What are dance competitions like?

Question

I just got into competition at my dance school! I'm 13 and I've only been at this dance school for 2 years, because I moved. But I have been dancing since I was 3. And the only way for you to get into competition is if your teacher recommends you. So I was wondering, what is it like to dance competitively? Is it fun? Do you get really nervous? What happens if you mess up badly? I know I have a lot of questions but I'm new to competition. Oh, I got into the teen jazz line competition class if that makes any difference. So, can you please tell me what the competitions are like? Thanks!!

Answer 1

Ah, competitions. I remember fondly my early days of dance, listening to a muffled announcer, with a costume with enough sequins to coat a rather large disco ball, waiting anxiously in the wings as teachers coached, a scarce audience comprised mainly of parents and dancers cheered, and judges judged.



First of all, congratulations on making your "Teen Jazz Line" competition class. Competitions are a great way to get used to dancing on stage and preparing for a performance. In fact, many of the SYTYCD dancers got their start through competitions, and my old dance teacher used to tell us endless stories about when she "saw Tyse D'Orio at a competition, but his real name is Keith, and he won this and that..." Personally, competitions were a major growing experience for me.



Yes, you do get nervous. Depending on what kind of a person you are, you could be calm and cool, or you could be extremely nervous. I had a friend that was a wreck in the wings every time before her solo, but when the lights were on her and the music hit she was fantastic. Basically, if you are nervous, take that energy and fuel it into your dance. And to prevent major mistakes in your dance, go over it backstage or in a hallway thoroughly before going onstage. If you know your steps, chances are you won't mess up too badly. And the beauty of competition is that there's always another coming up, so even if you mess up you always get a second or third chance and expirience.



Are they fun? You bet! One of my clearest and happiest memories from dance competitions is when I was in a Junior Tap Small Group, we were all about 10 and there were 7 of us, and our tap number was one of the strongest in our school. Everyone knew their part, so we all played off of each other and had tons of fun on stage. To make things better, this dance got to the competition's "dance-off" (some comps have this thing where you take the top 3 numbers from each school and have them all dance a second time, and the highest score gest a humongous trophy.) Low and behold, we won the highest award of the whole competition. We beat out lines, productions, you name it. It was great (all we could say was "Oh My God" for about ten minutes!) The combination of the fierceness of competition, the glamour of the stage, and the fun of dancing make for a lovely experience that is extremely fun, even if you don't walk away with a trophy twice your height.



Bottom line, dance competitions are an exciting and fun way to grow and develop as a dancer and performer. I'm sure you'll have a great time performing and competing with your friends, even if you get a bit nervous. Best of luck!

Answer 2

Hello !

Just like you, I am a dancer as well. I was never into competition but more into performing and getting payed for it at times. Recently when I went into highschool, I tried out for my school's hip-hop dance team and my contemporary dance team and made both. = ]



The first competition I had, was actually a lower class one. The dressing rooms were underground and the stage was alright. I was a tad nervous before I performed, and since it was group someone stepped on my foot really hard [ by accident] and i was in tremendous pain but just played it off. I was nervous at first, but adrenaline kicks in and the only thing you want to do is give it your best shot. I remember starting off my contemporary routine a little scared because I was in pain and didnt want the judges to see. I just channeled that in and put on a scary face [ which was required for the routine ] We came second place in our contemporary section.



Hip-hop was a tad more relaxing because I was used to the stage and was looking forward to the rush you get before performing. I really enjoyed the experience and was even more happy when we won first place for the routine.



Our next competition was Bedazzled. Which is a high-class competition. I had pratised this routine soo much that I hadnt even made any mistake. My hip-hop and contemporary were like second-nature to me because of how much i performed it.



I really hated practising hip-hop alot because most of the students that were on the hip-hop team were at a higher grade and I was intimidated. But, the good thing was I had a really good friend with me.



In the end, the practising and the intimidation did not matter because I had been a part of getting an amazing award. I truly cherished those moments. The reward was the best part. I was a part of a team that won 3 awards. Now, whenever I look at the ribbon its not the anger and practising that comes to my mind. Its the last performance and the winning that does !



Dont be nervous. Competing is fun. At first, you are really scared but as you perform soemthing kicks in and you have an adrenaline rush. I remember being sore from my hip-hop routine after, because i had the rush and I put a little too much energy into it. I was score for two days ! Ahaa !



Competitions are amazing. They give you this thrill. No matter your size or your ability, because before you perform everyone is the same.



Good luck , = ]

Answer 3

Dance competitions are so much fun. It can be stressful if your school has a good reputation that youre trying to uphold, but for the most part it's not too bad. If you mess up just get back on count as soon as possible! Your score will be marked down for the mess-up but it depends on the severity of the mess-up for how much you'll get marked down. Messing up is all in your head though. It's just your nerves talking. You'll be fine. Just have fun with your team and do your best and you'll have a fantastic competition season!

Answer 4

congrats!!! yes, competitions are a ton of fun!! dancing competitively is a lot more fun, but also a lot more nerve racking and pressuring. how nervous you get just depends on the person, and usually which dance your about I perform. I get a lot more nervous for solos, duet/trios and small groups than for other dances(which I still get nervous for). some people don't get very nervous at all, some are wrecks. it just depends on the person! nerves will get easier as you do more competitions. what happens when you mess up depends on the studio and teacher. some may do nothing, some may be upset with you, it all depends. for my studio, usually it means you get yelled at or you have consequences. usually, the worst part is feeling guilty for "letting down the group" or upset with yourself. the most important part is to have fun!!! competitions are so exciting and I look forward to them all year.

Answer 5

Well dance competitions are just like a giant dance rectial. You will be dancing in front of judges and they judge you and you get a score nad if you score high then you will win.



usually on your first time doing a competition you might be a little nervous because you havnt danced in front of that many people. But dotn freeze up.



If you mess up really badly just try your best to keep in with the dance. Try not to show it. Like dont make any kind of facial exrpession that you messed up because the judges will probably take points off!



Jsut do you best keep smilling dont freeze up when you get on stage! Just good luck on your dance competiton

Answer 6

OK!! I'm from the Bahamas, an island paradise and we don't call plies and fortes dancing. That's ballet and we don't even associate it with our dancing. We are like the Cubans and other Islanders we like to get down and dirty. My favorite dance competition is the one at my school and my favorite moves are the ponytail, the chaplain, the boogle, the cry baby and hundreds of others there are too many to choose from.

Answer 7

they are really fun and exciting...basically its a giant recital with a bunch of different studios aiming for first overall in their category... each dance or solo wins something! after competitions i barely get nervous because as long as im comfortable and i know the choreography i know ill b fine...if you mess up then KEEP SMILING if that is the facial your supposed to have (never break your facials because that takes away from your personal style and quality) GOOD LUCK!!