Recent Articles
OVER COME STAGE FRIGHT
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips Comments Off
HOW TO OVERCOME STAGE FRIGHT
All performers have experienced the ‘backstage jitters’. It is natural for a dancer to feel nervous right before going on stage. Oftentimes, this nervousness can hurt a dancer’s performance. As we become seasoned performers, we learn how to use this nervousness to our advantage.
This tension comes from the adrenaline that naturally will release into the body. It is hard to feel calm once this happens! This will happen when a person embarks on a venture that requires a great deal of courage. Dancing on stage can be downright scary at times. One way to better perform is to have been on stage enough times…to just naturally feel comfortable! This unfortunately isn’t an option for less experienced dancers. But there are a few things a dancer can do to lessen this tension and to use it towards the performance ahead.
QUESITON: What is your stage fright level? 1-5 (one being least – five being a lot)
Be Ready
* Before you get called to the wings by the stagehands; practice breathing and stretching. Make sure you are completely warmed up, stretched and calm. Doing deep breaths is very important so you have a great surplus of oxygen flowing through your lungs and muscles. By the time you get to the wings, you should be calm enough to handle last minute nerves.
* Never go on a stage without practicing the piece at least twice. Being physically warmed up will assure a better performance and that should ease a little tension right there.
* Make sure you have enough time the night before, to sleep at least 9 hours that night. This will help your performance and your tension.
* Do stay hydrated and have some protein in your pre-performance meal. Don’t eat heavy but try to eat enough so that you feel energetic. Eat 3 to 4 hours before your performance so that it is digested for energy stores at the time you’ll need it. Do not eat sugar or drink caffeine. And absolutely no smoking or alcohol!
* Make sure your dance bag , costume(s) and stage makeup are all packed and checked the night before.
* Arrive at the venue at least an hour before you’re required to be there. This will give you time to practice on the stage area and will lesson your chances of any late arrival which will in turn cause increased tension.
* Try your shoes on the floor when it’s rolled out. Make any last minute adjustments according to the floor.
Be Focused
* Make sure you listen to your music and visualize the performance before you go onstage. Visualization is a very powerful tool and can relax the mind and body.
* Don’t let a chatty friend take all your crucial last moments before a performance! Try to center yourself and stay in a very focused state of mind.
* Try to use whatever mood you’re feeling that day towards your performance. Any energy is good energy. This is the difference between a good dancer and a phenomenal performer.
Be positive
* Backstage nervousness is also a twist of anticipation and excitement. Remember these other factors and keep your mindset positive. Anticipate your best performance yet, and enjoy the excitement of your finally getting to perform this piece after all the hard work you’ve done! Enjoy instead of dread it! Be pro-active!
* Dancers need to come together as a group in a positive light pre-performance. Sometimes it helps to pray together, massage each other’s shoulders or do a pep cheer! This pep cheer can be a team ritual that gets every one in the mode and into the spirit. It brings a positive energy to the group that translates on stage.
* Have confidence in yourself! You have worked hard and know the choreography. You were chosen for this part because you earned it! Have pride in your part no matter how large or small it may be. This humble and thankful mindset will give off an inner happiness that will shine for your fellow dancers, your choreographer and your audience.
A dancer without jitters is a bird without wings. Use this energy towards your movement and know that it is normal. Enjoy this excitement and relish every time you’re in the position to be coming out of those wings. We can’t be dancers forever! So enjoy these moments, and soar on that stage! You are there for a reason, let it shine!
HOMEOWRK: Think about your last performance. After reading the article, what are some of the methods you have used? What are some of the methods you will use next time? How did you handle your stage fright?
I AM UNIQUE
Mar 12, 2010 STUDENT Self Awareness Comments Off
I AM UNIQUE
Every team member has something different to offer towards the team. We must remember that we are all unique, means not all of us are going to have the same skills, talent, and abilities. Rather than focusing on other dancers and comparing yourself to others, it is important you always stay focused on YOU and what your talents are.
GOOD – NOT SO GOOD
Each person born is unique in many ways, from personality to the way our body is formed. Some members may be naturally flexible while others have great memory and memorize routines faster. Some people are double jointed will learn flips quicker and easier, others may have muscle limitation takes them longer to gain flexibility.
In addition to uniqueness, everyone is also going to have natural favors towards ballet, jazz, tap, or hip hop. Not everyone is going to be gifted in each of the areas in dance. You will find that you will do well in one, but struggle in the other. Generally people that do well in jazz dance often do well in tap. People that do well in tap will often do well in jazz but not as well in ballet. Some people will do well in ballet but not as good in tap. We must accept what are strengths are, and accept our weakness as well.
