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All About Dance Conventions · Making The Impact - A Dance Competition Podcast

0:07
SPEAKER_02: Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the table at a dance competition?
0:10
SPEAKER_02: Exactly what are the judges looking for anyway?
0:13
SPEAKER_02: This is Making the Impact, a dance competition podcast.
0:15
SPEAKER_02: Each week we'll cover a different topic related to the world of competitive dance from the perspective of the judges behind the table.
0:22
SPEAKER_02: Dance conventions have long been a part of the dance community, providing unparalleled education and unique experiences for dancers across the country.
0:30
SPEAKER_02: Conventions give the opportunity to take class from master teachers, observe new dancers, and be inspired by the electric atmosphere.
0:37
SPEAKER_02: If you've never attended a convention, this is the episode for you, with inside info from convention faculty members and a veteran studio director about what to expect from your experience.
0:50
SPEAKER_00: Hey dance world, it's Courtney Ortiz, and welcome to this week's episode of Making the Impact, a dance competition podcast.
0:58
SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, and I'm here, of course, like all it with my fabulous co-host Leslie Mayor.
1:05
SPEAKER_02: What's up, Courtney?
1:05
SPEAKER_02: What's up, listeners?
1:07
SPEAKER_02: I don't know what you'd do without me.
1:08
SPEAKER_00: I know.
1:09
SPEAKER_00: Because I I can't do this podcast without you, that's for sure.
1:11
SPEAKER_02: It'd be rough.
1:12
SPEAKER_00: Yep.
1:13
SPEAKER_00: It is.
1:14
SPEAKER_00: Leslie does so much for this podcast, and she keeps me on my toes over here and always kicks off the episode so strong with the first question.
1:24
SPEAKER_00: I was listening to our podcast recently, and I was like, Leslie always has the best first question to our guests.
1:30
SPEAKER_02: You know, first impressions are a big deal, so they are.
1:34
SPEAKER_00: And uh we're excited for you to be listening today.
1:38
SPEAKER_00: So thank you to everyone that's tuning in.
1:41
SPEAKER_00: We are talking all about dance conventions today.
1:46
SPEAKER_00: So this is a dance competition podcast, but today we're gonna be talking about dance conventions, which are a huge part of the competitive dance world.
1:57
SPEAKER_00: I think dance conventions are somewhat taking over the industry.
2:01
SPEAKER_00: There's a new convention on the circuit every single day, just like there's a new competition joining every single day.
2:07
SPEAKER_00: But today is all about conventions.
2:09
SPEAKER_00: We're gonna talk about what to expect in a dance convention, etiquette during a convention event, and just give you all the details.
2:19
SPEAKER_00: All about conventions, y'all.
2:21
SPEAKER_00: And we have two guests that are joining us who are so perfect for this episode.
2:26
SPEAKER_00: I can't wait for you to meet them soon.
2:28
SPEAKER_02: But before we dive in, I want to tell you a little bit about our sponsor, Thrive Dance Experience.
2:33
SPEAKER_02: Dance conventions are a great way to train with some of the best dance educators while getting a dose of inspiration and making a lot of amazing memories.
2:40
SPEAKER_02: Thrive Dance Experience is offering just that.
2:43
SPEAKER_02: Registration is now open for their fall tour.
2:45
SPEAKER_02: This season, Thrive will be in Pittsburgh in Erie, Pennsylvania, Princeton, New Jersey, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbus, Ohio.
2:52
SPEAKER_02: That's like everywhere.
2:53
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
2:54
SPEAKER_02: Don't miss out on taking class from their amazing faculty.
2:56
SPEAKER_02: If you are passionate about dance and ready to thrive, then this is a convention for you.
3:00
SPEAKER_02: Use the code Thrive with IDA, that is all caps, Thrive with IDA, to receive 5% off your registration.
3:08
SPEAKER_02: Get signed up now and get ready to thrive.
3:10
SPEAKER_02: For more information to register, visit ThriveDanceExperience.com and remember, together we thrive.
3:17
SPEAKER_00: Yes, thank you so much to Thrive Dance Experience for sponsoring this episode.
3:21
SPEAKER_00: And please go check them out this season.
3:25
SPEAKER_00: All right, and if you've been listening to season three, you maybe have heard us talk about buying us a coffee.
3:30
SPEAKER_00: And we would love for you to buy us a coffee.
3:32
SPEAKER_00: And that is how you support us and making an impact by buying us a coffee, giving us a small donation of$3 or any size donation that you would like to contribute to us over here at the podcast.
3:47
SPEAKER_00: We would appreciate your support.
3:49
SPEAKER_00: If you love what you're listening to weekly from our podcast, then donating towards our show will go straight back into producing quality content just for you throughout the entire season and the future seasons of Making the Impact.
4:06
SPEAKER_00: So if you'd like to donate now, you can visit our link at kofi.com slash making the impact or click the link right now in your show notes to donate now and buy us a coffee.
4:19
SPEAKER_00: All right, listeners, it's time to dive into this episode, and I cannot wait for you to meet our special guest joining us.
4:26
SPEAKER_00: And first up, I'm so happy to welcome one of my closest friends in the biz.
4:32
SPEAKER_00: I've known this girl for forever.
4:34
SPEAKER_00: We have been teaching on dance conventions together for over 10 years.
4:38
SPEAKER_00: That really ages us.
4:40
SPEAKER_00: Oh my gosh.
4:41
SPEAKER_00: But I just love her so much, and she is an amazing dance educator, and she teaches on multiple different dance conventions around the country.
4:49
SPEAKER_00: She was also on season one, episode three, 10 tips for dance convention training.
4:55
SPEAKER_00: I'm so pumped to welcome my girl, Casey Gosho, to the podcast.
5:01
SPEAKER_00: Welcome.
5:02
SPEAKER_00: Hi, everybody.
5:04
SPEAKER_00: It's me.
5:07
SPEAKER_00: Welcome, Casey.
5:08
SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us for like the real deal episode this time.
5:12
SPEAKER_05: I know.
5:12
SPEAKER_05: I'm so, so excited to talk about dance conventions because this is half of my year is dedicated just to preparing for this.
5:21
SPEAKER_05: So I am so, so happy to provide my insight and thoughts for all of you on today's episode.
5:29
SPEAKER_05: And as always, thanks, Courtney, for inviting me.
5:32
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, girl, we've been on this journey together for quite some time.
5:35
SPEAKER_05: And let me tell y'all a little secret.
5:37
SPEAKER_05: I remember sitting on an airplane with Courtney, coming from a dance convention and her drawing up this logo and talking about doing podcast episodes.
5:48
SPEAKER_05: So you did it, girl! You did it, girl.
5:51
SPEAKER_05: And I'm so proud of you.
5:53
SPEAKER_05: I'm so proud of you.
5:54
SPEAKER_05: So I just wanted to say that real quick.
5:56
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
5:56
SPEAKER_05: I love that.
5:58
SPEAKER_05: Oh my gosh.
6:00
SPEAKER_00: Thanks, Case.
6:01
SPEAKER_00: Well, we're we're super grateful for your support and for joining us.
6:04
SPEAKER_00: And I'm excited to have you on.
6:06
SPEAKER_00: So if you wouldn't mind telling all of the listeners in the dance world out there a little bit more about who you are, where you're originally from, where you're based now, any career credits you want to share, and any conventions that you're teaching on this season or have taught on in the past.
6:21
SPEAKER_05: Lovely.
6:22
SPEAKER_05: So hey everybody, my name is Casey.
6:25
SPEAKER_05: I also go by the nickname Tiny.
6:27
SPEAKER_05: That's what most of my my kids call me, is Miss Tiny.
6:32
SPEAKER_05: And I have yeah, I've been teaching for a minute.
6:36
SPEAKER_05: I obviously started as an assistant in my hometown in Pennsylvania.
6:41
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
6:42
SPEAKER_05: Farm country.
6:43
SPEAKER_05: Woo! All right.
6:45
SPEAKER_05: Uh and I graduated from Penn State University and then moved on to teach and uh be a working dancer in New York City.
6:54
SPEAKER_05: And along the way, education has been what has been able to feed me and continue on my dance journey.
7:02
SPEAKER_05: But now it's really like my sole purpose is teaching and educating.
7:06
SPEAKER_05: And it just kind of happened that way.
7:08
SPEAKER_05: So I'm just super, super blessed to be teaching kiddos all around the country.
7:13
SPEAKER_05: Super awesome job, to be honest.
7:15
SPEAKER_05: And yeah, I've been teaching the first convention that hired me was Excel in Motion, which was very cool because it actually was with Courtney.
7:24
SPEAKER_05: And uh yeah, it just featured a lot of Soyou Thinkers, and I'm not a Soyu Thinker, so I thought that was kind of special that I was even asked to be on.
7:33
SPEAKER_05: And I've been with them now, I think we're going on year 11.
7:36
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
7:36
SPEAKER_05: So that's kind of wild.
7:38
SPEAKER_05: And I have just been brought back to teach on Turn It Up this season.
7:43
SPEAKER_05: I just announced it yesterday and super excited about that because that's another convention that hired me right at the beginning of my career.
7:51
SPEAKER_05: Fast forward.
7:52
SPEAKER_05: Now here we are 10 years later, and I'm back on their faculty again.
7:56
SPEAKER_05: So that's kind of cool because I'm a totally different teacher than I was then to now.
8:02
SPEAKER_05: So yes.
8:02
SPEAKER_05: And I also own a clothing line, just so you know, shout out to my clothing line, which is Go Show Yourself.
8:08
SPEAKER_05: It's all positive affirmation, words that we all need sometimes when we're in dance class and just need that little uplift.
8:14
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
8:15
SPEAKER_05: And you can look at somebody's shirt and see it right there for you on the back of somebody's t-shirt or the front.
8:20
SPEAKER_05: Uh, so check out go showyourself.com after this podcast.
8:24
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
8:25
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
8:26
SPEAKER_00: So we will we will link in the show notes so everyone can go buy some go show yourself merch right now and rep.
8:33
SPEAKER_00: It's so adorable.
8:34
SPEAKER_00: I have I have so many go show yourself items in my wardrobe.
8:38
SPEAKER_00: So thanks, Casey, for joining us.
8:40
SPEAKER_00: We're super excited to have you.
8:42
SPEAKER_05: Yes, same.
8:43
SPEAKER_05: Thank you so much.
8:44
SPEAKER_00: All right, and our next special guest that is joining us is the assistant director to the competition company team at Chesterfield Dance Center in Virginia.
8:55
SPEAKER_00: I've had the pleasure of judging these dancers throughout the years when I'm sitting on the judging panel at Revel Dance Convention, and they truly blow me away every time.
9:05
SPEAKER_00: They are so committed.
9:07
SPEAKER_00: They have the best musical theater dances ever, and they are fantastic tappers as well.
9:13
SPEAKER_00: I'm just a big fan and I'm so excited to welcome Kat Martak to the podcast.
9:19
SPEAKER_00: Welcome, Kat.
9:20
SPEAKER_03: Hey everybody, I'm so excited to be here.
9:23
SPEAKER_03: When you uh messaged me and invited me to do this, I just thought it was the coolest thing because I've never done a podcast before, so I'm feeling extremely fancy today.
9:31
SPEAKER_03: So first timer.
9:36
SPEAKER_03: Especially because this topic interests me so much.
9:39
SPEAKER_03: I've been doing dance conventions since I was teeny tiny tot.
