All About Team 2012-2013

What is Competition Dance? Competition dance is for the dancer who is ready to take the next step in furthering their dance education and reaching their highest potential. Competition dance is a more serious and structured program, although it should still be a fun experience. We promote a positive competitive spirit. We want everyone to feel invited and welcome to be a part of a competition team. There is a place for you! We have broadened our program to allow more dancers to be involved. Competition teams will range from 1 hour/week to 6 hours/week! We feel that being a part of a team is an incredible experience for all dancers. It teaches teamwork, discipline, confidence, sportsmanship, listening skills, responsibility, friendship, respect and of course, DANCE!

Tryouts
Each year tryout time is hard on not only the dancers, but the teachers as well. Each dancer needs to assess their dance experience and choose to do what they feel is best for their situation, not what their friends do. Competitive dance is not for everyone. Competition season is demanding and hectic. You are committing to a Spring time of dance. Helping your dancer have a great dance experience is our main goal. No matter what level of competition they choose, we hope they will learn, improve and grow not only as a dancer, but as a person. The discipline, hard work and effort required for competition teaches them life lessons that are second to none. o You should get a good nights sleep the night before! o Make sure you eat something light before you come! o Dress to Impress- You should wear something to show off your dance lines. Your hair should be pulled back and completely out of your face. If you feel good and put together, you will dance like it. Make sure you wear the proper shoes for the team you are trying out for (jazz, hip hop, cheer). o Arrive Early- You will need time to get your number, stretch and find a spot on the floor. Its never a good impression being late! o This is your chance to Show Off- Dont hide in the back, dance in the front! o Dancers will learn a short combination in the genre they are trying out for. They will go across the floor performing technique (turns, leaps & kicks). o Be courteous and respectful- Remember that your personal behavior and attitude is being observed as well as your dancing. Listen quietly during tryouts. If you have questions, dont be afraid to ask.

Team Placement
All placement decisions are made with each students best interest at heart and are based on class participation & discipline, attendance, progress, ability, attitude & work ethic, performance and consistency. Dancers usually stay on a team for numerous years before moving to another team. This is common and nothing to worry about. It doesnt mean your child has not grown as a dancer. Each student learns at a different rate of speed. Sometimes students need to remain at one level longer in order to be ready to move to the next level. If a student is placed in a level inappropriate to their working ability, eventually the student will lose interest in dance. Class should be challenging and fun not too hard or too easy. We carefully evaluate each dancer and make individual decisions for each team member. Be happy for your dancer and the other dancers. Not everyone will be placed together. Always try to keep a positive outlook! Your child will react how you react. Children often follow in your footsteps, beware of the message you are sending to them. Never take it personal. Your dancer will always go through ups and downs. Know that tryouts are a very subjective process and your child may or may not have been selected on any number of reasons. Problems regarding Team placement: Believing you are too good for a certain team or teammates. Dancers or parents who want to be in a certain class because their friends are in it or because they were together last year. These issues will stunt a students progress. No two dancers or children are alike. Dance is a very individual and focused activity. Each student progresses at their own rate and not that of their friends. Every class is an opportunity to grow, no matter what level or who is in the class. As Directors we are very careful when choosing a team for a student. It is not uncommon to see two students of the same age, with the same number of years of training with extremely different capabilities. Please trust the Staff and the Judges - we are professionals and care about your child and want them to enjoy dance for many years to come.

Team Progress
A willingness to learn, a positive attitude, good attendance, practice, and dedication are key factors for accomplishment at Just Dance Studio. Each student learns at their own pace and each student will have a different level of personal accomplishment. Parents and students should be proud of their own personal accomplishments and not constantly compare themselves or their children to other dancers. Constantly asking where did you stand in the dance or what corrections did you get will have a negative effect on your dancer and the team. Making sure that your dancer enjoyed their day at dance and continually progresses is far more important. Please help children learn that hard work and

determination will help them succeed! If your dancer has a negative attitude and you fuel that, it will only get worse. You get out of things what you put into them, have a good attitude and your experience will be a good one encouraging your dancer to be the best they can be on their own level. Comparing your dancer to others only causes animosity and jealousy. Dance is an individual art form and dancers need to gain strength and skills at their own pace. No two students progress the same way. Do not let others affect your progress or success. Dance because you love it!

