The Dance Mom Thread

[luvflorida]

Congrats to everyone that has competed recently! Some mighty fine results!

Well, for anyone that has been following my daughter's dance story, here is the latest. She has now decided to major in...MUSIC!!! Her major is now music theory, history and criticism. I have mixed emotions about this. She decided last week that she wanted to switch her major to music, so she researched the info on the college's website. She had a very short deadline to meet, but she did it. She submitted the school of music application, took and passed the required music exam, and secured a letter of recommendation from her guitar instructor. She was accepted!

Now, I'm thrilled that she has another path that she's passionate about following, and I'm impressed that she got it all together on her own and followed through with the process. However, a piece of me is sad that she doesn't want to pursue dance. And, I think what is making it harder to accept is that I wonder if music is really what she wants to pursue. I know she's always been passionate about music, and at least there is a relationship there to dance and choreography. I also know she still questions her dancing abilities (which is frustrating because there are no limits to how far she could take her dancing) and the confidence isn't there. Not that it shows in her dancing! She was quick to point out that she didn't have to audition for the music program. She hates auditioning and putting herself out there.

I'm glad that she's sticking with the arts though, because she definitely has the passion, talent, empathy and creativity that the arts require! And, I know that it's good for her to explore and discover other options, and who knows, she may end up going back to dance. She has mentioned off-hand that she might take a dance class or two at U of A.

And, she hasn't given up dance entirely. She is still apprenticing with a local modern dance company, and she loves it. They rehearse three or four hours every week and perform about once a month. She also has her last dance recital next month.

So, that's the latest from my neck of the woods! Good luck to all the dancers out there on all the end of season comps, nationals, and recitals!

 

[missypie]

Congrats to everyone that has competed recently! Some mighty fine results!

Well, for anyone that has been following my daughter's dance story, here is the latest. She has now decided to major in...MUSIC!!! Her major is now music theory, history and criticism. I have mixed emotions about this. She decided last week that she wanted to switch her major to music, so she researched the info on the college's website. She had a very short deadline to meet, but she did it. She submitted the school of music application, took and passed the required music exam, and secured a letter of recommendation from her guitar instructor. She was accepted!

Now, I'm thrilled that she has another path that she's passionate about following, and I'm impressed that she got it all together on her own and followed through with the process. However, a piece of me is sad that she doesn't want to pursue dance. And, I think what is making it harder to accept is that I wonder if music is really what she wants to pursue. I know she's always been passionate about music, and at least there is a relationship there to dance and choreography. I also know she still questions her dancing abilities (which is frustrating because there are no limits to how far she could take her dancing) and the confidence isn't there. Not that it shows in her dancing! She was quick to point out that she didn't have to audition for the music program. She hates auditioning and putting herself out there.

I'm glad that she's sticking with the arts though, because she definitely has the passion, talent, empathy and creativity that the arts require! And, I know that it's good for her to explore and discover other options, and who knows, she may end up going back to dance. She has mentioned off-hand that she might take a dance class or two at U of A.

And, she hasn't given up dance entirely. She is still apprenticing with a local modern dance company, and she loves it. They rehearse three or four hours every week and perform about once a month. She also has her last dance recital next month.

So, that's the latest from my neck of the woods! Good luck to all the dancers out there on all the end of season comps, nationals, and recitals!

I think it's important for the artsy types to get a college degree in something. It's stereotypical, but I think they need a degree in case their arts passion does not lead to gainful employment. (We know a LOT of singers; they are marvelous but would starve if they didn't have a day job.) If your daughter remains a fabulous dancer, she can still dance and ability will trump a degree in dance at auditions.

 

[bsnyder]

Here's my advice-it won't help your daughter this year but it will help everyone in the future. After some time has passed (maybe at the beginning of the school year), try to lobby for them to choose based on the "natural break" in scores, rather than a set number. It works out SO much better.

Let's say 48 try out and the first 30 scores are between 100 and 88, then they fall to 83....that is your natural break in scores and you take 30 girls. All 30 girls are of about the same ability. The way your team is chosen, let's say 48 try out and the first 20 scores are between 10 and 90, then they drop to 80. If you "need" a team of 24, you have to take the next 4 girls, even if their scores are much lower than the other 20 girls. Choosing the team by natural break instead of a set number gives you a squad of more closely comparable abilities. (It also eliminates the "I missed it by 1/2 point" outcomes.) Talk to some other parents-of girls on and not on the team, and see if you can get a change made.

