SO YOU HAD A BAD COMPETITION EXPERIENCE...WHAT DO YOU DO?

Unfortunately, most studio owners, teachers, dancers, or dance parents can say that they have had a bad competition experience at one time or another. Competitions should be fun, inspiring, and educational. For the most part, they are! But sad to say, sometimes, things just don't go as one would hope. Here are some things to consider before deciding never to return to a competition after a less than stellar experience.

1. If you didn't like the results from the judges, is that really a reason for a bad experience? If the competition was organized, ran smoothly, and the staff was helpful and kind,  is it worth not attending in the future just because of 3 peoples' subjective opinion on that given day? For the most part, competitions use different people to judge, and chances are good that those same judges will not be back in your city the following year. One of the great things about competition is learning to lose as gracefully as you win. It's a great outlet to teach life lessons that will live on in the dancers far after high school graduation, when they leave the nest and the studio. Before voicing judging complaints, make sure to take a step back, take emotion out of the equation, and look at the entirety of the situation. Did you watch the entire competition, and did you watch objectively? Sometimes, we can be blinded by love and emotions. If the results really didn't come out the way you truthfully believe they should have, please keep in mind that the art form in its self is subjective, just as judging dance is subjective. You could replace one judge on the panel, and you would more than likely get a different outcome.

2. If the critiques were lacking in substance, let the owner, director, or office staff know. If you can let someone with the company know, they have to opportunity to listen to that specific judge's critiques and address the judge about the situation in a way they deem most appropriate. No one on either side wants less than optimum judging commentary. Problems can't be addressed by the competition if they are unaware of the issues. Give the company a chance to right the wrong for the future. You will be helping the company as well as your peers!

3. If another studio is the reason for your bad experience, don't let them be the reason you don't return the following year! Share your experience with the owner, or director. Talk to them about possible solutions and see if something can be worked out. No one wants anyone to have a bad weekend because of someone else.  Also, if the problem is with a fellow studio, is it fair to blame the competition for those problems and your bad experience?

4. Letting your families know you wish to boycott a competition before the weekend is over, and talking negatively about any situation during an event can make it worse with your students and families.  This can, of course, create an even more stressful environment for you and your business. Stay positive and keep lifting them up. Go directly to the competition privately to address your concerns. This way you continue to build morale with your students and their parents.

5. You catch more flies with honey. When discussing concerns with someone from the company, make sure to listen as much as you speak. Instead of thinking about what you are going to say next while they are talking to you, listen earnestly to what they are saying. Be kind, not ugly. Have a good conversation, and more can be accomplished. If you are kind, they will be more than happy to talk everything over with you. (On a side note, just as studio owners, teachers, parents, and dancers may talk, the people inside the competition industry may do the same if asked. No one wants a bad reputation, and wants to be known for being unreasonable and nasty.) If after talking to the company and the feeling is mutual for you to continue your patronage, give it one more try. You never know. The next year, this same competition may end up being your very favorite! ... And you could make a wonderful friend and cultivate a really good relationship through tough discussions. Positives CAN come from negatives! If you have another terrible experience, then you know not to return, at least for a while.

I hope you NEVER have a bad experience at a dance competition, but if you do, I hope these things help. Remember to always to keep a smile, stay calm, and you can make it at least a little better!

I wish you the most fantastic competition season! And remember....

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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5 IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TITLE AT DANCE COMPETITIONS

Whether or not to enter the title competition, or which dance to choose for the title competition, can be a tough decision. Title criteria can be slightly different from the adjudicated and overall competition. Some competitions choose to score them on the same variables, but others may have an entirely different score sheet. One thing remains a constant for most judges to which I have spoken: title is more about overall presentation, and pageantry. Here are just five things to consider when thinking of entering your performance in the title competition.

