Bored?

Love dancing?

Still have time left before school starts for 2019?

Check out these dance movie recommendations from some of our students and staff...

Centre Stage (Olivia S - student)

Chicago (Rayna - student)

Hairspray (Jordy - student)

Footloose (Shinae - student)

Step up 4 (Ebony - student)

Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (Amber - student)

Barbie in the pink shoes (Olivia H - student)

Grease (Ashley- student)

Save the last dance (Kerry - staff member)

All that Jazz & Every Little Step (Brett - teacher)

Singing in the Rain (Ellie - teacher)

That's Entertainment, Cats, Fosse (Suzanne - teacher)

West Side Story (Emily - Teacher)

Annie, First Posiiton, Billy Elliot (Jess - teacher)

Some other suggestions:

Dirty Dancing

Black Swan

Saturday Night Fever

Strictly Ballroom

Moulin Rouge

You Got Served

Stomp The Yard

First Position

Grease

Burlesque

Honey

Happy Feet

Happy viewing!

If you're a dance student or parent you may have wondered why dance students are required to wear their hair in a neat and secure style, or Ballet bun for their dance class?

Here's why...

1. It shows respect and appreciation to the art form. Presentation is a huge part of the art of dance. Styling your hair neatly is just as important as wearing a leotard for Ballet, Tap shoes for Tap or even football shoes for football.

2. It allows the student to focus and concentrate to the best of their ability. Learning to dance is hard work, especially after a tiring day at school. When a student doesn't wear their hair in a neat and secure style, they spend much of their dance class wiping their hair out of their face, trying to pull it tighter, trying to re-pin it or even worse, requiring the teacher to spend valuable class time to fix it. It's important that your child can spend their class time listening and observing the teacher, trying their best, and applying corrections and notes given...not worrying about where their hair is going.

3. It allows the student to become a better dancer. A student with secure and neat hair can perform their dance moves with ease. They also give the teacher a clear view of their alignment and posture, allowing the teacher to better correct the dancers technique. A dancer who has messy hair that is falling out needs to work hard just to control of their flying ponytail let alone worry about what's actually happening technique wise. Students with saggy and loose ponytails often have to add movements of the head and neck to control their hair, resulting in their dance moves are not being performed correctly.

4. It encourages dancers to dress appropriately and respectfully in other areas of life. Dance might not be the most important aspect of your child's life but it will encourage your child to be better in other areas such as work and school. A student who understands and respects that you may need to dress a certain way for dance, will have a better understanding of how to dress for other occasions too. Work interview? A adult who grew up dancing will attend on time, dressed in neat and clean attire, with neat and presentable hair.

Speech to apply for school captain? Your child isn't going to stand up there in track pants, their shoe laces undone and their hair in their face. They will present themselves in a respectful and professional manner because they have grown up thinking this way in dance.

5. It assists the teacher in preparing your child for more important events such as exams, competitions and auditions. If the students in a class are dressed in their uniforms and have their hair secured in a bun, the teacher can then focus on what needs fixing in relation to dancing. This will benefit your child when they are preparing for their exams, competitions or auditions. Teachers often have to dedicate time to addressing students who are late, have incorrect uniform or who have their hair out and this all takes away from the valuable class time.

6. It enables a dancer to be as stronger performer. Students with messy hair get used to wiping it away or flicking it away during their dance class and practicing. These movements get stored in the students muscle memory and when it comes performance time, they will be likely to still wipe or flick, even if their hair is secured in a bun with hairspray for the performance.

Happy dancing!

Has your child ever said that Ballet is boring, slow or too easy? These can be common comments from students, especially is they are new to dance or comparing Ballet class to their Jazz or Hip Hop class.

Ballet has so many benefits for children, but often parents can think that Ballet is irrelevant considering their child doesn't want to grow up to be a ballerina. Have a read below of some of the benefits below and you might change your mind...

How does Ballet help children regardless of pursuing dance?

Ballet encourages focus. Students in a Ballet class are required to be attentive and to have attention to detail. This type of behaviour can translate into school work, home work and other hobbies. At first this genre may seem slow or 'boring' to your child but it's a valuable skill for your child to learn to adapt themselves to various learning environments whether the environment seems 'fun' or not.

