Competition and Performance Team February Newsletter

Time is really flying by! Competition and Performance Team members, make sure you are keeping up with your training requirements as outlined in your Performance and Competition Team contracts. Don’t stop practicing and working on your strength and conditioning even on break. Get on the website and watch/practice with the choreography and technique videos that are posted. Work on getting ALL your splits. These things are important to your growth and development as dancers.

Competition Dancers should be taking class/rehearsal MINIMUM three days a week. Please think about how if your dancer misses class due to an illness, they should be showing up to that extra rec class or those extra weekend classes to make up for it. If your dancer doesn’t get scheduled for rehearsal except for one day, they need to be at all their classes that week and maybe some extra rec or weekend classes. Newer/Younger team members should definitely be taking advantage of ALL the offered classes and training, if they wish to grow to the general level of the seasoned dancers and have a chance at more routines and/or remaining on team.
BASICALLY, dancers need to PROVE their dedication, commitment, and strong DESIRE to train. Competitive/Elite Dancers should WANT to be training AS MUCH as possible, not doing the BARE minimum. If we have to close or cancel class for any reason on any given day/s, causing dancers to have days “off”, dancers should make every effort to make it to extra rec or weekend classes in exchange. There should NOT be a week where dancer is only at the studio 1-2 days a week. Older, elite dancers should definitely be striving for being at dance in some type of rehearsal or class minimum 4 days a week.
Please think about the big picture and make it a priority to train minimum three days a week, average four days a week, preferably ALL or as many classes you can make it to. If a dancer has to miss a day for school events or such, every effort should be made to attend the weekend classes or some optional classes in exchange.
JUNIOR/TEEN/SENIOR DANCERS are required to come to at least one weekend session a month. A session means ALL THE CLASSES offered that morning, not just one or two. Dancers who are already on the lower end of the technique/skill/experience range need to be coming to as much as possible, not bare minimum. If a dancer misses class during the week, I expect them to come to weekend classes.
As I have been speaking about how these last five years of the studio have been ever-evolving and growing, dancers must be doing this as well. Team is not what it was two years ago, and team will be even more advanced by the end of this year than it is right this moment. We have a performance team option now (which still competes at the performance level at some great competitions) and also a recreational program. Competition team is not the ONLY route your dancer has to enjoy dance and all it entails.

HOW DO I AVOID MY DANCER NOT BEING INVITED BACK?

Good question: Firstly, train hard and apply corrections. Come to as many classes as possible. If you know your dancer has weaknesses in certain areas, help them work on those things! If I come to you and communicate weaknesses, that is my way of saying that these weaknesses need to be corrected if you would like to remain on this competition team.
As a parent, put as much care and attention into your child’s technique and performance in their GROUP ROUTINES as you might do their solos. Being able to dance a solo isn’t what gets you on this team. Pulling your weight in group dances and having technique and performance value that ADDS to and not TAKES away from group routines is what gets you on this team and keeps you on. Come in and WATCH group rehearsal and see where your child is lacking. In the past, I had parents ONLY come in and observe solo practice and ask me about techniques and skills to work on for their dancer’s solo. Parents need to be JUST AS CONCERNED with how their dancer is doing in their group routines because that is what determines their position on this team.
GET IN SHAPE/ STAY IN SHAPE! We are at a competitive/elite level. By the end of this season, I expect all dancers to be in good shape and physically fit in order to be able to move and dance at the level I expect us to grow towards as a group. We are still not where I want to be as a team as far as technique/strength, and overall fitness. All dancers wishing to remain on this journey must meet the expectations and have the same mindset in regards to growth as an artist/athlete/dancer.
Examples of SPECIFIC SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES I EXPECT:

• Besides just remembering and executing routines, technique is where I make decisions. By the end of this season (really by January) all dancers need to have all three splits (right/left/middle) flat.
• All dancers should have a FLAT RIGHT LEAP (saut de chat), a solid double pirouette on the right, high kicks on the right and left, good flexibility in the back and neck, consistent turnout from the hips, and the desire to dance FULL OUT at ALL TIMES.
• FACIAL EXPRESSIONS while dancing and performing are absolutely imperative.
• Staying lifted on the feet in tap and not being “flat footed” while also making all the sounds clear and strong. Straight legs and HIGH relevé’s. Articulated feet (being able to do a strong demi pointe, flex, point and rolling through feet while leaving and landing on the floor during jumps).
• Clean fingers and hands in ballet positions.
• Great arches and points. Loose and flexible hamstrings. Teens and Seniors should have their turns and leaps on the LEFT side as well.

I have never specifically given skills like this before to parents, but I feel like it’s necessary at this point because I have had so many parents lately not clearly understand where their child is at and why they may not be prime candidates for a competition dance team, solos, special roles, numerous routines etc. These are truly BASIC things to have as a competitive dancer, so it should go without saying that if a dancer cannot do these things, they really don’t belong on a competitive dance team. I am going to try to be more communicative with parents when their dancer has things to work on and when they might not be meeting my expectations. Parents are expected to help their dancer work on their weaknesses when addressed. I am going to be making more videos on things to help all the dancers and posting them on the website as well.
Another HUGE factor that plays a part in my decisions to possibly not invite a dancer back is behavior, behavior from parents, gossiping or speaking poorly about me or my studio behind my back/social media, etc. It won’t matter if your dancer is really awesome, I will not let a child or parent be a part of my team who is a behavior or attitude problem.
Attendance for events is clearly a factor as well. Missing mandatory rehearsals, missing classes at conventions, basically just not following my ‘rules and expectations” on attendance/dress code/ conduct/ etc on a daily/weekly basis will lead to you not be invited back, regardless if your child is a great dancer. Respect towards myself, my teachers, and my staff is highly important.

IMPORTANT NEWS

We’re getting ready for competition season now! EVERY PRACTICE AND EVERY REHEARSAL IS IMPORTANT! Please review attendance info again to make sure you are following all your contract obligations as well as getting yourself in your best shape and conditioning for the next few months of conventions and competitions as well as our June recital program!

• Performance Team: We have removed Legacy Lakeland from our schedule for this season, as they sold out early this year. Performance team will do just the three regionals this season – Showstopper Orlando, Starpower Lakeland, and KAR Lakeland.

REVEL WEEKEND

FRIDAY:

WORK of ART needs to be present with hair and makeup done by 5:00pm ready to warmup and stretch.

For What it’s Worth will need to be fully ready by the time Work of ART goes on stage as well and then we will warmup and stretch for what it’s worth .

ALL team members need to be present for the performances of Work of Art and For What it’s Worth

Dancers in the routines that have performed need to stay for awards at all events unless otherwise allowed BY ME to leave for another important dance or school function. I know it’s going to be a late night for the Minis to stay for awards at 9:30 then be up early but I know they will not want to miss their first awards ceremony of the season so just as soon as they’re done get them to sleep 🙂

All dancers who are NOT performing Friday night should take advantage of the bonus ballet class with Duncan Cooper 6:00-7:00. 

SATURDAY MORNING:

All dancers will meet me in the meeting place (I will send remind text out) at 7:15 AM to get your numbers and wristbands and observer bands. If you need to buy an observer band you will need to go to Revel desk for that. 

SHOWCASE CLASSES:

Please understand that the first classes are very important Saturday morning. The minis, juniors, and seniors first class is their showcase class. Teens have it later. They will learn a dance and only certain dancers will be chosen to perform the combo onstage in the closing show on SUNDAY. ( Usually they let all the minis do it but the older rooms they have to earn their way into the showcase) 

AUDITION CLASSES:

On the first day, everyone has their audition class. No parents or even teachers are allowed in the room. All dancers are required to do the audition class as well as ALL the classes. They teach the kids a combo then simply have them do it in groups and then just choose scholarship winners from that which they announce Sunday at closing show.  