1. Is the piece you are considering well-rehearsed and performed with exuberance? A title contestant should be rehearsed to perfection, leaving no details unpolished. A tremendous amount of confidence and energy is needed for success in this category. A dancer cannot be confident if the choreography hasn’t been rehearsed well.
2. Does the costume compliment the dancer and the piece? For title, costuming is very important. A costume adds to the overall appearance of the piece. The costume needs to fit the subject matter, music, and style, as well as fit the dancer like a glove. The costume and all accessories must be secured. A costume malfunction can tarnish the overall presentation, therefore, effecting the score. The same goes for props and the usage of the props.
3. Is the dancer able to perform all the technical elements in the piece with proficiency? With title, it isn’t so much about how difficult the skills are, but rather how well each element is executed. The piece must be clean as a whistle. There is no room for error! Each bobble effects the overall aesthetics and presentation for which a dancer is overall scored.
4. Is the piece entertaining? Most of the time, thought provoking dances may not be right for this category. The piece needs to be easy on the eye. The dancer must be believable in the performance, having high levels of showmanship and emotion.
5. Does the choreography make full use of the stage? A dancer needs to command the entire stage keeping each transition and traveling step smooth.

Think of the title as the total package. The title winner may not be the most technically advanced  dancer performing the hardest elements.  Rather success is a combination of overall performance where costuming, outstanding showmanship and stage presence is just as important as the execution. Think of the Martha Graham quote, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique. They are great because of their passion.”

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Details! Details! Details! It's all in the details. Just like you make sure to dot every "i" and cross every "t" before moving forward with a contract, the same needs to be done with a piece before it is performed for the public. Costumes need to be fitted property, headpieces should be secured, makeup should be appropriate for stage lighting, music should checked, and the piece should be clean and easy to watch.

When it comes to competition pieces, what the judges see is more important than what anyone else sees. Most of the time, they are seated right at the foot of the stage, and the view from there is quite different from the majority of the audience. Before putting a piece on the competition stage, or any stage for that matter, try sitting on the floor in front of your dancers to see exactly what they see. What you will notice is that the piece looks much different from this perspective. From the judges' angle, you notice many more details than when you are standing in front of your class. For example, you may notice dancers using a variety of preparations for turns, using opposite feet on transitions, dancers using a turnout vs. some using parallel. You may also notice different arm and hand placements. All of these things need to be corrected prior to the performance for a clean and polished look. Even if the movement happens quickly, if it is even slightly different, the piece will not be clean. An important detail that is often overlooked is head placement and facial expressions. Head placement and facial expressions should match. This also includes focus. Where are the dancers looking? They need to look in the same direction. I suggest that you watch solos from the floor too. Soloists need to be secure in the same details as duets, trios, and groups.

When working on costuming, remember that details make a difference in the overall performance. Costumes that fit property, and match the theme and style of the piece well, only enhance your performance. Adding beautiful bead and trim work, rhinestones, appliqués, etc, usually add to the overall appeal, and they catch the eye of the judges and audience.

Dress rehearsals are incredibly important for numerous reasons. Here are just a few;

• Dancers are able to become comfortable with their costumes, and how to adjust with quick changes
• Costuming problems can be identified and solved
• Parents or helps have an opportunity to understand how to aid with quick changes
• Teachers and choreographers can make sure that the staging works and have an opportunity to make necessary adjustments
• Music edits can be checked so they are ready for submission.

Whether dress rehearsals are held on a stage or in a dance studio, they are invaluable to a successful performance and/or competition. It is a chance to pay attention to the details.

When you have a clean, well-rehearsed number that is costumed appropriately for the piece, neatly with all accessories secured, you have a performance that is enjoyable to watch, well received, and memorable! You have to pay attention to the details in training, in rehearsals, in costuming, and even in music selection to be the total package! It's all in the details!

