viksterlou
Novice Member
Registered: Nov 04, 2009
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I need some advise. I am a new mom to competition. The owner of the studio is also the competition teacher for my daughters group. She was sick last night and so another teacher took the class and while they were doing their routine it is clear the are not where they should be and its due to the teacher/owner, not the students. They don't know their counts, are not in sync, etc. They are also only 1/3 of the way into learning their dance. I have watched the class and noticed the teacher/owner is all over the place and the team ends up watching each other to learn the steps.
I just don't want them getting to competition and being embarrassed or ran over by other teams, who are clearly going to be better if things don't improve. This is their first year in competition, so I want them to do well. any advice? |
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dance2damusic
Platinum Member
Registered: Oct 26, 2007
Posts: 1,466
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Reply with quote | #2 |
It's pretty early in the competition year--I would wait a while and see how it goes.
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stpierremom
High Silver Member
Registered: April 13, 2009
Posts: 209
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Depending on how old they are, embarassment may not be a concern. My girls are young, 1st grade & 2nd grade, and last year they really had NO clue how they compared to others. They just know how well THEY did compared to how they did in class and based on what we told them.
Also depending on when you start competing (we start in March), the DT may still be in developmental stages of the dance. Our dances are not finished yet, although they are close and are looking pretty clean. I second the vote for giving it some time.
This is our 3 year of competing; I remember the anxiety of the early months! |
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Bunhd
Silver Member
Registered: Aug 17, 2008
Posts: 82
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Reply with quote | #4 |
It always looks like a confused mess to me at the beginning of the year but by comp time they have it all together. I'd give it time. |
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highlandmom
High Bronze Member
Registered: Oct 01, 2009
Posts: 37
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Reply with quote | #5 |
I agree with the other posters. My youngest DD did her first competition dance last year, the dancers were between 7 and 8. At first the dance look a mess, they did not know what they were doing and looked at each other all the time, stopped or were off time. But at their first competition it all come together, they looked great. Knew the dance, had the smiles, looked out into the audience, were together and most important had fun. Don't worry right now they still have lots of time. If I look into either of my daughters classes there are lots of times where I see them doing the dance by themselves and the teacher up at the front going over the next bit of the dance because what she had planned next did not work.
I really think we are about 1/3 of the way done our dances. I don't get stressed until the March Dance Camp if they are not done.
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"To touch to move to inspire - this is the true gift of dance" - Aubrey Lynch |
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momtodancinggirl
Platinum Member
Registered: June 28, 2008
Posts: 1,113
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Reply with quote | #6 |
I'm going to disagree. If they REALLY don't know their counts, I think that's an issue (assuming it's not just a bad night at dance). I have seen this before, a DT who basically doesn't know how to TEACH the dance, even if they're great choreographers/dancers themselves. The kids ended up with a bunch of steps memorized but no clue when or how to do them correctly. I wouldn't have a problem with them only knowing 1/3 or the dance if that 1/3 was down pat, but IMO they shouldn't even be dancing with the music yet if they don't know the counts and steps really well. Going back after they learn it and reteaching it..makes no sense to me. A WELL taught routine, IMO, is one that your child can repeat for you to different music, because they know the 8 counts.... JMO.
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jeanne4379
Diamond Member
Registered: Aug 21, 2005
Posts: 9,077
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Reply with quote | #7 |
When did they start rehearsing and when is the first performance/competition? Things can look a dreadful mess at the beginning. I am concerned that the owner/teacher gets distracted while teaching.
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Moonglow
Platinum Member
Registered: March 04, 2007
Posts: 2,252
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lunette
High Gold Member
Registered: April 15, 2008
Posts: 951
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Reply with quote | #9 |
We still haven't even started choreography for some numbers - it is pretty early to get concerned. It'll probably come together over the next few weeks. It might just be an off week with her and maybe some of the dancers being sick? Maybe if you are chatting with her or she invites you in to watch I would mention it looks like it still needs cleaning up and see what she says? She'll probably reassure you. |
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scottishdancemom
High Gold Member
Registered: May 14, 2008
Posts: 761
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Reply with quote | #10 |
How old a group are you talking about? If younger, it may take time to come together and sometimes the dt wants to get them to just learn the dance and then clean it up. If they're older then yes the counts should be learned as they go, but again dd has had dt's that want to get the danced learned first,and then clean it up even for the Srs.
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bisous3
Platinum Member
Registered: Dec 21, 2004
Posts: 1,019
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Reply with quote | #11 |
Does the teacher have a proven track record for dance competition?
If she successfully enters groups and they do well then I wouldn't worry about it.
If she is a total newbie then you are definitely taking a chance, but the other posters are correct- its early in the year- no one is clean yet.
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Suzanne: Dance Teacher, Studio Owner, Judge, DanceMom! |
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LovingDance
Bronze Member
Registered: Oct 14, 2008
Posts: 10
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Reply with quote | #12 |
I would definitely give it some time (unless they compete soon). A lot of our dances haven't even started yet and the ones I've seen look a little scary. This is still the "in progress" stage. I've seen many dances in this phase and thought to myself, "Wow this is just awful" and been really concerned. I've always bitten my tongue and been GLAD I did because it's comes together eventually. It's like when you get a haircut. I know for myself, at first I get a little nervous wondering what the heck my hair dresser is doing, but in the end, it looks great! Don't be too quick to judge or say anything because you may regret it down the road. Plus I don't know how that conversation would go? "So Miss ______, I think the dance looks really messy and the girls don't know what they're doing..... Try harder?".
She is (should be) the trained professional and I'm guessing you trust her ability (or trusted) to have your dancer dancing with her. Just step back for a bit and let her do her job!
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lilyzdancemom
High Gold Member
Registered: April 08, 2008
Posts: 784
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Reply with quote | #13 |
If you are new to competition, I can see how you'd feel like you do. Trust the DT, it will most likely be OK.
Sometimes even the 1st comp a dance can still look a little rough. It's OK, the DTs will see what needs to be done. |
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Spitsfire
High Platinum Member
Registered: March 07, 2008
Posts: 2,842
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Reply with quote | #14 |
Just a piece of advice keep your mouth shut. Opening your mouth I don't think is the smartest thing to do. You don't want to come off as one of "those" moms do you?
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momoftwo
Silver Member
Registered: March 16, 2009
Posts: 73
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Becca
High Gold Member
Registered: Nov 02, 2008
Posts: 927
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Reply with quote | #16 |
Nope. Not a word. Trust the teacher. If it turns out later on after the comps that it wasn't what you are looking for for your dancer then you can start checking out other studios.
-Becca-
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Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Production & Pre Pro Ballet
Comps Attending: Encore~ Winston-Salem, Showstoppers~ Concord, Hall of Fame~ Winston-Salem
Nutcracker: Party Girl- Babydoll Dance, Meese- Battle, Oriental Corps- Chinese Tea Dance |
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azmom
Platinum Member
Registered: Dec 23, 2007
Posts: 1,595
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Reply with quote | #17 |
I would also think it would look a lot worse with a substitute than with their regular teacher... |
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