We should not limit ourselves just because we might not do so well in ballet, jazz, or tap. Why? The more you explore and the more dance techniques you learn, the better dancer you become even if you may not end up a perfect prima ballerina, or talented quick tapper like Shirley Temple, or the best in quick movements in hip hop.
Not only should we recognize our own weakness and strengths but to realize our team members have theirs as well. It is important you recognize areas your team members do best and areas they struggle and understand that everyone will have weakness somewhere. Compassion, understanding and encouragement to help motivate yourself and others will help everyone overcome their obstacles in areas they have the least strength.
HOMEWORK: Think about your own person uniqueness, what are your strength what are your weaknesses? Are their dance members in your class you want to be at their level?
PERSONALITIES
Do not confuse yourself with habits or certain behaviors with personality, for example, being bossy. This is not a personality this is a poor behavior habit. Personality is based on how a person responds to others and themselves. Some people are natural leaders (leader does not mean bossy) and others are followers. Leaders are often more self motivated, disciplined, can start without hesitation, lead, guide, encourage themselves and others. Followers often question and doubt themselves, rather be in the back row but yet part of the team. It is OK to be either or, whether you’re a leader or follower, you have something to contribute to your team and to yourself.
HOMEWORK: What is your personality? Are you a follower or leader? Are you confident or shut?
DANCE CLASS ETIQUETTE
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips Comments Off
DANCE CLASS ETIQUETTE
Dancers spend long hours in the classroom. It’s no doubt that the classroom starts to become the social circle after so many days and hours with the same people. When dancers don’t follow a certain code of conduct, they tend to disturb a classroom while they’re trying to focus and learn. Granted most dancers are very young, but that isn’t an excuse for poor choices in conduct, attire, chatter or attendance. Disrupting the focus of others dancers is a disservice and should be corrected immediately by the dancer themselves. We all slip, and make mistakes, but taking responsibility and making certain we note not to repeat the offense is evidence of good character in a dance student.
# Chatter During Class
No matter the level of a dancer, there is no excuse for talking during a class or rehearsal. It is entirely disrespectful to the teacher/choreographer and to fellow dancers. The worst offense is talking while the instructor or choreographer is also talking, that is not only impolite in general, but beyond rude. This person is here, dedicating their time and effort, to make you a better dancer. Abstain from talking during class as much as possible and show your choreographer or teacher that you are focused and eager to learn. It goes a long way.
QUESTION: Do you talk and goof around in class a lot?
# Cliques
Dancers inevitably form friendships with other dancers. Think about this though: do you remember walking into class as a new student and noticing the cliques of girls who were unwilling to be friendly and say hello to you? Don’t be one of them. Make certain that you know ALL of your fellow dancers in your classes and performances. Make an effort to make people feel welcome and comfortable. Too often dancers get arrogant and they don’t associate with other students who aren’t on their “level”. That shows immaturity and lack of compassion. Everyone starts somewhere and you never know where you might bump into that one dancer you gave the cold shoulder too later down the road. They just might be the next big choreographer that doesn’t give you that job because they remembered your attitude. It is hard enough to learn as a newcomer, so be kind and open to your fellow dancers.
QUESTION: Do make sure everyone is accepted equally in the program?
# Inappropriate Attire
Young dancers are in shape and full of confidence. At a certain point in training they will feel they need to express themselves with other things such as fashion. Not all classrooms are strict, but a dancer should not wear clothes that will distract themselves or others from their main focus. When dancing, the proper dance gear should be worn per dance style. Every dance clothing outlet has a variety of clothing that is appropriate. The dance instructor will usually request a specific type of attire that should be adhered to. Remember, every time a dancer goes our on a limb with their attire, it usually draws their focus away from the dancing. Dressing too sexy or too punky is not going to help your dance training, save it for the street!
QUESTION: Do you wear the proper clothing and shoes weekly?
# Being Tardy or Absent
There are always those handful of dancers that arrive late to a class or a rehearsal or miss often. When a dancer comes in late to class it not only affects the focus of the entire class and the teacher, but it doesn’t help the late dancers own focus as well. Coming in late to class usually isn’t allowed since lacking a proper warm-up could cause serious injury. Dancers who are late and/or absent from their classes and rehearsals really throw the entire group off. Especially when there is choreography involved. It is very rude, disruptive and disrespectful to everyone involved. If a dancer regularly can’t make a class on time, or if they have to miss more than a couple times, then maybe they should just drop the class or performance schedule. There are other dancers out there that are eager for each and every class they have in their schedule, and dancers who are hard-working and eager to take your spot in that dance!
QUESTION: Are you dependable?
