What is the Competitive Company? - Competitive company classes are a lot different than regular dance classes. The company is made up of students who are willing to work hard (but still have fun), not miss classes, and attend dance competitions and shows. Parents must be supportive and dedicated to getting their children to classes, special practices and rehearsals, and competitions on time and with everything needed for the performance.
Dress Code For Classes - The dress code is very important. If you dress like a dancer, you will feel like one and this will carry over into the way you perform. Mini/Petite and Junior level students should wear either a plain pink or black leotard and Senior level may wear any solid color leotard; skirts should be removable and are only for ballet class; pink or tan tights either cut or transition (these are the tights with the hole in the bottom so they can be rolled up for acro); pink split sole ballet shoes; white, black, or tan tap shoes; and jazz shoes/boots for jazz class (half-soles or foot undeez may also be worn). Student's names should be on all shoes. Warm-up sweaters and leg warmers are also acceptable. No baggy clothes will be allowed in class. It is preferred that everyone have their hair in a bun. Make sure it is put in tight so it won't fall out during class. Use a hair net to help keep it in place. Hair sometimes needs to be in a bun for competitions so putting your child's hair in a bun for class is great practice!
Class Attendance - It can not be stressed enough how important it is for all students to attend their classes. If a student misses too many classes, they will lose some of their progress and this will show at competitions. If your child is in a group, please remember their actions will reflect on the group as a whole to the judges. It is important that all students keep progressing throughout the year. If you must miss a class, please call the studio and let Ms. Kim know so she will not hold up the class waiting. Classes will be held two or three times a week. All students in the company must take the required ballet classes.
Extra Practices and Dress Rehearsal - Also very important, students are required to attend all extra practices, usually held either on Saturdays or Sundays. Dates for this season are as follows: to be announced... Exact times for each group will be announced in a handout, posted on the "Company News" page of this web site, and posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Additional extra practices may be needed after our first competition; Ms. Kim will advise of the dates. Our dress rehearsal will be scheduled sometime in the month of January or February and in the past, has been held at the Ambridge Junior High or Monaca High School.
Fundraising - We will have many different fundraisers before competitions start. All students are encouraged to take advantage of these fundraisers as costs for costumes and the different competitions can get expensive. Fundraisers are currently being planned for this season. In the past we have held the following fundraisers: tagging events at Monaca Wal-Mart, Anderson Candy Bar sale, Bake Sale at the Monaca Fall Festival, Joe Corbi pizza kit/cookie dough sale, Java Joes coffee sale, Yankee Candles sale, Scratchers fundraiser, and Christmas Cash lottery tickets. Also, we try to have a hoagie/pepperoni roll fundraiser every two months. You may also choose to sell Avon for profit. The Avon fundraiser is on-going all year round. Just pick up your catalog at the studio and return your orders by the deadline each month to the envelope by the office. We are always looking for other ideas for our fundraisers. If you know of a fundraiser that worked well for another organization, please let Ms. Kim or Ms. Tina know.
Logowear - What to wear to and from competitions? Logowear! Required logowear for all levels will include: Dance Company studio warm-up suit, t-shirt with studio logo, rhinestone barrettes, and hair scrunchie in studio colors. Optional logowear (but a good idea to have) includes: garment bag with studio logo and student's name embroidered on it, hoody sweatshirt with studio logo with matching pants(available in child and adult sizes to show your Rhythms In Motion team spirit and pride at competitions, school, and elsewhere), black shorts, and black studio cami tee. Information will go home about ordering logowear as soon as it becomes available. Payment is due when you place your order.
Competition Information - Competition information, such as dates, locations, and exact time of performance will be handed out as soon as it becomes available. Usually, the competitions only let us know one week before the event about the exact times for each performance. As a rule, you should have your child at the competition location one hour before she/he is scheduled to dance. This will allow plenty of time to change into costumes, touch-up hair and make-up, stretching and warm-up, and practice of the routine before performance time. The cost for each competition varies. Tentatively, we will be attending the following competitions in the winter/spring of 2010-2011: to be announced...
Please note: to figure out your child's fee for a duo/trio, divided the total cost either by 2 or 3, depending on whether it's a duo or trio.