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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TRUST THE PROCESS

You can't get from A to D without mastering A, B, and C first. It's the truth. I preach this religiously in my classes. You just can't get the results that you want by not mastering A, and skipping B and C. You have to trust the process. Sometimes the process is grueling. Sometimes the process takes a long time. The truth is this;  you can't cheat and expect the same results as someone who took the time to go step by step. In a day and age where instant gratification is the norm, taking your time to train can try one's patience, but to succeed with proper technique you must be diligent in your efforts. Pressuring your teachers to progress class in a rate in which you are not ready is not the answer. Practicing things that are too advanced will only create bad habits, if you have not laid the proper foundation. The solution is practice the basics until you are blue in the face! Have a strong solid base upon which you can build. The hardest part of technique isn't the advanced part, it's the beginning part. Once you master the correct body placement, the sky is the limit! Get the flexibility, strength, and placement correct so your base is set for everything!

Once you hit the intermediate and advanced levels, don't forget to take a beginning level class to keep your foundation strong. I'm going to switch gears for a minute, but it will all make it sense in the end. If you haven't figured it out by now, I love dance and competitive sports. The late John Wooden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden) is considered by many to be the greatest basketball coach in history.  He led UCLA to 10 national championships in 12 seasons (1964-1975). He recruited and got the best players from high school, including Basketball Hall of Famers Bill Walton, Gail Goodrich, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. These guys were all great players before ever setting foot on the UCLA campus. John Wooden started every years' first practice by going over the proper way to put on socks, and how to properly tie your basketball shoes. He went over every fundamental, including how to properly execute a bounce pass and how to dribble, before moving on to complex plays, movements, other complexities such as team defense. Dance is no different. You must continue to drill the basics. A basic balance is invaluable. Continuing to practice a single and double pirouette should never cease. Beginning barre work is a staple that should never go away. Working to secure the proper hip placement in extension should never get old. Returning to the core foundation will only make you a stronger dancer. Isn't that the goal? Who doesn't want to be a better dancer? Never look at fundamentals as boring. Think of fundamentals as your future. 

Choreography is a lot more fun if you have security in your technique. Technique is nothing without style. Style is nothing without technique. They go hand in hand. With dance, there isn't an easy way out. You have to earn it. The playing field is equal, and it's all up to you. You decide what the outcome will be. How cool and empowering is that? Take the motivation and run with it.  See how far you can go!

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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COMPETITION MYTHBUSTER: GOING LAST

For some reason, people seem to think that going last will help their score, and makes a positive difference in the judges’ minds. This myth is…FALSE. Believe it or not, performing first can actually work more in your favor than going last.

There are many things that happen behind the scenes when an act is held. The program order must be changed with the emcee, tally, and the judges, not to mention all the rearranging that must take place with the backstage manager. Whether it is a judge or competition staff member that sets the judges’ computers, it takes time and must be done in haste. This adds a tremendous amount of stress which can quickly change a mindset and cause distractions. I’m sure everyone has received a judge’s critique that started late, and the judge had to “play catch up”. This could have happened because of a computer delay. As hard as they try, judges cannot be 100% focused on the stage if in the back of their minds they are wondering “is the computer going to work anytime soon” or “hurry and give me the right score sheet”…. or worse “I’m not on right score sheet”. If the same studio skips and holds repeatedly, the judges are very well aware, and right or wrong, I believe it subconsciously reflects in the score. Dancers that continue to perform with quick changes are usually admired, and I believe are often subconsciously rewarded. Unfortunately, there are judges that complain in the break room to each other, and to the staff, about studios that continuously hold numbers. It's always good to do all that you can to abide by the rules and follow the program.

UNFORTUNATE TRUTH: The competition industry, as is the dance industry in general, a small world. There are friendships and relationships among competition owners, competition directors, competition staff, dance studio owners, teachers, dance parents, and dancers. If there is a studio, or dancer, that seems to have a “holding problem”, everyone will know. Trust me; you don’t want a bad reputation in this business. Everyone knows everyone, or knows someone who knows someone.