9:43
SPEAKER_03: And uh the evolution is crazy.
9:46
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I'm just very excited to dive in with all of you.
9:49
SPEAKER_00: Yes, we're excited to have you.
9:51
SPEAKER_00: And yes, I knew that you would be a great guest for this episode because your studio that you are with Chesterfield, that you guys attend a lot of different conventions throughout the season, and I think just hearing the teacher side of you know the selection process and what you love about particular convention companies and things like that is going to be really helpful for a lot of the teachers out there to hear.
10:12
SPEAKER_00: So please feel free to share a little bit more about who you are, where you're originally from, where you're based now, and any credits you'd like to share.
10:20
SPEAKER_00: Awesome.
10:20
SPEAKER_03: I grew up in South Florida.
10:22
SPEAKER_03: I started dancing at the age of three, competing at the age of six.
10:26
SPEAKER_03: Then I moved to North Carolina in middle school to continue to dance and compete.
10:30
SPEAKER_03: And then I received my BFA in dance and choreography with a jazz concentration from East Carolina University.
10:36
SPEAKER_03: And after graduation, I relocated to Richmond, Virginia, which is where I still am now.
10:41
SPEAKER_03: I've been with Cheshville Dance Center for the past 12 years.
10:44
SPEAKER_03: I'm one of the main choreographers for Delirium, our dance company.
10:48
SPEAKER_03: I'm also a jazz, musical theater, and contemporary teacher.
10:51
SPEAKER_03: I've dedicated my life to teaching.
10:54
SPEAKER_03: I think it is so important.
10:56
SPEAKER_03: I love how it's a challenge.
10:57
SPEAKER_03: Like we get to continue to challenge ourselves every day and continue our learning.
11:02
SPEAKER_03: And I just love the community of dance.
11:05
SPEAKER_03: And I just, yeah, I love it.
11:08
SPEAKER_03: I will continue to do it.
11:09
SPEAKER_00: Love it.
11:10
SPEAKER_00: That's awesome.
11:11
SPEAKER_00: Y'all, this is gonna be great.
11:12
SPEAKER_00: We have a lot to cover.
11:13
SPEAKER_00: So let's jump in.
11:15
SPEAKER_02: Yay! All right, both feet in.
11:17
SPEAKER_02: I want to hear a little bit about uh from Kat, since you grew up doing dance conventions and you spoke in your intro about the evolution of the dance convention.
11:27
SPEAKER_02: Do you have like for your own knowledge, do you have any like history of dance convention information to share?
11:32
SPEAKER_02: Or you can just share a little bit about how you've seen them evolve over time.
11:37
SPEAKER_02: Because I think if I'm correct, conventions precede competitions in the world.
11:42
SPEAKER_02: There were conventions first because the education always came first, like back in the 60s and 70s.
11:47
SPEAKER_02: And then all of a sudden people were like, ooh, we can make more money if we have a competition.
11:51
SPEAKER_02: So I'm just curious, I'm curious what your experience has been over the years.
11:54
SPEAKER_03: So I I don't know if you guys ever attended, but Dance Caravan was one of the first.
11:59
SPEAKER_03: I know I remember that.
12:00
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, one of the first conventions that I did in elementary school.
12:04
SPEAKER_03: And I think, you know, of course, it is it has evolved because of social media.
12:10
SPEAKER_03: I mean, think about it.
12:11
SPEAKER_03: We didn't have the technology, you know, when we were growing up.
12:15
SPEAKER_03: So you didn't really know a ton either about the convention teachers that you were going to take from.
12:20
SPEAKER_03: And they weren't big, you know, some of them were known names, but some of them weren't these huge known names that are, you know, just in your face all the time.
12:27
SPEAKER_03: And I think that that presents itself very differently now because everybody knows everything about everybody.
12:34
SPEAKER_03: You know what I mean?
12:35
SPEAKER_03: You know what TV show this person was on, you know what musical video they choreographed for.
12:39
SPEAKER_03: And a lot of times you're not necessarily going to the convention for the education side of it.
12:44
SPEAKER_03: You're going because, oh, I get to take class from this person.
12:47
SPEAKER_03: And so I think maybe the the education side of it has maybe lost its way a little bit in that way because it's it's all about who I get to take class from, not why I'm taking class from them, if that makes any sense.
13:01
SPEAKER_02: That totally makes sense.
13:02
SPEAKER_02: Cause yeah, I mean, I think back in the day you wouldn't have, you know, my mom went to conventions in the 70s.
13:07
SPEAKER_02: So, you know, you might have known who Maria Tallchief was because she was the most famous ballet dancer, you know, of the Native American heritage.
13:14
SPEAKER_02: But like, that's it.
13:15
SPEAKER_02: It's all you probably knew, you know, and you knew you got to go take class from her and you never got to take class from somebody like that before.
13:21
SPEAKER_02: But I do think you're right.
13:22
SPEAKER_02: It's like now it's sort of a popularity contest.
13:24
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
13:25
SPEAKER_02: And it's like, I don't necessarily know that I want to learn from you, I just want to be around you, right.
13:29
SPEAKER_02: Is what it is.
13:30
SPEAKER_00: Especially like the once so you think you can dance hit the scene.
13:35
SPEAKER_00: I think that changed the whole game.
13:37
SPEAKER_00: That definitely changed the whole thing.
13:39
SPEAKER_00: I mean, it very much that was like seeing dance celebrities on television and then having the chance to learn from them, like as teachers.
13:48
SPEAKER_00: I mean, it was a huge game changer for the dance convention industry.
13:51
SPEAKER_00: So many things.
13:52
SPEAKER_00: I mean, we were just in your intro, Casey, Excel in Motion, they were they hire So You Thinking Dance teachers, you know, like, and there's a lot of other conventions out there that hire strictly or, you know, cater around TV celebrities and personalities from television shows.
14:08
SPEAKER_00: And it makes sense, you know, from the business end it makes sense from getting people in the door, like you said, because of a popularity contest, kids want to learn from someone that's famous.
14:18
SPEAKER_00: That's what it is.
14:19
SPEAKER_00: And I I think that's a really good point that you kicked it off with, Kat, is that sometimes, you know, are we co are we really going for the education or are we going for the popularity?
14:29
SPEAKER_00: And to be able to say, oh my God, I learned from this teacher and they were on this TV show and uh they have a trillion followers and I'm one of them.
14:38
unknown: Yeah.
14:40
SPEAKER_00: Like, I mean, it's sad to say that that is part of it.
14:43
SPEAKER_00: It's definitely part of the the comp the convention.
14:46
SPEAKER_00: And I think that the pressure from c convention companies of having to go in that direction because there's a new convention popping up every other day.
14:56
SPEAKER_00: So it's like, well, how do we stay relevant and stay, you know, be able to like hold our own in this industry and like make an impact and make an impression without having those celebrities on the faculty?
15:11
SPEAKER_00: So I think there's a lot of pressure there from the convention companies to bring those celebs in.
15:16
SPEAKER_00: But Casey, I know you and I don't think that we mentioned this in your intro, but FYI, everyone, Casey's a hip-hop teacher, if in case you are unaware of that.
15:26
SPEAKER_00: So Casey, like, I know you grew up doing monsters.
15:29
SPEAKER_00: Like, did you did you attend any other conventions growing up or into your adult training life?
15:35
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
15:35
SPEAKER_05: So when I was younger, uh, I went to Monsters of Hip Hop and it was like, again, I think we should talk about technology in general and how it's influenced things because Monsters of Hip Hop was no bells and whistles.
15:48
SPEAKER_05: It was you went into a room, there was a stage and a sound system, right?
15:52
SPEAKER_05: And you danced your face off, okay?
15:55
SPEAKER_05: And you were just hoping to God that Nappy Tabs was gonna call you out, you know, like that was the goal.
16:02
SPEAKER_05: And I mean, I grew up dancing next to Laura Edwards, who is amazing and now is also a convention teacher around the country.
16:10
SPEAKER_05: And like I just remember being in that room thinking, okay, I just wanna impress these people who are choreographers and teachers.
16:19
SPEAKER_05: And I feel like now it's just very different about why people go, which I'm sure we'll dive into.
16:24
SPEAKER_05: But I also went to break the floor back in the day, and I think I flew all the way to California because they were doing some kind of like music video where you got to make a music video at the end of your training.
16:37
SPEAKER_05: And again, at the and by the way, y'all, the music video was sent to us on a VHS tape.
16:43
SPEAKER_05: Oh my god, stop.
16:44
SPEAKER_03: Nice.
16:46
unknown: Okay.
16:47
SPEAKER_05: I have that somewhere.
16:49
SPEAKER_02: Um VCR, it's it was ridiculous.
16:54
SPEAKER_05: And you know, there was a a hip hop section.
16:56
SPEAKER_05: I I think today I would call that street jazz for sure.
16:59
SPEAKER_05: It was very I mean, I'm pretty sure I did a double pirouette.
17:02
SPEAKER_05: Oh yes, we did.
17:05
SPEAKER_05: But yes, super, super fun.
17:08
SPEAKER_05: I remember the experience was had this is what I wanted to get into lighting.
17:13
SPEAKER_05: Right.
17:14
SPEAKER_05: And it made it feel super cool, like we were on set for a music video.
17:18
SPEAKER_05: Right.
17:18
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
17:19
SPEAKER_05: And this is what I want to bring up is technology, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, is here to stay.
17:25
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
17:25
SPEAKER_05: And every convention decides to do uh bells and whistles or no bells and whistles.
17:31
SPEAKER_05: And it's all about what you prefer as your own studio, right?
17:35
SPEAKER_05: You know, when you go there, like are you looking for the bells and whistles, or are you just looking for, you know, just to get a great experience and leave with more education and knowledge for your kids?
17:44
SPEAKER_05: Right.
17:45
SPEAKER_05: There's a lot of different ways to look at this.
17:47
SPEAKER_05: Also, I mean, not for nothing, lighting changes how we feel scientifically.
17:52
SPEAKER_05: Totally.
17:53
SPEAKER_05: Okay, there's been studies done on this.
17:55
SPEAKER_05: So yeah, I do think lighting sometimes is important because it does actually help with education.
18:02
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, certain lighting actually helps people learn faster.
18:06
SPEAKER_05: And or if you're trying to create a mood where it to calm and relax people, that is also a thing, right?
18:12
SPEAKER_05: And I really do think that there's something to be said for adding lighting because also as dancers, we are gonna maybe be on stage, right?
18:20
SPEAKER_05: And putting all that to the test, and it does help us prepare us for those situations as well.
18:26
SPEAKER_05: And obviously, social media, getting the photos, getting the videos from class is a part of it now.
18:32
SPEAKER_05: Is it important?
18:33
SPEAKER_05: I don't know.
18:34
SPEAKER_05: But is it something cool to remember and also see your journey as a dancer from where you've been to where you are now?
18:41
SPEAKER_05: Absolutely.
18:42
SPEAKER_05: Like I said, I'm gonna find that VHS tape and probably laugh my face off at how I used to be and where I am now.
18:48
SPEAKER_00: So yeah, and you have that like footage to keep forever.
18:52
SPEAKER_00: Like that was like the keepsake that you got from that experience.
18:54
SPEAKER_00: And I think that like now, as dancers in this generation, they have that every time they go to a convention.
19:01
SPEAKER_00: Like, whip out your phone, record the the combo.
19:04
SPEAKER_00: You know, mom's over there with her phone recording you doing the combo.
