WHAT IS COMPETITIVE DANCE?

Competition class is different from the other combination classes at The Ballet Studio. Dancers not only train at the barre, but they further develope their flexibility and technique through extensive stretching and progressions across the floor. The competitive dancer is ready to take dance to the next level, which is showcasing her/his talent at Regional competitions. Our classes consist of serious dancers who have determination to learn and dedication to attend class regularly. Although TBS is a recreational school, a number of our competition dancers have been chosen to dance in professional groups on the east coast.

OUR COMPETITION STAFF Please read about Miss Sherri, Miss Shelly, Miss Melissa, Miss Erika and Miss Victoria on the staff information page.

Miss Sherri Di Stefano - Competition Director

Miss Shelly Danese - Assistant Director of the Competition Program,instructor and choreographer for level 1 and 2 dancers.

Miss Melissa De Lorenzo - Instructor/Choreographer for students performing a solo, duet or trio at a competition.

Miss Erika L. - Choreographer and instructor for students performing a solo, duet or trio at a competition.

Miss Kelle Antinoro - Assistant competition instructor for level 1 and 2 dancers.

Miss Cara Jorgensen - Choreographer and instructor for students performing solos and level 3 dancers.

Miss Alyssa Rogers - Choreographer and instructor for students performing solos and level 3 dancers.

Miss Amanda Pienciak - Choreographer and instructor for students performing solos, duets, trios and small group jazz dances.

Mr. Thomas Hanner - Guest Master Ballet Instructor who is formerly of the Washington Ballet, San Francisco and The American Ballet in New York City.

Ms. Justine Capria - Guest Instructor who is a graduate of The University of the Arts and choreographer and founder of XHALE, a modern dance group out of Philadelphia, Pa.

*Other professional dance instructors will be guest teaching throughout the dance year. We ask that students attend at least three Master Ballet classes and or guest teacher workshops at the studio throughout the year. We will have sign ups at the beginning of the dance season for all of our workshops.

3 PILLARS OF OUR COMPETITIVE PROGRAM

I. Technique: Body lines/placement, basics, control

II. Stage Presence: Expression/smile, eye contact, showmanship and confidence

III. Performance: Timing to music, transitions, precision

THREE AGE GROUPS OF COMPETITIVE DANCE

JUNIORS (grades 5 to 7)

SENIORS 1 (grades 8 to 10)

SENIORS 2 (grades 11 to 12)

THREE LEVELS OF COMPETITIVE DANCE

LEVEL 1 - This is for the recreational dancer who takes 2 dance classes weekly (which includes competition class). She/he wants to have fun, but also experience competition program. Dancers at this level will progress to level 2 based on teacher recommendation.

LEVEL 2 - This is for the competitive dancer who takes 2 or MORE dance classes weekly. The dancer is characterized by having strength in technique, stage presence and dance skills.

LEVEL 3 - This is for the competitive dancer who expresses the desire to attend more weekly classes (at least 4) and plans to focus primarily on dance as his/her extra-curricular activity. This dancer has also been a part of the TBS competition program for a minimum of THREE years. Our staff encourages all level three dancers to participate in POINTE CLASS each week.

All level 3 first year students will begin in the large group and move into a small group consisting of 5 to 9 dancers based on the amount of openings in each small group and at the discretion of the instructor.

*A Calendar will be given out by the competition staff the first week of classes with dates and times for rescheduled classes due to cancellations on Easter, Memorial Day weekend and all 3 competition weekends.

SOLOS, DUETS, TRIOS and SMALL GROUP DANCES

Students in level TWO and level THREE may perform a solo, duet, trio or small group dance in one, two or all three of the competitions. These dances will be performed only during competitions, not in the recital. Please see Miss Sherri or Miss Shelly for more information. These dances will be taught by Miss Erika, Miss Melissa, Miss Cara, Miss Amanda and Miss Alyssa. The cost of each one hour session is $39.00 for a solo dancer, $20.00 for each duet dancer, $15.00 for each trio dancer and $10.00 for each small group dancer. Each group will have a total of 5 sessions. Schedules will be made by each instructor after sign ups are complete. Practices will begin in the fall.

NATIONAL INFORMATION

The Ballet Studio, if invited, may enter The National Competition for one of the three competitions in which we have competed. A decision to go to Nationals will be made by the competition staff after the regional competitions are completed. Participation in the National competition is not mandatory. Some dancers, due to prior commitments, may be unable to attend.

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AttenDANCE (it even has dance in it) Policy for ALL competition dancers...

3 missed classes are excuseable

4/5 missed classes - Students may not compete in first competition.

6/7 missed classes - Students may not compete in first and second competition.

8 or more missed classes - It's time to look for a new activity.

ATTIRE and DANCE SHOES

Dancers are to wear BLACK or DARK COLORED dance attire to class each week. Dancers may wear Suntan or black tights. Please remember, no baggy sweatshirts, sweatpants or baggy t-shirts may be worn. Instructors will let students know in September which shoes should be worn on a weekly basis based on the style of dance that they working on. If a specific dance requires another type of shoe, dancers will be instructed otherwise.

SPRING COMPETITION INFORMATION

All regional competitions are held in the spring. Please be advised that the directors of each event schedule the ENTIRE weekend for the competition. You will find out the day/days and times you will be performing one week prior to the event. Dancers must be available at any time once the schedule is set. Each organization charges a fee per dancer (per dancer) to attend. All family members and friends may attend the competitions for no extra charge. All fees are non-refundable. The tentative spring schedule will be given out as soon as it is received. All competition fees will be due at the end of JANUARY . Please do not include the fees with your regular dance tuition. All levels will compete in THREE competitions. All Level 2 and 3 dancers will do ALL of their dances in all THREE competitions. All Level 1 dancers will compete in all THREE competitions in the production number only. Level 1 dancers will perform the production number AND their other competition dance, which is learned during the season, in both recitals. This allows the Level 1 dancer to transition into the competition program gradually. There will be practices in March at the Community Center. A schedule wil be given out as the dates get closer.

TUITION & FEES . . .

FEES PERTAINING TO THE 2010/2011 DANCE SEASON

JUNIORS, SENIORS1 and SENIORS 2 (levels 1 and 2) $39.00/month - $78.00/payment

LEVEL 3 (one hour each Sunday) $40.00/month - $80.00/payment for Sundays.

LEVEL 3 (two hours each Sunday) $80.00/month $160.00/payment for Sundays.

*All level 3 students attend two hours on Sunday AND the Wednesday competition class. Therefore, to help curtail the cost, the total is as follows - $109.00/month - $218.00/payment. (This is $20.00 OFF of the total payment fee every other month for Wednesdays.)

Guest Teacher Workshops - $14.00/hour class. These fees are due by the end of September and are non-refundable. The schedule will be given out by Miss Sherri at the parent meeting on September 8 which will be conducted the first 15 minutes of each competition class. ALL STUDENTS IN THE COMPETITION PROGRAM MUST ATTEND AT LEAST 4 WORKSHOP HOURS.

All students will be contacted via email throughout the season by our competition staff with updates about competition dates and locations.

Competition workshop information for the summer of 2010 is posted on the summer dance page.

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A REMINDER TO ALL OF OUR AWESOME DANCERS...

LOVE WHAT YOU DO! DO WHAT YOU LOVE!

Please visit our Competition Updates and Reminder page for important dates, information and competition awards.