# Spacing in Class
Every so often a classroom will be a bit crowded. Students need to be extra careful in these situations to allow even and proper spacing so that all the students can get maximum visibility and use out of the class. It is uncouth for a dancer to step directly in front of another dancer who was already spaced and there before them. Certain dancers choose the front of the class, that is fine, but if you aren’t already placed in your “spot” before the rest of the class settles in theirs, don’t walk in front of the others and block their view. It isn’t thoughtful or kind.
QUESTION: Do you know where your dance space is?
# Respect for the Teacher
The worst offense a dance student can do above all the others, is to disrespect the teacher. Disrespect comes in many forms. The above mentioned are some of them. Another form is your body language and eye contact or lack thereof. When a teacher is talking, you should be listening quietly with a perky ear. Think of their lesson as an investment to your dancing education, be thankful for it and show courteous behavior. Each time a teacher says a correction out loud, assume it is you and check to see if you need the same adjustment. Smile and nod at your instructor when you get a correction. And if you’re with a choreographer, don’t challenge their ideas; you are their canvas to paint on. It is not anyone’s place but the choreographer to determine the spots in the dance and what you will be doing or wearing.
QUESTION: Do you listen to the teacher?
If you act professional in all your dance endeavors you will inevitably be a better dancer. A dancer needs to be certain they are kind, courteous and ultimately focused. So anything that is done against that grain will produce undesirable results. If a dancer finds they cannot or will not follow this code of conduct, maybe they should look into some other interests that don’t require this amount of discipline. Maybe they just aren’t cut out to be a true dancer. So be on your best behavior and you will really shine as a fellow dancer and dance student. Learning to take class is the first step to becoming a professional in the dance industry. Be smart and mindful to achieve dancing success!
WORKING RESPECTFULLY WITH OTHERS
Mar 12, 2010 STUDENT Self Awareness Comments Off
WORKING RESPECTFULLY WITH OTHERS
The key to team work is working respectfully with others. This takes a lot of patience, understanding, cooperation, and communication skills. When each member in the team works respectfully individually, they naturally work respectfully as a team. It is important that you, contribute to the positive influence towards your team members and the team as a whole. There is no “I” in team work.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS – LEARNING HOW TO COMMUNICATE
How you say things will make an impact on yourself and others. It is important that we stop and think about what we want or say to others. Is it necessary? Is it your place to say it? Is it positive? When giving feedback or criticism to other team members, we must remember, to think through our comments before we say them. We must learn to get into the habit of asking ourselves questions about what we want or feel we need to say. For example, a team member is always lagging, behind, not doing as well as the rest of the team. How do you approach this team member? First you must ask yourself some questions. Is this team member really creating a negative impact on the team and routine? If yes, why? Is it because the member is always late, appears they never practice, does not give their absolute best and energy? The best way to approach this member is to then ask them the same questions for example: “Cindy, I have noticed that you have not be up to par with the team. I see that you attend weekly, and I have concerns about your progress. Do you practice at home? What can I do to help you get up to par? Rather than lecturing, accusing, and belittling, approach in a concerning manner and ask question and offer to HELP. If you do not wish to help the member succeed or improve, then it is NOT in your place to comment.
HOMEWORK: Share with me situations that occurred you handled well regards to communication with another member.
SHARING AND LISTENING
Team work requires both the ability to share AND listen. You cannot always be the one that knows it all and always the one that does everything right. Even your dance teacher does not always know it all, or always right. It is important that members learn to share, but also listen to others. We cannot progress and learn, if we do not learn to listen.
EMPATHIZING
This can contribute towards learning how to communicate with team members. It is important we learn to empathize with those having a harder time with techniques and learning routines. We must remember that if you are in a higher level than another team member, to empathize “remember you were in their shoes once too” with them and help them, motivate, and remind them that you too once struggled but with faith and practice and putting in your time, eventually they will be where you are today.
COOPERATION & NEGOTIATION
Part of team work is working together to put together routines whether it be a group dance or duo/trio dance. All members will be asked to contribute dance combinations to add to the routines. It is important that each member learns to cooperate and negotiate means not having your way all the time.
WIN WIN SITUATIONS
The goal to team work is having a win win situation, means everyone can communicate, share, listen, and cooperate to make the team successful. Win win means everyone can agree work together, and create a team where everyone is equally important and a contribution to the team.
HOMEWORK: List all areas you need to work on regards to this article. Perhaps you need to work on cooperation, empathizing, so forth. List them below.
BRAIN VS BRAWN
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips Comments Off
BRAIN VS BRAWN – The Key to a Dancer’s Success
Remember the age old joke of dancers using more brawn than brain? Most dance students seem to think that technique is everything. A dancer’s success is indeed based on physical capacity, but it is equally based on mental capacity. So what is it that makes some dancers stand out more than others? Sure, great genetics of the body combined with talent will do the trick, but mainly it is the mind and will of the dancer that got them there.