19:08
SPEAKER_00: Like, and then they post it all on social media.
19:10
SPEAKER_00: I mean, they have unlimited access to this footage to, and that's their keepsake from that event.
19:17
SPEAKER_00: And they can watch themselves grow over the years, where like that one VHS that you got from what is all you got.
19:23
SPEAKER_00: Like, that's it.
19:25
SPEAKER_04: I have no, I don't even know if I was good or not.
19:28
SPEAKER_04: Like, I have no idea.
19:29
SPEAKER_02: We we're gonna wait for your report back because I'm so curious.
19:32
SPEAKER_02: And like, find a VCR and play it.
19:34
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
19:35
SPEAKER_04: I'm gonna figure it out.
19:37
unknown: Oh my god.
19:38
SPEAKER_02: Well, so I love Casey.
19:40
SPEAKER_02: You make such a good point about, you know, I I think there's probably some people out there, and myself included, I'm a stick in the mud, and like everybody knows that.
19:47
SPEAKER_02: And I'm kind of like, why do you need all the lights?
19:49
SPEAKER_02: And why does it have to be all this?
19:50
SPEAKER_02: Like, it's about the education.
19:52
SPEAKER_02: But you're right.
19:53
SPEAKER_02: I mean, it is scientifically, psychologically proven that lighting changes your mood.
19:58
SPEAKER_02: It changes your ability to absorb information and and it does.
20:01
SPEAKER_02: It makes you feel special.
20:03
SPEAKER_02: And if that's a secondary goal to learning, then why not?
20:08
SPEAKER_02: You know, but I do I don't think that we can discount some of the conventions out there that don't do that.
20:13
SPEAKER_02: But like you said, I I really do think it is kind of, you know, personal preference up to the teacher, up to the whoever's, you know, choosing to go to these events, that like, no, you can still have a great experience with a stage and a sound system and a great teacher, you know.
20:26
SPEAKER_02: But yes, I told I mean the light is great.
20:28
SPEAKER_02: And sometimes you look better in the lighting, and then your video is better, and then everything's better.
20:32
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
20:33
SPEAKER_05: I think that, you know, just keep in mind, like when you're in your dance studios on a regular basis, you know, a lot of studios don't have lighting, and that's totally fine.
20:43
SPEAKER_05: And I think that that's important to remember too, is when you go to rehearsal, right?
20:47
SPEAKER_05: Hopefully one day when you get casted for something, maybe, and you go to rehearsal, they're not gonna be bells and whistles in rehearsal.
20:55
SPEAKER_02: Right.
20:55
SPEAKER_05: Right.
20:56
SPEAKER_05: So you have to be able to turn it on regardless of lighting at all times.
21:00
SPEAKER_05: So I think again, Leslie, totally there's something to be said for just having the great sound system and a stage and uh just a space to share, and then also having another space where you can have the bells and whistles and have a totally different experience, which is why dance conventions are awesome.
21:19
SPEAKER_05: There is something that exists for everybody out there.
21:21
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, yes.
21:23
SPEAKER_00: I I feel like in a way, I want to kind of go here or at least make this point.
21:28
SPEAKER_00: And we kind of touched on it a little bit about like the education versus the popularity, and then I'm, you know, as we're talking about the lighting and the bells and whistles, then I start thinking about okay, well, as we said, there's a new convention every day.
21:41
SPEAKER_02: I love where you're going.
21:42
SPEAKER_02: I already know where you're going.
21:43
SPEAKER_02: And I can't wait.
21:44
SPEAKER_00: And we all are trying to stay competitive and stay relevant.
21:48
SPEAKER_00: And how do we set ourselves apart?
21:50
SPEAKER_00: I think that the thing is, is that we just sat here and said that like you can have a beautiful experience at a dance convention without the bells and whistles, but I think that the real Way you're going to without the bells and whistles if the educators are fantastic.
22:05
SPEAKER_00: And where is your money going?
22:07
SPEAKER_00: Correct.
22:08
SPEAKER_00: Because to all my dance convention owners out there, like you have to invest in something.
22:14
SPEAKER_00: And if you're not willing to invest in the lighting and the bells and whistles, then you have to invest in the educators.
22:19
SPEAKER_00: Like if you have the best educators on that stage, it does we don't need the lights.
22:25
SPEAKER_00: We don't need the fancy things here and there because they are just controlling the room and providing so much wisdom and knowledge to the dancers and to the teachers that are watching and the parents, everyone's going to feel like they got their money's worth.
22:38
SPEAKER_00: But if you're not giving me bells and whistles, you're only giving me a stage and a microphone and a sound system.
22:46
SPEAKER_00: And then the teachers are inexperienced and very subpar, then I'm not really sure if this is working and if you're really getting your money's worth.
22:56
SPEAKER_00: Because the other thing is that those, the one that I just discussed, the example, are oftentimes not much cheaper than the ones that have the bells and whistles and or the ones that have the great educators.
23:10
SPEAKER_00: So I think it's super important to not just be like, oh, this price looks good and go to this convention and not know who's teaching at it and not have seen their bios and have no clue if they've even ever taught at a dance convention before.
23:25
SPEAKER_00: Not that you have to have previous experience.
23:27
SPEAKER_00: Go, Casey, I see you.
23:28
SPEAKER_00: I see you.
23:29
SPEAKER_05: Dance teachers, dance studio owners, you are amazing.
23:35
SPEAKER_05: What you do is super hard.
23:37
SPEAKER_05: So, with that being said, please take the time to invest your amazingness into doing the research about where you should take your amazing children every year.
23:47
SPEAKER_05: Oh, yes.
23:48
SPEAKER_05: Right.
23:48
SPEAKER_03: You gotta put your money where your mouth is.
23:50
SPEAKER_05: Yes.
23:51
SPEAKER_05: Do not take them somewhere where you don't know anything about it.
23:55
SPEAKER_05: Yes, obviously.
23:56
SPEAKER_05: You want to put your students and set them up for success always.
23:59
SPEAKER_05: So make sure that you are doing the research for your kids and you're like, nope, this is where we're going and this is why.
24:06
SPEAKER_05: And you should know that the kids, sure, whatever.
24:10
SPEAKER_05: When they get there, I guarantee you they're gonna have a great time no matter what.
24:13
SPEAKER_05: Because they're kids and they're just there to have a great experience, right?
24:17
SPEAKER_05: So, yes, dance teachers and studio owners, just please, please, please do your research and also invest in uh the people and the educators that you want your kids to train from, right?
24:29
SPEAKER_05: And maybe that isn't, like Courtney said, the bells and whistle one.
24:32
SPEAKER_05: But then make sure you know that going into it.
24:35
SPEAKER_05: Kat, do you have something you want to add to that?
24:38
SPEAKER_02: I need to hear from Kat for sure.
24:39
SPEAKER_03: Tell us, Kat.
24:41
SPEAKER_03: This popularity thing is what is killing me.
24:43
SPEAKER_03: So when we talk about the evolution, because you could be an amazing dancer and even an amazing choreographer and have this unbelievable professional career and be a terrible teacher.
24:53
SPEAKER_03: You know, you're there for your own self at that point.
24:56
SPEAKER_03: We've seen that on conventions where the teacher is all about themselves, they're doing the combo more than they are actually watching the kids and giving corrections.
25:04
SPEAKER_03: Don't get me started.
25:04
SPEAKER_03: It's oh, it's the last 15 minutes of class where they're just videotaping themselves and their assistants, and our kids maybe did the dance in groups two times the whole class.
25:14
SPEAKER_03: What did they learn from that?
25:16
SPEAKER_03: Not a whole lot, you know.
25:17
SPEAKER_03: I think what I said, like, yeah, vote, vote with your money, put your money where your mouth is, because some of those most popular people are not the best educators.
25:26
SPEAKER_03: And our kids are coming out being like, well, that was kind of a letdown.
25:30
SPEAKER_03: You know, like I was, I was expecting something more and I didn't get out of it what I needed.
25:35
SPEAKER_03: It didn't fulfill me.
25:37
SPEAKER_03: I just watched this incredible dancer dance, which is also good in a way, you know, you need to be inspired, but that's not where we're gonna continue to put our money because it's a lot of money, especially, you know, if you if you've got a company with a lot of dances, a lot of kids, you're looking at, you know, thousands and thousands of dollar weekends where you're just like, whoa.
25:55
SPEAKER_03: And then when you take a step back, you're like, I just spent all this money, and here's what I'm getting from my kids.
26:00
SPEAKER_03: And it's not an inspirational statement, you know, it's not a oh, this is what I learned, this is what I learned.
26:05
SPEAKER_03: It's more like, oh, I got to take a picture with this person, then or I'm or they're complaining about, you know, the convention teacher being extremely narcissistic.
26:13
SPEAKER_03: You know what I mean?
26:14
SPEAKER_03: Like, and that's not anything at all.
26:17
SPEAKER_03: I also think that there's a new stigma of certain dance conventions where like you're gonna be known as a top studio or a top dancer if you go to this convention, regardless of what the education is or the feedback that you're getting.
26:33
SPEAKER_03: That's a big one, which that's why I love you, Courtney.
26:36
SPEAKER_03: You are the best competition judge that we have ever experienced.
26:40
SPEAKER_03: So just shout out to you.
26:42
SPEAKER_03: Oh my gosh, thank you.
26:45
SPEAKER_03: I mean, because we'll go, you know, we'll have a great experience, but then we get home and it's like radio silence, right?
26:52
SPEAKER_01: You know?
26:52
SPEAKER_03: And either you gave us a really good score or maybe like, you know, just like a little bit lower of a score, but then you're like, but why?
26:57
SPEAKER_03: You didn't even tell us why.
26:58
SPEAKER_03: So I think that's another thing to touch on too.
27:00
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
27:01
SPEAKER_03: Is just like we're talking about, put your money where you want to and know that you're gonna get the best education.
27:06
SPEAKER_03: I think that that is a lot of importance.
27:09
SPEAKER_02: How, Kat, when you guys are choosing conventions for the year, or I guess maybe at this point you've been doing this for a while.
27:16
SPEAKER_02: So you've probably landed on what you like and that's who you go to.
27:18
SPEAKER_02: But I mean, think back to when you first started sort of shopping around.
27:22
SPEAKER_02: I mean, what was your process?
27:23
SPEAKER_02: How did how did you decide?
27:24
SPEAKER_02: It was it trial and error?
27:26
SPEAKER_02: Did you ask people?
27:27
SPEAKER_02: I mean, I think for some of the teachers out there who listen who maybe have been hesitant to go to a convention because they don't know what's what, because there are so many.
27:35
SPEAKER_02: Like any advice for those folks?
27:37
SPEAKER_03: I definitely think there's a balance of your own research slash word of mouth.
27:43
SPEAKER_03: But I mean, obviously, not every convention is going to be perfect for every studio, right?
27:48
SPEAKER_03: So you kind of have to be like, okay, do your research, read about it, look on their social media, talk to other studio owners and see if they've been there before and then go from there.
27:59
SPEAKER_03: I think starting out, just like you said, there is a trial and error.
28:02
SPEAKER_03: I think the biggest thing is looking at the faculty and then kind of knowing.
28:06
SPEAKER_03: Like I grew up going to West Coast Dance Explosion.
28:08
SPEAKER_03: That is one of my favorite conventions.
28:10
SPEAKER_03: They are unbelievable educators.
28:13
SPEAKER_03: Their admin side is ridiculous because that was actually what my notes were.
