Competitive Team FAQ
- What is the competitive team?
- What is competition?
- How do I know that my child is ready for competitions?
- What happens if the team wins a trophy or cash prizes?
- What is the goal of a competitive team?
- When is competition?
- How can parents/guardians be involved?
- What classes will I participate in?
- What are the fees?
- Team jackets?
- How do I register for the team?
What is the competitive team?
The competitive team is a group of students who enjoy performing; want to challenge themselves and who wish to compete against other dance schools. In this team students choose what they would like to compete in, e.g. if a student really enjoys ballet then they would learn a dance routine that would be used to compete against other schools in the lower mainland. Not only will the team be dancing in local competitions and festivals but also dancing in various shows, fundraisers, and local events.
What is competition?
Competition is when dance schools compete against each other and are adjudicated by professional dancers and choreographers. When the dance routines are entered they are matched with other dancers who are of the same age and skill level. The students compete for medals, trophies, and scholarships. It is important to realize that when we enter competition it isn’t about winning but experiencing the excitement of being on stage and improving by listening to the feedback and enjoying the whole competitive atmosphere in a positive manner.
How do I know that my child is ready for competitions?
When you sign up for the competitive team it is a big commitment! In order to get the full experience students must be motivated, dedicated and love to dance! The routines can be demanding and exciting at the same time! When we start choreography it moves fast because it needs to be ready by January. With that said it is important that you attend each class so that they know the new choreography and can go on stage with confidence. The first year you compete we suggest that children compete in on to two dance numbers. This will allow your child to get the full experience and decide if this is something they would like to do more of or continue recreationally. It is hard to say who is right for competition as we feel that each child should have the chance to be on stage. If your child loves to dance in front of an audience and can’t shop dancing around the house this is probably the best experience for them!
What happens if the team wins a trophy or cash prizes?
In many of these competitions students may receive trophies, this is very exciting for the children and teachers. Students who win in a solo will keep the trophies! With a duet or trio the trophy will be shared for the year between the students and given back to the studio later on or kept at the studio the entire time. This is up to the students, parents, teacher and director! In the case that a group wins a trophy it will be displayed at the studio for all to enjoy! When students receive cash prizes the money will stay with the studio and shared between the students who won and put towards next years fees of fundraising for the group to attend other competitions, national, workshops etc. We feel that this is the best way to distribute the money seeing as the competitions give the money as scholarships for dance.
What is the goal of a competitive team?
We feel that the goal of competition isn’t to win but to enjoy the experience of being on stage and performing. When we decided to set up a competitive team we all had the same goal and that was to ensure that children have the opportunity to perform and challenge themselves. One of the great advantages of competition is having the opportunity to take master classes with famous dancers, choreographers, and the chance to audition for national teams. We are extremely dedicated to making sure that each and every child has a good time performing each dance to the best of their ability and to constantly challenge themselves!
When is competition?
The competition season starts after January and is generally on the weekends and evenings! However some of the festivals and competitions do run during the week and students may have to miss school, we try our best to have the children compete on the weekends however, this isn’t always easy for us. We will be sending a list of competition dates and times A.S.A.P!
How can parents/guardians be involved?
We have a committee of parents who are involved in brainstorming, fundraising, carpools, and phone networks. The committee will meet once a month to discuss upcoming events ideas and general information. These meetings will be open to every parent whose child is on the competitive team. Please inform Sonica if you are interested! Remember you are an important part of the whole experience please feel free to talk to the teachers at anytime, they are here for you and want to help!
What classes will I participate in?
Every child who enters the competitive team must take two classes a week. Classes will commence in September. When any child enters the team it is extremely important that he/she develops with adequate training and muscle development. These are suggestions of classes that will insure that each child develops, and strengthen their technique. The classes are as follows:
- Ballet-ballet &/or modern
- Jazz-ballet
- Tap-ballet
- Hip hop – break dance &/or jazz
- Break dance- hip hop
- Acro-ballet
- Musical Theatre jazz or ballet
We also have a professional development class that allows the students to take as many as 5 classes a week in any discipline that they would like to participate in. These classes will ensure that your child is getting the best training at a lower rate. Please ask for more details.
Note: You must take a minimum of 2 classes
What are the fees?
We have tried to keep fees as low as possible to ensure that each and every child has the opportunity to compete. The two mandatory classes a will be the regular school fees, the fee for the choreography classes will be as follows:
- Group (min of 4 students) 1 hour per week 38 weeks (for the year) =$550.00
- Duo/trio (min of 2 students max of 3) 1 hour per week 38 weeks $700.00
- Solo (max of 1 student) 1/2 hour per week 38 weeks =$500.00
- GST will be added at time of registration
When teachers are choosing groups they may ask you child to participate in groups, duet/trios, and solos. It is your decision on what groups, trip, duos, and solos you participate in. We also have the professional and competitive development program that allows the child to take up to 5 classes a week. We have kept the prices low so that children have the opportunity to develop in many areas of dance and learn from a variety of teachers.
Team jackets?
When you register for the competitive team there will be an opportunity to purchase a team jacket! With this jacket, you are expected to wear it at competitions; festivals and any other event the team may be involved in! Matching pants are also available as well as extra jackets for any parents who wish to purchase one!
How do I register for the team?
To register is extremely easy, please see Sonica in the office and fill out a registration form! Alternatively, you can fill out our online registration form here. Please note that this is a year commitment and each child that signs up will be expected to compete in every competition, festival or event! If you would like any more information we can be reached at the office at 604-524-3516 or by e-mail at dancinstars@shaw.ca
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