FAD Blog: Tips and Tricks for Choreographing Your Own Routine!

Wed, 19 Jun 2013

FAD Blog: Dance Stars

tips and tricks for choreographing your own routine!!!

Hi All,

I hope you have all had a fabulous Term 2! I can’t believe that this is the last week before school holidays AGAIN! The exciting Term has gone so quickly! I can’t wait till Term 3; FAD has lots of exciting events coming up. Dance Stars Competition, Studio Grading, Inter Studio Dance Carnival and lots more within your own studios!

This week’s Blog is for all our Dance Star Entrants for this year! I am going to be giving you some exciting ‘Tips and Tricks for Choreographing your own Routine!!’ This blog will give you a great idea on what the judges are looking for!! J

Tips and Tricks for Choreographing your own Routine!!

Music Selection:

Your music choice should be interesting and entertaining to you, the audience and the judges.
Look for music that has highs and lows to choreograph to and/or changes in the song.
Consider the character, theme and style of music

Technique and Strength:

Strength criteria require you to give a controlled performance of moves with full range of motion and limb extension where required, regardless of speed.
Clear execution of moves with strong, controlled posture and correct foot and limb placement throughout the routine.
Work to maintain your energy level throughout the routine with correct body alignment.
Flexibility – It is great to show flexibility in your routine but make sure you are not compromising your body alignment to demonstrate your flexibility.

Creativity and Originality:

You need to create excitement in your routine by using energy, enthusiasm and entertainment.
Try and show different levels – standing, kneeling, Floorwork etc. Use height and airborne movement e.g. leaps and jumps. Dynamic movements add excitement and are useful to highlight the accents and highs in the music.
Use different facing and travelling directions, use floors patterns and stage positions (Particularly in groups and duets.)
Ensure the routine flows, combination to combination and verse to chorus.
Originality – Don’t use routines or sequences you do in your FAD Class, don’t copy music videos or sequences seen on TV or movies. Try to create original movement sequences.

Style and Theme:

Originality in overall theme, co-ordination of music, style and appearance. E.g. Cabaret style routine would use a Broadway/Musical style of music with chorus line style movements teamed with costuming to reflect the style!

Showmanship:

Your showmanship is very important! So remain focused, give sincere and genuine smiles or facial expression throughout your routine.
When performing your routine, if you look like you are enjoying yourself, then chances are the audience and judges are too! So have some fun!! :-)
Try to involve the audience, interact with them, encourage their participation in your routine – whether it is a thigh slapping country song or a beautiful and graceful contemporary routine; remember to entertain the audience and judges.

Appearance:

Costumes should be well fitting and linked to the theme or character of your routine and music.
Points are awarded for co-ordination of music, style and appearance. :-) So get creative!!

But the most important thing to remember when choreographing your own routine is to....

HAVE FUN!!! :-)

Relax and enjoy yourself!

I can’t wait to see your routines at the 2013 Dance Stars Competition!

Check out the Photos below for some great ideas from previous Dance Star Entries!! :-)