My studio competed this weekend and let's just say....I was very unpleasantly suprised. I know that many larger studios with competition groups stray towards costumes bearing bellies and whatnot, but at this competition I saw costumes I would NEVER on this EARTH allow my students to wear. These kids were wearing costumes comparable to strippers with less than I would wear in a BIKINI! One group in particular came out in a tiny bra-like (well actually it was smaller than any bra I've ever worn) top with jewels that moved when they shimmied, and little itty bitty underwear with ruffles on the butt. OH and fishnet tights. My parents of students were shocked to see this and some parents even left the auditorium. On top of this the same group also brought out a POLE (I'm not even kidding) and the 6-12 year olds danced on it! Are you joking?!?!?

Not only the fact that these outfits are comparable to strippers, but also these studios are putting heavier girls in them. This has got to be an issue with other people. At my stdudio, there is a very strict no bellies rule UNLESS there is mesh or something covering it. What do you guys think. Have you seen some of these costumes? I mean, I hate to rant because the dancers were fine, but the audience and myself seemed to have more attention on what the dancers weren't wearing than how they were dancing (not to mention that the dancers were provocatively shaking throughout most of the dance).

I know this is long but one more thing...I've seen in many competition packets that dances will be docked points for provocative dances or innaproipriatness...but WHAT exactly is considered provocative and innapropriate? I have seen dancers (children, by the way) who are doing things onstage that I don't even see people do in a dance club. WHether its getting on the floor and practically humping it, doing sexual dance moves, dancing on a POLE, etc. etc., when is it enough to actually dock points?

Just let me know what you think so I know I'm not the only person out there that finds this INSANE!

Alex

it is crazy.

But what are you gonna do.....all you can do is not do it yourself. I think it has to do with the region and the competition. In northern nevada, it's not too bad, but when we go to the bay area, we see a lot more of it (or less i guess!!!)
But I also found that Hall of Fame had a LOT more of scantily clad people did than KAR. There has to be something to that.

On the other hand, even though the costumes got smaller this year, I didn't see as much booty shaking this year. I did find that more and more choreography was stepping away from that and into more classic jazz or contemporary. Dance changes yearly, so all we can do is ride the wave......

After every competition several of my parents thank me for our age appropriate choreography and costumes. I saw some pole dancing too. Just unbelievable isn't it?

From what I am hearing almost every day here, I am glad I am not in the comp circuit anymore, and I wonder if I'll ever want to go back.

I watched a dance the other day on YouTube and the two girls were wearing VERY tiny tops with "skirts" (more like bikini bottoms with ruffle). The music even had an unedited F-word...I was at a loss for words, but didn't say anything on the post that led me to the dance, because the poster was simply wondering where she could find the song. It was very catchy, but I hope she does some editing! The girls were in the junior division of the comp they were dancing in BTW...

Frankly, it just makes me sad. Reading posts like these makes me glad I'm not the only sane dance teacher left on this planet!

our school has a no bellies policy- i dont even think we can have mesh.
still, im not a big fan of booty shorts either, esp after recital when they didnt flatter certain people. One dancer knew they didnt flatter her, and got shorts that were slightly longer(i totally appreciate this).

Also, the most provacative you'll see from us is a little shoulder shimmy.

I saw a you tube one the other day- western themed, with panties and chaps. just made me think of garters and lignerie. there was similar themed one where the girls had on the super ruffly skirts(think pageants and square dancing) which were totally appropriate, cute, and allowed me to watch their dance, not focus on how inappropriate they were.

I agree. I barely even have my girls shimmy!

I am glad to see that there are still teachers out there that choreograph to their songs! Half of these dances I saw at this competition I could have choreographed in 5 minutes! They don't dance....they shake!!

Not to single any certain dances out, but I came across this one on Youtube the other day....It's exaclty the type of thing I am talking about, and these girls are YOUNGER than the ones I saw this weekend.

www.youtube.com . . .
These girls are actually wearing a lot more than many of the dances I've seen this weekend but I cannot believe that these young girls are dancing like this!

