"Dance Moms" on Lifetime

[AlwaysMoving]

That Maddie is an AMAZING dancer for her age! I love Dance Moms. It's sooo scripted, but so entertaining!

Compared to the rest of them, I would agree, but her technique is awful. My son says she is painful to watch because she butchers the basics.

 

[KAMLEM]

I would never continue to take my kids to that studio..it's a zoo and way too much screaming.

I bet that Abby doesn't teach most of the classes, she probably just teaches this one for TV.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Concerning whether or not the show is scripted....someone here on the dis posted a while back that her daughters used to take dance at Abby's studio. I think they moved away. They were at one of those dance competitions from Season 1 and saw her, talked with her, etc. So anyway, her daughters and their friends wanted to get on tv, so they sat behind the dance moms during the performances, while the cameras were rolling. These girls are teens, I believe. They said the show was very scripted. The scores came up for a dance and the moms were clapping and happy. The producer or director said they were retaking that scene and wanted them to shake their heads and look very disappointed. And they did. I also had read that Abby and Cathy are actually good friends. It's nearly impossible to believe that she would drive her daughter 2 hours from Canton, Oh to the east side of Pgh for some dance lessons, when she herself is a dance instructor!

Regardless, DDs and I love the show and watch it every week! I would never let my DDs get talked to that way at dance, and would never, ever make them go to dance lessons every night from 4:30-9:30pm as Abby made them do this week. We really feel sorry for Brooke the most. She is 13 and just wants to be a cheerleader, go to football games and the mall, but her mom (Kelly?) won't let her because she's "too good of a dancer."

 

[Schmeck]

The scores came up for a dance and the moms were clapping and happy.

At every dance competition we've been to (3-4 a year, for the past 8 years) awards are given out at the end of each competition segment. There are 1-2 segments each day, usually divided by solos/groups and age. Depending on the total score given by the 3-4 judges, a performance is awarded a medal in a range of scoring. There is usually bronze, high bronze, silver, high silver, gold, high gold, and platinum (or other silly names, like diamond, ultimate gold, etc). You could have 5-6 performances get gold, which sounds a bit screwy to me. Announcers do not say the score total at this time. Every dancer in every dance gets a medal/pin/ribbon or somesuch trinket.

If there are enough competing entries in a certain category, then they award trophies, scores are announced, placements announced. Then the big winners are announced - solos by age and gender, everything else sort of lumped together, barely sorted by age to a point. The thing to listen for is 'Critic's Choice nomination' at this time. Finally, the big overall winners - could be a scholarship solo, and the Critic's Choice final winner, are given the big trophies, the money, etc.

When I watch Dance Moms, I can tell this part of the show has been edited to death, manipulated, and scripted beyond nauseum. It makes me think that most of these 'competitions' are fake ones created by the show, maybe paying to use the name, but there are not nearly enough people there to be a real competition.

 

[torinsmom]

I believe few studios are (like that). We're a dance family too.....dd just made the competition team at her studio after being on the Performance Team for a year. I hate that so many people seem to think that this is an accurate representation of the dance world. Sure there are bad studios out there...but there are wonderful studios as well which provide a wonderful opportunity for their dancers through competition.

This is how I feel about Toddlers and Tiaras too. My son did pageants as a baby/toddler and I never saw anything like what you see on that show. They pick the most extreme, because that makes for good tv.

 

[Rabscuttle]

I know that. As stated previously, I LIKE the show.

I was simply stating that "fat" & "bad attitude" should not be a synonomous description of anyone.

"All skinny people are annoying?"
"All BMIs of 27 are kind"?
"All tall men are not trustworthy"?

It was the generalization that I was speaking of. That's all.

No one said that she has a bad attitude because she is fat or that she is fat because she has a bad attitude. They said that she is fat AND has a bad attitude. My DDs took dance briefly and all of their teachers were physically fit and looked at least like they used to be dancers. I am not sure how she is such a wonderful coach, but then I only tuned in a couple of times.

 

[pacrosby]

Compared to the rest of them, I would agree, but her technique is awful. My son says she is painful to watch because she butchers the basics.

She's 8....let us not forget

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Abby drives me nuts. That's all I can say without going overboard.