It's good for the body! Ballet encourages students to understand and develop good posture, strength, flexibility and co-ordination. In this day and age of children spending more time sitting and looking at screens, Ballet can be wonderful in counter balancing the postural effects of 'tech time'. Ballet training as a child can set your child up to have better postural habits and core strength as an adult.

Ballet encourages more knowledge. Ballet can encourage your child to learn more about their body and how it works. It can also encourage your child to explore Classical music and composers. This is a wonderful addition to what your child may learn at school and from family etc.

Ballet improves memory. In a Ballet class students are required to learn and memorise positions, terminology, set work and choreography. Students who undertake Ballet often find it much easier to memorise in other areas of life, such as school or even chores and instructions at home.

How does Ballet help children in their pursuit of dance?

Have you ever wondered why advanced or professional dancers are so flawless? The answer is ... because of Ballet. Ballet was the first technical style of dance. All other genre's of technical dance, were developed from Ballet technique.

Without ballet, the movements in Jazz, Contemporary or Lyrical wouldn't be performed properly. Unfortunately, this is something that dancers (and parents) don't realise until it's too late and the dancers has already missed out on crucial years of proper Ballet training. With a solid foundation of Ballet technique, dancers can transfer their skills into jazz, lyrical or contemporary at the professional standard.

Even if your dancer is looking to pursue Musical Theatre or Contemporary dance as a career, Ballet training is crucial to their performance success. If a dancer is hired to perform in a show, not only will the dancer be required to execute choreography correctly but they will need to execute it correctly show, after show, after show, without the risk of injury or fatigue. A strong Ballet foundation will allow the dancer to meet the demands and requirements of any show.

So if you're child expresses negative thoughts in regards to Ballet, try to help them see the positive. Once they better understand the requirements of dance and technique, they will see that Ballet is challenging and that even the most simple moves like a plie and tendu can never be mastered but always improved and perfected, no matter how old or advanced you become. Encourage your child to enjoy the discipline and class structure as well as the traditions and music. Maybe organise an annual trip to see a Dance show to gain appreciation for dance technique and inspiration.

Want to get better at dance? Enrol in more Ballet today. It doesn't have to be a older class or more advanced class, even a basic beginners Ballet can assist you in reaching your full potential in Ballet and Dance.

Happy dancing!

Rehearsals have started for our 2018 Competition routines! It's an exciting time, but if you're the competitive type it can lead to the thought or question 'Why isn't my child in the front row?'.

Here are some reasons why ...

1. The dancer's ability isn't at the level required for the dancers in the front row.

If there are 5 dancers in the front row, these will often be the 5 dancers in the group who have the highest level of ability, including strong and correct technique and excellence performance quality. If your dancer has auditioned to be part of a dance competition team, chances are that all members will be at a high standard so this means that the front row of 5 may be the most exceptional out of the 15 dancers, may have more experience than others, or may have a unique skill/trick also. Remember technique means that the details of the movement are correct. Your child may be able to turn around 2 times but if their demo-pointe is low or their fingers separated, their pirouette is not consolidated yet.

2. The dancer may not be ready for a 'leader' role in the routine.

Dancers in the front row are effectively the 'leader' of that particular dance break. All dancers in the group must follow the front row in time, to ensure that the group dances in unison. A student might get nervous on stage and rush the music, so would therefore be better placed in a 2nd, or 3rd row so that they have a dancer to follow when those nerves come in.

3. Height. Competition dance routines are adjudicated on many aspects including the visual effect of the routine. It's important that the students are positioned in a way that makes sense according to the presentation of the choreography. For example, if there is a line of 5, the teacher may organise for all 5 dancers to be the same height or the tallest will be placed in the centre. This gives a symmetrical visual effect.

4. The dancer's work ethic may need improving. Sometimes, a student may not be placed in the front row of a routine due to their work ethic. Whilst exceptional ability and talent can often lead a student to be positioned in the front row, work ethic is also a major factor. If your dancer doesn't show regular attendance, doesn't arrive at class on time and warmed up, doesn't show evidence of practice at home, or often gets reminded by the teacher to be quiet, they may not be suitable for the 'front row'.