28:16
SPEAKER_03: To me, finding a dance convention is admin meets education.
28:20
SPEAKER_03: On the business side of it, from like a studio teacher slash, you know, owner perspective, you know, you want a well-organized machine, you know, you want to make sure that you're being heard that there's always something available for you, like down to the nitty-gritty of like the backstage runs smooth.
28:34
SPEAKER_03: You know, you're you're creating a whole experience for yourself, your kids, and your parents.
28:38
SPEAKER_03: And then then you've got the education side.
28:41
SPEAKER_03: You know, you're looking at overcrowding, you're looking at the, you know, the teachers, you're looking at um, are they keeping the kids safe?
28:47
SPEAKER_03: I mean, are they, is it family friendly?
28:49
SPEAKER_03: Are we rewarding the dances that aren't family friendly?
28:52
SPEAKER_03: Like it goes into all those things.
28:54
SPEAKER_03: And not every time, I feel like you kind of have to try just for you to know that that experience is meant for your studio, if that makes any sense.
29:02
SPEAKER_02: Totally.
29:02
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
29:03
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
29:03
SPEAKER_00: I mean, there's there's so many, there's so many factors that that go into, I think, a lot of studios making the decision of a convention.
29:10
SPEAKER_00: I think that a lot of people are like, well, this one's coming closest to me, so I'm gonna give it a try.
29:14
SPEAKER_00: Even if the, you know, the bells and whistles aren't there and that's what they wanted, or the cost isn't what they were expecting, or the teachers aren't up to par.
29:22
SPEAKER_00: Like they're just going to go, you know, and I think everyone has a different expectation.
29:28
SPEAKER_00: Not everyone, but a lot of people have a different expectation as to what they want to get out of a dance convention.
29:33
SPEAKER_00: And I think this is a good transition to kind of talk about like what makes a dance convention different than a dance competition, in case people are unaware of that.
29:42
SPEAKER_00: So I would say for the most part, there are a handful of like one-day, two-day strictly conventions out on the market in the dance industry.
29:51
SPEAKER_00: And those are just about the training.
29:53
SPEAKER_00: There's no competition attached.
29:54
SPEAKER_00: I think that our industry is so competitive as far as like we always want to have like, I want to know who's the best.
30:00
SPEAKER_00: I want to win first place, I want to be told I'm great all the time.
30:04
SPEAKER_00: And sometimes we just need to like throw that out the window and just train for a minute.
30:10
SPEAKER_00: Like it all goes back to training.
30:12
SPEAKER_00: And I respect those conventions out there that are just doing like a mini day of intensive with new teachers.
30:20
SPEAKER_00: Because the great thing about conventions is that you're exposing your dancers and your students to different teachers.
30:25
SPEAKER_00: And that's what it's all about.
30:27
SPEAKER_00: Like they're coming to you and they're coming to your small town or they're coming to the closest major city, and they hopefully are well-versed dance educators, and you learn something new.
30:40
SPEAKER_00: It's just getting, you know, it's not the same teacher that you have on the weekly.
30:43
SPEAKER_00: So, like, that's the perk of dance conventions, and it really should be based around the education.
30:47
SPEAKER_00: But then there's some of these bigger ones on the market that are a convention plus a competition.
30:52
SPEAKER_00: So you're kind of killing two birds with one stone because a lot of the a lot of studios go to the regular good old generic dance competition that we talk about all the time on the podcast.
31:01
SPEAKER_00: And those don't have classes involved typically.
31:04
SPEAKER_00: Dance conventions are primarily convention first, and then we add the bonus of competition at the in the evening time.
31:11
SPEAKER_00: To me, I do feel like that dance conventions aren't focused on competition.
31:16
SPEAKER_00: It's just an extra.
31:18
SPEAKER_00: It's an inset, it's an extra bonus thing.
31:20
SPEAKER_00: It's an incentive.
31:20
SPEAKER_00: It's your chance to get out on stage, it's your chance to get, you know, a few awards and perform on stage.
31:27
SPEAKER_00: But I think the true focus at these bigger conventions is the training.
31:30
SPEAKER_00: And I think that's why they've grown in in popularity so much, because I think a lot of studios are seeing the value in the training aspect of it.
31:39
SPEAKER_00: But that's kind of the difference, I would say, as far as conventions versus competitions to anybody that is interested in going.
31:46
SPEAKER_00: But I will say they cost a lot more money.
31:49
SPEAKER_00: They are definitely more expensive, which is a hard thing to kind of juggle.
31:53
SPEAKER_00: I've heard a lot of different studio owners.
31:55
SPEAKER_00: And uh, Kat, I know that you've said that you you guys primarily or only go to convention competitions.
32:01
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, we only go to convention competitions.
32:03
SPEAKER_03: We do not attend any just soul competitions because we we feel like that just takes a lot out of it, takes the education side out of it.
32:10
SPEAKER_03: You're literally just going to sit in an auditorium for 12 hours a day to get a trophy.
32:15
SPEAKER_03: And that's not why we do this.
32:17
SPEAKER_03: Right.
32:23
SPEAKER_00: Growing up and still to this day, one of my favorite parts of the dance season are dance conventions.
32:29
SPEAKER_00: There are so many wonderful companies out there, but right now I want to give a huge shout out to Thrive Dance Experience.
32:36
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32:41
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32:54
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32:58
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33:01
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33:07
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33:10
SPEAKER_00: For more information or to register, visit ThriveDanceExperience.com.
33:20
SPEAKER_02: I'm curious, I I can't remember who said this.
33:23
SPEAKER_02: It was one of you.
33:24
SPEAKER_02: Whether like the convention competitions seem to attract a higher level dancer.
33:30
SPEAKER_02: Who just who said that a minute ago?
33:31
SPEAKER_02: Kat?
33:32
SPEAKER_02: I did.
33:32
SPEAKER_02: So Kat mentioned earlier that convention competitions tend to attract a higher level dancer.
33:38
SPEAKER_02: And I've I've honestly noticed that too, just in looking at the world, you know, from my vantage point.
33:44
SPEAKER_02: I didn't grow up doing conventions.
33:45
SPEAKER_02: So this is, you know, it's not that it's a it's not that it's a new world to me, but it's one that I didn't experience firsthand.
33:51
SPEAKER_02: But you do see, like when you look at the big, you know, name conventions, these are some pre-pro looking kids.
33:58
SPEAKER_02: Like these these kids are not a joke.
34:00
SPEAKER_02: What do you think it is about a convention competition that's attracting higher level dancers?
34:05
SPEAKER_02: And is there any room for, you know, uh people who don't train that extensively to go?
34:10
SPEAKER_02: Like, is that is it too intimidating?
34:12
SPEAKER_02: Who wants to take it?
34:14
SPEAKER_05: I don't think that it's too intimidating.
34:17
SPEAKER_05: I think maybe it's again, it's the studio's principles at its core, okay, and what the studio decides the focus needs to be.
34:28
SPEAKER_05: Now, we can sit here and debate this all day long, okay?
34:32
SPEAKER_05: But at the end of the day, that's the studio's choice.
34:34
SPEAKER_05: And if they are a studio that wants to just go to comps and they just want feedback and they want to just take that feedback on what they're doing as teachers and how to make that better, then that's great for that studio, right?
34:51
SPEAKER_05: But I honestly think knowledge is power always.
34:56
SPEAKER_05: So the more education and the more you can get, I think is invaluable, and that's what you're paying for, is uh the double feedback is you're getting to take a class from someone you never trained with, maybe getting some new tidbits or some fun new things that you never knew you could do, or maybe you're trying a new style like hip-hop for the first time and you fall in love with it.
35:20
SPEAKER_05: That is so exciting.
35:22
SPEAKER_05: And also you get to do comp and get the feedback on your own choreography from these educators sometimes who have just taught your kids.
35:31
SPEAKER_05: And that also is very cool, and you're getting to know these educators too on a more personal level.
35:37
SPEAKER_05: Like Kat, you were saying that you've had feedback from Courtney.
35:40
SPEAKER_05: That's so cool that you know you're just getting to see her teach and do what she loves, but at the same time, that's also being shown on the other side, too, is that she can give feedback regardless if it's her own choreography, she can also give it to you and give your studio the feedback that they need.
35:56
SPEAKER_05: And again, it's all about perspective and what the studio is looking for at the end of the day.
36:02
SPEAKER_05: I think that's why everything still exists and is still flourishing is because there is a pocket for everyone to get the experience that is best for each studio.
36:13
SPEAKER_02: That's uh such a good point.
36:15
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I like that.
36:16
SPEAKER_03: Yeah, I think um for us, some of those convention competitions that we have shied away from, I think integrity plays a big part.
36:25
SPEAKER_03: You know, we know that these conventions, they need money, right?
36:29
SPEAKER_03: For I mean, their overhead has to be insane.
36:31
SPEAKER_03: So we're not denying that side of it.
36:34
SPEAKER_03: But, you know, when you're not even following your own rules or a lot of competitions we've stopped going to because our kids are like, we can't even move anymore.
36:43
SPEAKER_03: It is it is so overcrowded in this room that I'm not having a good experience because I can't even move without kicking somebody every two seconds.
36:50
SPEAKER_03: I think that that's a big thing.
36:52
SPEAKER_03: I don't know what this, I think the stigma of those top studios going to certain places is because I feel like they have created a culture for themselves in hopes that these kids will eventually now they've networked enough to be in the business.
37:06
SPEAKER_01: Right.
37:06
SPEAKER_03: And I think certain studios, it's not necessarily they're intimidated by not continuing to go.
37:12
SPEAKER_03: I think it's more like the overcrowding, the favoritism.
37:16
SPEAKER_03: I mean, a lot of those studios get choreographed by those convention teachers and they're calling those kids out by name.
37:22
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
37:23
SPEAKER_03: So we're our kids are back there like, oh, I mean, I guess I don't really I don't I shouldn't even be here.
37:28
SPEAKER_03: You know what I mean?
37:28
SPEAKER_03: Because their focus is only on those children.
37:31
SPEAKER_03: So I think, you know, if you get that top spot, you feel like my studio's really good if I have that, you know, if that makes any sense, which again, not important to the studio that I work for, which is awesome.
37:43
SPEAKER_05: I'm glad you brought that up.
37:45
SPEAKER_00: Go, Casey.
37:46
SPEAKER_05: Oh, I was just gonna also add that uh let's re remember that not all studios are training dancers to be professional dancers someday.
37:55
SPEAKER_05: Some studios are just doing it for recreation.
37:58
SPEAKER_05: I mean, not for nothing.
38:00
SPEAKER_05: I used to be a recreational dancer, y'all.
38:02
SPEAKER_05: I just took dance because I was bored and wanted something to do after school.
38:07
SPEAKER_05: And here I am.
38:08
SPEAKER_05: What the heck?
38:09
SPEAKER_05: Right.
38:09
SPEAKER_05: That wasn't supposed to happen.
38:11
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
38:11
SPEAKER_05: I was never training in my mind when I was younger to become a professional dancer.
38:17
SPEAKER_05: I danced because it was fun, period.
38:20
SPEAKER_05: That's why I danced.
38:22
SPEAKER_05: All right.
38:22
SPEAKER_05: So I think I'm trying to tie it back to what we were talking about before.
38:26
SPEAKER_05: I don't think that you know it's intimidating necessarily that they want to go to these uh uh conventions that are like really big.
38:34
SPEAKER_05: I think that uh you have to be able to cater to everyone.