Maddie is a decent dancer, however I *hate* that awful fake smile she puts on when she's performing.

Nia's solos are almost always 70% acrobatics and 30% dance content. It's no wonder she's rarely winning solo awards.

Holly is, by far, my favorite mom. I'm glad she has the common sense to talk to her child and let her know exactly why she doesn't go to some rehearsals etc. The others can be a bit much most of the time. And I have a feeling that we'll be seeing a lot of interesting content from the new mom on the scene.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

She's 8....let us not forget

Age has nothing to do with it.

 

[pacrosby]

Age has nothing to do with it.

Sure it does

And, please, don't confuse me with one of those 'Dance Mom Cheerleaders' who don't really have an insider's view of the dance world. I do. I know that this show is not representative of reality. I understand competition dance, it's pros and it's cons. As much as I cringe when I hear people overstate the talent of this group (which generally happens because of a lack of true understanding), it's equally bothersome when people won't give credit where credit is due (again, either because of a lack of understanding or sometimes an elitist attitude). There is no doubt that some of these girls show unusual talent and promise for their age. Some of their jumps and leaps and turns are quite impressive. Is the technique as impressive? No. But at the age of 8 and 9, only in perhaps a professional ballet school would you see extraordinary technique. The girls are young and still developing. I say, give them a break.

 

[pacrosby]

Can't wait! My new fave show.

I just wonder what Holly's school thinks of it.

That is the question of year.

I can't imagine there not being an uproar if she were the principal at one of our schools. So many believing that she displays such poor judgement; that she is not even capable of advocating for her own child; that she'd even consider participating in such a circus.....is that the kind of person you'd want leading your school?

Boggles the mind doesn't it?

 

[I Love Pluto]

Does anyone know where Holly is a principal?
Public school? Private school? Grade levels?

Just curious.

 

[pacrosby]

Does anyone know where Holly is a principal?
Public school? Private school? Grade levels?

Just curious.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-gazette.com Holly is Holly Hatcher-Frazier, director of the Lower School at the private Winchester Thurston School in Shadyside. And if you google this prestigious institution you will find that in fact Dr. Holly is listed right there in their Lower School's faculty and staff directory.

Again, all I can say is.....boggles the mind.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

Sure it does

And, please, don't confuse me with one of those 'Dance Mom Cheerleaders' who don't really have an insider's view of the dance world. I do. I know that this show is not representative of reality. I understand competition dance, it's pros and it's cons. As much as I cringe when I hear people overstate the talent of this group (which generally happens because of a lack of true understanding), it's equally bothersome when people won't give credit where credit is due (again, either because of a lack of understanding or sometimes an elitist attitude). There is no doubt that some of these girls show unusual talent and promise for their age. Some of their jumps and leaps and turns are quite impressive. Is the technique as impressive? No. But at the age of 8 and 9, only in perhaps a professional ballet school would you see extraordinary technique. The girls are young and still developing. I say, give them a break.

I said nothing about expecting extraordinary technique. I said their technique was horrible and age had nothing to do with the ability to improve it. Given they are on a professional track of training with a few years behind them, it is reasonable that if they can learn a complicated combination, they can and should learn proper body placement. I also never said these kids had no potential. Actually, the reason I mentioned the lack of technique is because I know how difficult it will be for these kids to fix those bad habits the older they get. The kids can't help it. It is not their fault. I think the director places too much focus on competitions.

 

[pacrosby]

I said nothing about expecting extraordinary technique. I said their technique was horrible and age had nothing to do with the ability to improve it. Given they are on a professional track of training with a few years behind them, it is reasonable that if they can learn a complicated combination, they can and should learn proper body placement. I also never said these kids had no potential. Actually, the reason I mentioned the lack of technique is because I know how difficult it will be for these kids to fix those bad habits the older they get. The kids can't help it. It is not their fault. I think the director places too much focus on competitions.

ok...so you didn't say you expected 'extraordinary' technique. You said Maddie had 'awful' technique. Still, I would disagree. Her technique is not like that of a teenager, no. But it's not unexpected of child her age. In fact I'd argue that's it's better than the average child her age. Unless of course she is being compared to the most talented of children who have been enrolled in a professional ballet school from the start. But she is not and has never been a student in a professional ballet school. So that wouldn't really be fair.

