Tag: convention

When teaching convention classes, many choreographers start combinations mid-song, allowing dancers the freedom to improvise a few eight counts before the piece begins. How do you use those moments to learn and grow as a dancer, even if you’re new to the style of dance? DS spoke with convention teachers about the best way to […]

Courtney Schwartz seems to be every comp kid’s idol. Each week, she assists Talia Favia in a different city for Radix Dance Convention, but it’s her high energy, super-cool movement, and genuine passion that truly inspires. Schwartz trained at Studio 19 in Pittsburgh, PA. After high school she attended Point Park University for one semester […]

Convention classes are inevitably packed. To have the best possible experience while surrounded by hundreds of fellow convention-goers, put some thought into where you choose to stand in the room. Start with a goal: “What people seek from class absolutely informs where they stand,” says Dana Wilson, hip-hop teacher for New York City Dance Alliance. […]

It’s no secret that “So You Think You Can Dance” alum Carly Blaney—who’s now Sidekick program director for 24 Seven Dance Convention, and who recently performed at the Grammys—can turn for days. We needed to know just how she does it. So we caught up with the pirouette princess to find out her tricks for […]

Here at DS, we’re big believers in our Sunday #MomentofZen. It’s important to take a day to recharge and prep for the week ahead, especially when it comes to setting goals. Which is why we thought it was the perfect time to introduce our Sunday Spotlight Roundup. Maybe you’ve been wanting to master a new […]

Hilary Harrison (Ricard Harrison) Hilary Harrison always looked up to her best friend, Kayla, the star of the Michelle Latimer Dance Academy in Colorado. She wanted to be just like her, which made it hard for Hilary to grow as a dancer. “I wanted to be her instead of wanting to be myself,” Hilary admits. […]

There are tons of amazing things about conventions—the celebrity teachers, the variety of styles taught, the chance to bond with friends from across the country. The floors, on the other hand, generally aren’t so amazing. Dancing on carpet or a slippery parquet floor can seriously hinder your movement. More important, it can lead to injury […]

A few years ago, 16-year-old Kayla Gonzalez found herself dancing alongside a mean-spirited girl. “She could be so rude,” says Gonzalez, who trains at The Dance Zone in Henderson, NV. “It got worse at competitions. She’d make up lies, saying my teammates and I were doing things we weren’t. She was always trying to get […]