5. Suitability. In netball, some players will be selected to shoot the goals whilst some players are selected to defend. Dance is no different. In a Jazz routine, the choreographer's job is to select the the most suitable candidates to perform certain tasks or skills in a routine. Perhaps the 'front row' will be required to perform a double pirouette? The teacher will then select the 5 students with the most technically correct pirouette to perform that section of the routine. Perhaps the students in row 3 will be required to perform an aerial? That row will all be positioned there according to their aerial ability and which leg the take off from.

6. Casting. Most pieces of choreography have a theme, storyline or concept. For example, if a routine is based on Beauty and the Beast, the teacher may choose the most balletic dancer to be cast as Belle (as she is a princess) and the tallest dancer to be cast as the 'Beast'. Casting often isn't about the strongest or most experienced dancer being rewarded with a main part but about which dancer will best portray the character.

7. The student may have a unique skill or trick. Sometimes dancers are positioned in a routine in a specific place because the choreographer has something planned for them later in the routine. For example, a teacher may adore the way a student acts and have a small acting role mid routine where the student pops up at the back and lip syncs to the audition. Competition teams are adjudicated on their positions and transitions from position to position so the student needs to be carefully and strategically placed in all positions in the lead up to this 'special part'.

How can you get your child into the front row?

Unfortunately, there isn't a secret to get your child to be the featured or front row dancer in a routine but here are some tips below:

1. You can do everything in your power to assist your dancer in being the best dancer, student and performer that they can be by organising their uniform, dropping them off to dance on time, encouraging practice at home etc.

2. You can also discuss the above points with your child to help them understand that there are many different reasons why a dancer may or may not be in the 'front row' and that some of these things can be controlled (work ethic) but some things are out of their control (casting).

3. You can assist your child in having a positive mindset when it comes to positions in their competition troupe. For example, asking your child 'where are you positioned in the team?' or 'what role have you received in the routine' prompts positive thinking and a positive response. Comments or questions such as 'so are you shoved up the back?' or 'the teacher probably doesn't like you' prompts very negative thoughts and responses in regards to team positioning.

4. Encourage the dancer to work hard in class and enjoy being part of a team. Every member of the team has worked hard to gain a place, so celebrate your child's involvement in the group, regardless of the role that they've been given. Teachers are working hard to encourage all members to enjoy the team environment so put your trust in the teacher as they also want your child to feel special. Teachers are aware of student abilities and chances are that if they know a student may not be ready for the 'front row', they are finding an alternative way to make the student feel included and special.

5. Wait for the routine to finish. Don't be too early when assessing your child's involvement or role in a routine. Routines are adjudicated on positions and transitions from position to position so it may take a while for positions in the routine to move around and for choreography to develop. Be patient and wait for the routine to progress before your child has the opportunity to understand their full role in the routine.

6. Trust the teacher and leave it be. When your child comes home feeling disappointed that they missed out on the lead role or aren't in the front row it can be disappointing for you as a parent too. You may feel that you want to 'fix it' for them or that the positions of the dance don't reflect your committment and effort towards dance. The reality is that most students/parents in the group are in the same position. Most students would have been enrolled year after year, most students will practice at home, and most parents have spent blood, sweat and tears to have their child at every class, rehearsal and performance that was scheduled since joining. Understand that positions in a routine aren't a reflection of your value or committment to the team, as all team members have been carefully selected according to their age, ability, commitment, work ethic and family committment. You may feel that you would like question the teacher but consider the possible outcomes from this action before doing so. Do you want your child placed in the front row because you emailed the teacher and demanded it? Trust that the teacher is trying to showcase your child's talents to the best of their ability but that the priority is to the put the team's best foot forward. If you feel that you're not happy or not comfortable for your child to be part of a team where the teacher/coach determines your child's role in the team, competition teams/sports may not be the hobby that you're looking for for your child, and that's ok too. Recreational dance classes may be a more suitable option where the focus is on creativity, fitness, learning and participation without weekly rehearsals that include set positions and choreography.

There will always be moments in in your child's life where someone is 'better', that's life. It doesn't make your child (or your parenting) any less amazing. Keep things in perspective and don't end up determining your child's value and self worth by their positions on stage in a 3 minute dance routine. The dance routine is one part of their childhood amongst all of their other abilities, hobbies and interests such as them being amazing at Maths, being a super kind friend, being an amazing daughter/son, being an awesome apprentice in the kitchen and more.