Continuing on the topic, let me tackle the myth that going last is better. Believe it or not, judges are normally not aware of the “last act in the category”. Even if they are following along in a program, this is the last thing on a judge’s mind. Judging moves QUICKLY!!! There isn’t time to focus on anything but the routine on stage at that time. Judges are concentrating on scoring and verbalizing their critiques; therefore, the prior performance is forgotten. Every routine is scored on its own merit, not in comparison to others. I’ve heard it said many times that people want to “go last in the competition”, “go last in the category”, “go last before the break”… It isn’t worth holding. The judges have been in the chair a long time, and are looking forward to a break. Knowing they have to go back in the program to pick up an act is a negative. If you are scheduled to be last, it’s another routine that just happens to be the last one before their break, and will be scored fairly with no advantage.

There is also a myth that going first in a category, after a break, or at the start of the competition is a bad thing. This myth is….FALSE.  Judges are fresh, eager, and excited when they start the day or set. They have usually just eaten, had a good chat with their peers, and have nothing in their mind in which to make a comparison. The first act sets the bar. If you are first, don’t be upset or take it as a negative. It’s a good thing. I have watched the scores come through for years. Trust me on this one.

When you hold, the audience is loses track of where they are in the program, as do other studios and dancers. How often do you as teachers, parents, and dancers get upset that the competition isn’t going in order, and you don’t know where you are in the program? Think about this: One studio decides they must hold because they can’t change in three acts, and they aren’t the only studio with this problem. Everyone gets back up, the competition gets behind, and eventually there will not be any acts between, i.e., the competition has to stop and wait because it’s the same dancers in the last three acts before awards. What happens then? NO ONE IS HAPPY. I bet everyone reading this has experienced this exact situation. Everyone is pressured for time, and I think this is sometimes overlooked. In the professional world, quick changes happen, and often in 30 seconds. Think of quick changes as preparing the students to work. If the program allows three acts for a quick change, please respect the judges, your peers, and the competition staff by going in order. I’m not saying that you will not have to hurry but it’s plenty of time. I have watched people do it for years at competition, and I did it with my students. It can be done but you have to be prepared. Please be considerate and understand that everyone must hustle and rush at event. This includes the competition staff and judges. The competition doesn’t enjoy rushing studios any more than the studios enjoy rushing the dancers. If you have less than three acts, please do your very best to make it but please perform after three acts. You will be admired and respected by all.

HELPFUL HINT: Most competitions send out a tentative schedule. Check your schedule immediately, and contact the competition with any problems or concerns. If act numbers are not listed, you can use minutes to determine if you have three acts. Competitions generally assign 3 minutes per act. Do not wait! If you have a routine that has a difficult hair and/or make-up change, please let the competition know in advance for proper scheduling. Check and make contact ... immediately.

My advice:  Go in order. Not only will you weekend go smoother, but you will help to create a more pleasant and less stressful environment for yourself and for those around you. Enjoy your season, and the gift of dance!

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

You can read more from Meredith on Dance Apps Inc.'s app with Nappy Tabs, Dancer's Toolbox. Go to "more" and from there, look under Dancer's Dish. The app is free and available in the App Store!

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5 DOS AND DON’TS FOR DANCE COMPETITIONS

Competition season is among us, and it is time for the dancers to put all of the practice into action! It’s a very exhilarating time for not only the dancers, but also for the teachers and parents. Unfortunately, we can get caught up in the moment and lose a bit of decorum. Keeping with my theme of sticking to New Year’s Resolutions and making this a positive year to remember, here are five dos and don’ts to keep in mind at your upcoming dance competitions.