Pre Comp ClassPre Comp is a great way to get involved in the competitive dance world. This is a class that has the opportunity to compete. You may just take the class and perform or you may tryout for the routine which will be competed at one competition and at the recital. Pre Comp will be more competitive than a recreational class. These classes will be based on a more serious & structured competition syllabus. We group each class in a way to challenge the dancers and allow maximum progress throughout the year. * All dancers participate in approx. 1- 1 1/2 hours/week. * All dancers compete one routine at one competition. Team Fee- includes practice outfit, shoes & DVD Costume Fee Competition Fee

Full Force TeamsFull Force Teams are a very fun competitive experience. Full Force dancers receive a great competitive experience without a huge time commitment. Each dancer will participate in one competitive routine at three competitions each year. This allows the dancers to do great in competition and also get some good individual attention in their team classes. This level of team is for kids who love to dance but dont necessarily love demanding time commitments and the technical requirements of ballet. This is a strong competitive team, but with a minimum dance schedule. Ballet is encouraged but not required. Each dancer wishing to be considered for Full Force will be required to participate in the June Summer Intensive. * All dancers participate approx. 1 1/2 hours/week. * All dancers compete one routine at three competitions. Summer Intensive/Tryout fee of $20.00. Jazz Only Tryout fee $10.00 Hip Hop & Cheer Team Fee- includes practice outfit, shoes, DVD & comp treats Costume Fee Competition Fee

Extreme TeamsExtreme Teams are for serious and committed dancers. Extreme dancers get the opportunity to have the experience of the next step in the competitive world. They will compete two routines at four competitions each year. This level is required to take Ballet/Technique & Jazz/Lyrical. Ballet is a big part of Extreme. If your dancer does not enjoy and work hard in ballet, this is not the team for them. Each dancer wanting to participate in Extreme will need to make the serious time commitment. Your ballet and team attendance for the past season will be taken into consideration. Each dancer wishing to be considered for Extreme will be required to participate in the June Summer Intensive. * All dancers participate approx. 2-3 hours/week. * All dancers compete two routines at four competitions. * All dancers will have the opportunity to tryout for special routines. Summer Intensive/Tryout fee of $25.00. Team Fee- includes practice outfit, shoes, DVD & comp treats Costume Fee & Competition Fee

Extreme Plus Teams- *NEW THIS YEAR*

Extreme Plus Teams are for serious and committed dancers. Extreme Plus will have more expectations and requirements than Extreme. This level of team is for dancers who are self-motivated and disciplined. Extreme Plus dancers will be required to take Ballet/Technique, Jazz, Lyrical & a Supplemental class one day a week, possibly two. Ballet is a huge part of Extreme Plus. If your dancer does not enjoy and work hard in ballet, this is not the team for them. Each dancer wishing to be considered for Extreme Plus will be required to participate in the June Summer Intensive. Extreme Plus will be for a select group of hard working dancers with the potential, dedication, and discipline needed for this level of team. If you are looking for a less demanding team, please consider Full Force or Extreme. Extreme Plus Teams will have serious time commitments as well as financial obligations. Please make sure that your schedule and finances allow for this serious commitment. Past participation in Extreme does not guarantee placement for 2012-2013. Your ballet and team attendance for the past season will be taken into account. We are looking for a team of dancers who have the ability, discipline and work ethic to be challenged and continue to progress. * All dancers participate in approx. 6 hours/week. * All dancers compete two routines at four competitions. * All dancers will have the opportunity to tryout for special routines. * Additional Master Classes/Workshops may be required throughout the year. Summer Intensive/Tryout fee of $35.00 Team Fee- includes practice outfit, shoes, DVD & comp treats Costume Fee & Competition Fee

INTENSIVE/TRYOUTS SCHEDULE
Full Force Jazz $20 IntensiveThursday July 19th 5:00pm-6:00pm TryoutsFriday July 20th 5:00-7:00pm Extreme $25 IntensiveJuly 18th 5:00pm-6:30pm TryoutsJuly 19th 6:00pm-7:00pm 5-8yrs, 7:00-8:00pm 9-11yrs, 8:00-9:00pm 12 & UP Extreme Plus $35 Intensive Monday July 16th 6:00pm-8:00pm Tuesday July17th 6:00pm-8:00pm Tryouts Wednesday July 18th 6:30pm-8:00pm Full Force Hip Hop & Cheer $10 TryoutsTuesday July 17th Hip Hop 5:00 6yrs & Up Cheer 6:00 8yrs & Up