Happy Dancing

So you've enrolled your child into dance classes for the first time?

Here's all you need to know to help transition your child into their first week of dance classes...

Step 1 - Take your child to see the studio before they begin classes

Not only is this great practice for Mum or Dad to do a trial run finding the studio and sussing out car parking but also a perfect opportunity for your child to see what room they will dance in, where the toilets are, where they will leave their bag etc.

You can even use dance lingo and call it a 'dress rehearsal'!

This experience will help to give your child confidence to attend their first class, and ease the nerves.

*We're open this week Tuesday to Friday from 4:30pm-7pm at our Narre Warren studio if you'd like to bring your child to have a look around.

Step 2 - Organise what they're going to wear, in advance

Whether your child is 4 or 14, finding an outfit at the last minute can be stressful!

What will everyone else be wearing? Will I fit in? Should I have organised the proper uniform?

Keep in mind that most students in the class will be dressed in the correct uniform. If you have enrolled in the class, consider organising the correct uniform before classes begin so that your child feels that they look the part and that they fit in.

If your child is trying the class first before you pay for term, you may not have organised the uniform just yet. Explain to your child before the class that the other students may be dressed in the 'proper' uniform but that the teacher will know that it's their first time and that there is no problem dressing a bit different to the others for their first lesson.

*Uniform stock on site is limited. If you wish to purchase uniform, we highly recommend visiting a few days before your child's first class in case some items aren't available and you need a plan b'.

Step 3 - Set expectations in advance

Let your child know that you're excited about them starting their dance class and help them understand what the expectations of the class will be. Comments such as 'You will get to dance with kids your age, like the kids you see at Kinder', 'I think you will learn steps like Emma Wiggle in your class', and 'your teacher will show you what to do' will help put your child's mind at ease and set them up to feel more ready for their first class.

Step 4 - Teach your child their teacher's name

Your child's teacher will be their 'go-to' person in their dance class instead of their parent. Teach your child their teachers name and show them a picture (view Teacher profiles/photos on ). This will help the student familiarise themselves with who the teacher is and feel comfortable communicating with the teacher during class.

Step 5 - Arrive early

Classes generally run on time. Be early to ensure that your child has enough time to get ready, use the bathroom and enter the class with their fellow class mates.

Arriving late to class can be daunting for the student and they miss out on introductory activities where they get to meet the teacher and put their nerves at ease.

Arriving late to class can also be disruptive to the students in the class, especially once the class is settled.

Step 6 - Pack a drink bottle

In each dance class the teacher will pause the class for a drink break. Be sure to send a bottle of water into the classroom with your child so that they feel prepared.

* We sell bottles of water and BDA drink bottles at the Narre Warren studio.

Step 7 - Don't push or rush progress

Having your child start dance classes can be very exciting! First pair of Ballet shoes, first concert, new dance friends...so many memories to be made! Keep in mind though that each child is different and progresses at a different rate. It is completely normal for a student to want to stand still in the class to observe the whole class before starting to participate. Some of the most creative and confident adults started off a shy students or students who like to analyse the situation before participating.

Tip: Allow 3 weekly classes to see how your child goes before deciding to not proceed with the term.

Happy dancing!

First time attending a dance concert?

Or maybe it's your first time attending a Backstage Dance Academy Annual Showcase?

Read on to find out what it will be like on the day,

1. It's best to arrive early, to ensure that you can find a car park and still meet the arrival time. The Frankston Arts Centre has a car park (Entry via Young St) but if it's full you will need to locate parking on the street or in another car park. The Frankston Arts Centre car park requires you to purchase a parking ticket.

2. If you're attending the show as a audience member, you will need to head to the foyer. You can grab a drink, catch up with friends until it's time to enter the auditorium.

Alternatively, if you're bringing a performer to the show, you will need to head to the 'Stage Door' located on Davey St. The 'Stage door' is a special entrance dedicated to performers of the show. The Stage Door entrance is restricted to performers and ONE parent/guardian only due to OHS regulations. We kindly ask that this parent or guardian is a female due to the large amount of females changing in the dressing room area. If the student requires a Male parent/guardian on the day, please let us know in advance so that we can ensure that there is a suitable change space for you.

