Dancing contests offer competitors a fantastic chance to display their skill and abilities while also getting insightful criticism from the judges. Comps have a lot of glamor, glamour, loud music, passion, energy, bright lights, and hairspray to contribute to their attractiveness. An opportunity to pick up knowledge from others, find inspiration, and take the stage, Dance competitions can also be mentally and physically exhausting at times, as there are long days of performance followed by lengthy waits for your turn to start. Whether this is your first competition or you’re an experienced competitor, you’re probably going to feel anxious before taking the stage. We’ve put together a list of our greatest recommendations to help you ace your next competition and be the dancer who makes the judges smile the whole time!
DON’T FEAR THE JUDGES
When a dancer glimpses the panel of judges, certain dancers have a tendency to freeze. Try to stare the judges in the eye with confidence if you’re feeling nervous. Don’t avert your gaze. Tell them you’re having the time of your life with a smile. Although you are not have to look at them the entire routine, the judges do like it when you acknowledge their presence and make eye contact with them at some time. If you find that making eye contact with the judges is too much for you, try looking directly between or slightly over their heads. In this manner, you can create the appearance of staring somebody in the eye without really having to! It all comes down to confidence in the end. You can have faith in your skills even if you’re a shy person. Appreciate the effort you have put into your preparation and practice sessions for the competition. Keep your head up and strut with confidence as you enter the stage. It will demonstrate to the judges that you are deserving of the stage. You can begin to train your mind to believe that you are capable of anything by telling yourself, “You can do this.” The secret is to be confident!
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CHOREOGRAPHY
Carefully considered choreography has the potential to provide you with an advantage in both your routine and performance. A skilled choreographer knows how to blend dance moves to produce an emotionally charged performance that draws attention to your strong points while camouflaging your weaknesses. The way you execute each step and the dynamics of your performance also capture the interest of the judges and audience. Look for the shadow and light in your movements. Both the powerful movement and the subtle nuances. This will enable you to stand out from the crowd and express your individuality throughout the composition. Generally speaking, it’s preferable to refrain from modifying your choreography at the last minute. During the last few repetitions, focus on perfecting your routine instead of stressing about alterations at the last minute. It is important that you are at ease with the dance and movement you are executing. Additionally, remember to grin! We frequently neglect to use our faces because we’re too focused on the dance. Grin, as you take the stage to share your enthusiasm with the audience. It won’t be as obvious if you make a mistake and keep smiling. Nonetheless, people who are observing are more likely to notice that things hasn’t gone as planned if you allow it to be evident on your face.
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DANCE PRACTICE
The adage “practice makes perfect” is timeless. When you take the stage, all of the hours you spent in the studio will have been worthwhile. When you can complete your routine with ease, you’ll be thankful for them even though they may seem lengthy and exhausting at times. Try to practice completely without making any marks as much as you can. This will enable you to increase your endurance and determine how much energy to devote to each exercise segment. Just as vital as practicing the technique is rehearsing your entries and exits, as well as practicing your smile or any other necessary facial expression throughout the routine. You should make sure that your face and head are included as much as possible because your body doesn’t end at your neck. Aim to perform in front of an audience whenever possible. It might be friends and relatives or students from your studio. This can help you center yourself before you take the stage and experience some of the anxious energy that comes with performing in front of an audience. You’ll get to experience cosmetics and costumes in addition to those other features. Your comfort level will increase with practice in front of a crowd, enabling you to unwind and take pleasure in performing.
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DANCE PREPARATION
This goes beyond simply practicing the routine. In addition, make sure your costumes are ready, prepare your snacks and beverages for the next day in advance, and put together an emergency kit with items like spare socks and tights, safety pins, bobby pins, thread and needle, hair ties, bun nets, tissues, cosmetic wipes, hairspray, and eyelash glue. Even when costume mishaps are beyond your control, shoddy presentation is never acceptable! To estimate how much time you’ll need, it’s also a good idea to find out where the venue is before the big day and figure out the best way to get there. A lot of competitions take place in theaters at schools, convention centers, or other similar locations. Make sure you’ve looked at the building’s exact entrance, the best spot to park, and any road closures or construction that might make it take you longer to get there.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
It’s crucial to warm up before taking the stage in order to reduce tension and avoid injury. As soon as you get to the tournament, take a seat and start looking for a place to warm up. Look for an area where you can stretch out comfortably and is not too close to the crowd. Remain focused on your own form and refrain from staring at other dancers; this will just make you feel more anxious! Rather, concentrate on your breathing and the actions you are taking to prime your body and mind for the tasks you have taught them to perform. A healthy diet is particularly crucial in the days before the tournament. Consuming a well-balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and a range of fruits and vegetables will boost your energy levels, promote cell turnover, and aid in muscle repair, enabling you to give your best work. Rehydrating your body and avoiding muscle cramps also depend on you drinking adequate water. Additionally, don’t undervalue the need of getting adequate sleep and rest! Because protein is synthesized when we sleep and rest, getting enough sleep enables us to rebuild our muscles even more!
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Ultimately, your dance journey is very personal to you. Concentrate on your development and artistry rather than the rivals. Recall that winning isn’t the only thing. The number of trophies you have in your room won’t determine your dancing career! Try to unwind and just give it your all. Instead of concentrating just on the result, consider how far you’ve come and the talents you’ve acquired along the road. You can only give it your all!
