Canadian Dance Company (photo courtesy Break the Floor Productions) A few years ago, Canadian dancers and schools started making big waves at competitions and conventions across the U.S. Fast-forward to the 2014 Dance Awards Nationals in NYC: Roughly one-third of the Best Dancer finalists were from Canadian studios, and about half of the highest-scoring group […]
(Break the Floor Productions) If you’re a convention kid, surely you know Ray Leeper. As executive director of NUVO Dance Convention and co-director of The Dance Awards, Leeper is immediately recognizable for his awesomely spiky hair and his fabulous year-round tan. But he’s more than just a good-looking guy: Leeper is a sought-after choreographer and […]
How to dress for success at a convention scholarship, commercial, ballet or musical theater audition.
2012-13 Elite Protégé J’Loni Jones in “I Am Woman” The PULSE on Tour definitely knows how to put on a good show. And yesterday’s Final Night Gala was no exception. The faculty—essentially a who’s who of the choreography world—set the tone by rocking out in the front row while dancers of all ages ruled the […]
Christina Ricucci performing at Youth America Grand Prix (VAM Productions) Thinking of adding a solo to your competition repertoire? You should! The experience of taking the stage alone can bring you a lot more than a shiny new trophy. Here are 11 reasons—from top judges, teachers and soloists—you’ll benefit from having a solo. 1. You’ll […]
Nick Bass teaches a convention class at Adrenaline Nationals (Brian Guilliaux) You’ve heard all the reasons dance conventions are beneficial: They’ll give you access to choreographers who may hire you in the future, and introduce you to other inspiring dancers. But for convention novices, all that potential for greatness can come with a lot of […]
To most of my friends, summer means days on the beach applying sunscreen and reading magazines. To me, summer brings long nights in chilly convention ballrooms, taking frantic notes about this year’s up-and-coming, OMG-we-have-to-feature-them dancers. And I wouldn’t have it any other way: Nationals season is my favorite time of the dance year. One of the […]