The girls are on a reality television show...that is what we know. A 'professional track of training'? Personally I don't know about that LOL If they are it's with an eye on Broadway, cruise ship entertainment or music videos, not the San Francisco Ballet. The problem is two fold as I see it. They are very young ( I know you want to ignore that but it does in fact play a part and any professional dance teacher would agree) and they are on a show that requires them to spend more time rehearsing numbers for competition than perfecting technique. During show season they probably don't even have time for regular classes since they are learning a new number for every weekend competition. Big no-no for a serious dancer.

Technique improves through practice................and 'maturity'. "Real" dance training cannot even begin before about the age of 5 or 6, anything before that is pretty much a fun introduction to the world of music and movement. At the Boston Ballet School the children are still in a primary program until age 7. At 8 they start classical ballet. Pre-professional classes don't start for another few years after that. Maddie was a baby last year for crying out loud. Give her (and the rest of them) time.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

ok...so you didn't say you expected 'extraordinary' technique. You said Maddie had 'awful' technique. Still, I would disagree. Her technique is not like that of a teenager, no. But it's not unexpected of child her age. In fact I'd argue that's it's better than the average child her age. Unless of course she is being compared to the most talented of children who have been enrolled in a professional ballet school from the start. But she is not and has never been a student in a professional ballet school. So that wouldn't really be fair.

The girls are on a reality television show...that is what we know. A 'professional track of training'? Personally I don't know about that LOL If they are it's with an eye on Broadway, cruise ship entertainment or music videos, not the San Francisco Ballet. The problem is two fold as I see it. They are very young ( I know you want to ignore that but it does in fact play a part and any professional dance teacher would agree) and they are on a show that requires them to spend more time rehearsing numbers for competition than perfecting technique. During show season they probably don't even have time for regular classes since they are learning a new number for every weekend competition. Big no-no for a serious dancer.

Technique improves through practice................and 'maturity'. "Real" dance training cannot even begin before about the age of 5 or 6, anything before that is pretty much a fun introduction to the world of music and movement. At the Boston Ballet School the children are still in a primary program until age 7. At 8 they start classical ballet. Pre-professional classes don't start for another few years after that. Maddie was a baby last year for crying out loud. Give her (and the rest of them) time.

We will just have to agree to disagree. Your description of professional ballet training will be educational fo those who have not experienced it yet. Once you get sucked in, it is impossible to free yourself....lol.

 

[pacrosby]

We will just have to agree to disagree. Your description of professional ballet training will be educational fo those who have not experienced it yet. Once you get sucked in, it is impossible to free yourself....lol.

Aha! You are a 'ballet mom'. That makes you a different animal. We need a whole new show for them

 

[AlwaysMoving]

Aha! You are a 'ballet mom'. That makes you a different animal. We need a whole new show for them

Yeah. I don't think a ballet mom reality show would be such a good idea. This show is tame compared to what would be on a ballet version.

If the kids on that show continue that schedule, I hope they do a Dance Moms update show so that we can see how haggard they look after the years of living on the road, and trying to keep up with classes and performances.

 

[czycropper]

It makes me think that most of these 'competitions' are fake ones created by the show, maybe paying to use the name, but there are not nearly enough people there to be a real competition.

No, unfortunately, I know that the one in NJ is very real. My DD dance studio was going to go to that comp but when our Director was told about the filming - she opted out of it. Another studio from our town did go and said it was a nightmare with releases (even though the dancers weren't shown) and so forth.

It does seem that her studio is one of the "competition" studios not a technique/competition studio.

 

[pacrosby]

No, unfortunately, I know that the one in NJ is very real. My DD dance studio was going to go to that comp but when our Director was told about the filming - she opted out of it. Another studio from our town did go and said it was a nightmare with releases (even though the dancers weren't shown) and so forth.

It does seem that her studio is one of the "competition" studios not a technique/competition studio.

yup...they are real.

You can often find the results online (i.e. the DTI comp from episode 2 this season in Columbus Ohio). They really do manipulate the public into thinking they end doing better than they do. That competition for example had 36 top performers in that age group and Abby's girls? They captured only 2 of those 36.