3. Once the performer has entered the stage door, they should find their allocated dressing room. We have plenty of staff and helpers to assist you in finding your dressing room and a list will also be emailed out prior to the show.

4. Parents will get their child dressed into their first costume (refer to the programme to see a list of routines in order). Parents will then leave their child with the dressing room helpers and head to the foyer.

5. When it's time to enter the auditorium, the ushers will open the doors. Seating is allocated so there is no rush to line up. Please have your tickets ready to display to the usher.

6. Take your seat and get ready for the show to start. Don't forget to turn off mobile phones, iPads, and any other electronic devices.

7. When the show begins, the lights in the auditorium will dim. These lights will remain dimmed until the interval so be prepared to remain seated for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The show will start and you'll enjoy watching a range of performances!

8. There will be 2 intervals, both 15 minutes long. This is an opportunity for you to stretch your legs, take a bathroom break, grab a drink etc. Food queues can be long and slow so it's best to pack your own snack or eat before/after the show.

At the first interval, parents of the pre-schoolers students are required to collect their child from the foyer. This is one parent per student. Parents may then wish to watch the rest of the show together, or go home early.

At the intervals, parents are unable to access the back stage area to see their child. For the safety of the children, the back stage dressing room area is in a 'lock down' during the show.

9. When the show is about to finish there will be a Finale which is a final bow for the students, and also a quick presentation of awards.

10. At the conclusion of the show, one parent/guardian will be required to collect their child from the dressing room again.

Enjoy!

So you've entered the own choreography competition and now need help putting together a routine?

Check out our guide below to help ...

1. Find your main intention and inspiration

What's driving you to create this particular routine? Is there a piece of music that you love? Is there a story that you wish to tell? Do you love a particular genre of dance? Maybe there is even a theme that you really want to pursue?

Find your reason and passion first.

2. Plan out the essentials

So you've found your main focus and now need to start planning out the basic elements.

a) What genre is the dance? Ballet, Jazz, Tap?

b) What music are you going to use?

c) What type of costume will you wear?

d) Are you going to use a prop?

3. Plan the of the rough direction of the routine

Sit down, close your eyes, listen to the music and think about the routine. What can you see when picturing the dance? Is there a part of the music that sounds like you will be travelling down the centre of the stage? Or perhaps you picture floor work in the final section of the routine? Do you see yourself starting on or off stage? Was there a build up in the music and you want to place your favourite jump there?

Roughly plan the routine by making notes, like below:

0:00 to 0:32 - floorwork, act out lyrics, start downstage

0:32 to 0:52 - travel to prompt side of stage, grande jete on accent

0:52 to 1:42 - travel in circle around stage and include turning jete into roll on floor

1:42 to 2:30 - travel towards the audience and stop for about 32 counts dance break, introduce prop

2:30 - end position holding prop up

4. Create actual movements for your piece

You now have the main direction for the piece, now you need to create each step and combination of steps to choreograph your routine.

Not sure which movements to use? Try improvising to the music first. What type of movements did you perform? Try to use this as a base for choosing your steps and combination of steps.

You may also consider using steps and movements from your dance classes, exam syllabus work, or perhaps movement from your group routines. Try not to copy exact phrases of movement but take bits and pieces and add your own flair.

5. Check your routine

You finished your routine, congrats!

Now it's time to go back and check your routine to ensure that you are happy with it and that it's ready for your competition.

a) Have you included levels? Movement on the floor, standing, and jumping?

b) Have you used the stage? Remember that you're dance should use the performance space even if your practice space is smaller.

c) Do you feel that the music, costume and movements all match and represent your intention and genre?

d) Are you showing the correct dance moves for your chosen style? For example, if it's a Jazz routine is there enough Jazz content such as jumps, kicks, turns and isolations?

e) Have you shown a variety of steps? Repetition can be used but be sure to have included a variation of steps and movement in your routine.

f) Have you put your personal stamp on it? Does it look like you've replicated your teacher's work or have you created some movements and combinations of your own?

g) Is the dance a suitable standard for you? It's important to choreograph to match you standard of technique. Remember to show movement and steps that you can execute safely and with correct technique.