A Smart Dancer Progresses Faster
In order to not only perform well, but to progress, dancers must retain a mental stability. Focus, comprehension, memorization skills and adaptation are all extremely important to a dancer’s progression.
QUESTION: Do you stay focused?
Some dancers take class after class and don’t seem to get any better while others just fly by the rest of their classmates. Is this because they are just better? No. It is because they know how to take class. A dancer who learns how to stay engaged and connected with the lesson on a constant basis discovers more tips to progress and spends more effort on corrections. A dance student must listen to the corrections given to any class member and personally apply it.
QUESTION: Are you the dancer that progresses because you are well focused and give your all? OR Are you the dancer that is lacking focus and not giving your all?
Let’s face it; some dancers have a hard time getting ahead because of the lack of focus. If the mind isn’t memorizing quick enough and the choreography seems to be a mental challenge during every class or rehearsal then maybe it’s time to take a deeper look into the cause. A dancer who cannot focus is virtually useless when it comes to performing.
HOMEWORK: If you are a dancer that struggles with progress and improvement in dance and techniques please read the tips and advice below and apply them in class weekly!
A smart dancer decides they are going to be great and then they are. They give it every last drop of mental capacity as well as physical. So no, it is not true that dancers are all brawn. It takes a certain type of intellectual to study ballet, or to learn the art of tap dancing.
Tips on Focus and Memorization
There are a number of things a dancer can do to increase focus:
* Go over choreography before and after rehearsal (or class).
* No talking or daydreaming during class!
* Leave the cell phone turned off during class or practice.
* Get enough rest at night; a lack of sleep will surely cause focus to waiver.
* Keep emotions in check: if emotions are causing a lack of focus, try to use them as an energy source which helps rather than hinders progress.
* Dress for the occasion; pick out a favorite dance outfit or take extra preparation time before walking into the classroom.
* Take good care of the diet; dancers who lack certain vitamins or minerals may find it hard to concentrate! Also, a lack of fats for the brain can easily ruin a dancer’s focus (a dieting dancer can easily run into this problem); take Omega 3, Evening Primrose Oil or Flaxseed Oil supplements as well as a multi-vitamin.
* A dehydrated dancer is a distracted dancer: make sure to drink at least two quarts of water daily (64 oz).
* Visualize a Great Performance! Many great dancers practiced dancing in their heads as often as in their bodies!
There are so many distractions for each and every dancer ranging from stage fright and personal body image, to simply talking too much! Dance takes 110% focus. A dancer who learns how to master this in the classroom will be more likely ready to master it in auditions and on stage. A mentally sharp dancer is the type of dancer who finds real success. A dancer who knows how to focus their mind is most likely going to find success in the dance world. Being alert, quick and smart is just as important to a dancer’s career as physical ability. One certainly cannot succeed without the other. Remember, dance from the heart and head and the body will follow!
QUESTION: Based off the article regards to distractions, what distractions in dance do you have? For example, stage fright, talk to much, lack of focus, so forth. List all areas you need to work on and improve.
Dancing can be quite emotional. Not just when enraptured in movement, but by one’s own dance surroundings and peers. Keeping things under control on an emotional front helps a dancer to concentrate on the task at hand; taking class, auditioning or performing. There are so many distractions but it is crucial that a dancer keep their cool in order to do their best.
HOMEWORK/QUESTION: As the article stated dancing can be very emotional. It is important that dancers recognize and resolve emotional issues to help them stay focused in class. List all things that have affected your class focus that occur before, after, and during dance class.
To be a dancer it takes a confidence that shines through, even in the storms of adversity. A dancer needs to be able to keep calm even in the most turbulent times. Believing in oneself is the key; never give in to the negative. Those who chose to not give in to their own worst critic may find enough strength to pull through in the toughest of times.
It’s as if one should remain in their own “bubble”, we call this bubble serenity and focus. It actually helps to stay in this state of mind so the energy isn’t drawn out but rather, it is pulled in and used for dancing. Negative energy can really mean the difference between a good class, audition, performance, and a bad one. Some common negative thoughts a dancer must fight against are:
1.Mean girls… “Why aren’t I in their clique”? Everyone has been in the position where they feel left out. Dance class is not the exception. Sometimes a clique forms and popularity battles find their way into the classroom. On occasion the “popular crowd” can be quite abrasive causing other dancers to feel resentful, anxious or angry. This won’t help a dancer focus on the task at hand if their energy is drawn out because of misperceptions or even true perceptions of their peers. The key is to rob this situation of ones energy entirely. Always behave and be kind – do not give in to negative notions. Chances are that those perceived mean girls are just a bit more talkative and/or confident and they don’t mean any harm.