Optional Dance Convention Workshop/Competition - In the past we have attended a convention in January or February before competitions start. Workshops are taught by a staff of Master Teachers and are a great learning experience. They are also lots of fun. For an extra fee, dancers can choose to compete at the convention. Competition is usually held Saturday night. If you are interested in having your child attend a convention, please let Ms. Kim know. If there is enough interest, we will attend.
Costumes and Tights - Costume fittings (if needed) will be held at the studio. A date will be announced later. Some costumes may be ordered from a catalog or bought at a store. Ms. Kim will make this decision. Also, please keep in mind there may be extra fees involved if the costume needs to be altered, stoned, or have accessories added to it. On average, each student will need a $50 deposit per costume. Do not alter your child's costume (such as adding rhinestones) yourself without first getting approval from Ms. Kim. If your child's costume has a skirt, make sure you hang the costume upside-down and keep it separate from other costumes so it doesn't get smashed and stays fluffy. Remember to always have an extra pair of tights on hand. Ms. Kim will order everyone two pairs for competitions. Also please keep the following in mind: you will carry your costume(s) to and from events covered in a garment bag. Do not wear any costume to competitions. After your performance(s), change out of your costume and into your logowear (if done dancing for the day) to wait for the awards ceremony (time permitting). Remember to check that you have all pieces of your costume, tights, and shoes for competition BEFORE you leave your house for competitions!!! Purchasing a wheeled suitcase is a great idea to keep everything together so nothing gets lost or left behind in transit.
Make-up - It is a good idea to purchase a make-up case (like a Caboodle) to use for your make-up. The following is required for competitions: black eye liner, blush, pressed powder, mascara, eye shadow (Ms. Kim will announce the colors needed for each dance), eye concealer, lipstick - bright but dark in color, eyelashes (2 sets) and glue for Junior and Senior levels, and base make-up (some children will need this to even out skin tone - others will just need the pressed powder). A helpful hint to remember is to use a moisturizer before you apply any make-up. Our competitions are all in the wintertime/early spring so this will help with dry skin and allow make-up to be applied more evenly. All make-up should be applied before you leave your house for competitions. Touch ups can be done after changing into costumes at the competition.
Hair - Ms. Kim will inform parents on how their child's hair will need to be styled for each number. If your child's hair needs to be put into a bun, to be able to style hair properly for competitions, the following is needed: a spray bottle of water, gel, hairspray, bobby pins or hair pins to match color of hair, and a hair net to match color of hair. First lightly spray hair down with water, apply a bit of gel, then side part hair on the left side (part no longer than 2 inches) and brush or comb down and back. Gather into a low ponytail and twist hair into a bun (bun should be closer to the neck). Use a lot of bobby pins or hair pins (or both) to hold bun in place. Wrap bun with hair net and either apply more gel or hair spray (or both) to hold all loose hairs. Your child's bun should be tight enough so it won't fall out while they are dancing. When wearing logowear, be sure to use the hair scrunchie and rhinestone barrettes. For competitions, your child may not need to wear the rhinestone barrettes. It depends on the costume and again, Ms. Kim will make this decision. Be sure to order your barrettes when you place your logowear order. Hair should be styled before you leave your house for competitions. If needed, we will have a class on styling hair and applying make-up so everyone knows the correct way to do these two things.
Other Things To Remember - Cover and carry all costumes when traveling to and from competitions. No eating or drinking in costumes. No gum chewing while dancing. No nail polish, toe polish, or fake nails. No jewelry, other than what's required for your group (points may be taken off if someone is wearing something different). Swimming the night before a competition is a no-no. Get lots of rest the night before. Keep your child pumped up and excited about competitions (the excitement will show in your child's performance and is one of the things the judges will be looking for). Be on time and ready for competitions. Remember your team spirit! Make sure everyone (including parents) is cheering and shouting for each other while taking the stage and after performing. Be sure to say "Thank You" to the judges when they hand you your award. Congratulate everyone on their awards. Remember that competition is not meant to be between our own members of our company. Competition is only meant to be a way to be judged on how well the students are doing in class and what they need to improve upon for the next competition. And finally (and most importantly):
If you have any other questions, be sure to ask Ms. Kim.
Let's get ready to dance, have fun, and show the world what we can do!