ATTIRE AND HAIR: 

Dancers need to be dressed appropriately for each style (example: no leotards without shorts or pants for hiphop! etc) and hair done in sleek ponies or other styles that are stage level. They should not go into the day looking rough like they just rolled out of bed. No hoodies (except for hiphop) or other bulky jackets. Correct shoes/socks/ barefeet for each style.  They need sneakers for hiphop, barefeet/jazz shoes/paws for jazz and lyrical. Tap shoes. Ballroom shoes or heels that they can dance in easily. if they have them if not just do barefeet. MAKEUP! Light makeup is good for convention setting especially in regards to auditions and showcase classes. Please treat conventions as competitions and trying to learn in a professional environment. We should look serious and put-together.  

ENGAGE IN ALL CLASSES 100% 

Dancers are expected to treat each class as their life depends on it. Giving 100% energy and attention to teachers and the experience. There will be no sitting down in class, standing around, chatting, or any other behavior that will reflect badly upon our studio and yourself as a dancer. No negative attitudes. Try your hardest in ALL styles and have fun! Snacks are essential but need to be HEALTHY, not MESSY, and should ONLY be eaten quickly BETWEEN classes. WATER or other healthy drinks only. NO sodas or overly sugary drinks during our convention/competition times. Please help me in encouraging healthy eating and drinking habits in these young girls to help them become the best dancers they can be! There should be no random snacking or chatting with moms on the sides DURING class. The girls need to treat these classes the same as when they are in the studio with me in class. They don’t just leave the floor to go talk to mom or grab a sip of water in the middle of something. They don’t stand in the back or on the sides having conversations with our friends. They don’t look over at mom in waiting area every two minutes so they should not be doing so in convention either. Kids need to almost pretend like moms are not even in the room while taking class.  Parents: do not sit in those ballrooms and chat and have conversations. This is rude and disrespectful and is a really bad example to set for these children.  

 

SATURDAY COMPETITION NIGHT:: 

AFTER convention all day, I want the girls to keep their bodies warm and stay active as it will keep their bodies in the zone for their performances in the competition. I know they will be tired and want some rest but encourage them to not sit too long or get too relaxed so we don’t have to work as hard to get warmed back up and bodies going . 

Dancers should never skip or miss the last class of convention to prepare to compete.  

SOLOISTS can look at their times and be ready as close to an hour prior. I will stretch and go through dances as needed. 

ALL team members should be present to support all of our group routines but are not required to watch every solo we have (although the more team spirit and support the better) 

Boots should be ready to dance with costumes and hair and makeup by 4:00. They should be pretty stretched already so we will just practice a bit before going on. 

 Hopeless Wanderer fully ready by 6:00 please and we will stretch and practice before going on. 

Fly With me fully ready right after hopeless wanderer. 

Dawn of Time and I Was Here ready by 7:00 (Sabella right after Fly with me) 

AWARDS: Awards are scheduled for 10: 47 but might run early (hopefully) or later. Please make sure your dancer gets to bed straight after for SUNDAY morning.  ALL dancers who performed need to be onstage at awards. 

 

SUNDAY

ALL dancers need to in their ballroom ready for first class 15 minutes early on SUNDAY. The pro reveler audition is an optional thing ( I will let you know if I want your dancer to do it). 

Nobody should be late to class on Sunday. If you got chosen as a scholarship winner on Saturday and they notice you are late or not present for something on Sunday, they will change their decisions on those awards.  

ALL DANCERS STAY UNTIL THE VERY END OF THE EVENT. This means until the absolute end of the REVEL REMIX closing show, whether you think it is important or not. If any of routines win highest score on Saturday they could be potentially reperforming in closing show. Minis will perform in closing show their combo from class, any selected juniors, teens, and seniors who were chosen for the revel remix will perform their class combo. Plus, there are many other amazing performances and scholarship announcements.  