On the flip side, there will always be inconsiderate people, and perhaps they are indeed “mean”. Just feel sorry for them and pay no mind. Focus on dancing and improvement despite any obstacle in our path. If one finds themselves actually getting “picked on” then notify the teacher and ones parents if it gets bad. This type of situation should be dealt with swiftly. Jealousy always surrounds dancers, especially the good ones!
QUESTION: Cliques and “better than attitude” is never a good addition to any dance team or group. Are you creating, forming, or a part of cliques in the class? Do you find yourself feeling your better than or belittling others?
2.It’s not fair… “I should’ve gotten that part”! Or “The teacher likes her better”… In the dance world, things aren’t always fair. Sometimes a dancer gets overlooked at an audition while a dancer with less ability (seemingly) gets the part. Sometimes a dancer feels slighted in class when the same student gets called upon time and time again to demonstrate. These things are natural, and they should be used as a tool to work harder. It should not cause a dancer’s self esteem to vanquish, but it should humble a dancer and give them the drive to do better.
It is true that the dance world can be unfair sometimes. The key is to not focus so hard on those incidents, and instead to rise above them. Sometimes a girl will get a part simply because she is the daughter of the choreographer; or maybe a dancer gets called upon constantly not for ability, but because she pays for more classes… These things just happen. We can’t stop the world from being unfair, but we can stop ourselves from being unfair! Most of all we can stop being unfair to ourselves and just brush it off and move forward. That is what any smart dancer would do.
QUESTION: KKZ has many offers for leading parts and top roles. What are your ideas how you feel leading parts should be assigned? Based on years of involvement? Talent and ability? Attendance and consistence?
3.I’m not good enough… ”I’m not tall enough, arched enough, thin enough, pretty enough”… Continuously playing negative thoughts in one’s head is entirely self-defeating. And guess what? If a dancer believes this about themselves then they become it! Faith and belief go a long way in the dance world. Giving up and giving in to self-defeating thoughts will only run a dancer into the ground. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! This plays a big part in the ballet world; dancers who are built a little thicker or perhaps don’t have the right “look” may feel at odds. This isn’t a good reason to dwindle on effort. This is exactly the right reason to persist and stay dedicated! Don’t let negative thoughts cause defeat!
QUESTION: Do you have an I’m not good enough attitude?
If a dancer does not get a part or is not let into a school for physical reasons then that is not the right school or part for the particular dancer! Who wants to be a part of such an institution that judges on anything other than the ability of the dancer? Institutions like that tend to be too stressful for any human being and shouldn’t be sought out anyhow. It isn’t worth the hard work, soul and life of a dancer. A dancer should be encouraged, enriched and cared for in any school or job they pursue.
Every dancer goes through a period of adjustment on the inside when they find themselves in a new dance environment. The key is to not give in to negative thoughts and to always behave in a just and kind manner. Every dancer needs to focus on the task at hand and remain serene and hard working. Any outside distractions do not deserve one’s attention! Keep on track by working hard, being kind, and focusing one’s energy on positive perceptions. This type of positive thinking shines from within and beams out in one’s dancing. Be kind to other’s no matter what and most of all: be kind to yourself!! It goes a long way.
I HAVE SELF DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL
Mar 12, 2010 STUDENT Self Awareness Comments Off
I HAVE SELF-DISCIPLINE and SELF CONTROL
I HAVE SELF-DISCIPLINE
What does this mean? There are many things about dance and all of it requires self discipline. Here are some things you need to have control of:
1. Stay focused during class or on the dance floor
2. Limit myself from being the distractive member
3. Learn and remember I can only fix me, and ONLY me
4. Correct myself on corrections in techniques when called out and keep it fixed
5. To be able to see my own mistakes and correct my own techniques
6. To be able to listen and be aware of my surrounding at all times
7. To practice often outside of class time
8. To remember my absent from class puts a strain on the team and attend class weekly and regularly
HOMEWORK: Go through the top eight list and answer whether or not you have discipline in those areas.
I HAVE SELF CONTROL
In addition to self discipline, self control is also important. Students must learn to separate feelings from their actions. For example, the teacher calls you out on lack of improvement. Rather than acting out on anger, you should think about why you were called out. Did you practice in the past week? Is the teacher right? Are you putting in your best effort? If you said no to all the questions, then you have to accept that you failed to take responsibility for yourself and your team by doing what you need to do to keep up to date on routine, techniques, and exercises. If you answered yes, and you have been doing your best, rather than acting out anger, let your teacher know that you have been practicing, trying, and doing your best. It is important that when something happens that makes you sad, scared, angry, frustrated, that you step back and think about what is making you feel the way you do, and think on your actions how you respond will affect you. If you think things through you will make better responses, if you act on impulse, you will likely make poor responses that come with consequences for your action or behavior. Below are some things to remember regards to self control:
1. Your actions and behaviors
2. Your emotions
3. Able to take in feedback both criticism and compliments
4. Able to give feedback both constructive criticism and compliments
5. Learning from your mistakes and preventing yourself from making same mistakes
6. Controlling your attitude
7. Controlling yourself
8. Watch what you say, and what you say should be constructive or positive
HOMEWORK: Go through the top eight list and answer whether or not you have self control.
