You know, this is a topic I have refrained from chiming in on. Parts of the issue are just not cut and dried. For example -- after one of our comps this year, we got an e-mail from one studio that one of the dances that scored high was inappropriate, lyric wise. JLL, one of the biggest proponents of the appropriateness issue that you'll find, was at that event, and I e-mailed her about it and she was a shocked as I was. Could be the lyrics were unintelligible and we didn't know what they were saying. That would not surprise me. But my point is that it is so subjective, its hard to know where to draw the line. If anything, as a dad, I would probably be TOO quick to think something is inappropriate.

But I will say this - our studio attended Nationals this year, and the Top Overall Solo danced to Roxie from Chicago, and did not delete "Sophie Tucker will shit I know." That line is sung loud and clear. How it was not disqualified is beyond me. And of course it won. I have already e-mailed that studio and told them not to bother entering The Power of Dance. They were easily the largest studio at that Nationals, but I'm sorry, I do not want their business.

A bunch of teachers and S.O.s got together last year and sent a similar letter in the form of an e mail to every major competition and convention that they were able to find.

Nothing changed- at least not in my area. Still saw a ton of stuff that grossed me out. And I should say that costume stuff doesn't bother me if a dancer is in good shape. But songs that people shouldn't have used were still heard (and awarded!) and movement that was over the top was over looked as well.

So I am done. I am going to make the choices I know are appropriate for my students and not patronize the competitions who are not willing to take a stand.

Unfortunately, not enough studios feel that way and there are plenty of unethical schools, teachers and parents to feed these competitions. It makes me sick that so many people are out there like that.

That is one thing that I always liked about Linda and her school. I never saw anything inappropriate but always saw amazing choreography that entertained and motivated me.

More people should be that way. How sad that there are not.

I am happy to hear that "Power of Dance" is making a stand on something.

However, I don't think the competitions get it. These are the types of numbers everyone wants something done about:

www.youtube.com . . .

Talented dancers, clearly. Amazingly well trained tricksters, without a doubt. Appropriate in any way for 7 year old babies, NO WAY! My son is this age. As a second grader, he is working on his first Communion and playing with Legos. These girls (and other powerhouse dancers like them) are learning to "work it" "shake" and "give some attitude". Their routines are posted online for not only dance lovers, but wackos, predators and pedophiles to download and view. In this case, 70,000+ hits, several reposts (including a repost from someone whose tag name is "skincandie"...need I say more)

I am not a prude, nor am I too jaded yet not to be saddened and shocked when I see young girls like this win awards for things that the media would scandalize if performed by the Disney Channel teen queens (remember the stink not too long ago when teen Miley Cyrus danced on the ice cream cart? Her routine would be considered mild in many junior jazz categories.) I expect that routines in categories like jazz and Latin will have isolations, shimmies and other genre appropriate moves in the choreography. I don't think that anyone else involved in competitions has problems with these moves either. I and many others are concerned about the extreme sexualization of little girls as being passed off as style in competitive dance.

I have forwarded this petition and links to videos of many highscore winners to people not involved in competitions, and they are shocked! (Anyone see the junior line pole dancing in bustiers, fishnets and hot pants to Chicago's "Cell Block Tango"? They were a top highpoint finisher at one large reputable competition's west coast nationals. Amazing dancers, but pole dancing and lingerie for 8-12 year olds...seriously????)

Until I had children, I used to design custom dance costumes for some of the top competitive studios in the country. Competition directors, here are some actual things I heard from parents:

"I want something that really shows off her body. She has a great body." (8-year old jazz solo). "We just need a black mesh top and spankies. She is going to wear a black bra onstage" (15 year old jazz solo). "Make it sexy. The judges love it." (petite jazz duet). Why would they think differently? Their kids won top everything (cash prizes, titles, overalls, special recognition) at every regional and national they entered. Of course, they were never commended for being "sexy". It was always "great energy/attitude/sass/etc."

I am now a non-dancing studio owner of my family business. Although I am not a dance teacher, or even a dance parent, I have been around this industry in all forms for many years and believe I can articulate what many others feel and that the competitions just are not understanding.

We are teachers, choreographers, studio owners, parents, dancers, and lovers of dance. We compete, we are not prudes, and we have standards. However, we have been silent for so long, complaining only amongst ourselves, because even when we mention something to competitions, those routines still win big, even when the rules expressly forbid innapropriate routines and choreography. We have sat back while 6 year olds sex it up to songs expressly about sex, 8 year olds prance around in thigh highs, fishnet and bra tops, and 12 year olds pole dance. As shocked as we are, we unfortunately have been jaded by being gradually exposed to more and more risque routines being performed by younger and younger children. Yet when we sit back and look at this with the unbiased eyes of someone not familiar with the dance competition world, our values kick in an we are shocked, saddened and angered by the consistency with which the competitions reward performances by young children that are truly inappropriate.