DOS

1. ARRIVE EARLY AND PREPARED. Being aware of the competition’s timeline is key to a smooth weekend of dance. Make sure to check in with your studio right before the event (a day or two before) for any changes that the competition, or studio owner, may have made to the schedule. Check your email for information from your studio or competition. Visit the studio and competition's websites to review any updated information. Print ALL the information concerning scheduling, arrival times, locations, and any other relevant details. Carry this information with you. If you can get a complete program prior to the event, I recommend it. If not, make purchasing a program a priority, and acquire one as soon as you arrive. Create a timetable of costume changes, note any quick changes, get your costumes and accessories in performance order, find snack and meal times, and make notes of when you must check in with the backstage manager.
2. CHECK YOUR PROGRAM FOR ISSUES IMMEDIATELY. If there is an issue, such as the same dancers scheduled to perform back to back, or a routine is in the wrong age, category, level, etc., notify the competition staff immediately. Please do not hesitate. (To avoid these issues, check your tentative and final schedules immediately once they are sent from the competition to studio in advance of the event. You can call the company’s office and take care of these things prior to the event and save yourself, and the staff a lot of headaches.)
3. HAVE A COMPETITION CONTACT TO KEEP YOU INFORMED. There may be times that you will be able to leave the venue. Please keep in the mind that the show will go on without you, and it is your responsibility to know what is happening in your absence. Have a responsible person there with whom you can stay in contact to notify you if the competition begins to run early, and one who can also keep you up to date with what act number is currently onstage. Some competitions have an app to assist with this, and some do not. If watching an app, keep in mind that if there is a wifi issue, the app may not be correct. It if best to have an actual person to keep you informed.
4. BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR AT ALL TIMES. Students, dance is a blessing. Being able to compete is a gift. Be kind to everyone around you, including your parents, teachers, other dancers, and competition staff. Be thankful for the opportunity, and be gracious when receiving your awards. Offstage behavior, and behavior at awards matter just as much as your performance. This applies to teachers and parents too. A good attitude makes a memorable impression on others, but remember... so does a bad attitude. The dance world is a small world. Be kind. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Stay positive. Say thank you to parents, teachers, judges, and competition staff. Enjoy the experience!
5. CHECK IN ON TIME AND STAY IN LINE ONCE CHECKED IN. Make sure to check in as directed by the competition staff. If specifics are not given, here is a good rule to follow. Check in 3 to 5 acts prior to your performance. Once you check in with the backstage manager, do not leave or wander. Stay put! If you have a quick change, let’s say 3 acts for a quick change, please let your backstage manager know. Tell them you have a quick change and show them in the program. Let them know you will be there on time to perform, but you will arrive close to performance time. If you do this, they will be looking out for you, hold your spot, and the emcee will be ready for you. IMPORTANT: Backstage is also not a viewing area. Please support your child or friend from the audience, even during solos and duo/trios. If you are not dancing, waiting on your turn to dance, or are not a teacher, you do not belong backstage. This is a very small area, so please be courteous. Please stay out of the wings, keep your voices down, and follow all instructions given to you by the backstage manager.

DON’TS

1. DON’T TALK ONSTAGE DURING AWARDS. There are a lot of people sitting onstage during awards, and everyone is eager to hear what they have earned. Please refrain from having conversations onstage. Even whispers become extremely loud when everyone is doing it. Please be courteous to the competition staff who must pay close attention to hear in order to do their job, and to the other dancers on stage. It is also good manners to say thank you when handed an award.
2. DON’T HOLD NUMBERS. GO IN PROGRAM ORDER. Please be courteous to other dancers, teachers and studios, and audience members by performing in order of the printed program. A competition can quickly become chaotic and get behind time schedule when dancers and teachers don’t follow the program. Judges, audience members, other dancers and teachers, do not know what dance is next when performances are all out of order. There is also a myth about “going last”. It is completely false. (I go into depth about this subject in my blog post, “The Myth of Going Last at Competition”.) If you have a quick change, be prepared for it. Don’t dilly dally! Go into it with a calm and positive attitude, and think of it as preparing for a professional career. Like the Nike slogan says, “Just Do It.” Remember, you are not the only one with a quick change. Others have made, and will make quick changes. You will not be the first, nor the last. Do your best to be professional, and try to make it on time. Teachers, you set the stage for this. If you remain calm and decide you will make it, the parents and dancers will follow.
3. DON’T BE A BAD SPORT. Being unkind, or downright mean to anyone is totally unacceptable. Word travels fast about nastiness. Always remember, the dance world is very small. Don’t leave a negative impression on the world. Always be gracious, kind, and thankful.
4. DON’T REHEARSE IN THE HALLS AND/OR HOLD A CLASS AT THE VENUE. Be prepared before the competition. Yes, everyone needs to stretch and warm up, but there isn’t the space or the time for any full blown classes or rehearsals. As one dance teacher told me, “if they don’t have it by now, they aren’t going to have it.” Rehearsing numbers and causing a delay in the program, or skipping your performance, is never good. Please do not make the competition staff come looking for you.
5. DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE AWARDS EARNED. There was a reason each award was given. Do you have to agree? No, you don’t. Do you have to try to see the performance from another point of view? I think you should. You win and lose in life. Use awards as life lessons.

