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:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKUyp1GMQVg

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, For Fun, In the Spotlight, News and Events, The Dance World

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Click here for more My Dance Homework

Particularly over the summer it is nice to have a few simple exercises that are easy to remember. This particular series builds arm endurance and strength, and is good for a little light toning. It’s also versatile, allowing you to make additions, increase repetitions, or add hand weights when it becomes too easy. Make it a point to do it once daily and I think by the time you get back to a full schedule in the fall, you’ll see a difference in your ability to carry and maintain those arms throughout long barre exercises.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A73Yen_hHnA

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, For Everyone Else, For Students

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Okay, now that that is out of the way… As a teacher in my classes and in this online arena, I am often asked by students, “What can I practice at home to improve?”

My response:

No need to practice anything at home. Come to class. Listen and apply correction. Absorb the information given to you. Successful dancers have good teachers but are more importantly outstanding students that love what they are learning and doing.

Before that expectant face drops, though, I let my eager student know this:

Image by bradley j via Flickr

I appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm. There are some simple things you can do at home. This is not “practice” and cannot replace any of that work in class we talked about. This homework is prep work that supports the things we do in class.

And with that, I tailor some “homework” assignments for my student based upon what I see as his/her individual needs.

Unfortunately, I can’t do this for you.

I cannot prescribe any “medicine” for things you might be lacking in your dance training. One, I can’t see you. Two, I trust my analysis and assessment skills more when I’ve had the chance to get to know and watch a student. Your teacher is your first/best resource for identifying problems and areas in which you need additional work.

What I CAN do.

I can offer some “vitamins.” Vitamins are good for just about anyone because they are nutritional compounds taken in small doses. And so, I’d like to introduce to you a series I’m calling My Dance Homework… dance “vitamins.”

• I will most often administer these via video (and I hate being on camera so this is a big deal).
• They will be practical for just about any student.
• They will generally be off-the-cuff teaching moments
• They will not always be ‘vitamins’ for your physical improvement… dancers must grow strong, healthy brains too you know!

My Dance Homework, Take One:

Toe Sit-Ups

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHEObpf_bC8

This is brand new, so please do let me know what you think of the series either in the post comments or at the Dance Advantage YouTube Channel. I like to share “favorite” videos via YouTube as well so if you like what you see, subscribe and get updates when new stuff is posted!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Category: Blog, Featured, For Everyone Else, For Juniors, For Students, Technique, Toolbox

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Why does it matter to your community?

Why does it matter to your nation? To the world?

Why Dance Matters

is a virtual event that rallies the dance community on Facebook and beyond.

UPDATE! The event is over but the conversation continues! Why Dance Matters now has its own “home” on Facebook & Twitter (also see #whydancematters). For more info about the event and how it began read on…

I know why dance matters to me. What’s the point in telling anyone else?

Movement is essential in the lives of all humans. All cultures, all ages, all socioeconomic groups, all peoples dance. Yet dance organizations and artists lack sufficient funding and support from governments, administrators, and the general public. The importance of dance as an art form, in education, and for human health, is largely undervalued.

Some care about who is in the bottom three on Dancing With The Stars. Some care to theorize about the winners on So You Think You Can Dance or root for the Best Dance Crew. You and I and many of the people involved in those TV shows know that dance matters for deeper reasons. Reasons that are sometimes difficult to express. But that does not mean we should not try to convey it.

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”  ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

For those of us who practice, teach, and create dance, it is fundamental. We live dance. We breathe it. It is powerful, life-changing, and crucial. Communicating the importance of dance to the uninitiated is not a new idea. Organizations and initiatives like International Dance Day (April 29), National Dance Week (April 23 – May 2) and DanceVote2010 raise awareness and affirm the impact dance has on the lives of individuals and communities. In fact, in conjunction with its 50th Anniversary, Americans for the Arts is asking enthusiasts to send videos about why the arts matter. In anticipation of these April events, Why Dance Matters, poses a similar question to the online dance community, specifically those congregating on sites like Facebook and Twitter. The ambition is to harness the power of social media to make sharing, celebrating, and shouting about dance easier.

