Most dancers participating in competitions and conventions participate with a dance studio. But each year, a small group of soloists chooses to go there as independent, without affiliation in the studio. There are many advantages to this approach, as well as some possible drawbacks. Before you register, consider what you are ready to put in experience and what you hope to win.
Why be independent?
For dancers who do not participate in competition -focused studios, independently competition could be the only option. As a Ballet Student, Rachel Quiner – now in her first year as a member of the main company at the American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, New Jersey – spent her weekdays in Bunhead mode, and her weekends at events like Nuvo Dance Convention and New York City Dance Alliance. Although Quiner was able to compete with his local dance studio, “many ballet dancers choose the independent road because their studios do not make competitions and conventions,” she said. “Although I focus on pursuing ballet, it was fun to learn other styles and become more comfortable on stage.”
Even if a studio do Rivating, he can only go to one or two events every year, or only allow certain dancers to enter the form of soloists. “In my daughter's studio, you must be in 10th year to get a solo,” explains Mehgan Jarvie, who teaches dance in several studios in the Philadelphia region and whose 13 -year -old daughter Margaret mainly trains at the Lionville School of Dance in Exton, Pennsylvania. Margaret participates in group routines with her studio classmates, but participated in additional events as an independent soloist. “It was such a boost of self -esteem for her,” said Jarvie. “As a soloist, she can show her talents in a different way from that when she is in a group, and the comments she receives returns to the studio with her.”
What to consider
Competition as an independent often means making an additional effort. Solo rehearsals will probably have to occur at your own pace. Quiner ran through solos at home in his basement, obtaining comments from his family. Jarvie makes sure not to record Margaret for events that conflict with the Lionville competition calendar, and she and a rehearsal coach work with her in a studio where Jarvie teaches. Independent competition can also become expensive. Do you plan to hire a choreographer? “Even a single two -minute solo can be expensive!” Quiner warns. She has often asked her sisters, who are also dancers, to choreography her routines – or have created hers. “I knew how to highlight my strengths,” she said. “In addition, when you choreographer your own solo, you can constantly refine it, based on the comments of judges from one event to another.”
That said, working independently with an external choreographer can also promote growth. Jarvie created her daughter's competition solos until last year, when she asked a colleague to choreographer. The result was Margaret's most successful season to date. “I think that part of the reason she succeeded so well was that she had someone new working with her,” said Jarvie.
Competition without support in the studio can feel alone. As an independent competitor, you must be ready to get there, even if you are not naturally out. “When you are on stage for prices, you will not have this large group of friends who encourage you,” notes Jarvie. Get to know the teachers of the Convention and other dancers can keep these solitary feelings at a distance. It can also help you develop networking skills, because the creation of potential professional connections is one of the main advantages of these events.
Having a rider alone can give you a different perspective on your dance, because this forces you to develop an understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. Even if one of your competition goals as an independent soloist is to strengthen confidence, “you must be aware of what you bring to the table,” says Jarvie. And building this kind of self -knowledge can prevent you from falling into a common competition trap: compare yourself to those around you. “Be your best dancer,” says Jarvie. “Dance for yourself.”