FACE & EXPRESSION IS EVERYTHING
Mar 12, 2010 STUDENT Self Awareness Comments Off
FACE & EXPRESSION IS EVERYTHING!
Just Face it: The Importance of A Dancer’s Facial Expression
Each and every dance created and danced only comes to life when a dancer fully adapts it and becomes it. Every dance needs to be interpreted and communicated to the audience. It’s a dancer’s job to breathe life into any choreographic piece. The only way to do this is through true emotion, personality and expression. Early in performing training, a dancer forgets about their face expressions or lack thereof. As the performing skills progress a student becomes aware of their face and begins to experiment with it. Some choose to just smile…
The soul of a dance is in the face
When performance training starts to mature a dancer learns to use facial expression as the soul of their dancing. It becomes the very gesture that sells the dance to the audience as an actor sells his acting to theatre watchers. It’s the true emotion of dancing that makes it an art in the first place, without it it’s just athletics. A dancer who does not express emotion and expression during dance performances becomes uninteresting and dull.
Face expression draws attention to the dancer
One of the best tools of the trade is learning to facially adapt to the dance. Audience eyes are drawn to those dance performers who learn how to master the emotion and expression within the set choreography. The mood of the dance is what audiences interact with through interpretation, reciprocal emotion and psychological illusion. It is the actual connecting factor between the dancer and the audience, and one of most importance.
Tips on face expression
Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help with expression development:
* Let the lyrics and music guide; let the music move you!
* Give a genuine emotional response.
* Let yourself go! Just allow yourself to physically feel an emotion on stage.
* Practice emotion and facial expression during practice and class time.
* Don’t overdo it! This is not cheerleading.
The face defines the mood of the dance
Some dancers who learn how to express themselves well can sometimes go a bit overboard. An audience or a judge who sees a dancer overdo it seems to view them as acting fake. It can really interfere with the message of the dance. In cheerleading it’s another story, but in the dance world the expressions have to be natural looking. That is a part of what institutes dance an art. The artistic value of a dancer is in presenting expression and emotion, a dancer makes the choreography concept come to life by giving it true life. The body does a lot of the expressing, but the face is 50 percent of it.
Don’t overdo it!
An expression cannot be mimicked. If true emotion is not flowing from the dancer, chances are, the performance is not believable. It is up to the dancer to find a true connection with the piece. Let each facial emotion portrayed, be one of true nature. With practice and courage, facial expression will boost a dancer into the next level.
HOMEWORK: Focus on facial expression in the current class and routines.
PERSONAL POWER & INFLUENCE
Mar 12, 2010 STUDENT Self Awareness Comments Off
PERSONAL POWER and INFLUENCE
“I use my personal power to make choices that influence what happens to me and my community.”
I HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE
Everyone in the KKZ program have the power to create influence in the class room, to the team, and to themselves. Every student has the power to create positive or negative environment by choices in their actions, behavior, and things you say. It is important we remember often, that we need to contribute to the program in useful ways and to help create a positive atmosphere by choices I make.
HOMEWORK: Think about your influence in class, are you positive or negative? Explain.
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS
We are all human even your teacher makes mistakes, says the wrong thing, or might do something that does not bring a positive effect to the program. Students have the same impact. Not everything you say and do will always be a positive effect to your team or class. It is important that as team members we take and accept responsibilities for our actions and behaviors. If you say or do something you realize you should not, take responsibility for it, apologize, discontinue repeating the behavior, and learning from your mistakes. When you blow things off or ignore your mistakes, you are not taking responsibility for yourself.
HOMEWORK: Do you take responsibility for your actions? Focus on responsibility for the season.
IT IS OK TO MAKE MISTAKES AS LONG AS YOU LEARN FROM THEM
It is ok to make mistakes whether it be something you do, say, or being late for class. It is also important that along with taking responsibility for your mistakes, you learn from them and not repeat them again. There are some behaviors that occur with dance team members that seem to be repetitious, such as bossy behaviors, team members that are always telling others what to do, or being critical, negative, gossiping, belittling others. These types of behaviors become habits to many. If you have a habit of certain behaviors that upset, distract, or discourage your team members, it is important that YOU need to correct your behavior and find solutions to help you discontinue your behavior. Remember, there is no right in being wrong.