Happy choreographing!

At Backstage Dance Academy, we're passionate about encouraging your child to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Drinking water is important in a child's everyday diet, but more importantly during exercise.

Here's some reasons why we ask all students to bring a water bottle to their classes:

1. To enable teachers to further encourage students to consume the recommended daily intake of water in their diet. Some students love water, but for those who don't it's great to have their dance teacher encouraging them. Many students look up to their dance teacher as a role model and we are more than happy to lead the way.

2. To prevent injury and encourage healing. Water aids blood circulation encouraging injury to heal quicker. Studies show that increased water intake relates to less chance of injury occurring.

3. To avoid dehydration. Students are exercising during their classes so it's important to keep the body hydrated, just like you would during a sport activity.

4. To assist with digestion of food. Water helps the body break down and digest food. Our students are often eating just before class so it's important to drink water during class to assist with the digesting of this food.

5. To increase energy. If you’re hydrated, your blood is thinner and your body can easily circulate it. The brain then becomes more active and your body feels more energetic.

6. To increase concentration. If you’re hydrated, your blood is thinner, and your body can easily circulate it. The brain then becomes more active allowing it be easier to concentrate.

7. Water helps to control body temperature, especially helpful on hot days or during a high energy class.

Happy dancing!

At Backstage Dance Academy, we provide our students with access to the Cecchetti Ballet syllabus. This provides our students with the following benefits:

1. Improve Ballet technique, therefore improving technique in Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and other styles.

2. Improve musicality. Exercises include 3/4 and 4/4 timing as well as working to various accents and rhythms.

3. Improve attention to detail. Repetition and detailed exercises allow the dancer to focus on the finer details and improve their attention to detail. This is a useful skill in all facets of learning and employment, both dance and non-dance related.

4. Ensure that students are learning steps and combinations at an age and standard where they are ready. A syllabus also ensures that students are learning all steps, and not skimming over or skipping steps which may occur in a more ‘open’ or ‘free’ environment.

5. Provides individual goals for dancers to work towards, such as working to improve your exam score each year.

6. Provides students with opportunities to dance with students from other studios at convention days and similar events.

7. Students can take their exams to a teacher qualification level and later on become a Cecchetti Ballet teacher who can enter their own students for exams.

8. Provides students with the opportunity to dance with live music from a pianist. This is something that dancers may come across in an audition or full time dance environment.

9. Students can gain annual feedback in their examination reports from an external dancer/dance teacher. This is beneficial to have a fresh pair of eyes view your work and technique, other than your regular teachers at your studio.

10. Further develop self-discipline, focus, and work ethic. This will benefit students in all facets of learning and employment.

Check out our top 10 tips for performing at your best this competition season!

1. Arrive at the venue early. It's hard to perform at your best when your body and brain is in 'stress mode'. Plan to arrive at your competition 2 hours before your scheduled time. Allow for traffic, a confused Siri, a busy car park, and getting lost, so that you can arrive at your competition with time to prepare and time to spare.

2. Eat. Let's face it, competitions seem to be getting earlier and earlier and it can be hard to fit in breakfast before leaving the house. Nerves can also make a dancer feel 'full' and it can be a struggle to eat a full meal. That being said, you couldn't drive a car if you didn't fill it up with petrol and your body acts in the same way in requiring fuel. 5 minutes at home to eating a banana, or avocado on toast, could be the difference between your body having fuel to perform at it's best or wobbles and a lack of energy in your routine. Breakfast on the way? Reconsider your macca's drive-thru and perhaps take yoghurt and strawberries or some bircher muesli in a Tupperware container for 'breakfast on the road'. (Cheese on toast if you clean up the crumbs).

3. Rehearse in costume. Just picked up your new exciting costume? Have you allowed time to rehearse in it? It's important that you feel comfortable in your costume and that you know that your routine can be performed without any hindrances like a 'wedgie', your skirt being static on your tights, or your arm getting stuck in your dress mid leg mount. Be sure to have rehearsed in costume and dealt with any issues well and truly before comp day.

4. Don't over practice on the day. Sometimes too much practice can confuse the brain. Play your music whilst you're getting ready, run through the routine 1-3 times and leave it there. You know your dance, don't over think it.

