Counting Counts

As you learn a routine the instructor my count to keep the beat. Usually dances only go to 8 like 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and repeat over and over until the routine is over. The counts are there to give some construction to the movements. Each move or movement has a count or counts. In some cases "and" is said between one or all 8 counts to give room for faster movements that don't require a full count. I, personally have done dances where, because of the music they have been in 6 or even 10  I did a jazz number called The Case Continues that was in 10 counts and a lyrical called Hallelujah that was in 6 counts. It is hard sometimes to keep in line when, on the rare occasion, dances aren't in 8 counts. instead of 8. It really depends on how the music itself plays out in which counts make sense. Most songs however go along with the traditional 8 counts.

It helps when you are performing if you learn how to count in your head as well as perform. When I was little it was hard to do both because I would always count almost mouthing the counts and forget to actually perform with my face. I learned though and it go a lot easier to stay with my group. I am a very count oriented person when it comes to dance. Some people go by words in the music or sounds, but it helps me when every movement has a count so I can keep track of where I am in the routine.

Costume Examples

As I say a lot, I have done many dances throughout my life of many different styles. I explained in my post "Dress to Impress" what some costumes looked like for the different styles and gave some websites to order various costumes as well. Here are some examples of dances that I have done with pictures of the costumes that I wore for each.

First of all, hip hop. My studio wasn't very big in hip hop, but we had a guest choreographer com in a few years to choreograph a large group hip hop for the older girls. It was titled We're Gonna Rock and it was a mix of songs that talk about rock and roll. We wore leggings, combat boots, a red sparkly bra, and a leather vest or jacket of our choice.

Secondly, I did a Jazz dance to She Bangs by Ricky Martin. It was a salsa like style and we wore a red sparkly corset black shorts, fish nets, and a red rose in our hair. This was a fun number to perform and the red costume really added to that.

Next, for a Musical theater number we did Bring On the Men. We dressed like house maids and we had a table with fancy place settings, chairs, and big rings on our fingers. there were only four of us in it so the prop really fit well and we all had our own chairs to dance on and play the part of a maid. I, at one point used a feather duster. It was fun to get into a character with such a cute costume to go off of. 

For a lyrical dance I was in a number called River. It was actually a duet with one of my best friends, Gabbi. The song was all about frienship and always being there for someone. It was my last year dancing with her so it was very emotional for us to finally do a duet. We wore a simple, yet elegant two piece off white floral piece with blue to all the river like style to it. 

Synchronization

In dance it is important to keep in step and in time with the other dancers. In a group number all the dancers have to look like the are dancing as one. There are portions of a dance, though, that the dancers break off and do different things. But for the most part, dances are done together. For the sake of entertainment dancers break off so that the number remains interesting. If all the dancers do is everything the same and together it becomes uninteresting. Therefor, solo parts are incorporated and dancers do different things at the same time so the audience has more to watch.  Keeping together in those times that are together can be very complicated. In my experience there have been dances that have many different ages and levels of dance. in those instances having a synchronized group portion in more difficult because not everyone has the same skill level and not everyone can do the same moves. Sometimes dances have been divided into two parts that are similar and done together for the differnent levels. this way it looks like everyone is doing the same thing but there is a different in the movement. Synchronization in dance is very important otherwise the dance looks sloppy and messy this goes along with technique and quality of performance.

Judgement Time!

You perform all your dances in from of 3 to 6 judges that are experts in their field of dance. The competition are judged the same way they are performed. The award ceremony are divided by age and sometimes there will be three awards a day for each age. The dances go by average age of the dancers in them. That's why as a teen and senior soloist you may still be in different aged dance numbers based on the average with the younger kids in the dance. Each dance that is performed gets an award like (from highest to lowest) platinum, gold, silver, or bronze.

Some dances get overall, normally top ten, and those are the highest out of all the award given out in that age. Overalls are not based on category normally, although some competitions give category cups which re the highest dance in that style like jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and so on. Some competitions give out stars rather than gold, silver, and bronze to each dance. Dances are judged based on performance. technique, showmanship, and style, some competitions vary. That is a bit about how dance competitions are judged.

Competition Time

My favorite thing about dance was competing. to be a dance you do not have to go to competitions. I know many great dancers that didn't compete like I did. Basically at a competition they go by age, category, and by group size. The ages of the average competition are mini (2-6), junior (7-11), teen (11-15), and senior (16-19). A competition, depending on how many studios register and how many numbers there are, can last up to 4 days. 

Solos go on day one from youngest to oldest in categories. Duos and Trios go the next day by age followed by small group, large, and lines the nest couple days. The largest competition I have been to had thousands of dances. In bigger cities that's normal. I have only competed in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas so they usually only go a weekend. The competitions I went to most were Starpower, Talent on Parade, Nextar, and Bravo. I went to about 5 a year beginning in February and ending with nationals in June. I have gone to bigger national competitions in Florida, Sandusky, and Las Vegas which are normally the bigger competitions that last a week out of the summer. Starpower is the largest competition i have attended in my time as a competition dancer. 

picture by Starpower National Talent Competition 

Dress to Impress

Costume also has an impact on the routine. Whether you are being judged or not it's great to have a sort of costume to go with a dance number. Jazz has a wide variety of costumes depending on what fits the dance. I have worn trench coats for a mysterious jazz and it was very fun! That was a very serious dance, I have worn a leggings and a sparkly sport bra for a sassy jazz. Really there is no and to the costume possibilities. Lyrical costumes can vary too. I have worn a flowy dress for a pretty number and i have worn shorts with a skirt and a lace bra for a more serious lyrical piece. the most fun costumes are musical theater type costumes depending on the song you get the opportunity to wear anything or dress up. I always loved dressing up like a character. For hip hop its usually more street style of clothes, sometimes even jeans if you do less movement. I have worn leggings, combat boots and a leather vest for a rock themed hip hop which was my favorite hip hop dance I've done.  Here are a couple of websites that have catgories that go with styles of dance.
http://www.discountdance.com/
https://www.weissmanscostumes.com

Face It

Performance is a very important aspect of dance. Along with your body movements, your face plays a large role in the performance. I have don't sad dances and the very happy ones. It is important to use your face otherwise you look uncomfortable or boring. Sometimes if a dancer has a great facial performance the small mistakes they make in the movements wont matter as much. Don't leave it all up to one dancer int the group either. With a solo, of course you are the only one that has a performance. With a group, although, every dancer needs to have the right facial features. Most dances a smile will suffice. My dance instructors used to say that if you don't know what to do, smile. depending on the song and style the faces differ. With lyrical it's usually a more subtle smile or comfortable face. With jazz the face can be anything from a big cheesy smile to an angry piece. It is very important that your face shows that you are comfortable and know exactly what your are song even if you make a few mistakes.