My parents would leave in droves if I ever did anything like what you all are talking about.
I would not let my own little girls wear that kind of thing.

I just thought I would share.....tonight at dance a few of my classes were listening to their tapes from the same recital....this is EXACTLY what the judge said into the tape (very suprised, I might add)

"WOW, thank you for wearing age appropriate costumes!"

I was laughing for an hour, I'm not even kidding. So at least we aren't the only crazy ones that think this is insane!

Woohoo!

www.youtube.com . . .

I just watched the Material GIrl one and this youtube video popped up next, so I watched it.

Prime example of what your talking about.

These girls look older, but at the end, I'll bet they are 12, 13 at best.

Who is hiring these choreographers/teachers? My parents would sue me, then I'd go to hell for such indecentcy.

Shameful that 1. Teachers are not letting kids be kids, 2. that kids evidently are teaching.....

My 4 year old daughter's recital dance is done to "Rock a hula" by Elvis and their costume has a long "grass" skirt. (The top is a full leotard that covers the bellies and everything else)

In the dance they shake their hips quite a few times - but it's hula themed. My husband made the comment that he thinks they shake their butts too much. This is just my example to use to show that you're not crazy and many people do not want to see kids gyrating on the stage.

(And I CERTAINLY don't want to see any of them "make it clap"!!!)

I watched both of the videos posted here and I would be COMPLETELY disgusted if I ever saw a dance like this at my studio. As a dancer our studio was very cautious about costumes and song choices, and if there was any doubt the SO actually got the parents approval(this was back when parents actually cared), and if there was belly showing we had to either wear a cami or sow something into it to cover up. I didn't wear a belly bearing shirt until I was 16, and I wore pants with it. I teach jazz and hip hop, along with tap, but I would NEVER think about choreographing like that.
side note on the material girl, if I had to watch one more leg extension I think I was going to have to turn it off-how about doing the same thing 50 times in one dance=BORING.

I totally agree. Where I taught dance is was very "family-friendly". The costumes were age appropriate and so was the music and choreography.

I have seen many teachers allow young girls dressing very provocative. What does this teach our children? And the wierdos out there.

My new studio will be very family-friendly and tasteful. I will never allow costumes to be revealing.

They need judges with some morals!!!!! Poor babies....

I just watched the Material Girl video from the link above. OMG. I can not believe these teachers would do this to young children. They need to spend less time on the booty pops and more time on the arms on the fuetes.

These girls have sooooooo much strength and potential. It's a shame the teachers are wasting it on filth. When the girls grow up, all they are going to want to do is booty bump. Disgusting.

I would kind of like to hear from a choreographer/teacher/studio owner who DOES teach things like this and see what their opinion is. I wonder if THEY pick these costumes (bc we obviously know they choreograph them) of if their SO pick everthing out.

This is my theory...

Teachers/Parents/SO's are SO fed up with the costume companies making costumes that fall apart, not to mention taking MONTHS to ship them...that they are sending their kids to Victoria's Secret to buy bras and panties. Once they have those, the parents bust out their bedazzlers, rhinestones and glue and "jazz" up the costumes and send them on stage with them.

Some of the costumes that these kids are wearing are REPULSIVE!

We went to MOVE in Detroit a few months back and there were a group of all boys HH/breakdance kids who literally pulled down their pants to reveal a pair of boxer shorts with "PUSH IT" on their butts near the end of the routine.

THANKFULLY, the judges didnt think it was too funny. They were the only entry in their category and they received a SILVER and was not awarded 1st place in their category. Which was unfortunate because other than that stunt (and a few suggestive moves), they were SUPER tallented dancers!

Suggestive moves and inapropriate costumes are the WORST part of competitions, by far!

I just watched both videos. It is disgusting and I can't believe parents allow this sort of thing just to win a cheap trophy. I've seen stuff like this at all the competitions we've been to in the last 2 years. The only exception is our regional chapter of Dance Masters--they don't allow this type of dance or costume at their competition. It worries me to think of how many perverts are watching those little girls on YouTube. Doesn't anyone have any morals anymore when it comes to their children?

