mariebandres -

gorgeous. thank you. one of my favorite things about it besides the obvious amazing choreo and dancing....the "costumes". No sequences ANYWHERE. Just simplicity. Love that.

Okay...so I'm gonna start a new thread of fave links to fav choreographers/teachers.

Edit - I created a thread called "what inspires you?" post your faves there.

Definately stick with your own "flavor." At our last comp, I was actually in the elevator with a judge that we had also had at Nationals. She said how much she enjoyed my dancers because she remembered us for our uniqueness and that we actually did modern in the modern category. Out of 12 Modern dances that we brought, only 3 placed overall, so I am not saying that we kick butt, but we are noticed and appreciated because we stick to our own thing and don't let the other studios influence us.

Our studio runs into the same problem. We don't do trick after trick after trick. It's stupid, and it's not dancing...it's doing tricks. Not the same.

We also placed 2nd a lot at a couple competitions, but I do think it's kind of...whats the word I'm looking for...conceited? to be mad about 2nd place. If they were placing near the bottom, say 9th or 10th, I'd be pretty upset, but 2nd place is great and by no means anything to be upset about.

That being said, I don't think you should change what you teach just to fit in at competitions. Maybe if more people start actually DANCING, those who think tricks are the way to go will start to see that they're wrong.

Just came home from a competition. I don't like how some studios will have their groups bounce and shake showing NO technique with extravagent costumes and they get high awards. The hardest tap step was shuffle step, hmmmm? I would rather see tricks over head bobs, and shimmies!

oh gosh, I'm glad you weren't serious but had to reply just in case! lol. Hopefully it helped some poor ignorant student out there, haha

I too teach a Frank Hatchett style of jazz- "jazz-funk" as one other comment mentioned. The "lyrical" routines you are most likely talking about probably border on the "So YOu Think You Can Dance" Contemporary style. Nothing is really a pure dance form anymore, as there are so many styles developed out the originals. It just depends on the judges. And if they are giving true critiques it should be based on performance and technique and not what style is "in".