Who Wants To Rock The Vote In These Online Dance Contests?

Viral video, dance contests, flash mobs; dance is everywhere online and there are plenty of places you can get in on the action. Below you’ll find three top spots to get your groove on and maybe win some prizes. These contests are already underway so hurry!

Keep reading for two big contests in their final round. These feature some spectacular videos for your digital viewing pleasure. Make sure you get your say in the outcome! Then, stay tuned because these videos have inspired a follow-up article sure to ignite your imagination and invigorate your classes!

Vie For Video Domination

My Mutation

The Basics: As part of their Spring Dance festival the Sydney Opera House, in collaboration with YouTube presents this online dance competition. Create your own 40 second dance solo. The first 20 seconds are your interpretation of the starter solo (performed by Josh Mu), choreographed by Kate Champion, Artistic Director of one of Australia’s leading dance companies, Force Majeure and choreographer for the international stage production of Dirty Dancing. The second 20 seconds is a continuation of the solo in your own style. You have until August 10 to upload your video. Finalists will be chosen and will participate in two more rounds of challenges. Once narrowed to only 5 finalists, voters will choose the winner.

What You Win: The winner will score the ultimate prize of rehearsing with Kate Champion to bring his/her unique performance to life at the screening of Footloose on September 26. In addition to the thrill of performing live at Sydney Opera House, the winner will receive $2,000, a SONY HD flash Handycam camcorder, as well as a SONY ‘Bloggie’ HD snap camera.

Who Can Enter: The contest is global and there are no age restrictions!

Find Out More: www.youtube.com/sydneyoperahouse or visit Spring Dance on the Sydney Opera House website.

Dr. Pepper Cherry YouTube Dance Studio Contest

(that’s a mouthful!)

The Basics: Show off your amazingly smooth mooves. Submit a video of yourself dancing to one of the three approved songs, using the provided choreography for the first part and your own freestyle for the rest. Choose between a Jazz Funk, Hip-Hop, or B-Boys and B-Girls routine. Learn the moves, download the song, make your video, and submit, but hurry! Submissions must be in by August 2. Four finalists will be chosen, then it is up to voters to decide on the winner (to be announced August 31).

What You Win: You could win a trip for two to Los Angeles, where you’ll spend a day with Jon M. Chu (director of StepUp 2 and upcoming StepUp 3) at a jam session with some of the best hip-hop dancers around, and the chance to be in an upcoming Ultra Records music video.

Who Can Enter: U.S. residents 18 years and up.

Find Out More: www.youtube.com/dancestudio

Dance Your Ph.D. 2010

The Basics: I cannot resist including this unique contest which invites entrants to turn their Ph.D. thesis into a dance! Any scientist in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, or the social sciences with some friends, a great idea, and a cheap video camera can win. According to GonzoLabs (a virtual research institution where art, science, and culture intersect), the best dances not only insightfully reveal the scientific content of the PhD thesis, they not only show artistry to create a compelling spectacle, but they also creatively combine these two aspects in a successful execution. Submissions are due by September 1, 2010.

What You Win: A cash prize of $500 goes to a winner in each category, with an additional $500 to the Best Ph.D. Dance of All. Finalists from each category will have their videos screened at Imagine Science Film Festival in NYC.

Who Can Enter: You have to be 18 years or older, have a Ph.D. in a science-related field, or be working on one as a Ph.D. student and you must be part of the dance.

Find Out More: www.gonzolabs.org/dance

More, more, more

• If you are a fan of Cirque Du Soleil and in the Boston area, you may want to check out the Cirque Du Soleil Bug Dance Contest!
• If you fancy yourself a choreographer, submit a dance routine for Big Girls Don’t Cry by Mik Brown for the chance to win $500.

Vote For Video Favorites

Global Dance Contest

International dance venue, Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London offers a cash prize and a chance to perform live at Sadler’s Wells Sampled, a yearly showcase of the best in dance from around the world. Ten entries are being selected by a judges panel right now. Voting will commence August 9, so keep your eye on www.globaldancecontest.com.

Step Up 3D Dance Dub Contest

Vote now at www.youtube.com/StepUpMovie and help one of four American dance studios win a $7500 Best Buy gift certificate to improve their space. Broadway Dance Center (New York, NY), Focal Point Dance Studio (Miami, FL), Dance 411 Studios (Atlanta, GA), IDA Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA) are battling it out with their own energetic, single-shot dub to Club Can’t Handle Me, a song I actually didn’t mind listening to four times in a row!

And Don’t Forget…!

