Hello Miss Amazing family! I know a lot of you participants love dance and dance in the Talent Showcase at your state pageants and at Nationals. As the 2013 Miss Amazing California Jr. Miss and passionate dance lover, I’d love to share 10 dance tips with all of you AMAZING ladies!
Tip #1: Determination.
Determination is huge. Being a challenged dancer, I find technique might be harder for me to learn. Does that mean I can’t do it? No, there’s no such word as “can’t”. There’s no such word as “impossible” or “never”. Determination is what the teachers want to see in dance classes and it’s what the judges want to see in competitions and pageants.
Tip #2: Technique
Pointed toes, pointed toes, pointed toes! I can’t really tell you enough how much this matters. If a dance teacher or judge sees that you don’t point your toes in any kind of technique, then OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!! Hahaha! In ballet, which is considered the foundation of all dance, pointed toes are especially important. Pointed toes are also important in contemporary jazz, modern and lyrical because those 4 dance genres have somehow involved with ballet. Therefore, if you would like to learn more about dance, I suggest taking ballet classes before you take any other dance class.
Tip #3: Heart/passion
Heart and soul is key to being a great dancer! Teachers, coaches and judges want to see you pouring your heart and soul into the movements.
Tip #4: Core and balance
In any genre, you learn that every dance instructor and coach will tell you that a strong core is what you need to keep your balance. I struggled with this many times and I still have to be reminded. Don’t worry, though! Every dancer forgets now and then that they have to work their core muscles. What helps is doing at least 20 sit ups before class or performing.
Tip # 5: Listening and Rhythm
Hearing the rhythm of music is also key to dancing. It’s like learning your ABC’s in preschool. “Listen closely!” is what, I’m sure, you all have heard in elementary school and so on. Listening skills are very important to being a great dancer and choreographer. Each song has a beat, which dance teachers are supposed to help you learn and count out with you.If you want to improve as a dancer, practice counting music and listen.
Tip # 6: “Creativity”
When you are a dancer or choreographer, creativity is very important to have. Your creativity comes in when you are getting a feel for what the movements mean. All choreographers are inspired by the music in their own ways. For example, it could be a life story, a man walking down the street, a tragic moment…It can be anything!
Tip #7: “Transitions”
Knowing how to transition from one move to the next in a dance is very important so routines don’t look choppy. You can learn this by going to dance classes and learning choreography from different dance instructors or choreographers. Learning how to transition is not always done automatically. I still struggle with doing this, but as long as you go to classes and keep learning, you’ll get it!
Tip #8: “Confidence”
This is the word that sums it all up. Yes I mentioned passion and heart, but you have to have enough confidence show the passion and heart. Some dance teachers, coaches, and choreographers can be really tough on you, but you have to be confident enough to show them you can do it. It’s easy to get intimidated by other dancers, especially as a dancer who might have more challenges than others. Be confident!
I will leave you with a few words from my dance teacher:
“It is one thing being great at technique but it is another being a great dancer.”
– Riley Weinstein
Conversations of Confidence 