this is an article i found in one of the
dance spirit magazines. all you true dancers out there please read
this, especially if you go to dance conventions. hopefully by
reading this it will help you in the future. and i dont know about
all you... but im definitly taking this to heart when i go to the
pulse<3
you've all heard the stories- dancers dizcovered at
conventions and put on the career path to stardom. you've watched
with envy as the fortunate get pulled onstage during class to
demonstrate a combination. you've listened to the lucky ones get
personal corrections. now you want to know when it's going to be
your turn. getting noticed at a convention can be a challenge
because you have to compete with hundreds of other dancers. but its
possible! here are nine ways to stand out.
#1 dress the part.
unless your studio teacher gives you a dress code, it's a good idea
to dress appropiately for each class you take. wearing an urban
outfit to hip hop, for example, will help you get in character- nd
convention teachers will notice your effort. "it's not just how you
dance, its what you wear and how you project yourself." says L.A.-
based choreographer Lisette Bustamante, who teaches for Hollywood
Connection, NTG and Monsters of hip hop. "if you want to be
stylish, go ahead." just avoid hats that cover your face- you want
the teacher to be able to see your eyes and facial
experessions.
#2 wear bright colors
bright colors make you easy to identify. convention teachers see to
many students to know everyone's name, but they can remember that
bold chartreuse leotard or flame-red T-shirt. "if they all wear the
same thing, they're harder to notice," says Gregg Russell, who
teaches at Co. Dance, Dance Olympus, Project Motivate, and 3D Dance
Network. 'but if there's only one girl wearing a yellow shirt when
you have a big room of 200 or 300 kids, i'll say "hey, yellow
shirt!"
#3 introduce yourself
most teachers appriciate students who thank them for class. i
encourage dancers to introduce themselves," says Jamal Sims, who
teachers at Monsters of hip hop and has choregraphedfor artists
like Diddy, Nick Connon, and Usher. "this business is all about
networking and getting your name known." be tactful- if class is
about to start, don't get in the way of the teacher, who has a lot
to accomplish in a short amount of time. likewise, if the teacher
is being harangued by hordes of doe-eyed dancers after class- while
clearly trying to escape to his or her next obligation- that is not
the time to introduce yourself, either. wait for the right
moment.
#4 do the choreography rescisely.
unless the teacher specifically asks you to add a personal touch to
the movement, do your best to execute each combination as it was
demonstrated. after all, that's what you'll be expected to do as a
perfessional dancer. "someone who stands out to me pays attention
to detail and does the choreography like i taught it.," says Sims.
"unless i ask, take your personal style out of it."
#5 dance full-out
do your best to dance everything full-out, weather it's a mark or
not and weather it's your favorite style of dance or not. a teacher
will see you as a hardworking, disciplined dancer who is making the
most of the class. (it's also a great way to build stamina.) but
you must be repectful of the other dancers around you.
#6 try everything
if your taking a class that's new or challenging, take a deep
breath and give it 100 percent. conventions are a safe place to
experiment and make mistakes. "i'm easygoing, but when i see people
give up, that bothers me," says Russell. "i can tell if you've
never danced tap before, so if you get one step, that's an amazing
accomplishment.
#7 support other dancers
dancers who choose camaraderie over cutthroat competition promote a
healthier learning enviroment- something teachers love!that means
cheering for others, offering praise when it's merited and helping
fellow students remember steps if they need it. "with tap, for
instance, i give them a minute to work on a step on their own and i
come around to help," says Russell. "the people who stand out help
their friends. i'm a big fan of cheering for others. you're part of
the class even if you arn't dancing. ezpecially in this internet
age when everyone is no insolated, it's nice to cheer people on
even if you don't know them."
#8 do whatever it takes
if your struggling with a step, watch other students to see
how they tackle movement. or, raise your hand and ask itelligent
questions. be proactive, rather than reactive. "that separates the
good ones from the great ones," says Russell. "the great ones do
whatever it takes to get it."
#9 bring the passion
convention teachers are probably just as exhausted as you by the
end of the day, so if you bring your drive, they will be inspired
by your positive, rejuvenating energy. it also means you have the
right attitude and work ethic to meet the demands of a perfessional
life where you might be required to perform or reherse all day.
"fire, passion and individuality make a dancer stand out," says
Bustamante. focus, pick up the choreography and pull it towards
you. be there to enjoy the class and get what you need.
i know its long but i hope you liked it cus
it took me FOREVER to type. rate however... thank
you!
this is an article i found in one of the dance spirit magazines.
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·
Oct 16, 2008 1:46pm
