This year many of my students are newbies to the studio and have come from a studio where there was NO technique NO ballet NO performance skills... they were never pushed or made to work towards anything. I used to work there unfortunately so I know how they roll.

I now have these students who through daily ballet classes and technique classes have come a very long way, However in the performance aspect of dance they still have a huge bridge to cross...

In class I push my students over and over and over to use faces and to put some energy into their dancing, make it look like they love what they're doing and to just perform it everytime. For some reason it just isn't happening for me though Last night for example I had my girls run the first 36 counts of their dance over and over for 30min stopping everytime becuase there was no facial expression or excitement that they were bringing to the table. I have let them observe dances that I find appealing performance wise, I have demonstrated, I have yelled I have asked nicely, I have used examples from dance mom or SYTYCD or other shoes they might relate to... I'm really at a loss for how else to bring them out of these shells and to perform in class.

Any ideas or suggestions on what activities/exercises/comments I need to do or make to take them to that next level!?

Our next competition is in 3 weeks and I need some fast help!

Thanks in advance

A lot of that comes from being embarrassed that the other girls in the class might see them "being emotional." Try covering the mirrors.

good idea! They are all very good friends having danced together since they were quite young so I wish they would feed off eachother but it usually ends up in giggles so I'll def have to try the curtain idea! Thanks

My older girls are the same way. Hope it helps!

Depending on the group, having them dance in the dark might help. Then they're not as self-conscious. Also, group discussions where they get to participate couldn't hurt. Have them share what they think the dance means, what their favorite parts are, or what they envision as they're dancing. Talking with and in front of each other might help build up their courage.

If you can't cover the mirror, just turn them around and have them do the dance to the back. Its good practice anyway for competition, because they won't have the mirror there either.

^^^I always teach dances going to competition facing away from the mirrors. Keeps dancers from constantly looking at themselves or copying other people.

Depending on their age, I would have a sit down talk with them and ask why they aren't performing. Sometimes it's really interesting to hear what their reasons are. I would also take the time to explain why performance is so important. Ask them about their favourite dances they've seen and why they were their favourites. Ask them if those dancers performed or had blank faces. If they're older, a lot of times I explain that at their age, everyone has technique (which is only semi true), so what is going to set them apart. I would also get really deep and ask them why they dance. What do they want to say through their dancing. This is a hard question for a lot of "seasoned" dancers to answer but it's a good question to ask to get them thinking about it.

Here is one thing that I say, and it makes them laugh. I say, "What if you see a beautiful girl walk in the room and she has a HUGE, RED ZIT on her face? Do you see her face, or the zit?

They look at my like I am crazy. I tell them, well, when you are out there dancing and not showing emotion, it's the same thing. They don't see your good dancing, just the fact that you are not exciting to watch. Don't be the zit on the face of the dance.

I get laughs, but many of them get it.

I also say that if they see their favorite performer, and I ask them who they like, and they sang like this, as I show them a boring way of doing it, would you like to watch them? Of course, they say no.

I then ask, "Then you EXPECT them to do that, right?"

They say, "Yes."

I tell them that it's the same thing, that people who watch them expect them to show emotion, so it's those who don't who should stand out, but not in a good way.

The other thing is to have them take turns, in groups, and do contests. Also, film them. On top of that, when I teach them the dance, I perform it as I want them to do it.

Have them watch films of kids their own age dance and talk about who they are drawn to, and why.

Most kids will get it, but you may have some, and we have all had them, who may never get it.

^^ HAHAHA DreamChaser very good example I am sure my little ones will enjoy that this afternoon when they get into the studio!

Luckily I did have some luck with them this monday in class much more performing out of no where!? I won't complain

Now to just make it consistant and to bring out each personality while making an effort as a whole.

Thank you all for your advice I am going to try it all and see what works best with my students

If your dance doesn't necessarily have a story behind it them have them all make one up!! Make it relevant to their lives depending on their age (toys for kids, friends/boyfriends for teens) and passionate!
Also I used to practice this by playing a warm up game of charades...you would be surprised at how many kids these days can't mime/act out a scene! Then I would talk about how dance is telling a story without words....no performance = boring story.
I also had the dancers do it in small groups and then have the entire class pick out who they were drawn to watching and why....this can be tricky though ... I would only do this with a mature group of students that could see the value of the lesson (and usually after I had showed them a video of OTHER dancers and asked to pick the "standouts") so they weren't just picking friends or feeling left out or picked on...explain why you are doing it and that its not a game of teachers pet (you don't pick anyone they do!). It made my students work even harder to be noticed!