38:38
SPEAKER_05: Everybody should feel welcome.
38:40
SPEAKER_05: Right.
38:40
SPEAKER_05: Everybody from the recreational kid who's only dancing two hours a week, maybe even one hour a week, to the dancers who are training their faces off, literally.
38:49
SPEAKER_05: And they eat, sleep, breathe, dance every single day, can't get enough of it, right?
38:54
SPEAKER_05: And that's a hard thing to balance as someone putting on one of these events, right?
39:00
SPEAKER_05: Is being able to cater to all levels.
39:03
SPEAKER_05: And again, I'm sure we're gonna talk about this in a little bit, but make sure you put your children in the right level.
39:09
SPEAKER_05: Okay, because there's nothing worse than having a recreational dancer, you know, next to somebody who's a pro like almost at a professional level in the same room, and you're like, what is going on here?
39:20
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
39:20
SPEAKER_05: So and again, competitions and conventions are a great place to test out where your kids are and where they should be.
39:28
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
39:29
SPEAKER_05: And being realistic with your kids and parents about that.
39:32
SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
39:33
SPEAKER_00: That's that's a great point as well, as far as the level thing, because most of the time at conventions it's it's it's separated by age.
39:42
SPEAKER_00: And at competitions, like regular competitions, we have age divisions plus levels pretty much at every competition.
39:49
SPEAKER_00: Leslie just did a poll recently asking, are there any regular competitions that have no levels anymore?
39:56
SPEAKER_00: And there aren't there's one celebrity, and it's celebrity.
40:00
SPEAKER_00: One competition on the industry that doesn't have one now.
40:04
SPEAKER_00: Like it only has one level.
40:06
SPEAKER_00: It only has one level.
40:06
SPEAKER_02: Only one that only has one level that is not a convention competition.
40:10
SPEAKER_00: Right.
40:10
SPEAKER_00: And that's what I was gonna get to.
40:13
SPEAKER_00: So a point that's worth mentioning to our listeners, if you're unaware, I would say majority, if not all, convention competitions are a one-level competition.
40:24
SPEAKER_00: Right.
40:24
SPEAKER_00: Now, when it comes to taking class and conventions, it's usually broken down by age.
40:29
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes they will break it down by level, and then you it's up to the teacher's discretion to place the dancers accordingly, which I think that's a great point, Casey, because this is your first time being around other dancers who are maybe from the same area as you, or oh, I know that dancer from that studio, they train just as much as me, but then you get in class next to them and you see that you're not at their level or you're above their level, or things like that.
40:52
SPEAKER_00: It's eye-opening.
40:54
SPEAKER_00: It's, it's, and, and, and it could be inspiring.
40:56
SPEAKER_00: It could, it could be deflating a little.
40:58
SPEAKER_00: It could be like, oh man, like, why are all my friends in this level and I'm in this lower level?
41:03
SPEAKER_00: But it should be motivation to help you work harder.
41:06
SPEAKER_00: And I think at the end of the day, it's important to put dancers in the right level when they're training because you don't want them to feel overwhelmed.
41:11
SPEAKER_00: They're not gonna have a good time in class if they're, if they can't even do it, if they haven't even learned those basics yet, and they don't know what a barrel jump is, or they don't know what a fan kick is, and that's what's happening in the choreography, they're gonna be stressed out.
41:23
SPEAKER_00: Like they're not gonna have fun, they're gonna be frustrated, and then they're gonna go, you know, be upset at mom and say, I'm I don't want to be here.
41:29
SPEAKER_00: You know, you want them to have a good time.
41:31
SPEAKER_00: So if that means bumping them down, bump them down and let them, you know, be at the level that they belong.
41:36
SPEAKER_00: But another point that I wanted to quickly touch on is um what you mentioned, Kat, about favoritism and convention faculty choreographing dances that are then winning at the competition portion of the convention event.
41:50
SPEAKER_00: I get asked this question all the time as a convention faculty.
41:53
SPEAKER_00: People have come up to me and they said, well, do the judges know who choreographed the dance?
41:59
SPEAKER_00: Because that one was choreographed by one of the faculty members and it won first place overall.
42:05
SPEAKER_00: And as a judge, I'm gonna sit here and tell you, and I can't speak for everyone, but at least for who I work for, that answer is no.
42:12
SPEAKER_00: I do not know who choreographed the dance.
42:15
SPEAKER_00: So I am completely unbiased.
42:16
SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna just come here, I'm gonna just choreograph, I'm gonna just critique the dance like I would normally critique a dance, any dance.
42:22
SPEAKER_00: I don't know who choreographed it.
42:24
SPEAKER_00: And if it wins, it wins.
42:26
SPEAKER_00: But I can't speak for everyone.
42:28
SPEAKER_05: You know, uh I'm with you, Courtney.
42:30
SPEAKER_05: When I I judge as well, and when I judge pieces, I have absolutely no idea.
42:36
SPEAKER_05: It just says studio A, studio B, studio C.
42:40
SPEAKER_05: I have no clue even what that means.
42:42
SPEAKER_05: So, number one, I don't even know what studio I'm watching half the time.
42:45
SPEAKER_05: I'm like, oh, that girl looks familiar.
42:47
SPEAKER_05: I guess they're in the same studio.
42:49
SPEAKER_05: I have no idea.
42:50
SPEAKER_05: And then on top of that, of course I have no idea who's choreographing the piece.
42:54
SPEAKER_05: Now, if they're like my bestie ever in life, Courtney Ortiz, I might be like, oh, this is cute.
43:00
SPEAKER_05: I feel Courtney Ortiz vibes.
43:02
SPEAKER_05: And I might even say that out loud, right?
43:05
SPEAKER_05: But that doesn't mean that's true.
43:07
SPEAKER_05: I have Courtney choreographs all over the place.
43:10
SPEAKER_05: I have no idea if she choreographed this or not, you know?
43:13
SPEAKER_05: So again, just letting everybody out there know that majority of us who judge, we have no clue what we're looking at.
43:22
SPEAKER_05: I think it's to make everybody feel better.
43:24
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I I think it it it's hard to kind of wrap our head around that.
43:27
SPEAKER_00: At least that's like from me sitting in the chair, that's what I can give back to everyone listening is that I I do not know who's Corey Gruffing it.
43:34
SPEAKER_00: If the outcome is that outcome and they win, I guess they deserved it.
43:37
SPEAKER_00: You know, like I I don't know if there's more to it than that.
43:40
SPEAKER_00: I can't speak for other conventions, but I get asked that question often and I can understand how that looks like favoritism.
43:47
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
43:48
SPEAKER_02: Well, and I think everything else the fix would be if you work for this convention, don't bring your work to this competition.
43:56
SPEAKER_02: You know what I mean?
43:56
SPEAKER_02: Like that that's what I think the fix should be.
43:58
SPEAKER_05: It should be, but I well, I don't know.
44:01
SPEAKER_05: Sometimes that's not our choice.
44:02
SPEAKER_05: So for instance, I choreograph for other people, sure.
44:05
SPEAKER_05: I choreograph all around the country.
44:07
SPEAKER_05: I'm not tied to one studio.
44:09
SPEAKER_05: So for me, I just fly and I end up sitting at the table, and then all of a sudden I'm like, oh my gosh, so and so's here.
44:17
SPEAKER_05: Didn't know.
44:18
SPEAKER_05: Right.
44:19
SPEAKER_05: And now I have to sit out.
44:20
SPEAKER_05: And I sit out.
44:21
SPEAKER_05: And I just say, I tell the judges, I don't know, whatever.
44:25
SPEAKER_05: I'm like, I don't feel well.
44:26
SPEAKER_05: And to tell them.
44:27
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
44:28
SPEAKER_05: I'm not gonna tell them why I'm not, I'm not gonna say that's my piece.
44:31
SPEAKER_05: Cause then that would change their scores.
44:33
SPEAKER_05: Right.
44:34
SPEAKER_05: All I'm gonna say is I'm gonna sit out for this one.
44:36
SPEAKER_05: We're gonna let so-and-so jump in.
44:38
SPEAKER_05: I just need a minute, my throat hurts.
44:39
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
44:40
SPEAKER_00: Yes, go cat.
44:41
SPEAKER_03: Okay.
44:41
SPEAKER_03: Well, so I think a lot of like convention competitions have tried to solve this problem.
44:48
SPEAKER_03: Like, I think that they're doing the right thing because there has been like this is totally biased.
44:52
SPEAKER_03: I do know that we do on our end, when we're filling out all of our dances, it does ask who the choreographer is and we do write it down, which is probably why some studio owners are like, you know, do you know?
45:04
SPEAKER_03: Because we do share.
45:05
SPEAKER_03: And I think that's probably more for like a choreography award type of situation, potentially, so they know who they're giving it to.
45:11
SPEAKER_03: But I guess I think it's nice to know that you guys don't have that information when you're judging us.
45:15
SPEAKER_02: Right.
45:16
SPEAKER_03: And then also I do know that conventions now, because they have that knowledge, like let's say, you know, we go to Rebel and we write that you did one of our dances, they're gonna you don't get to judge that part of the sequence.
45:29
SPEAKER_03: And that's that's what I'm talking about.
45:31
SPEAKER_03: It's like you'll see that.
45:32
SPEAKER_02: It's not that Courtney knows it's gonna be there, it's that the studio owner who hired Courtney outside of her business wrote it down.
45:39
SPEAKER_02: And you know what I mean?
45:40
SPEAKER_02: Like it it involves all parties to fix that problem.
45:43
SPEAKER_03: I think it's getting better.
45:44
SPEAKER_03: It's definitely the due diligence by the convention.
45:47
SPEAKER_03: Like you need to make sure that that your convention teacher is not choreographed.
45:50
SPEAKER_03: I mean, sorry, judging the segment if there's a choreograph dance is gonna be in it, which I think that they're doing a good job, at least the ones that we go to.
45:57
SPEAKER_03: Good.
45:57
SPEAKER_03: It's good to hear.
45:58
SPEAKER_00: I've seen like I've been I'm on the judging panel where one of the judges next to me literally just like hops out of the seat, someone else jumps in for that one dance, and then they're back in.
46:06
SPEAKER_00: I don't even know what happened.
46:08
SPEAKER_00: I was like, Where'd you go?
46:09
SPEAKER_00: Like, you're right next to me, and then I was like putting it together, oh, so you choreographed that dance.
46:15
SPEAKER_00: But I I already just scored it.
46:16
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it's after the fact.
46:17
SPEAKER_00: So I think that it is slowly getting better, I think.
46:22
SPEAKER_00: It's it's a sticky situation, it's a sticky subject for sure.
46:26
SPEAKER_02: But because I mean you can definitely like you we've been talking about some of the bigger s bigger convention competitions and some of the the people you see constantly.
46:35
SPEAKER_02: It's like, you know, it's it does look like favoritism, and sometimes, you know, people get questioning about that.
46:40
SPEAKER_00: So And like it's sad to say, but like I think it comes back down to like money.
46:46
SPEAKER_00: And like, if you have enough money to bring in that guest choreographer to your studio, you feel like you have an advantage compared to everyone else who didn't bring in that guest choreographer to your studio, and then on top of it, that guest choreographer is now on faculty at this, and that's gonna look good to that dance convention.
47:06
SPEAKER_00: Oh wow, they brought this guest choreographer in.
47:09
SPEAKER_00: Like, it's just it to me, it feels all like a big giant business icky thing that I don't like.
