Steps Competition Company

2008-2009 COMPETITION INFORMATION 

Why compete?  Besides being a lot of fun, competing takes your dance education to the next level.  Students who compete learn valuable life lessons as well as strengthening dance skills.  With our competition program we usually compete beginning in January going through May, sometimes June if we decide to go to national competitions. Here is a list of some of the competitions we are looking at offering for 2009.

Dance Master’s of Michigan Performing Arts Challenge

Applause Talent Competition

Cathy Roe Ultimate Dance Competition

Showbiz Talent Competition

     Intensive competitors are obligated to two competitions and recreational to one, even though more are offered.  These competitions are scheduled over weekends and last between 1-3 days long.  We try to keep the competitions within a three hour radius of home. For most of the competitions we do not know the exact schedule until 1-2 weeks beforehand, therefore dancers must commit to the whole weekend.  There will be a mandatory meeting and rehearsal when the competition dates get closer.  We try to work with everyone’s schedule as much as possible.

   Your child must be adult-supervised.  If you cannot attend a competition yourself another adult must be present to be responsible for your child (it may be another Dance Center Parent). The responsible adult for your child should also have any medical information in case of an emergency. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian of competitor. The Dance Center teachers will help with organizing transportation for the competitors whose parents can not make the competition.

The Dance Center teachers do not always attend the competitions.  In cases where the teachers are not there, a Parent Advocate is appointed to handle all matters pertaining to our studio.  These matters include, making sure Dance Center competitors behave properly, turning in music, making sure competitors are ready when it is their turn to dance, making sure competitors have enough make-up on, putting numbers on hold that may be too close together for costume changes, retrieving Judge’s comments and tapes, and handling any problem that may arise.

It is always appreciated when parents attend competitions to cheer our teams on when they perform.  We feel it helps our performers with confidence knowing they have supporters watching.  This in return helps our competitors gain more points.   If you appoint another person to care for your child, make sure the teacher and/or parent advocate is aware of who is responsible for your child.

Intensive Competition Team: The Intensive Competition Team is divided into four classes based on the age and level (dance experience, ability) of the student. Each class is held once a week for one hour.  Students will learn the technique required and choreography of two routines which they will compete.  Students in the Intensive classes will also learn more about competition in the dance world. This includes learning to give and receive constructive criticism. They will help each other mentally and physically in preparation to competing and performing at a professional level.  All four classes will compete as one.  This is what makes us a dance company. 

 The four classes of the “Steps Company” are:

Ruby Razzle Dazzles         Emerald Entertainers   Sapphire Shining Stars                Diamond Show Stoppers

Recreational Competition Team: This team is just an addition to our Steps Company, only at a non-intensive level. This is for those who are not able to commit as much time as the intensive competitors.  In order for a recreational competition class there must be at least 4 people interested in one class.  Recreational competitors usually have rehearsals only and set schedule classes may be provided based on the needs of competitors. Usually these groups perform a recital number they have performed previously.  This way they already know the dance and fewer rehearsals are required.     

 Solos, Duo/Trio, Production Numbers: Solos, Duos and Trios require a lot of extra hard work.  You will have weekly private lessons to learn and perfect your routines. These private lessons are also helpful in improving your technique.  If you are thinking about competing a Solo, Duo/Trio you must let us know by September 15^th.  Some dancers find it easier to start working on their routines in the summer.   

     Production numbers can be a lot of fun and very entertaining to an audience.  They usually consist of an entire company or studio with a variety of ages, abilities and dance styles.  If we have enough interest we will consider a production number for competition.  If we decide to perform a production number at a competition, the students will learn the choreography in the intensive classes and at extra rehearsal.