HOMEWORK: Do you get frustrated when you make mistakes or need to be corrected? How do you deal with it?
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I HAVE THE POWER OF INFLUENCE
You as a student have the power to influence the mood of your team members. If you are constantly upsetting, irritating, and focusing on your team members, this means you are not focusing on yourself. If you are not focusing on yourself, your team members will be the ones to progress while you will be delayed because you are not correcting, fixing, and improving yourself. Being focused on other team members too much can cause you to be a downfall to your team, why? Because you will be the dancer not up to date in the moves, corrections and doing what the teacher tells YOU to do.
HOMEWORK: Do you focus too much on others and not enough on yourself? Do you focus on yourself with the same motivation as your team members?
If you are not putting in the same effort, time, and energy as your team members, this can also have a negative influence not only on your team but you as well. It is important that ALL team members must equally put in the time, practice, effort and energy weekly in class. A team that fails to work equally is a failed team. You have the power along with everyone else, to make a positive and successful winning team.
IMPROVING FLOOR WORK & TECHNIQUES
Mar 12, 2010 DANCE Advice & Tips Comments Off
IMPROVE FLOOR WORK AND TECHNIQUES
Dancers today are under a lot of stress; there are more technically advanced dancers than ever before, and one has to go above and beyond to stand out from the crowd. One important aspect of any dancing routine is choreographic depth. One way to showcase depth, is to develop dancing “levels”; these levels usually include at least a section of floor-work, which is dance movement done on the ground.
Every modern, jazz and lyrical dancer finds a time when floor-work starts to take a toll. Many dancers come home with bumps, bruises and fatigued bodies that come from working on floor-work routines. Let’s face it; floor-work takes a lot of finesse, strength and development. When a dancer continuously faces floor-work challenges in their dance routines, they have to take extra measures to keep up with the choreography. There are many exercises a dancer can do, to improve many aspects of their floor-work.
Upper Body Strength
Upper body strength is a major part of fluid floor-work movement. The first thing a dancer should strive to do is to increase upper body strength. Usually this comes easier to the gents, so all you girls out there need to take time a few days a week, to develop this area of the body!
Push-ups: A great way to increase push-up capacity is to hold the body in a plank position, and slowly lower the body all the way to the ground. If this is too hard try resting the body on the knees. The key to this exercise is to lower the body as slow as possible. After completing this exercise five times, try to do as many push-ups as possible. Do them until fatigue. Make sure the body is a solid plank, and use those stomach muscles! At the end of every month a dancer should have increased capacity for number of push-ups by at least ten.
Pull-ups: Now this one is more challenging for the ladies as well. A good push up really works the shoulders. Try finding an outdoor jungle gym, or acquire a pull-up bar. If a dancer cannot complete a single push-up then try to hold the body up by jumping up to the bar, and holding onto the bar with the arms bent. Hold this position and lower the body as slow as possible. Then try as hard as possible to pull the body back up. Continuing this exercise a few times a week will lead to an eventual pull-up, which will multiply with hard work.
Hand Stands: Try doing a hand-stand against a wall, and hold it for as long as possible. Eventually graduate to balancing a hand stand in mid air, then try walking on the hands! This balance will increase strength all over the body and will certainly strengthen floor-work capacity!
Core Strength
One of the most crucial aspects to dance form is core strength; this intensifies even more with floor-work. Anyone who lacks in this area needs to work on it pronto!
Crunches: One of the best ways to increase core strength is with a good old crunch. Make sure the crunch is coming from the center of the core, and the head must be faced towards the ceiling. Meet one knee at a time, with a bent elbow and continue rocking this crunch until exhaustion.
V-balances: Lay on your back with the arms above the head, and the legs stretched out straight, come up as far as possible while bending at the waist only, and lift the arms and legs to the sky. Keep them straight and stay balanced; the longer the balance the higher the strength.
Leg-lifts: This exercise requires an exercise unit that can be found in the local gym. The upper body stays suspended, and hangs down, while being supported on the forearms, which are holding onto two bars. Lift the
IMPROVE FLOOR WORK AND TECHNIQUES CONTINUED
lower body with the legs straight out in front (in a 90 degree angle), and try to get the lower body as high as possible before controlling the lift back down. Do this until the muscles are tired. This can also be done while laying on the floor, keep the body straight and the arms out to both sides; now lift the lower portion of the body up, with the legs pointed up to the ceiling. Repeat.
