Strikingly few women direct dance competitions and conventions. “I think you could probably count all of us on two hands, and that’s out of hundreds of competitions,” says Starbound National Talent Competition founder and director Sandra Coyte. But the women who do make their way to the top are also strikingly influential. We caught up […]
When creating competition routines, the health and safety of young dancers should be a top priority. Definitions of “age-appropriate” choreography vary widely across the competitive-dance scene. It takes a concerted effort to shape pieces that push young dancers artistically and technically while avoiding steps or thematic elements that are too sensual or adult. Establish Guidelines […]
With elaborate props, costume quick-changes, and dozens of dancers, today’s production numbers are bigger and more extravagant than ever. Onstage, they look magical—but every dazzling spectacle requires extensive planning and rehearsing. While putting together a multifaceted production number can feel daunting, following a few guidelines can get any large-scale routine started on the right foot. […]
While full of excitement and fun, competitions are also mentally and physically taxing. It’s easy to find yourself run down after months of rehearsing and performing for hours on end every week. How can both teachers and dancers keep normal fatigue from turning into burnout? By recognizing the telltale signs and making small but meaningful […]
Ask competition judges which style they adjudicate the most, and they’ll likely say “contemporary.” It is an absolutely packed category at most events. But what exactly is it? Contemporary dance doesn’t have a codified technique. True to its name, it looks remarkably different now than it did 10 or even five years ago. And at […]
There’s nothing judges love more than sparkling-clean choreography. Keeping competition routines in tip-top shape is always labor-intensive—but especially when the number is the work of a guest choreographer, who may have set it months ago and probably isn’t available to oversee the cleaning process. Here’s how to polish even the smallest details of a guest […]
With so much else on your plate, from navigating virtual learning to keeping your studio afloat, it can be tempting to to cut corners or to settle for less in order to check “costumes” off of this season’s to-do list. Ultimately, though, finding a costume vendor you trust is paramount to keeping your stress levels […]
Tiare Keeno successfully straddles the worlds of concert and commercial dance. She began her training at one of the country’s premier competition studios, Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem, Utah, before eventually transitioning to a top-notch classical conservatory, Classical Ballet Academy. All the while, she kept a close relationship with the razzle-dazzle of conventions, […]
“The best judges come from the competition circuit,” says Jill Wolins, who trains adjudicators for the Star Dance Alliance and Starpower National Talent Competition. “If you competed as a kid, you have proper respect for how hard these dancers work. It’s not easy to do what they’re doing.” Wolins began judging competition events in 2001 […]
Q: Our recitals are too long when we have both competition and recreational dancers performing, so I’m considering having two separate performances. Do you have any advice on how to do this without creating drama? A: If you get a reputation in the community for long shows, it can have a negative impact on attracting […]