Please, Please, Please, responsible dance competition directors take a stand with us and stop exploiting young children all in the name of a cheap plastic trophy!

Many many teachers and SOs I know have NOT been silent. Its been an ongoing issue for years now.....I am so tired of it because nothing changes. Case in point- that video you posted is from one of the most successful studios in the country and the day that competition disqualifies them will be when hell freezes over.

I had to laugh at the disclaimer from the person who posted it- obviously you are not the first person to question their choices.

Sadly, Suzanne, this is true... but I always say to never give up without a fight. So, we will continue to fight (one grain of sand...)

danceelitellc

You make some excellent points, and part of it goes to why I have not signed this particular petition. I haven't read it in a while, so if err, forgive me.

I believe it called for points off for certain moves such as a pelvic thrust. But what about facing upstage and shaking your butt at the audience? And what about then looking back at the audience and smacking said butt? (Saw that this year.) And how many other specific moves must we add?

I'm not comfortable signing something that I could not fully enforce. I have a specific spot on the score sheet for the judges to take points off if they find something inappropriate in any way -- music, movement, costuming, age appropriateness. I prefer to trust my judges to keep this in consideration.

I also agree with bisou -- two piece costuming in itself does not bother me. When it looks like it came from Fredericks of Hollywood, it does. I'm afraid that you are also correct in your comment about hell freezing over before a big studio gets disqualified. (And in my conversations with the many judges who have contacted me over the past year, it has unfortunately become apparent that the competitions often choose the winners, not the judges.)

There is now way I would ever say "come to us, we don't reward inappropriate dances." That's a stand only a madman would take, because chances are no two people cold agree exactly on where the lines fall. You can see that just in this thread. But I can promise that our judges are instructed to keep it in mind.

But language, at least, IS black & white. And I CAN promise that if we hear f***, sh**, Bit** or the like, you WILL be disqualified. And you will NOT be allowed back.

Well, a big thank you to those of you who have taken the lead and who have given us a forum to work together on this issue! The parents I passed this too were so appreciative and excited about being able to make their voices heard in a way that might actually make a difference (even just one competition would be a victory). We have complained too, but it feels like no one in power is really listening. Maybe we don't bring enough numbers to make a difference; maybe those studios bring so many numbers that it doesn't matter what anyone says.

PS. I was especially taken aback by the poster's comment that "these are only 7 year old kids, so please be nice and think of them". One of the girl's DAD posted the same thing. I guess that sentiment doesn't apply to them as clearly they weren't thinking about it when putting together the dance/costume/choreography. Also, they irresponsibly put the children's first and last names on youtube, plus the name of the studio. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to google the studio and get the location. Why on earth would any studio owner put herself and her students at risk like that, especially given the type of routine that is? It is disturbing.

It is nice to read that more people are upset than not, in the comments, but really, I cannot get the horrible taste out of my mouth each time I see it.

danceelitellc wrote:

I am happy to hear that "Power of Dance" is making a stand on something.

However, I don't think the competitions get it. These are the types of numbers everyone wants something done about:

www.youtube.com . . .
...

Please, Please, Please, responsible dance competition directors take a stand with us and stop exploiting young children all in the name of a cheap plastic trophy!

Oh my, I had not seen competition for this age group in years. What the @#@# are teachers, parents and the competition circuit thinking. You are so right, 7 year olds should be using music and costumes that are age appripriate. And I say this because i have children who are now grown and could dance in this way, but they don't. Should 7 year olds even be doing those pirroettes with the leg up to the nose? These girls will have hip problems by the time they're 18, if they make it that long. I'm sorry I'm rambling but I can't beleive this is still an issue.

www.youtube.com . . .


THAT is why you should sign. I am only an assistant, but I am going to show the petition to our director and SO

I noticed today that someone posted this on dancemom.com. Some people are wondering about the origin of the petition and who are the teachers behind it. I lurk there but I am not a member. I think a few here are. Perhaps you can chime in to explain how the petition was started.

danzlover wrote:

I noticed today that someone posted this on dancemom.com. Some people are wondering about the origin of the petition and who are the teachers behind it. I lurk there but I am not a member. I think a few here are. Perhaps you can chime in to explain how the petition was started.

i went to the site you mentioned, just to see what was being discussed and was completely taken aback. my goodness! everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but the comments referring to dance nazis and the taliban was a bit much for me.

i see why i am a member of ddn...

Competitions have changed alot in the last 10 years. Nowadays, the less you wear, the higher you score, the more booty shaking, the higher you score. It is sad to see little girls in bra/panties with thigh highs grinding on stage My grand daughters were pulled from some numbers as my daughter would not let her girls dance like that. I would never teach that if I were still teaching.

Definitely! I am so sick of seeing little girls dance like they are twenty something! and to music they shouldn't even be able to listen to! Let little girls be and dance like little girls!

I agree. I feel the teachers should pick songs and dance moves that are age appropriate. Those girls will have plenty of time to grow up. Grrrr!!!