5. Plan for error. There are external factors that could affect your ability to show the adjudicator your best. Prepare for these circumstances. Practice your solo with your music stopping mid dance. Can you keep going? Improvise to your music to feel confident making it up as you go if you do forget your routine. Music on an iPod might not start at the beginning of the track, can you jump to the choreography at any point in the music?

6. See the stage and auditorium from the adjudicators point of view. Give yourself the opportunity to see the stage from where the adjudicator does. Go into the auditorium and see if the adjudicator is close or far away. Will you need to lower your eye line to them, or raise it to them? From the audience is it easy or hard to see the performers facial expressions? Do you need to tone it down with bright lights?

7. Warm up. A thorough warm up will allow your body to perform at it's best. Use cardio to increase the blood flow, 'turn on' your muscles with plies, tendues, rises and other barre exercises. Stretch to ensure that you have moved your body into all of the positions in your routines such a splits, leg mount, grande battement etc. Not only will this assist you in warming up but it will also assist in preventing injury. Be careful not to over stretch or stretch too much before going on stage, you need to ensure that your muscles will still contract to achieve your best jumps and stronger moves etc.

8. Make up. The stage lights are harsh, don't forget to apply your full face of make up. This will allow the adjudicator to see your facial expressions.

9. Think of it as a 'performance competition' not a 'dance competition'. Don't get caught completely caught up in the technique of the dance and forget that part of your job as a dancer is to connect with the audience and adjudicator.

10. Be professional. Remember that your performance isn't just about the dance to the music. Make sure that you enter the stage and exit the stage professionally. Be confident moving in and out of your starting and final position and ensure that you look like a dancer when doing so. Don't forget to curtsee or bow at the end of your performance to thank the adjudicator and audience.

Happy dancing!

School holidays are nearly here, so check out the following dance movies...perfect for our dancers! Happy watching! (Be sure to check the rating before viewing)

1. Centre Stage

2. Mao's last dancer

3. Step up

4. Honey

5. Footloose

6. High School Musical

7. Save the last dance

8. First position

9. Billy Elliot

10. A chorus line

11. Grease

12. West side story

13. Singing' in the rain

14. Fame

15. Hairspray

'Practice makes perfect'

Did you know that there are many different ways to practice your dance routines at home? How many times have you thought 'but I can't practice at home, my lounge room is too small?'. Try out these practice tips to improve your dance routines!

1. Practice ‘full out’ (This one needs some space). Perform your routine to the best of your ability. This type of practice builds stamina, improves your ability to remember the routine, and also gives you the opportunity to improve your technique. Your lounge room space is super helpful without mirrors too! Whilst mirrors are great for learning how to dance, there are no mirrors on stage and so it's necessary to be able to remember and perform your routine without viewing your movements in a mirror.

2. Practice to your music, without movement. Sit or lay down with your eyes closed and just listen to your dance routine music. Visualise yourself performing the routine to the best of your ability. These is a wonderful way to remember the steps and the corrections given by your teacher by concentrating on the images that you see, and not the movements that you feel.

3. Just practice one part of the body at a time. Dancing is hard! Trying to jump as high as you can whilst making sure the leg, foot, hip, arm, head and rib cage are all in the correct places is no simple task. Try practicing just the arm lines, then focus on the head lines, then practice the leg lines. This works even better if you can be facing the mirror during this practice to correct each line.

4. Practice your facial expressions in the mirror (this one can get a little 'giggly'). Your face tells a story during your routine. Whether it's a sad lyrical routine or a happy and entertaining Broadway Jazz routine, your face (especially your eyes) are the 'icing on the cake' to your performance. There is no need to plan or choreograph your facial expressions but you need to be sure to have an intention for your performance and ensure that your facial expressions are 'on' during your whole performance...even when upside down in your aerial.

5. Film yourself and watch it back. Sometimes how you 'feel' when you're dancing is not how you 'look'. For example, maybe your grande jete felt like an Olympic Rhythmic Gymnast when you performed it but when you watch it back you may see that your back leg was actually bent etc. Even better to film in slow motion...thank you iPhone!

Happy practicing!

Jess Solomon

(Director)

Backstage Dance Academy