 

We are going to have a wonderful weekend together! 

Let’s be ESPRIT! 

Energized, Strong, Positive, Involved, and Thankful! 

I am so excited to see the kids on stage together for the first time this season! It’s going to be great year! 

Sonya 

Upcoming Conventions/Competitions

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING YOUR SOLO TO ANY OF THESE COMPETITIONS, LET MS. SONYA know ASAP.

---

Upcoming Fundraisers

It’s important to participate in as many fundraisers as you can, to help offset the expense of conventions and competitions. We will be using Fundraiser proceeds throughout the season instead of pooling the funds for Nationals this year.

---

Competition Team Rehearsal Schedule and Bonus Class Schedule

First – A message from Sonya…

Attendance, Attendance, Attendance! If you see any conflicts or issues with this schedule, please let me know ASAP!

I will contact you if I need you to book solo sessions this month to either start or continue working on their solos.

Call me if you have any questions or concerns:)

863-585-7861

Thanks!
Sonya

---

February 2020

Monday Feb 3	Tuesday Feb 4	Wednesday Feb 5	Thursday Feb 6	Friday Feb 6	Saturday Feb 7	Sunday Feb 8
4:00-6:00 Work of Art		4:00-6:00 Work of Art
6:00-7:00 Boots		6:00-7:00 I Was Here/Dawn of Time	4:30-6:00 Work of Art and Trios	REVEL	REVEL	REVEL
7:00-9:00 For What It’s Worth	6:30-7:00 Fly with Me	7:00-7:30 Boots	6:00-6:45 Boots
	7:00-9:00 Hopeless Wanderer	7:30-9:00 For What It’s Worth	6:45-8:30 Hopeless Wanderer
			8:30-9:15 For What It’s Worth

Monday Feb 10	Tuesday Feb 11	Wednesday Feb 12	Thursday Feb 13	Friday Feb 14	Saturday Feb 15	Sunday Feb 16
4:00-6:00 Moon					9:00-11:00 Class	10:00-2:30 Solos
6:00-9:00 D-Day	5:30-6:30 Disco	5:30-8:30 Women’s Work	7:00-8:45 Let’s Misbehave(Minis leave at 8:00)		11:00-12:00 Electricity	3:00-6:00 Moon
					12:00-3:00 D-Day
					3:00-4:00 Disco
				Intrigue Orlando	Intrigue Orlando	Intrigue Orlando

Monday Feb 17	Tuesday Feb 18	Wednesday Feb 19	Thursday Feb 20	Friday Feb 21	Saturday Feb 22	Sunday Feb 23
President’s Day					9:00-11:00 Class	1:00-2:00 Disco
*morning 10:00-1:00 Women’s Work	5:30-6:30 Disco	5:30-6:30 Dawn of Time/I Was Here	7:00-8:45 Let’s Misbehave(Minis leave at 8:00)		11:00-12:00 Electricity	2:00-5:00 Moon
1:00-2:00 Fly with Me		6:30-7:30 Boots				5:00-7:00 Solos
2:00-5:00 D-Day		7:30-9:00 Solos
5:00-7:00 Moon				Rainbow Daytona	Rainbow Daytona

Monday Feb 24	Tuesday Feb 25	Wednesday Feb 26	Thursday Feb 27	Friday Feb 28	Saturday Feb 29	Sunday Mar 01
4:00-6:00 Work of Art/Moon		5:30-6:30 Boots			9:00-11:00 Class
6:00-7:00 Hopeless Wanderer	5:30-6:30 Disco	6:30-8:30 D-Day	7:00-8:45 Let’s Misbehave(Minis leave at 8:00)		11:00-1:00 Fly With Me	10:00-2:30 Solos
7:00-8:00 For What It’s Worth					12:00-3:00 D-Day	2:30-5:30 Moon
8:00-9:00 Women’s Work					3:00-4:00 Disco	5:30-6:30 Disco

---