turn out to be what the choreographer or dancer was intending. As choreographers, I think that evolution and development of style is necessary, but we need to stay in the same lane, so to speak. We need to stick to a category instead of running all over the place. If the piece calls for a blend, and sometimes it is very appropriate to do so, there is a category for that called "open".

Jazz is not contemporary. They are two totally different styles. Jazz doesn't necessarily have to be "high energy and upbeat". For example, a dance to a song such as "Feeling Good" is still jazz, but it's not the fun shake-your-shimmy jazz. This is another category that sometimes seems to lose it's way. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I am so excited that I have begun to see more traditional jazz and real jazz slowly returning to the competition circuit. Hopefully in the near  future, this confusion of jazz and contemporary not be an issue, partly because judges will have the opportunity to score a jazz placed in the right category higher than a misplaced contemporary routine helping to end this trend.

Keeping the categories clear and defined helps our future teachers and choreographers understand the differences of each subject, gain appreciation for the differences, and insures the life of what we love so dearly: DANCE in all it's forms. Diversity is what makes life interesting. If we were all the same, how boring would life be? The same is true of dance. With this separation, the education of the dancers will greatly improve. If we continue to train in each distinct form and choreograph in each style individually instead of blurring the lines so much, each genre has the opportunity to evolve, grow, and challenge us in a new way. If we continue to blur the lines with the generations we are raising, what will happen to diversity? It will all become one and the same. How sad would that be? How boring would dance become? It is my personal hope that the diversity in dance will come back.

Enjoy the journey of dance. Enjoy training and dancing a variety of styles. Dance is hard work but it's also meant to be fun and entertaining. Diversity keeps the spirit and excitement alive and well.

Dance hard. Dance smart.
Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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Dance Hard. Dance Smart.
Meredith
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LET'S STOP SANDBAGGING LEVELS

Oh the drama levels can create! Levels are a great idea and were created with the best intentions in mind.  However, not everyone agrees on level placement. Although not everyone can walk away with a top 10 placement, when used correctly, levels provide a balanced playing field for all dancers at competitions. I wholeheartedly believe dance competitions can be for everyone, and I am thrilled that there are a multitude with a leveled system.

Every competition is different. That’s what makes the dance competition season so exciting! As far as differentiating them with levels, some don’t have any levels. Some have two, and some have three, whereas another may have five levels. Each competition’s way of determining a dancer’s experience level may vary. While some suggest the years of competition experience, others may base the levels off hours in the studio, or the number of routines competing. I could be wrong, but I believe, most or all have a clause stating to take the dancer’s ability into consideration. THAT IS THE KEY RIGHT THERE! Take the ability level into consideration.

First and foremost, you must be completely honest with yourself and your dancer(s). Sit back and look at the dancer(s) from an outsider’s perspective. Don’t think about others, or who will be competing against who. After all, aren’t we constantly posting things on social media like the Mikhail Baryshnikov quote, “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself”? If we are honest and approach competition with this in mind, I believe, leveling would overall be more consistent and balanced. When approaching leveling dancers this way, it is pretty clear what experience level a dancer needs to represent.

Just because a dancer may compete in one level at one competition that may have, let’s say 5 levels, doesn’t necessarily mean you should level down to try to find the equivalent when competing at a competition that has let’s say 3 levels. You cannot compare 2 or 3 levels to 5 levels. That is like comparing apples to oranges. A good rule of thumb is to be honest about the ability level of each dancer, regardless of age, hours in the studio, or years of competition experience. Yes, take the hours in the studio into consideration but there are some dancers who excel with less hours and they need to compete up a level, just as there are dancers who could take 20 hours a week and never have the ability of an upper level dancer. By putting ALL the guidelines into play, and accurately evaluating the dancer(s), you can assign each dancer to the proper experience level, regardless of age. You will be doing your part to keep the playing field balanced and as it was meant to be. Yes, everyone loves to win. No one loves to win more than me, in anything! But is it really a win when you level a dancer, or group of dancers, down? In my opinion, no, it’s not.

Some people are genuinely afraid to move their dancers up. Don’t be afraid! Keeping them in a lower level than they need to be in doesn’t help them in their progression, doesn’t teach them to win AND lose gracefully, and doesn’t earn you respect from your peers. If you are uncertain, ask a friend that is a fellow dance teacher or dance parent. They will be honest and help you make the right decision.

One of my favorite things to say is, I like to keep it real. So, I am just going to put it out there and say what others may be thinking. I am aware there are some competitions that have more of an issue with leveling down than others, but please do not let those competitions make you do the same thing at another competition. If you have ever complained to a competition director, staff, or owner, or if you have ever complained to another studio owner, teacher, parent, dancer, etc., about a dance being in the wrong level in your opinion, then please don’t be guilty yourself and part of the leveling problem. Like my mother, and grandmother, always told me, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” If everyone starts doing the right thing, perhaps the leveling controversy will come to an end.