Others Are Already Joining In

Image by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr

The Why Dance Matters event page on Facebook already has around 200 attendees. Leaders in the online dance community like TenduTV and DanceStudioOwner.com are supportive and excited about sharing it with their friends, fans, and followers. Why Dance Matters appeared in a recent Dance/NYC e-blast, and dance schools like the Menomonee Club in Chicago are asking their students to write, draw, and explain why dance matters.

Download a template for your studio here:

Why does dance matter to you (doc)

Why does dance matter to you (pdf)

You can get involved too! Here’s How:

If you are on Facebook, begin by heading to http://tinyurl.com/dancematters and select that you are attending the virtual event.

Once you’ve done so, don’t forget to share and invite your friends to take part!

It is that simple!

This isn’t just about numbers, though.

From updating a status and donning a profile badge to creating a video or blog, you may choose your own level of participation throughout the event which lasts from April 12 through May 3rd.

Click this image, save it to your computer, and use it as your Facebook profile picture during the event.

The idea is to take action and share Why Dance Matters to YOU! Here are some of the ways you can do just that (hint: I’ve started with the easiest ones):

• Upload the ASK ME Why Dance Matters button and make it your profile picture at any point during or throughout the entire event.
• Add the following to your Facebook status once, twice, even every day of the event: “Dance matters because… (you fill in the rest).If you are stuck, please check the event wall or the discussion at DA’s fan page and borrow the ideas submitted by others.
• Write a post on your blog or studio website and let others know Why Dance Matters. Then, share your URL as a link on the event page.
• Create a video about Why Dance Matters. These can also be uploaded to the event page. (If you hurry, you might also submit it on YouTube for the Americans for the Arts, Why Arts Matter Video Contest!)
• Upload photos, share stories, or find new, creative ways to show that dance is important to you and your community!

Not on Facebook? It’s okay, you can still participate. Comment on this post, submit your URLs, videos, thoughts, images, etc. to me (). I would be happy to feature as many as I can right here on Dance Advantage.

This is a shared event. This is our collective voice. This is why dance matters to our children, to our community, to us! Therefore, in the spirit of this event, be true, be professional and courteous, be respectful to individuals and to the variety of dance modalities that enrich our lives and cultures. Dance is more than steps and more than the movements that differentiate dance forms or even distinguish dance from walking, meeting, or breathing.

Dare any doubters to ASK US Why Dance Matters!

Join attendees at the Why Dance Matters event page!

Thanks also go to Marc Kirschner of TenduTV, Suzanne Blake Gerety of DanceStudioOwner.com, Art Intercepts‘ Lauren Warnecke and the Menomonee Club, Maria Hanley, and many many others for their enthusiasm and support.

Why Arts Matter Video Contest –
April 1 – June 30: Upload your video
June: Preview of video submission at Americans for the Arts Annual Convention
July 1 – September 31: Voting period
October: Announcement of winners to kick off National Arts & Humanities Month

Arts Advocacy Day and the Why Arts Matter Video Contest are initiatives of Americans for the Arts. For 50 years, Americans for the Arts has led the national effort to ensure that every American has an opportunity to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Championing the cause of the arts and arts education in communities across the country, they provide programs that help: 1) foster an environment in which the arts can thrive and contribute to the creation of more livable communities; 2) generate more public- and private-sector resources to support arts and arts education; and 3) build individual appreciation of the value of the arts. Find out more at www.americansforthearts.org/

The Coalition for National Dance Week was formed in 1981 by a group of dance related organizations who began a strong “grass roots” movement across the United States to bring greater recognition to dance as an art form. In 1991, the United Dance Merchants of America made a commitment to National Dance Week as a part of the UDMA campaign to actively encourage the growth of Dance in America. UDMA and NDW are dedicated to honoring all dancers, choreographers, teachers, students and their art and invite all supporters to join in their efforts to celebrate their appreciation for the dance arts as they continue on the quest for raising the public consciousness to the inherent benefits of dance. Find out more at www.nationaldanceweek.org

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | 15 comments | Category: Blog, News and Events, The Dance World, The Internet, Toolbox

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Role Reversal

Earlier this month Flavorwire introduced their picks for The 35 Best Dance Sequences In Film. Following this up with 25 more, they have shared a total of 60 YouTube videos. Among the choices are scenes from movie musicals like West Side Story, Chicago, and Sweet Charity; classics featuring Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson; and contemporary favorites Grease, Honey, and Pulp Fiction. While these videos are still listed (because of course copyright is an issue on YouTube), you may want to visit and send students over there for a little prance through the history of dance in cinema.

