With the popularity of various kinds of reality shows soaring high, dance competitions too have made their foray into the format since some time. Being the flavour of the season, everyone has joined the bandwagon of dance competitions including celebrities. Having been a dance teacher and choreographer, I have had the privilege of judging such dance based reality shows on many television channels and also ground championships. Practically, almost every dancer participates in dance

competitions in his/her dance career. It is one of the ways to get noticed and achieve recognition in the dance fraternity. Over the years with quite some experience, I feel that while entering a dance competition, dancers need to keep a few things in mind to optimise their competition opportunities:

Pre-competition and Rehearsal Basics
w Learn to take feedback from your choreographer or dance teacher positively, make sure you take it in the right spirit and work on the required changes. Teachers wish the best for you and want to see you succeed. They have been there and done that. So try and imbibe the positive tips from their experiences.
w Visualise your routine as many times as you can before the competition. This is a great form of practice and polish.
w A well-rehearsed piece should fuse together like glue. There should be no steps, only an appearance of natural movement reaction to music.
w A dancer needs to bring a good attitude to rehearsals; this isn’t about winning or losing but about doing the best one can possibly do. Work with a positive mind frame and a feeling of camaraderie.
w Everyone involved in the competition must be aware of rules and regulations before the show.
w Sometimes it’s important to take a break for a day or two and step away from the choreography and preparation. Let it all sink in and come with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and fresh perspective.

Creativity Counts
w A good exercise is to practise opposite emotions than what is set to the choreography. This brings out such a contrast that it sometimes highlights the polar emotions.
w Choose music that you won’t get bored of. Choreographers should let their group listen to the music and ask the students to take it home before the choreography is even presented. This develops a personal connection to the music that is one’s own.
w Visualise the audience and their reaction to the piece. This needs to be interesting to people of all backgrounds and experience.
w Don’t forget dynamics! Sometimes dancers get carried away with dancing throughout the entire piece. Remember to highlight the peaks and valleys so the climax will appear as so.
w Try setting a particular style of dance, to an opposing piece of music. Why not try Salsa movement to Bollywood music or vice versa?
w Remember your true passion for dance; you’re there because wanted it, not for others. Dance from your heart and you will be a truly unique performer.

Presentation
w How a dancer conducts him/herself in the presence of the judges is important from the start to finish. Walk on the stage with confidence, hold your chin up and have an honest smile of appreciation on your face.
w Make eye contact with the audience and judges.
w Props, hairpieces and costumes should be neat and groomed as well as secured tightly. Don’t let a loose bobby pin steal the show!
w A complete package is essential to competition. This means good costumes, music, choreography, technical skills, dancers, personality and most of all the presentation.
w Make sure you speak to the other dancers too who will be in the audience during your performance. This needs to stay professional without inappropriate outbursts from the audience, as it can rate poorly with the judges.
Your morale needs to stay high during any competition. Winning isn’t everything, make sure this mindset is highlighted but not to the point of relaxation. All dancers should reach for the gold but if they don’t win, they need to take it as a learning experience.
Not everyone will be a finalist.
When the competition is over, make sure to review judges’ notes. Also watch the performance and critique as well. Practice, polish and persevere! To be a real winner