I don't know how they do the scoring, really. Just that they are picking 24 for this year's squad. Down one from 25 last year. A few years ago it was 28. I know some parents have tried to get it expanded, rather than cut back, but I guess it hasn't done any good. There is a flag team, that some of the girls who don't make the dance team end up trying out for and participating in. But it's apparently viewed very negatively by the girls - very much a "second best" alternative. Wish we could change that. There should be more opportunities, for those who want to be involved in the school, not less. The other thing I'd really like to see them change is the timing of the tryouts. There's really no reason they couldn't do tryouts in the week immediately after school is out (beginning of June) and still have time to get ready for summer UDA and band camps. Having tryouts now is crazy - girls are still dealing with their regular dance classes, competitions, recital preparation, AND getting ready for final exams. The seniors were at the studio tonight well past 10:00, helping the younger girls prep, and all of them have AP exams, at 7:20 tomorrow morning! I really want to think of some way to thank them - they've been so awesome.

The good news - DD was in a great mood tonight when she got home - very upbeat and enthusiastic, and says she is having fun, not stressing. I hope it lasts through the week!

 

[undercovermom]

good thoughts. please. fr danceline tryouts. The school doesn't divide dance team into JV and varsity, there's just the one team. DD is a sophomore and made the team as a freshman. In previous years, the coach never cut girls fromt he team, once you made the team you were set ...b ut this year she's hinted that she might cut girls do each of the required moves. My dd can do every move rquired, she's worked hard for the team...but there are no guarantees, are there?

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Extra ixiedust: to all those trying out this week.


Good luck to all!

 

[missypie]

Y'all should lobby the school to create a JV dance team in addition to the varsity. At our HS, freshman cannot be on varsity; sophomores can try out for varsity or stay on JV. At a neighboring school, freshman try out for varsity, then if they don't make it, they're on JV. I think our system is fabulous. You end up with a terrific JV team. They dance at the JV and freshman football games, a few basketball games and do a full competition season. This year, our JV team came in around 3rd or 4th in the competitions, meaning we beat most of the varsity teams.

They need to choose the teams now so they can order uniforms and practice clothes and register for camp. Our team goes to camp in late July, then practices all of August.

 

[missypie]

One thing I just realized that may be different in our school-they take drill team as a double blocked class (it's 2 of their 8 classes). They have got to do tryouts in the spring so the girls can put it on their schedule for the next school year (or take it off, as the case may be.)

 

[bsnyder]

One thing I just realized that may be different in our school-they take drill team as a double blocked class (it's 2 of their 8 classes). They have got to do tryouts in the spring so the girls can put it on their schedule for the next school year (or take it off, as the case may be.)

This is not part of a class schedule, at this high school - strictly extra-curricular.

I love the idea of a JV team. And I have heard other parents mention it, as well. That's what the school does for cheerleading. Not sure how that would work, though. The dance team is considered part of the marching band, and the band only participates in the varsity football games - they don't have the band performing at the JV games. But, definitely something to think about and talk to other parents about...

good thoughts. please. fr danceline tryouts. The school doesn't divide dance team into JV and varsity, there's just the one team. DD is a sophomore and made the team as a freshman. In previous years, the coach never cut girls fromt he team, once you made the team you were set ...b ut this year she's hinted that she might cut girls do each of the required moves. My dd can do every move rquired, she's worked hard for the team...but there are no guarantees, are there?

Fingers crossed, for your DD, undercovermom!

 

[missypie]

Our varsity dancers dance to live music (via the marching band) during football season. At the JV and Freshman games, the JV team dances to taped music during half time.

It's a great idea-it gives the freshman girls a chance to shine. Even if she never makes varsity officer, it's been a great leadership experience for my daughter to have been a JV officer.

Once you're officially a high school parent you should ask around-there might be another teacher with a dance background who would be willing to coach a JV dance team. It would also help if the varsity coach would say "We had so many great girls trying out that I couldn't take everyone...we really need a JV team." It also elevates the status of the varsity team...those younger girls have to earn the right to be under the lights on Friday nights.

 

[undercovermom]

Interesting, isn't it, the way things are handled in different parts of the country.

Most schools on Long Island have "kickline" not "drill team" and it's purely extracurricular and part of the athletic department - a few schools have color guard linked to marching band.

My dd's coach does not like kick or pom routines. Our girls do jazz and hip hop at local competitions and add lyrical and modern when we go to nationals. Coach has no interest in a JV team. She likes to keep things on a small scale. The girls don't perform at football games except for homecoming, though they do halftime at basketball.

My other dd is a cheerleader. The coach did something interesting. She has JV and varsity squads to cheer at the games and a separate squad for competitions -you have to be on JV or varsity to try out for competition. Makes it easier for girls to participate even if they're not competing.

 

[dreamer17555]

Okay I have a question with Recital right around the corner what do you normally give your child's dance teacher(s)?