I love this post.

I'm 17, and I'm an active competitor at my dance studio. And I completely understand what you're talking about. At a recent competition, the older girls competing in solos danced on Friday, younger soloists were on Saturday, and group dances were on Sunday. I danced on Friday, and my sister was competing on Saturday and Sunday. So, on Saturday, my dance teacher and I decided to sit in the auditorium and watch some performances. Well, we were not prepared for what we saw next. A little girl, who was 5 or 6 I believe the program said, came out. She had black capri pants on and a pretty pink shirt that came up to her belly button. Next thing we know, "Hey Big Spender" by the Pussycat Dolls comes on. I thought to myself..are you serious right now? Big Spender? Not only that, in the beginning of the dance, she RIPS her capris and shirt off revealing a tiny pink bra and what looked like bathing suit bottoms. My mouth completely fell to the floor. I turned to my dance teacher and said, "Jen, WHAT is this?!" When I was five I danced to "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee" I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My dance teacher kept whispering "Oh..my..goodness." The dance was a little risque, too.

I mean I've seen that stuff before, on TV and stuff, but NEVER in a five year old's competition dance. Come on, now!

i teach dance at a chistian fine arts academy. comptitions seem to be booming with children in dis-tasteful comstumes and doing moves that strippers do. it kills me and is very frustrating. these costumes and dance moves seem to be rewarded at competition and its frustration. dance is an art. its not a strip joint and many people are acting like that;s what it is. its sad. your not the only one-it kills me!

LovelyRita wrote:

www.youtube.com . . .

I just watched the Material GIrl one and this youtube video popped up next, so I watched it.

Prime example of what your talking about.

These girls look older, but at the end, I'll bet they are 12, 13 at best.

Who is hiring these choreographers/teachers? My parents would sue me, then I'd go to hell for such indecentcy.

Shameful that 1. Teachers are not letting kids be kids, 2. that kids evidently are teaching.....

Not only does the costume suck (this would have looked so much better in pants, in my opinion) but I also think the choreography is incredibly boring. It's a series of linked 'moves' (usually technical ones, or really basic choreography) with some supposedly flirty moves thrown in here and there. The formations are boring. The formation transitions are boring.

I can't stand watching little girls who wear costumes completly unappropriate and doing inapprropiate moves- I started to watch the 2 videos and couldn't get half way through them.

Unfortunatly this is a reality in the dance world (not just competition I've seen it at recitals). All we can do is strive to keep our dancers to a high standard and those parents and students who appreciate it will stay with you.

We chose appropriate costumes (no bellies unless it's a teen soloist and she can pull it off). All our songs are appropriate for age group and the only shaking is my babies- but only if appropriate and not the whole dance- and it has to be cute shaking not sexual in any way. I teach my older girls that we never show a 'crotch shot' and why we always do certain moves to the side or back as well as we never bend with our bottoms to the audience. That we are ladies and we still have to dance like ladies.