Of course everyone has their favorites and these choices are debatable — that’s what prompted the 25 additional videos. Evan over at Dancing Perfectly Free weighed in with some favorites and an excellent addition. Others have shared their thoughts on Twitter.

What do I think?

Many of the choices would have been on my list, though I tend to favor the oldies but goodies. What didn’t make it? I’ve shared before that I enjoyed the dance sequences in the minimal and perhaps underrated movie The Company. I was captivated by this “White Widow” sequence in particular. Performed by Joffrey Ballet’s Emily Patterson, Moses Pendleton’s ethereal stunner is exquisitely captured in this Robert Altman film.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuE13-jAkrE

View on YouTube

In the 2008 post about The Company (linked above), I mentioned Invitation to the Dance, a blogathon hosted by Ferdy on Film which encouraged film enthusiasts to discuss dance in film. As you can see this is a continuing conversation and in that spirit, I’d like to invite you to share your picks.

Whatever your method — a post on your blog, a YouTube rant, a podcast, or just your favorites in a list — let us know what you think of those top 60 choices above, what you think was missing from the list, or what you think is the greatest dance film sequence of all time.

Go ahead….

Yep, just scroll down…

That’s it. Keep going…

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2010. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, For Fun

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Dancers, teachers, parents, here’s an opportunity to shout it from the rooftops.

America’s Best Dance Studio Contest 2010 wants to know what makes your dance studio unique – what makes it different from the other dance studios in your area, and from other dance studios across the country. Via the ABDSC social network, you will have the opportunity to submit testimonials, videos, and photos highlighting all of the wonderful things about your dance studio – your teachers, your students, the classes you offer, your involvement in charities, non-profit organizations, and even dance competitions! Here’s a chance to rally the community and make some noise in support of your dance studio.

Dance instructor staffing agency, Kiner Enterprises, Inc. are the architects of America’s Best Dance Studio Contest. President, Ashani Kiner has been busy shooting video at some of New York City’s biggest (and brightest) landmarks to let you know more about the contest.

Click here to view video on YouTube

So here’s the nitty gritty…

To enter, you need to head over to americasbestdancestudio.ning.com. Create a complete profile for your dance studio, and of course, invite all of your friends, family, and fans to join too.

A select number of dance studios will be featured in a special YouTube video series throughout the contest. If you’d like to be featured, enter the contest before Dec. 30th, and your studio may be chosen!

While voters and members of your dance studio community can independently sign up at the America’s Best Dance Studio Contest network, there are some rules and participation requirements for dance studios officially entering the contest:

• Entrants must be 18 yrs or older
• Entrants must be a U.S. Resident
• The Dance Studio must be in business for a minimum of 3 yrs.
• The Dance Studio must have a website

Enter before December 30th and pay the early-bird entry fee of $30 (may be paid by check or money order); after that entrants pay $50.

Further details regarding video submission and where to mail your entry info can be found at americasbestdancestudio.ning.com

10% of the contest proceeds will be donated to Child Cry, a non-profit organization that feeds hungry children around the globe.

Voting will begin on January 1, 2010 and the studio with the most votes will win!

What does the winning studio receive?

Click here to view video on YouTube

• A video feature on the DanceChannelTV.com website for an entire year
• A dance marketing video package and e-book with money-making strategies for your dance studio from Dance Marketing Queen, and CEO of DanceMassTV, Dawn Demendonca
• A stage backdrop from Grosh Backdrops and Drapery, for your end of the year recital performance
• A website banner or logo redesign from the web design and development experts at DanceSignUp.com
• An online press release and feature article on DanceAdvantage.net about your dance studio
• 6 Months of free Social Media Management for your studio’s Facebook fan page, Twitter, and Myspace accounts from Kiner Enterprises Inc.
• A banner to hang inside of your dance studio that reads, “The America’s Best Dance Studio Contest Winner 2010”

Yes, Dance Advantage has sponsored a prize for America’s Best Dance Studio Contest 2010! I will feature the winning studio here on Dance Advantage during National Dance Week (April 23-May 2). I look forward to showcasing the community that turns out in full force to support their dance studio.