I encourage everyone reading this to do their part to make the system right at every competition they attend this year, not by complaining, but by doing the right thing themselves. In the process, we as adults have the opportunity to make a difference in the next generation. Through dance competitions, we can teach good sportsmanship, honesty, work ethic, respect of self and others, along with how to appreciate the talents of others. Almost every form of competition, whether it be golf, tennis, basketball, swimming, almost everything has the issue of “sandbagging”, which means claiming to not be as good as you really are to take the advantage. Dance, unfortunately, has not been immune. As I teach my son, life isn’t fair but what exactly is fair? It is my responsibility as his parent to teach him how to handle chaos and things that just  seem “unfair”, because that is how the big world works. No matter how perfect and “fair” I want his life to be, it’s not going to be. The only way to ensure that the “sandbagging” issue does indeed improve, is to do your part in the honesty department. Trust me, win or lose, you will earn the respect of your peers.

If you are pushing your students into the professional world, push them into the highest level, even if they are young. Don’t hold back! I always say to students in my classes, “Your body will only do what you demand it to do.” Expect them to strive for excellence. If you teach your child or your students to strive for excellence, they will. Teach them it’s not about the trophy. One of my dance teachers always told me to find the best dancer in the room and dance by them. I did. It pushed me to do better. The same can go for competition.

Dance competitions are just like dance studios. There are many quality ones out there. There is a place for everyone, but you may find not all competitions are right for you, just like all dance studios aren’t right for everyone, or vice versa. If you don’t agree with the way a certain competition suggests leveling or the way a certain competition and the clientele are accustomed to doing experience levels, you may need to pick another. I’m not saying one way is better than another, but I am saying not all ways may work for you, and that’s ok.

I love the competition industry and there really are some amazing people who work in this business with hearts of gold. If you have already registered and have doubts about where you placed your dancers, I encourage you to revisit your entries and make the necessary adjustments. It’s not too late! If you haven’t registered yet, I hope you sit back, put your personal feelings and emotions to the side as you register for each competition. I wish everyone a fun, exciting, educational, and dance-life changing year! I hope this turns out to be your best yet!

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith

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JAZZ IS BACK!

I recently attended a dance convention to continue my education, and support a wonderful dancer with whom I have had the honor and privilege to watch grow up and who was there teaching his own classes and working as an assistant. While I was there, I decided to enjoy the two evenings of competition. I was beyond thrilled to see the return of jazz! In the midst of beautiful lyrical, and moving contemporary, there it was....traditional jazz. Not contemporary in the jazz category but JAZZ! Real jazz! There were even some tap and musical theater numbers in the mix. It was so refreshing! I appreciate all forms of dance and not only was it nice to entertained by all of these performances, it was wonderful to see different dance forms recognized in the awards ceremony.

The final class I attended was very informative. The class was called, "The Judges's Perspective". Personally, it was good change of pace, because I am usually the one doing the talking about judging. Having the opportunity to hear fellow educators, I greatly admire, talk about their views was nothing short of amazing. They reinforced some things to me, gave me some ideas, and also reassured me of what is in my heart and mind. Their thoughts on the style subject just so happened to match mine. JAZZ IS BACK! They want to see a variety dance forms compete too!

For years, I have heard judges say things such as, "Oh, we have 10 solid hours of lyrical and contemporary," yet many teachers who are also judges are just as guilty as others who saturate these two categories without competing other styles, such as true jazz. Knowing how they feel as adjudicators when they have to "sit through hours" of these two categories, has always baffled me. Now don't get me wrong. I absolutely love lyrical and contemporary. Over the past few years though, it has seemed like there has been tap and some musical theater but very little jazz. It is delightful to see the trend begin to change and see the return of straight jazz! The change of pace is needed and desired. When a variety of styles are showcased, the competition event itself has a better flow, and the day stays interesting for all. I personally have always appreciated a wide range of music and styles. Creative ideas, different takes and plays on music are very entertaining and valued.

Two summers ago, I was talking to a well known West Coast teacher who said, "I need an old school jazz teacher. My students can do amazing turns and tricks but can't pas de bourree." I knew then and there, the jazz trend was on it's way back. I hoped I wasn't wrong, as I have waited on this to pendulum to swing once again for quite some time.  It appears that IS happening. Once I saw jazz compete and place at a predominantly contemporary convention/competition, and heard two other educators say these words, "Jazz is back" in the Judges' Perspective class, I knew it was "game on". My instincts were right!

I encourage everyone to incorporate diversity into your competition selections to keep the weekend fresh, and most importantly to keep your students growing. Giving dancers the opportunity to perform a variety of dance forms only makes them more adaptable and well rounded. It's a win-win for everyone!

Overall, I would say there has been some jazz at competitions, but not much. It's wonderful to see upbeat, fun, and energizing numbers during dance competitions! JAZZ IS MAKING A COMEBACK and that's fantastic! For me in my classes, my choreography, and my heart, it never left. I'm excited for the future, and eager to see what "trends" are in store for the next few years!

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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