I know that everyone is going to jump on me, but here it goes anyway. I DO NOT personally choreograph numbers where girls are "shaking their thing" for no reason. If there are vocals in the song that call for a shimmy or shake then it goes in the dance. I do put girls in two piece costumes (not as small as on the youtube videos) but yes two piece and stomaches are showing. I do not agree with any age child dancing on pole. I do teach the "crotch shot" because it is a dance move and it is here to stay. I didn't teach it for years but it's not going anywhere and when my dancers are going into NYC or to conventions they are being asked to do it, so I want them to execute it properly. Those are my choices and the parents and childrens choices at the studio I run. I am sure there are people out there who would look at my stuff and say "sleezy" on some numbers just because a child's stomach is showing without so much as even watching them dance. I have also had parents who didn't want their children to do hip circles or shoulders shakes as a part of jazz. Hmmm,I always thought that was a basic part of the jazz isolation series, shoulders, hip, etc. It's not what they do, it's how they do it. Some children can execute a very "cute" age appropriate shoulder shake or hip shake and look adorable because the expression on their face is "cute" and not oozing "sexy". My studio has also been to these competitions where children are pole dancing, slapping their butts and crowling on the floor grinding. My parents used to go crazy until I pointed out to them that the parents of these other children were obviously fine with it, they are there in the audience yelling and cheering for thm and I doubt the dance or choreography was a surprise. It is not my place to judge what or how another studio should teach or dress their children, I do not live in their area and I do not have their students or parents. That is why there are a million dance studios in the world, because we all have different ideas on the way to do things and parents can choose where is the best fit for them, their child and their morals. I will not stand and judge another studio owner, teacher, or the parents and children. I have my morals and they have theirs and we are all entitled to do what we want to without people trying to impose what is right and wrong according to their morals. To each is own! I don't have to like it, but I will not tell someone else what they do is wrong, disgusting or inappropriate. If I see something that makes me uncomfortable I can easily stand up and walk into another room or go to the restroom to avoid having to watch it and I encourage my dance parents and students to do the same. But, never comment on it, because there is someone in that audience (and those children) who are proud of what they did, that is their right, if they are comfortable with it.

^ I actually like your post.^
This topic has been circulating on DDN for centuries. Who is going to have the final say on what is appropriate? What standards are correct for everyone in every country? What officially crosses the line and doesn't cross it? We'll be debating forever.

Do what you know in your heart is right. Set your own standards and then stand by them. People will flock or run based on shared beliefs. The end of the story. Those crazy little Material Girls are happy and content, their parents will stay as long as they want and the only ones in an uproar are the people who will never go to that studio. You just can't enforce a belief system on an entire group of people.

Okay, the only thing that worries me about the Live and Let Live thing is that is works for most of normal society. But what grosses me out is to think of all the disgusting pedophiles out there who go on YouTube to look at these tiny little girls because they really think it's sexy. Vomit.

I don't agree with the provocative dancing and the skimpy costumes, but your right, there is never going to be one person who gets to decide what is appropriate for everyone. Our culture is diversified, and some people will call it poor judgement to let a 6 year old run around in a 2 piece dance costume, but I think our culture allows for some of us to say "there is nothing wrong with this". Sure, a little shoulder shimmy by a 5 year old in a dance that fits is okay by me, but you'll never, EVER, see me have a 5 year old do "the shot", as we will call it, either in class or on stage. The sad thing is that this is a discussion that will never ever end, because there is no one person who says what is or isn't okay in the dance world. There are some teachers who could care less about their students and what they are learning to be appropriate-they just want that trophy to sit inthe case at the studio so that they can be proud that their students could "work it" the best. I guess I am kind of all over the place with this post...but I just have really strong opinions of what is or isn't appropriate, and as someone who is thinking about starting a family soon I hate to think about what the dance world will be like if I have a child competing in the next 5-10 years.

Personally, for me when I see a dancer in a two piece outfit (and I'm NOT talking about the ones that show an inch or two of stomach but the ones that show more) I focus more on that then what the dancer is doing! Yes it is true that everyone has different morals etc. etc. but the point I am making is that competitions need to do something about the ones that are WAY OVER THE TOP by docking points like they warn they will do in their information packets. Taking that little step will change a lot of things and I think it would put somethings in perspective for some people. Maybe then they can realize that what they are teaching children is more like a child molesters dream than a dance to entertain an audience.

I've watched both videos and whilst I wouldn't send my daughter to either of those studios, I wouldn't choreograph in that style for my pupils or use that style of costumes for children, there are worse things the children could be doing.
There have always been studios that use this style of choreography, which is why a lot of schools don't attend competitions.
When you see little girls 'shaking their thing' on stage whist wearing little more than a couple of rhinestones, yes, my jaw hits the floor too, but they are in an organized activity and not roaming the streets causing the police and everybody else probems.