Be positive, creative, and energetic!

Each and every dance studio is special and unique. I’m looking forward to witnessing the diverse ways you’ll show it. Good luck to all the competitors!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | One comment - ADD YOURS! | Category: Blog, Dance Media, For Fun, News and Events, The Dance World

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YAGP Junior & Senior Winners

Outfits aside, these two young men have a different style:

Baby Bang – Talang 2007

George Sampson – Britain’s Got Talent 2008

Putting in the practice time

Five-year-old Tap Dancer

Arianalyn in the Studio

Personality! These kids are all a little cheeky.

Jalen Testerman on Ellen

Anaheim Ballet’s Tiny Dancer

The Cheeky Monkeys

This guy gets honorable mention just because he cracks me up every time:

Low, low, low, low

Okay, I have to post one baby video. These kiddos have had their talent digitally enhanced, however.

Roller Skating Babies

I’m sure you have some of your own favorites! Share them in the comments below!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | CLICK HERE to comment | Category: Blog, For Fun

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One ballet company in particular, however, has taken YouTube dance videos to another level. While many organizations focus solely on the performance, Anaheim Ballet has been prolifically creating video podcasts which feature way more than dance. In the almost two and a half years they’ve been podcasting, nearly 100 videos have been posted. These include profiles of past and present company members, “Ask a Ballerina” sessions which answer viewer’s questions, rehearsal and class footage, unique montage videos, and every once in a while some excerpts from their repertory. They raise awareness of important issues, they display ballet as an artistic and athletic art form, and they do it all with flare and personality. It’s relevant, it’s entertaining, and it’s smart! Anaheim Ballet’s video sharing initiatives have certainly enhanced their presence online and the presence of ballet as well.

Here is just a sampling of what you’ll find at the Anaheim Ballet YouTube Channel:

A fun explosion of stop motion

Ask a Ballerina

Raising awareness about genocide in Rwanda

Alum Aria Alekzander – now with Houston Ballet (woot!) – her parents are the artistic directors of Anaheim Ballet. Read a little about Aria’s dancing family and her love of the Nutcracker at Houston Ballet’s blog.

The silly side of things… don’t miss the blooper reel for this one!

• You may see more videos and subscribe via Anaheim Ballet’s YouTube channel or view the videos at www.morethandance.com.
• Want to purchase the original music that accompanies the videos? Check out morethandancemusic.com or search iTunes® for Anaheim Ballet.
• If you’d like to learn more about Anaheim Ballet, visit the website. Or, connect with the company on MySpace for additional news, updates, and behind-the-scenes footage of podcast director, Evan Rosenberg in action.

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | One comment - ADD YOURS! | Category: Ballet/Pointe, Blog, Dance Companies, Dance Media, Dance Styles, In the Spotlight, The Dance World, The Internet, Toolbox

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By some chance if you have not contributed to this count, or just want to watch it one more time, here is the clip:

Right after the new year, on January 9, Laipply released a brand new Evolution of Dance video, aptly titled Evolution of Dance 2. The clip includes new songs and dances but covers similar territory by offering a relatively chronological account of dances popular in our recent history, beginning with a bit of James Brown and closing with the Soulja Boy Dance.

See it for yourself here:

The original video has often be recreated and emulated. Examples are littered all over YouTube. One that may be of particular interest to readers at Dance Advantage, is Evolution of Dance “Ballet Style” which was apparently performed at an undisclosed studio’s year-end recital.

It is a fun twist on Laipply’s material and got me thinking that between Evolution of Dance 1 and 2, there may lie inspiration for your next recital theme! Ha ha! To be honest, I just thought I’d share these fun little clips with you. After all, as Laipply himself likes to quote, “Life isn’t always the party we’d hoped for but while we are here we might as well dance!” I hope it has brightened your day!

Have any thoughts on these videos? Is there something missing you think should be included? Is the new one as good as the first? I’d love to know what you think!

© Nichelle Strzepek for Dance Advantage, 2009. | Permalink | One comment - ADD YOURS! | Category: Blog, For Fun

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