Okay, this one isn’t a contest but National Dance Day (a grassroots movement, spearheaded by Nigel Lythgoe and Dizzy Feet Foundation) is coming up on July 31. The effort is being recognized with an official act of Congress when Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a long-time proponent of healthy lifestyles, will introduce a National Dance Day resolution at a press conference on National Dance Day in Washington, D.C., to promote dance education and physical fitness across the U.S. If by chance you haven’t heard of National Dance Day, you can find more info at www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org.

Tabitha and Napolean have contributed a little choreography to help you get in the spirit and get up and move. It too is choregoraphed to Club Can’t Handle Me. Check it out below:

Where Can Teachers Continue Their Education?

On Monday, I posted WHY it’s a good idea for dance teachers to make continuing their own education a priority (particularly during the summer months when many schools break from the regular schedule). Today we’re talking about WHERE, teachers might do so. These are just a few of the many programs and events out there. I’ve tried to include a range of activities with a variety in focus, scope, and cost. If you have experience with any of these or want to add your own, please do so in the comments below!

Teacher Training and Workshops

Dance Teacher Summit – 3 days in New York City at the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. Classes with renowned artists, seminars on teaching and the business/administration side of things. July 27-29 but still time to register!

Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo – 4 days the Ritz Carlton on Lake Las Vegas (about 17 miles from downtown Vegas). Curriculum and choreography, business tips and tactics, teaching workshops, led by industry leaders. August 9-12, register online, by mail, phone, or fax.

The Pulse/Broadway Dance Center Teacher Workshop – 3 days at the Sharaton in New York City. Classes and seminars with BDC faculty, The Pulse faculty, and Rhee Gold. Choreography, music, and costume ideas. Overlaps with dancer conference. July 27-29, register online.

DanceLife Teacher Conference – 4 days at a Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida. Classes, marketing seminars, Rhee Gold’s famous motivational workshops, and some truly unique session topics. August 3-6, call or register online.

Musicworks Teacher Tour – Six-city tour [Dallas, Indianappolis, Irvine (CA), Pittsburgh, Kalamazoo (MI), Atlanta]. 3-day schedule. Special assistant price when a teacher registers. Syllabus (including Al Gilbert tap system) and choreography, master teachers, and a small but exceptional staff. Dates throughout July, August, and one in October.

American Academy of Ballet Teacher’s Intensive – 6 day workshop/training held at SUNY Purchase. Curriculum and choreography for different age groups, including very young dancers. Discussion, Q&A, how to sessions with faculty. The chance to observe teachers in action as they instruct students participating in Summer School of Excellence program. Option to attend and pay per day. August 7 – 12.

Leap ‘N Learn Teacher Workshops – In addition to participation at the DT Summit and DanceLife Conference, scheduled are two/three-day workshops in New Orleans (July 24-26), Denver (Aug 22-23), and Chicago (Aug 29-30). Training in syllabus and in the teaching of young dancers.  Syllabus resources and music. Topical sessions on recital ideas, business and legal considerations, pilates, and more. Registration via phone or mail (spaces limited but requests for additional workshops are possible).

Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop – A weekend workshop (this weekend July 18-19) and a two-week intensive beginning July 20 at University of Colorado. Registration open until classes or full. Options to pay for groups of classes or even per class, however at this late date there will likely be limitations. Intensive is for 16yrs and up with level requirements and placement. A supportive, non-competitive environment. Special teacher seminars and completion certificate. Jazz and Modern Dance Focus.

Canada’s National Ballet School — Moved to Dance – Observation week July 27-31 – Sit in on classes, talk to faculty and guest teachers, and discuss the School’s training philosophy and approach. Moved to Dance seminar, Explore How Effective Breathing Enhances Dance August 4-8. Daily classes in classical and contemporary, evening lectures and discussions on nutrition, self-esteem and more.

The Dance Project Dance Teacher’s Conference – 2 days in Toronto, Canada. Classes in Ballet, Jazz, Salsa, and Hip Hop, as well as Lifts, Strength and Flexibility, and Preschool Dance. Daytime sessions with evenings free. August 15 and 16 at Joy of Dance Centre.

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Move-It Summer Teacher’s Workshop – Designed for teachers who are working in the university, professional, and secondary school settings. A mixed group of educators will facilitate sessions in technique, choreography, improvisation and experiential anatomy. Those signed up for the Teacher’s Workshop (July 27-31) can add on the Three-Week Dancer’s Workshop  (July 20-Aug 7) at a discount (during which technique classes can be taken at per-class or weekly rates).

There are so many more!!

Not finding something in your area? Try the Dance Teacher Magazine website. Or, the links here. Or here at Dancer Universe!

Why Stick to Just Teacher Workshops?

Between summer dance festivals which happen all over the country and the world and drop-in dance classes or dance jams in cities all over, there are plenty of opportunities to gain inspiration and rejuvinate your spirit for dance. You just have to look for them!