47:17
SPEAKER_00: And can we just go back to the fact that it's about the education?
47:21
SPEAKER_00: I mean, come on.
47:23
SPEAKER_00: Because when because like even what we're talking about right now, like we're talking about competition again.
47:28
SPEAKER_00: Like it's always about I wanna win, I wanna be first place.
47:32
SPEAKER_00: I need the best guest choreographer ever that's on faculty, and I'll be guaranteed first place.
47:38
SPEAKER_00: Who cares?
47:40
SPEAKER_00: At the end of the day, who cares?
47:42
SPEAKER_00: Like it should really be about what did you learn at this event about the education.
47:48
SPEAKER_00: I and I hope I hope I think it's interesting to see some companies are going back to that, and then you've kind of you kind of know who is you know focused on the other aspects of of the business because it is a business.
48:03
SPEAKER_00: Every competition convention is a business.
48:05
SPEAKER_00: It is.
48:06
SPEAKER_00: So let's go quickly into some etiquette things.
48:10
SPEAKER_00: I think it's important as we're heading into dance convention season, which is happening now, y'all.
48:16
SPEAKER_00: If you're registered for a convention, you might be going in the fall, you might be going.
48:20
SPEAKER_00: Conventions happen year round.
48:22
SPEAKER_00: There used to be convention seasons.
48:23
SPEAKER_00: Right.
48:24
SPEAKER_00: So there used to be like the fall was convention season.
48:27
SPEAKER_00: And then the after the new year was competition season.
48:31
SPEAKER_00: And now, because dance conventions are taking over the world, dance conventions are all the time.
48:35
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
48:36
SPEAKER_00: They're they're full-blown fall to spring.
48:39
SPEAKER_00: Like you can go to a dance convention whenever you want to go.
48:41
SPEAKER_00: So, whenever you're going to a dance convention this season, let's talk about some things that need to be happening in the classroom as far as how to prepare for your dance convention to make the most out of your experience.
48:53
SPEAKER_00: Casey, I'm sure you got something for me.
48:55
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
48:56
SPEAKER_05: Uh so first of all, as an educator, I am so excited every time I come onto that stage to see new faces, new kids, and new talent, hands down.
49:09
SPEAKER_05: I get super jazzed about that because I'm excited to see where the future of dance is headed.
49:15
SPEAKER_05: And that's very exciting.
49:17
SPEAKER_05: And to get to be a little bit of a part of that as a as a teacher is very exciting.
49:22
SPEAKER_05: So just want to say that first of all, we as teachers are excited that you're there.
49:28
SPEAKER_05: We are excited to give you our all.
49:30
SPEAKER_05: And we are excited to just help you get some new tools to continue on your journey at the end of the day.
49:38
SPEAKER_05: That's what this is about.
49:39
SPEAKER_05: It's about helping each kid in that room leave with something.
49:43
SPEAKER_05: Whether that's a fun experience, learning a new skill, or landing a new skill.
49:48
SPEAKER_05: And for me in my class, it's building confidence and community.
49:52
SPEAKER_05: Really, really, those are my two big things is I want every kid to leave feeling like they are built up, not broken down when they leave.
50:01
SPEAKER_05: And that's really hard to do.
50:03
SPEAKER_05: It is.
50:04
SPEAKER_05: In an hour.
50:05
SPEAKER_05: We I mean, hello.
50:06
SPEAKER_05: We all get in our heads when we go take class or train with someone we don't know for the first time.
50:12
SPEAKER_05: So, first and foremost, dancers, uh, just come with an open mind.
50:17
SPEAKER_05: And dance teachers, uh, make sure you give a nice pep talk before your kids go out there every day, you know?
50:24
SPEAKER_05: Give them some nice things that they should be focusing on, you know, give them advice so that they succeed in our classes.
50:31
SPEAKER_05: That's really important.
50:32
SPEAKER_05: Don't just throw your children out there be like, hi, see ya.
50:35
SPEAKER_05: Okay, you know, make sure that you're setting them up for success to have a great day.
50:40
SPEAKER_05: And whatever that means for you as dance studio owners and teachers, everyone has a different way that they're probably gonna go about that.
50:46
SPEAKER_05: But some etiquette.
50:47
SPEAKER_05: Yes, let's talk about dance etiquette.
50:49
SPEAKER_05: Yes, give it to a dance convention, okay?
50:52
SPEAKER_05: First and foremost, spread out.
50:56
SPEAKER_05: Oh my god.
50:58
unknown: Okay.
50:59
SPEAKER_05: Please listen, okay?
51:01
SPEAKER_05: I will say this COVID is annoying, but during COVID, a lot of us in the panic of trying to continue to educate kill children and have events continue.
51:13
SPEAKER_05: We were forced at some events to create boxes.
51:16
SPEAKER_05: That was not, by the way, a thing that we just decided to do.
51:20
SPEAKER_05: It's actually was required that we had to show that there were six feet by the state.
51:25
SPEAKER_05: Sometimes states require that to show that there was space, okay?
51:29
SPEAKER_05: It taught some dancers some spatial awareness.
51:32
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
51:32
SPEAKER_05: Absolutely.
51:34
SPEAKER_05: Not for nothing.
51:36
SPEAKER_05: It was a blessing for some of us.
51:38
SPEAKER_05: Now, and especially the little kid classes, my baby nuggets, my little chicken nugget classes.
51:43
SPEAKER_05: I will say that was a blessing.
51:45
SPEAKER_05: Because I was like, uh, little Susie, you need to get in that box, girl.
51:48
SPEAKER_05: What are you doing?
51:49
SPEAKER_02: Susie's back.
51:50
SPEAKER_05: Great.
51:51
SPEAKER_05: There she is again.
51:52
SPEAKER_05: What is she doing?
51:53
SPEAKER_05: That's it.
51:54
SPEAKER_05: So, dancers, now that we're heading into again regular dance convention time, make sure that you spread out and have space to successfully dance for yourself.
52:07
SPEAKER_05: Now, sometimes, as Kat, I believe mentioned earlier, there's overcrowding.
52:11
SPEAKER_05: That does happen.
52:12
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
52:13
SPEAKER_05: Again, not my fault as a teacher.
52:15
SPEAKER_05: I have to manage that.
52:16
SPEAKER_05: So, how do we do that?
52:17
SPEAKER_05: We do a lot of groups.
52:19
SPEAKER_05: When that wherever that happens and I see it, I'm like, okay, game changer.
52:23
SPEAKER_05: Right away as a teacher, I know today we're gonna learn maybe two eight counts and then go right to groups because there's no way that these kids can do what I'm asking them to do without having the space to do that and practice it, right?
52:37
SPEAKER_05: We can't mark for 50 minutes of class.
52:39
SPEAKER_05: That's just absolutely insane.
52:41
SPEAKER_05: And I would never do that.
52:43
SPEAKER_05: Uh so again, spatial awareness, yes, yes, yes.
52:47
SPEAKER_05: Please, please, please.
52:48
SPEAKER_05: Uh if you hit somebody by accident, please say, I'm sorry.
52:54
SPEAKER_05: Please say, sorry, my bad.
52:56
SPEAKER_05: You know, don't just like stare at them with the eyes and be like, You were in my way, you know, uh, you need to move.
53:02
SPEAKER_05: No, how about you both uh move?
53:05
SPEAKER_05: Okay, both of us move.
53:07
SPEAKER_05: All right.
53:08
SPEAKER_05: Uh, that's number one.
53:09
SPEAKER_05: Number two, please, please, please wear the proper attire to the dance class that you're taking.
53:16
SPEAKER_05: Oh, okay.
53:16
SPEAKER_00: We need to talk about this.
53:18
SPEAKER_05: So ballet class, not offered at every convention, but when it happens, I think it's great.
53:24
SPEAKER_05: So, ballet class, we want to probably have a leotard on.
53:28
SPEAKER_05: We probably so we can see your lines.
53:30
SPEAKER_05: We probably want to have our ta our hair tied back or up in a pony of some kind, again, off our shoulder so that the teacher can see your arm and shoulder positionings and all of that.
53:40
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
53:41
SPEAKER_05: Maybe ballet shoes.
53:42
SPEAKER_05: Right.
53:43
SPEAKER_05: Maybe all of that.
53:44
SPEAKER_05: Maybe not a sock.
53:45
SPEAKER_05: Or a pirouette.
53:46
SPEAKER_02: One.
53:47
SPEAKER_05: Or one.
53:49
unknown: Yeah.
53:50
SPEAKER_05: And same thing moving into tap class.
53:54
SPEAKER_05: Oh gosh.
53:54
SPEAKER_05: Now, I know some of our dancers maybe don't take tap regularly.
53:59
SPEAKER_05: In that case, my advice would be just to put on a sneaker and make sure you can get out those sounds with something on your foot.
54:06
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
54:07
SPEAKER_05: Right?
54:07
SPEAKER_05: Hip hop.
54:08
SPEAKER_05: Obviously, don't wear a leotard and just a leotard to hip-hop class because you look like you're in the single ladies video by Beyonce, and it just doesn't work for me.
54:23
SPEAKER_05: You know, it's just again, it's just not fitting to the attire of what we're gonna be getting into.
54:30
SPEAKER_05: I always ask my team my dancers, do you feel cool right now?
54:33
SPEAKER_02: Right.
54:33
SPEAKER_05: Do you feel do you feel confident?
54:36
SPEAKER_05: Again, your style is a reflection of your confidence, right?
54:40
SPEAKER_05: All right.
54:40
SPEAKER_05: And you want to feel confident going into your dance classes.
54:44
SPEAKER_05: So dancers, please, please, please wear something that's comfortable.
54:48
SPEAKER_05: Shows your lines for the classes that we need to see your body and then also feel confident in what you're wearing.
54:55
SPEAKER_05: Are you gonna have to bring a change of outfits and shoes?
54:58
SPEAKER_05: Yes.
54:59
SPEAKER_05: Because when you go to your studio, is that a requirement?
55:03
SPEAKER_05: I would hope so.
55:04
SPEAKER_05: Please, Lord.
55:05
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
55:05
SPEAKER_05: So make sure we're doing that.
55:07
SPEAKER_05: Now, here's a little bit for us.
55:10
SPEAKER_05: When we teach at conventions, it's a big stage with sometimes 200 dancers in one room, okay?
55:16
SPEAKER_05: It's hard for me to see everyone sometimes.
55:18
SPEAKER_05: And what's the number one color all dancers wear?
55:21
SPEAKER_05: Say it.
55:21
SPEAKER_05: Black black.
55:23
SPEAKER_05: Black.
55:23
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
55:24
SPEAKER_05: I love black.
55:25
SPEAKER_05: So I love black.
55:27
SPEAKER_05: But at a dance convention, I my eye tends to pull to people who end up wearing a brighter color or a fun put-together outfit that I'm just like, oh, oh, you know?
55:41
SPEAKER_05: So keep that in mind, especially for hip hop class, I'll say, is having a cute outfit sometimes does play a factor in how we see you from the stage.
55:52
SPEAKER_05: All right.
55:52
SPEAKER_05: Now, do you have to?
55:54
SPEAKER_05: No.
55:55
SPEAKER_05: But I'm just gonna shout that out in case uh you're looking for some advice.
56:00
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
56:01
SPEAKER_00: Good stuff.
56:03
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, and I feel like the last thing would be is uh community and networking.
56:09
SPEAKER_05: Yes, you are meeting dancers from new studios in every class.