Back Bends: Push the body up to a back-bend, and hold for ten seconds. Now come down so the body is resting on the upper back, while the lower body is still raised. Now lower the body down to the ground one vertebrae at a time until the tail bone is one the floor, make sure to push the stomach muscle toward the ground while doing this. Repeat this three times, and try to do this exercise a few times a week.
Transitions
Every floor-work routine comes with a multitude of transitions. The key to beautiful floor-work is to keep those transitions precise and clean. If the transitions are not understood, it would be wise to get with a fellow dancer, or the choreographer, to find out exactly how the transitions are supposed to look. Transitions need clarity and fluidity, so try thinking of phrasing and musicality with each movement.
Another important aspect of floor-work, is getting to the ground and back up gracefully! Sometimes choreography requires a controlled fall, and the dancer must drop to the floor quickly, and in some awkward positions at that! It is important to retain confidence, and a mental connection with the music and message, so the body just follows. Try the following exercises to help with controlled falls, and proper ways to get back up from a floor position:
Jump and Roll: Start in a neutral standing position and jump up, then drop to the floor, sitting on the behind, roll back in a rocking position, then pop back up in one smooth motion into another jump. Repeat this exercise until it looks like one movement. Notice how the body uses inertia to complete the movement in a fluid-like fashion. Retain this feeling and mind-set when doing a quick drop to start floor-work movement, and when getting back up to an upright dancing position.
Another exercise to try is to get up without using the arms every single time you arise off the floor in any dance classes. Always find new ways to rise without pushing off the floor with the hands. This will improve strength, balance, and poise.
With hard work and determination, any dancer can gain the strength to develop floor-work technique. It will only take a few months to improve every aspect of floor-work, and it is sure to stand out in a dancer’s performance. One of the best things a dancer can do outside of these exercises is to just practice, even if it is at a slower pace at home. This will make each movement and transition concrete, so there are no questions when it comes time to execute the movement. Knowing exactly what comes next, without any doubt will increase confidence, and that too will show in performances.
HOMEWORK: Do stretches and exercises at home minimal of 3-4 days a week
I AM AN INFLUENCE
Mar 12, 2010 STUDENT Self Awareness Comments Off
I AM AN INFLUENCE TO MY TEAM MEMBERS
What does influence mean? Influence means how your actions, behaviors, and opinions affect others around you. For example, a girl in your class shows up in an outfit you think is ugly. What you say has an influence on her and others around you. If you tell this girl her outfit is ugly, your influence to her and your team members display you are not nice, your rude, and you have a negative opinion and attitude. You have to remember, not everyone thinks like you, maybe this girl loves the outfit she is wearing. Just because you do not like it, does not mean the outfit is ugly. It is important to always remember that what you say, do, and think affects others around you, especially in dance class. If you want your team members to be positive, encouraging, and caring about you, you must express and give compliments, encouragements, and expression of caring to them. Sometimes team members may act badly or poorly, there are ways you can express your concern about their attitude or comment without being rude too. Simply by saying, that is not very nice. If you do not have something nice to say, it is best to not say anything at all. Most importantly, remember your team mates are nervous at shows, they are frustrated when they cannot get a move right, or feeling disappointed if they are behind on memorizing a routine. You have an influence to help your team members succeed by sharing you are nervous too at shows but have FAITH you will both do well! You can have positive influence by telling everyone good luck and you know they will do well. Saying, keep trying you can do it, when they are struggling. When you say these words you make an influence to your team members, and in time they too will share these words back to you.
Let’s take the time to think about how you have influence in your dance class. Write your answers on the back.
1. What kind of influence are you to your team members? Be honest. Are you bossy and discouraging? Are you often critical and making members feel bad? Do you show off and brag about your skills that you are better than others? Do you lack confidence and faith in yourself that you feel you have nothing to contribute? Tell me which one are you, then tell me how can you change your influence to your team members and the class.
2. Enable to become a good influence to others you have to be a good influence to yourself. This means, having confidence and faith you can be a great addition to the class and team. Confidence does not mean arrogance. What does arrogance mean? Arrogant behaviors is when a member act like they know it all, think they are better than others, or belittle others in the class by showing off and bragging. You must ask yourself, if you are being arrogant, would you be impressed with yourself if you were in other people shoes? It is important that you remember, that how you act and think and feel about yourself, is how you are presenting yourself to others. Perhaps you’re the one with little confidence and feel you are not as good, or capable, or have anything to contribute and offer. If you do not have faith in yourself, then you also do not have faith to share with others. You have to remember, even if you are not the best dancer in your class or team, you are better than the new kids starting dance for the first time. You have a job to be a role model to our newer members and beginners. They depend on you to show faith and confidence they can do it too. Which one are you? Arrogant or lacking confidence? How do you think you affect those in your class, and new members in the program? What kind of influence do you want to be in the program?