I hope you have a desire to make this your most positive competition season yet. Stick to the basics. Be kind. Be humble. Work hard. Be honest. And … love what you do.

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

*To learn more about competition myths, please read my post “The Myth of Going Last at Competition”.

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DREAMS DON'T WORK UNLESS YOU DO

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” - Benjamin Disraeli

Wow. This statement is very true. I have been in the teaching business for over 2 decades now, and I can’t count the times I have heard unhappy dancers say, “I wish I could do that,” or “I will work on that.” Problem is, most of the time, there is all this talk without any action. Therefore, the dancer remains unhappy. There is really no motivation to ever really work to improve. The desire to "want it" and the desire to "work for it" are two very different things. It’s not very smart to expect a different result from doing the same thing over and over, or lack of doing in some cases. Unfortunately, laziness is a part of human nature. You have to fight it. Combine that with the ultimate age of entitlement, and boy, do we really have a problem!!! Just because entitlement runs rampant, doesn't mean is it or should be acceptable. Your body will only do what you demand it to do. To be good at something, you must constantly strive for excellence, never settling, and being careful not to become complacent.

TAKE ACTION! Dancers, if you don’t like where you are technically, or where you stand with movement quality, style, or musicality,  make a change. Try to apply all the corrections that your teacher or teachers have given you EVER TIME, not just occasionally when you feel like it. If you actually make a conscious effort to apply the knowledge you have, working hard to make each correction every single time, listen to your music and move accordingly, you WILL notice a difference. Some things you may notice quickly and others may take time, but you are still working towards your goal instead of just talking about your goal. No one can make a change for you. Only you can make a difference in the outcome!

Some dancers truly THINK they are working towards the goal and towards improvement. They are confused by energy. Energy doesn't equal effort.* If you are working and not seeing the results you would like, take a step back and re-evaluate. Yes, sometimes it is the training you are receiving, but more often than not, the problem is staring back at you in the mirror. Please don't just read the first half of the previous sentence. Just in case you did, I'll repeat myself. More often than not, the problem with lack of results is staring back at you in the mirror... 99.9% of the time. It's an easy fix really, but it isn't easy to do. Re-evaluate the way you take class and practice. Are you really applying ALL the corrections ALL the time? You can change your course with the decision to change the way you listen in class, engage in class, and work inside and outside the classroom.

It is said that you have a fresh start with a new year. What better time than now to start taking action?  You won’t always be happy. There isn't a dancer on earth who is always completely happy with everything. You will have to dance hard, and most importantly dance smart*, which may not come easily at first. But if you don’t take action, you will never be satisfied with the outcome. You have the control and the power! Like the Nike slogan says, "Just do it!" Make THIS your year! I am making this my year! Join me!

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

*To learn more about dancing smart and what it means, please read my post “Are You Dancing Smart?"

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