One of my favorite dance festivals is in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in MA. I’ve written about Jacob’s Pillow before and there are additional art and dance experiences throughout the area. Headed somewhere on vacation? Look for art and culture opportunities in the area before you go. Research area schools – some may even be keen to let you observe or visit their school or summer sessions. This kind of work-related stuff feels more like play because it will rejuvenate and inspire you!

Got more ideas?

Have you been to some of the workshops above?

Want to share some other experiences or ideas for continuing dance teacher education over the summer?

Share, share, share below!!

Top 10 List: Reasons Teachers Should Continue their Education

Is the expense to attend a teacher training or summer seminar worth it?

Particularly when money and times are tight, dance educators wrestle with this question. It seems we find it hard to justify spending money or attention on our own development, though we would encourage it for our students. Below is my top ten list of reasons you would want to seriously consider some continuing ed for yourself this year.

1. New Classroom Tools

Teacher workshops directly provide curriculum, music, or methods for your use. As a participant  in technique class, there is opportunity to experience new ways of combining steps, of structuring a class, of delivering a concept. Take notes throughout your experience, borrowing the best from your observations.

2. Remembering What It’s Like

Students feel pressure to do well, they get nervous, they are sometimes afraid to try something new, they struggle with physical or psychological challenges. The occasional reminder of what it feels like to be a student, to push oneself through challenges, to risk and take on something new will bring added depth and understanding to your teaching.

3. Physical Exercise

If you are a teacher, you probably recognize that the physical demands of instructing students is very different from actual dancing. You spend time moving but not as you would as a class participant or performer. A challenging program or class can help keep you in shape.

4. Mental Exercise

Ditto on giving your brain a workout. Teaching can become routine and repetitive. Demanding more of your brain is stimulating and refreshing.

5. Creative Input/Output

Teachers do a lot of giving. Choreography, class exercises, working with students – these things require creativity. However, consistent output without refilling the well of creativity can cause the source to dry up. And creativity does breed creativity. Sometimes even taking the opportunity to create something for your own pleasure (an art class, a writing workshop, crafting, even a choreography workshop) can replenish your reserves.

6. Improved Business

Each new experience adds credibility. Parents and students will appreciate that you’ve made an effort to improve your teaching, expand your repertoire, study and grow. The more diverse your education, the more marketable you become as a teacher. You want to be able to share what you did over summer vacation, too!

7. Networking

A dance-related conference or seminar offers the chance to interact with other teachers and professionals from all over the country or world. Making these contacts strengthens your ties to the dance world beyond your studio, creating opportunities for you and your students. Events in your own backyard can still add benefit. You may develop friendships or connect with those that are willing to donate, offer sponsorship, or collaborate on a project. You just never know.

8. Validation

If you ever feel like others in your life (husbands/wives, friends, relatives) don’t understand your passion and commitment to dance and teaching, here is a chance to be among others that get it! Not only is sharing your thoughts and ideas with these folks restorative but the affirmation you receive among comrades can sustain you through the coming year.

9. Personal Growth

Address your own need for development. Mastery and accomplishment serve to increase self-confidence in your pupils and will do the same for you. And, this could be a separate point but, your willingness to grow and learn will inspire the same in your students!

10. Staying Ahead of Change

The quote below, really says it all. New theories and practices in physiological science are changing the ways dance teachers teach. Dance training, though rooted in tradition, is a vast field – there will always be something new to learn and discover. Staying on top of your game will benefit you and your students.

“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” — Eric Hoffer, US philosopher

Though it is a great idea to set aside some funds for you and/or your teachers to attend workshops or summits, I want to emphasize that growth experiences do not have to be pricey or far away. In fact, they may not even have to be dance-related! There is much to be gained from observing teachers who specialize in other disciplines, from opening yourself to new experiences, from simply taking time to create or learn something just for you.

Do you have a reasons or benefits you’d like to add to the list?

What are some experiences you’d recommend to other teachers?

What inexpensive or even non-dance activities have informed and supported your teaching or helped you through the year?

What I Did Over Summer Vacation…

If your dance teacher asks you to write an essay on this topic when you return to dance this fall, will you be able to fill your page with descriptions of dance related activities or… not so much. For those that continue dancing all through the year, good for you. However, if you attend a dance school that, like many, takes an extended break for the summer, this post may help you discover additional ways to spend your holiday (other than watching TV or summer blockbusters and sun-bathing). Don’t get me wrong, enjoying a little deserved R&R after a long year of school, dance, and other activities is good for you (just be sure to wear sunblock, ok?), but setting aside some time to focus on dance will help you grow as a dancer and keep you from needing to brush-up or re-focus when you come back. Here are some ways you can include dance in your summer fun… Read more