-Becca-

 

[missypie]

Our high school drill team wears little cowgirl uniforms for football season -short skirts, cowboy hat, white cowgirl boots with tassels....Every single high school drill team that I've seen in Texas wears a version of this outfit. Football is obviously huge and the drill team is a big part of it. At halftime, the opposing team's drill team performs, then their marching band, then the home team's drill team, then the home team's marching band. The girls sit together by squad 1st quarter, they get ready to dance during second quarter, they get 3rd quarter off (must return 2 minutes before the end of the 3rd quarter or they get demerits) and sit together 4 th quarter.

Another thing drill team has is the male "honor guard." I had no idea what it was. They get a group of guys to "escort" the girls when they walk on the field at away games. I guess there have been incidents of the other team spitting, throwing things, etc. so the guys are there as a barrier.

I've never been a football fan, but now I guess we need to buy season tickets!

In the winter, they compete modern, lyrical, etc.

 

[undercovermom]

Here in NY we don't take our high school sports nearly as seriously as you do down in Texas!

When either of my dd's goes to a naitonal competition and sees a Texas team on the program....especially cheerleading, but dance too...we know we'r ein for a hard fight.

 

[missypie]

Here in NY we don't take our high school sports nearly as seriously as you do down in Texas!

When either of my dd's goes to a naitonal competition and sees a Texas team on the program....especially cheerleading, but dance too...we know we'r ein for a hard fight.

It's pretty amazing. Like I mentioned, our HS is on a blocked schedule. They have 4 classes a day, for 90 minutes each (A day-periods 1-4)), then the next day they have another 4 classes at 90 minutes each (B day, periods 5-8), then they repeat. Marching band, all varsity sports, varsity dance and varsity cheer are all scheduled 1st and 5th periods, PLUS they come an hour early to school. They do give the girls half an hour a day to get ready, but they still practice a minimum of 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, with camp (on and off campus) for a total of 3 weeks in the summer, and extra choreography sessions.

The intensity of all of these programs is pretty surprising if your weren't raised here. Probably questionable, too, from an academic standpoint. But we sure do well at competitions!

 

[luvflorida]

Okay I have a question with Recital right around the corner what do you normally give your child's dance teacher(s)?

-Becca-

I've always written a note (pointing out specifically what it was I was thankful for that particular year!) and put it in a thank you card. The dance studio that my daughter has been with for the past two years is a small studio and there are only a few instructors. Last year, I included gift cards to a restaurant. I figure everyone likes to eat out.

This year, I'll do the same as far as thank you notes. This is my daughter's last year at the studio, so I want to do something else, just not sure yet. The senior competition team, which consists of my daughter and two other senior girls, will present the director with flowers at the recital, and they've taken out a 1/2 page ad in this year's recital program, thanking the director and saying how much they're going to miss her. I'm ready to cry just thinking about it! Not sure how I'm going to get through this last recital!

I know a lot of the girls, especially the younger ones, give flowers and cards to their instructors.

 

[missypie]

Hmmm...we've never even considered giving anything to the teachers. Each company collects for a group gift.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Hmmm...we've never even considered giving anything to the teachers. Each company collects for a group gift.

We do the same. Each company has a "team mom" and she organizes that for her company. I am the team mom for DD2's company, so I had better get on the ball!

 

[coinkc]

We are off tomorrow to a competition in South Bend. My daughter has been practicing REALLY hard for this one hoping to qualify for the regional competition this year (Irish Dance). She has to place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in each of the 4 core dances...crossing our fingers!

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

[bsnyder]

Well, DD didn't make the team.

But, I'm so very proud of her. For her dedication this year at dance, and this week, during tryouts. And for the way she is handling the disappointment. She says she's definitely going to try again next year. Her boyfriend was here with her, while we waited for the results to be posted. When we took him home, DD then wanted to go by and congratulate her best friend (from school and the dance studio) who did make the team. Another friend from their studio who is a year older was also there - this was the second year she tried out, and she didn't make it. The three of them decided to have a sleepover here at our house, and they are upstairs cracking up laughing and having a grand time. Life, and good friendships, continue...recital pictures in the morning...

Two rising seniors and two rising juniors from last year's team did not make the squad!! And a set of twins from DD's class tried out - one twin made it, the other one didn't.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Wow, Bet, for your DD. It sounds like she's taking it like a trooper, though. My DD tries out for her first dance team this fall, I'm sure it's going to kill me!

missypie--That schedule sounds INSANE! Of course, my DD would move in with you just to do that, but yikes! No kidding, you guys take dancing really seriously!

I like the idea of writing a nice note to the dance teacher. I may see if I can find something special for ours as well, since DD has been dancing and assisting for so many years with her. Seriously, she has been so instrumental in DD's development, I'm sad that we have to leave.