How to succeed at competition - solos

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How to Succeed At Competition - Solos

1. Make sure the dancer is well trained. No amount of stage make-up, sparkly costumes, or bright lighting can hide unpointed toes and bad posture. This is especially so when only one dancer is on stage. All students in competition should be enrolled in a minimum of two full ballet classes a week. This does NOT include ballet classes where a piece is being choreographed.

Often times choreographers find it effective to choreograph to a students strengths. For example, a piece may have more turns in it if the dancer is more skilled at turning. However, some choreographers also have used solos as a manner to motivate students to improve at a certain skill. For example, if a dancer is not very skilled at jumping, his or her teacher may choose to put in a lot of jumps.

2. Don't Get Psyched Out! Its important that dancers maintain a good attitude before performing. Its normal to be nervous, but a dancer's emotions should not interfere with her ability to get on stage.

The most effective way of staying positive is by being prepared. When you're prepared to perform, you feel prepared to perform. Dancers should note that they should practice outside of their choreography sessions with their teacher. Encourage your students to use empty studios to practice their solos on a regular basis.

3. Develop effective pre-performance techniques. It's often a good idea to run through the piece a few times. Since space is often limited at competition, mark the piece (if necessary) except for major tricks. It's helpful to bring a walkman or CD player with earphones to competition. This way, the dancer may mark her solo with the music before she goes on stage.

Make sure that your dancer is well warmed up and stretched before the performance. This not only prevents injury, but helps to assure that the dancer will perform well, physically.

Lastly, make sure that the dancer eats well. Students who starve themselves before a performance will be fatigued.

4. Require that your dancers be well behaved. If your dancers are not courteous and well behaved at all times, your school or studio may gain a reputation. Make it known that misbehaving on or off stage is not acceptable.

5. Make sure costumes are secure. If a piece of a costume falls out of place on stage, it distracts the audience from the dancing. Make sure all hair pieces are pinned on, pants are pinned to leotards and/or tights, straps are out of view, and shoe laces are tied firmly.

6. Be Prepared for Everything! Hair pieces fall out, music doesn't start, tapes break mid-way through a performance, and so on.

Instruct your dancer on what to do in the above situations. Always keep going. If the music stops, count in your head until its fixed or the announcer asks the team to exit and then re-enter. While these situations may seem unlikely, they happen when you least expect them!

7. Require that dancers be in costume at the competition an hour before the performance. This allows ample time for stretching, warming up, and rehearsing. It also takes into account that the competition may be running ahead of schedule.

8. Pay as much attention to polishing your exits and entrances as to your piece. The first thing the judges see is the entrance of your dancer. The last thing the judges see is their exit.

9. Practice makes perfect. Rehearse the piece as much as you can before competition season begins. The more familiar your dancer is with the piece, the more comfortable he or she will be with it on stage. Start polishing the piece early.

10. Have fun! Tell your dancer to get into the piece, and show some emotion! The emotional performance of your dancers is what will set them apart from the 300 other entries the judges have to sit through.

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