56:14
SPEAKER_05: So make sure you say hi, you know, and wave or you know, have a cute little discussion on the side because you never know who that person might be later in life.
56:22
SPEAKER_02: Totally.
56:23
SPEAKER_05: I mean, you could be dancing to the next president.
56:24
SPEAKER_05: Let's be real here, okay?
56:26
SPEAKER_05: If you don't know, be kind to everyone around you and dance teachers and studio owners.
56:32
SPEAKER_05: What a great opportunity for you all to network as well with your fellow community members.
56:37
SPEAKER_05: All right.
56:38
SPEAKER_05: You guys have a lot more in common than you think.
56:40
SPEAKER_05: So please take time to get to know each other and hang out and talk about maybe some things that are going on with your kids and just share some stories.
56:48
SPEAKER_05: This is a great time for you, everybody, to be networking and creating a bigger dance community.
56:54
SPEAKER_00: It's such good points.
56:55
SPEAKER_00: Case you nailed them all.
56:58
SPEAKER_00: All of them.
56:59
SPEAKER_00: That's my sprinkles for all of you.
57:00
SPEAKER_00: I like the sprinkles.
57:01
SPEAKER_02: Perfect.
57:02
SPEAKER_00: And it's important to hear the sprinkles of knowledge from a active dance convention teacher.
57:09
SPEAKER_00: I mean, these are things that everybody wants to know as far as etiquette.
57:14
SPEAKER_00: And we definitely talked about a lot of these things.
57:17
SPEAKER_00: We had tips from our convention teachers in that in Casey's last episode in season one.
57:21
SPEAKER_00: So if you want to hear some more tips about etiquette and things that we as convention teachers want to see, go check that out as well.
57:29
SPEAKER_00: Kat, do you have anything to say in regards to like on the teacher's end?
57:33
SPEAKER_00: Are there any things that like you guys at your studio tell your dancers before their first convention or things to get them prepared, or etiquette things that you've taught your dancers over the years that they know better, they better not do that at the, you know, because they're a representation of your studio at the end of the day.
57:53
SPEAKER_00: And I think that's the important thing for studios to remember is like how your dancers are behaving in class.
57:59
SPEAKER_00: If if I'm in a mini class and the kids are just doing cartwheels the whole time, I'm sorry.
58:03
SPEAKER_00: This is not my time to babysit you.
58:05
SPEAKER_00: This is a reflection of your studio.
58:08
SPEAKER_00: And then when I'm running auditions and I see, oh, number 12 is affiliated with this studio, I'm gonna have a different impression about that studio.
58:16
SPEAKER_00: And that's sad.
58:16
SPEAKER_00: You don't, you don't ever want someone to have that impression.
58:19
SPEAKER_00: So I think it's important for our teachers and studio owners to have those pep talks, like you said, Casey, before you go into the convention weekend and have a little, you know, rundown of this is the etiquette that we expect from our students in class.
58:33
SPEAKER_00: Kat, give me some things that you guys tell your dancers.
58:36
SPEAKER_03: So our definitely our first thing is to tell them to be kind.
58:40
SPEAKER_03: You know, just like you said, if you do accidentally hit somebody, say you're sorry.
58:44
SPEAKER_03: I think spatial awareness is so, so important to us.
58:48
SPEAKER_03: Like, I want to yell at my children if they do it, but they really know that this is like what they're not supposed to do.
58:55
SPEAKER_03: But even other kids, when let's say you're going into your groups and all the kids stand right there and don't let the kids move.
59:03
SPEAKER_03: Oh, that is our biggest pet peeve.
59:05
SPEAKER_03: So if we walk in and we see our kids like inching forward, we're like, like you know, why are you doing that?
59:10
SPEAKER_03: Do you do you want to have room to dance?
59:12
SPEAKER_03: I think so.
59:13
SPEAKER_03: So you should be kind to another dancer in another group and allow them to dance.
59:17
SPEAKER_03: Definitely your basic things of no talking while the teacher's talking, you know, and make sure you soak up everything.
59:23
SPEAKER_03: We always like to tell our kids to go to different parts of the room at different times.
59:26
SPEAKER_03: Like every time you go into a group, don't go to the same place.
59:29
SPEAKER_03: Environment changes things for us, right?
59:31
SPEAKER_03: Um, and also if I'm standing on a different part on the side, I may notice a new dancer that I didn't see.
59:37
SPEAKER_03: And then that's a new inspiration to bring to me.
59:39
SPEAKER_03: I think that's about like, I mean, yeah, be kind, spatial awareness, no talking, soak up everything.
59:44
SPEAKER_03: And I usually try to have them not focus on the negative.
59:47
SPEAKER_03: I want them to focus on the positive when they leave.
59:49
SPEAKER_03: So instead of you being like, oh, I just bombed that combo.
59:52
SPEAKER_03: No, tell me a positive thing.
59:54
SPEAKER_03: Maybe the teacher said something that we say all the time at the studio, but they said it in a different way and it clicked for you, and you had that light bulb moment.
1:00:02
SPEAKER_03: Win.
1:00:02
SPEAKER_03: So I'd rather you come out giving me your wins than your losses.
1:00:06
unknown: Right.
1:00:06
SPEAKER_03: So trying to trying to have that aspect.
1:00:09
SPEAKER_03: Ooh, another one.
1:00:10
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
1:00:10
SPEAKER_03: Not every convention teacher or song or choreography is gonna be your vibe, right?
1:00:16
SPEAKER_03: But you, it is your job to go in and learn because you might be like, well, that's not my vibe, so I've never I've always shied away from it.
1:00:24
SPEAKER_03: And then all of a sudden you've got this whole new vocabulary that is now because we know that you know all genres are involved, right?
1:00:31
SPEAKER_03: So now this person gave me something that I usually shied away from, but now I'm like, whoa, this actually enhanced my dance experience.
1:00:39
SPEAKER_03: Totally.
1:00:40
SPEAKER_03: So those are definitely things we do have pep talks with the kids.
1:00:42
SPEAKER_03: And we obviously, if we see stuff, we let them know real quick that they're in trouble.
1:00:46
SPEAKER_00: Right.
1:00:46
SPEAKER_00: I love that.
1:00:47
SPEAKER_00: I think like Yes, cat.
1:00:50
SPEAKER_00: Yes, nail the cat.
1:00:52
SPEAKER_00: I feel like one of the other things that we like that both of you didn't mention that like I know that I have like a love hate for it because I don't I don't hate it always, but I don't love it always.
1:01:02
SPEAKER_00: And it just depends on the class.
1:01:03
SPEAKER_00: It's usually my minis or my juniors.
1:01:05
SPEAKER_00: It's asking a question every other two seconds.
1:01:08
SPEAKER_00: Yep.
1:01:08
SPEAKER_00: Oh my gosh.
1:01:10
SPEAKER_00: I think that the studios need to let like if you're a question asker in your regular studio life, that's fine.
1:01:16
SPEAKER_00: And I I don't get me wrong, I tell my dancers this every time I teach.
1:01:20
SPEAKER_00: I love a good question.
1:01:21
SPEAKER_00: Good keyword, good.
1:01:23
SPEAKER_00: I love a good question.
1:01:25
SPEAKER_00: Now, I just recently taught at a studio where they were giving me like rocket precise questions, which was a going a little too far for me.
1:01:33
SPEAKER_00: They're like, is my wrist here or is my wrist here?
1:01:36
SPEAKER_00: And like, good question, it's here.
1:01:39
SPEAKER_00: Or I I really don't care.
1:01:41
SPEAKER_00: Just it's fine.
1:01:43
SPEAKER_00: You know, like I think that it's important to know that in a convention setting it's different.
1:01:46
SPEAKER_00: Like you said, Casey, there's sometimes 200 kids in the room.
1:01:49
SPEAKER_00: If 200 kids are asking me a question every other second, I'm never gonna be able to get the choreography done.
1:01:55
SPEAKER_00: Don't ask questions like, can we do it with the music?
1:01:58
SPEAKER_00: Can we do it in groups?
1:02:00
SPEAKER_00: Are we gonna go back from the beginning?
1:02:02
SPEAKER_00: What's your favorite color?
1:02:03
SPEAKER_00: Like, no.
1:02:04
SPEAKER_00: I don't have time for that.
1:02:06
SPEAKER_00: I don't have time for any of that.
1:02:07
SPEAKER_00: Please ask me smart questions.
1:02:09
SPEAKER_00: Like questions that if you watched me demonstrate it and it wasn't clear, that's a question.
1:02:15
SPEAKER_00: Is your arm in a V or is it out to the side?
1:02:17
SPEAKER_00: Or was your foot pointed or flexed there?
1:02:19
SPEAKER_00: I couldn't see because there are so many dancers standing in front of me.
1:02:22
SPEAKER_00: Like, yeah.
1:02:23
SPEAKER_02: Well, and like as a teacher, I will acknowledge when I was unclear because I know I'm unclear sometimes.
1:02:28
SPEAKER_02: And then Susie's like, excuse me, was that a V or like, oh my gosh, I'm sorry.
1:02:32
SPEAKER_02: Miss Leslie lied, Miss Leslie, whatever.
1:02:34
SPEAKER_02: Like, they know kids who know me know that like I lie constantly.
1:02:38
SPEAKER_02: Choreography, I lied, I'm sorry.
1:02:40
SPEAKER_02: I mean too.
1:02:41
SPEAKER_02: I just lied.
1:02:41
SPEAKER_02: So like that, those are the questions to ask.
1:02:43
SPEAKER_02: Like when it's very clear that like the teacher has missed something, or you know, and the rockette precision questions are funny because I don't get that precise even with my choreography.
1:02:53
SPEAKER_02: And it's like, no, I I don't care.
1:02:54
SPEAKER_02: I can see how you think I would care, but I don't care.
1:02:57
SPEAKER_02: Just put your hand down.
1:02:58
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
1:02:58
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, for sure.
1:03:00
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
1:03:01
SPEAKER_05: Just ask, ask yourself the question first, is what I tell my students.
1:03:05
SPEAKER_05: Ask the question yourself.
1:03:07
SPEAKER_05: If you can answer it, maybe watch the teacher or assistant do it one more time.
1:03:13
SPEAKER_05: Yes.
1:03:13
SPEAKER_05: If you still cannot answer that question for yourself, that's when you would ask the question.
1:03:19
SPEAKER_05: Yes.
1:03:19
SPEAKER_05: Again, use your eyeballs.
1:03:21
SPEAKER_05: They are in your head.
1:03:23
SPEAKER_05: Look.
1:03:24
SPEAKER_05: If I didn't say my arms are in a V, but they clearly are in a V.
1:03:29
SPEAKER_05: Right.
1:03:30
SPEAKER_05: Have you answered the question?
1:03:32
SPEAKER_05: Yes, we have.
1:03:34
SPEAKER_05: We have.
1:03:35
SPEAKER_05: Okay.
1:03:35
SPEAKER_05: Also, I wanted to touch on one other thing Kat said that I I didn't say, but I want to really speak volumes to it.
1:03:42
SPEAKER_05: Is Kat said that she tells her students to move around the room in groups.
1:03:48
SPEAKER_05: Amazing.
1:03:49
SPEAKER_05: Because sometimes I'm just looking center.
1:03:52
SPEAKER_05: I do a pretty good job of walking around the stage, but sometimes for whatever reason, maybe I do have 15 assistants on the stage and I can't move.
1:04:01
SPEAKER_05: So, you know, I I try my best to look.
1:04:04
SPEAKER_05: So if you stand in a different spot every time, that's a good thing because now I'm gonna maybe see you and I didn't even see you before.
1:04:12
SPEAKER_05: And I'm gonna be like, whoa, where'd you come from?
1:04:14
SPEAKER_05: This girl.
1:04:15
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, you're fabulous.
1:04:17
SPEAKER_05: Get up on the stage.
1:04:18
SPEAKER_05: Right.
1:04:18
SPEAKER_05: I I do that all the time.
1:04:19
SPEAKER_05: I'm like, hey, you get up here.
1:04:21
SPEAKER_05: You're unreal.
1:04:22
SPEAKER_05: I didn't see you the first six times you did it, but I'm so glad you took the moment to go in the center and claim your spot.
1:04:29
SPEAKER_05: And that's what I also wanted to say is take your spot, take it.
1:04:32
SPEAKER_05: No one is gonna hand you a spot in life for any reason.
1:04:35
SPEAKER_05: So if you feel that you deserve to be in the front, honey, you go to the front.
1:04:40
SPEAKER_05: If you are somebody who's like, no ma'am, I need to be in the back, go to the back.
1:04:44
SPEAKER_05: But also challenge yourself.
1:04:46
SPEAKER_05: Go somewhere new.
1:04:47
SPEAKER_05: Like Kat said, change up your environment.
1:04:50
SPEAKER_05: It is so important to how you learn as well.
1:04:52
SPEAKER_05: It keeps you on your toes, and you might meet a new friend along your way.
1:04:57
SPEAKER_05: Oh, hey friends.
1:04:58
SPEAKER_05: Friends are great.
1:04:59
SPEAKER_05: Yeah.
1:04:59
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, networking important, like we said.
1:05:02
SPEAKER_05: And honestly, you might get inspired by a new student because they're so talented and you don't train with them Monday, Wednesday, Friday because they're at a different studio.
1:05:11
SPEAKER_05: Please stand next to the people who are talented because they're gonna push you to be better.
1:05:16
SPEAKER_02: Yep.
1:05:16
SPEAKER_05: So again, take all this in.
1:05:18
SPEAKER_05: It's a lot of wisdom to take in, y'all.
1:05:20
SPEAKER_00: It's important advice.
1:05:22
SPEAKER_00: So important.
1:05:23
SPEAKER_02: Well, and and similarly, I guess oppositely, oppositionally, don't always take the center front spot.
1:05:30
SPEAKER_02: Yes, maybe you do, maybe you do deserve to be there, but somebody else probably does too.
1:05:34
SPEAKER_02: So like just don't be that dancer.
1:05:36
SPEAKER_02: I think we all know that dancer, you know, in in the profession world and in the convention world, where it's like, her again, like she's really gonna stand there again.
1:05:44
SPEAKER_02: Like you couldn't have moved over a little bit, let somebody else have the center spot.
1:05:48
SPEAKER_02: So I think that it comes in with with kindness too.
1:05:51
SPEAKER_02: It's like we're all here, we're all trying to learn, we're all trying to feel good about ourselves.
1:05:56
SPEAKER_02: So don't be that dancer.
1:05:58
SPEAKER_00: You're gonna get noticed, regardless if you're If you're good and you are giving it your all, you're gonna get noticed regardless if you're in the front.
1:06:04
SPEAKER_00: I remember hearing horror stories last season of different teachers and parents talking about the boxes at conventions and how people were like holding spots.
1:06:14
SPEAKER_00: Like they like, this is my spot for the whole weekend.
1:06:17
SPEAKER_00: And no one else is allowed to stand in this spot.
1:06:20
SPEAKER_00: Like no.
1:06:21
SPEAKER_00: I know.
1:06:22
SPEAKER_00: Like, absolutely not.
1:06:23
SPEAKER_00: But like, where are they learning this from?
1:06:26
SPEAKER_02: Right.
1:06:26
SPEAKER_02: Somebody told them to do that.
1:06:27
SPEAKER_00: Someone told them, you better get that front row spot and you better claim it at the top of every class, you know?
1:06:33
SPEAKER_00: And that's not what we should be teaching our children.
1:06:35
SPEAKER_00: I think as dancers mature over time, and I know I found this too.
1:06:40
SPEAKER_00: I think when we're young, we feel like we need to be in the front all the time.
1:06:43
SPEAKER_00: I always tell the dancers, I'm watching the back.
1:06:45
SPEAKER_00: I can actually see all the way in the back.
1:06:48
SPEAKER_00: And guess what?
1:06:48
SPEAKER_00: There's room back there.
1:06:50
SPEAKER_00: I am a back road dancer.
1:06:51
SPEAKER_00: That's how I learned best.
1:06:52
SPEAKER_00: And as we mature as a student, we will learn what works best for us as far as where you want to stand in the room to be able to succeed.
1:07:01
SPEAKER_00: And for me, I go to I said this on the podcast before.
1:07:04
SPEAKER_00: Every time I take a class, every time I go to an audition, I'm in the back right corner or left corner because that is the best spot for me to be able to have space.
1:07:13
SPEAKER_00: View into the mirror, view the teacher, view the details, even though it feels far away.
1:07:18
SPEAKER_00: I'll make my way up to the front when I'm feeling confident.
1:07:21
SPEAKER_00: But I don't need to be right on top.
1:07:22
SPEAKER_00: I can't see the front row most of the time.
1:07:24
SPEAKER_00: They're two on top of me when I'm teaching on stage.
1:07:27
SPEAKER_00: So it's important to do what's best for you.
1:07:29
SPEAKER_00: But I love that you said that too, Leslie.
1:07:31
SPEAKER_00: Like stand where you feel your best.
1:07:34
SPEAKER_00: Move around when you're feeling confident, but don't feel like that you have to be in the front center every time to get noticed.
1:07:39
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
1:07:40
SPEAKER_00: You'll get noticed if you're succeeding at the combo and you're nailing the style and you're given it your all, or maybe you wore highlighter green that day.
1:07:47
SPEAKER_00: Like Casey said, wear something bright.
1:07:48
SPEAKER_00: And my I might go to you no matter where you're standing in the in the floor.
1:07:52
SPEAKER_02: Well, and I might notice you for not the right reason if you're that dancer who to who hogs the center.
1:07:56
SPEAKER_02: Mm-hmm.
1:07:56
SPEAKER_02: Then I'm annoyed.
1:07:57
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, then I'm gonna be like, oh God.
1:07:59
SPEAKER_02: You know, give give Sally a chance.
1:08:00
SPEAKER_02: Susie, girl, get out.
1:08:02
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
1:08:03
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
1:08:03
SPEAKER_00: And networking is so important.
1:08:05
SPEAKER_00: Make friends, like we said.
1:08:06
SPEAKER_00: Like, like Casey said, you might be dancing next to the president of the United States one day.
1:08:12
SPEAKER_00: Like, you never know.
1:08:13
SPEAKER_00: I mean, it's true.
1:08:14
SPEAKER_00: Like, you don't know.
1:08:15
SPEAKER_00: You don't know.
1:08:15
SPEAKER_00: And this dance industry is the smallest, the smallest.
1:08:20
SPEAKER_00: So those dancers that you are competing alongside, the dancers that you are training next to, if you decide to go on to a professional career, guess what?
1:08:27
SPEAKER_00: You might be auditioning right next to them.
1:08:29
SPEAKER_00: They might be on a job with you.
1:08:30
SPEAKER_00: You never know.
1:08:31
SPEAKER_00: And there are so many people that I grew up in the competition world that I'm still to this day friends with who I'm who I'm training alongside to this day.
1:08:38
SPEAKER_00: I don't think a lot of dancers realize that.
1:08:40
SPEAKER_00: It's always a like, you know, looking over the shoulder and like competition.
1:08:45
SPEAKER_00: Oh my gosh, I'm never talking to them.
1:08:46
SPEAKER_00: And it shouldn't be that.
1:08:47
SPEAKER_00: It needs to be a community.
1:08:49
SPEAKER_00: It needs to be we need to really connect with one another and really network and be friends with everyone.
1:08:54
SPEAKER_00: And we're all in this together, y'all.
1:08:56
SPEAKER_00: Like this dance world is hard.
1:08:58
SPEAKER_00: So let's all be in it together.
1:09:00
SPEAKER_05: Just be kind at the end of the day.
1:09:02
SPEAKER_05: That's it.
1:09:03
SPEAKER_05: And be respectful of each other.
1:09:06
SPEAKER_05: That's it.
1:09:06
SPEAKER_05: That's all you have to do.
1:09:08
SPEAKER_05: Again, not everyone is trained to be a professional dancer someday.
1:09:11
SPEAKER_05: So that person might end up being your boss later in life.
1:09:15
SPEAKER_05: And you show up to the interview and they're like, oh, I remember you.
1:09:19
SPEAKER_05: You know, just be kind, y'all, because you don't know the people you're next to and who they're gonna be or become in life, or even just see you on the street someday.
1:09:30
SPEAKER_05: You know, just always be kind and show up for yourself.
1:09:34
SPEAKER_05: Yeah, push yourself always, no matter the circumstance, right?
1:09:38
SPEAKER_05: You should always want to learn more, gain more from any experience.
1:09:41
SPEAKER_05: And that's the whole reason dance conventions exist.
1:09:48
SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for tuning in to this week's episode All About Dance Convention.
1:09:52
SPEAKER_00: Be sure to follow our guests on social media.
1:09:55
SPEAKER_00: You can find Kat at Kat Marta and Casey at BGirl Time.
1:10:02
SPEAKER_02: Don't forget to follow Making the Impact on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and pretty much everywhere you listen to podcasts.
1:10:11
SPEAKER_00: Be sure to check out IDA affiliated competition Spirit of Dance Awards.
1:10:16
SPEAKER_00: Spirit of Dance Awards has competition events throughout New England and the Tri-State area.
1:10:21
SPEAKER_00: They are committed to providing a fun, fair, and exciting venue for dancers of all levels to showcase their talents and passion in a positive environment.
1:10:29
SPEAKER_00: They are thrilled to offer their Spirit class for dancers with special considerations and are especially proud of their Trophies for a Cause program, in which studios have the opportunity to donate the funds that would have been spent on trophies to a charity of their choice.
1:10:43
SPEAKER_00: At SDA, you will find their judges to be highly qualified and knowledgeable dance professionals exclusively from the roster of judges and impact dance adjudicators.
1:10:53
SPEAKER_00: At each event, they provide designated studio dressing areas, director and teacher VIP perks, scholarships, choreography awards, cash prizes, and so much more.
1:11:02
SPEAKER_00: Also, be sure to check out the SDA class experience held during the fall each season.
1:11:07
SPEAKER_00: Their guest faculty is compromised of some of today's top professional dancers and choreographers, from television, stage, screen, Broadway, and even So You Think You Can Dance.
1:11:17
SPEAKER_00: For more information about Spirit of Dance Awards and to check out their 2022 tour dates, head to their website now at spiritofdance awards.com.
1:11:25
SPEAKER_00: We hope to see you at one of their upcoming events.
1:11:28
SPEAKER_02: Season three is well underway, and we have some great new topics coming up soon.
1:11:33
SPEAKER_02: Get ready for our second episode all about music, budgeting for dance with tips from real life dance moms, and our next studio spotlight feature.
1:11:42
SPEAKER_00: Thanks so much for tuning in to this week's episode.
1:11:45
SPEAKER_00: Until next time, keep dancing.