Motionwear LLC || Dance Blog» Kathe Jones

Are Dancing Shows Increasing Popularity of Dance Studios?

Kathe Jones — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:00:54 +0000

With the influences of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “Dancing with the Stars,” we’re starting to hear about increases in attendance from some of our friends who own dance studios. These surges usually happen at dance studios after popular shows feature some form of dance. Just like gymnastics classes experience a big surge after every Olympics, adult dance classes fill up after dancing shows.

Ballroom dancing has become a hot commodity for adults because of these shows, as well as competitive ballroom dancing on public television. Most times when a new dance show comes to television, we have also seen a rise in popularity of those specific dances, as well as who is interested in learning. Even though the growth in ballroom dancing is more for adults than children, there are other areas that are becoming more popular for kids and the younger audiences.

Hip-hop dance has become a very popular form of dance for a younger audience. While most of the influence comes from the street, there are some shows on television, like “America’s Best Dance Crew,” which has an influence on the type of dance these younger audiences want to learn. However, younger hip-hop dancers are getting more of their influence from sources other than television, including online videos.

Because hip-hop is a newer, more informal style of dance, they aren’t bound by the traditions and expectations of ballet and jazz. So they can choose their own outfits. In hip-hop, the outfit is important, but is more or less influenced by the music and the type of dance. It is not leotards or articles of clothing like that, it is more loose pants and cut shirts. The influence is very urban. With the urban culture, dance is just becoming another form of expression.

However, as they grow older, we’re also seeing a number of dancers move from hip-hop dance to other more formal styles, like modern dance, which is increasing that art form’s popularity as well.

Photo: Andrew J. Ferguson

Read Related Posts

What to Consider When Buying Team Dance Uniforms

Kathe Jones — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:00:28 +0000

When buying team dance costumes or uniforms, there are several things to consider before making the purchase. It’s important to think beyond the first performance. If your uniforms are going to be used more than once — which they should be — you need to think about their care and maintenance.

Are they easy to care for or will you need to iron them between each use? Does the fabric move with the dancer? Are the colors likely to bleed or fade after washing? How do you launder the uniforms? Do they need to be hand washed, dry cleaned, or can you just throw it in the washing machine with all of your other laundry?

Of course, the routine being performed and the venue where the routine is performed are also considerations to keep in mind, but there are plenty of good-looking uniforms out there. The biggest question should be one of durability and quality.

Durability is a key consideration. No one wants a wardrobe malfunction, so it’s important to make sure the item is stitched up properly and securely. Are there sequins and beads sewn on the costume? If so are they secure so they won’t come off, fall on the floor and cause yourself or another dancer to slip and fall? You do not want to cause an accident because you have something that could fall off or swing around and hit another team member.

You also want to make sure that the fabric is as simple to take care of as possible. You do not want to have to steam clean it or iron it before each performance, especially if you have to wear it more than once a day. Dancers change their outfits several times during the day; the costume gets bunched up and thrown into a bag until it is time to wear it again. If the fabric wrinkles easily, you end up wasting a lot of time ironing. You also want to make sure that the fabric is flexible. You want major durability with each costume for flexibility and comfort with the dancers, if it doesn’t have either of those characteristics then reconsider buying that costume.

Not all costumes and uniforms are high quality pieces, there are some that are just quickly stitched together which may fall apart with the rigorous movements required in team dancing. Make sure you buy the highest quality costumes to get the most wear out of them. What you spend upfront might just save you a lot of time and money down the line.

Photo: Kevin Coles

Read Related Posts

Different Styles of Team Dancing

Kathe Jones — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:00:07 +0000

Team dancing has many different styles. It really depends on the choreographer and what kind of dance style they are most comfortable teaching and performing. While all styles of team dancing have a few things in common such as dance uniforms, dance costumes, and all members of the team basically performing the same movements, there are some notable differences between the different styles of team dancing. If you or your children are interested in team dancing, it’s important to know the differences when scouting out some of the different schools and teachers.

Lyrical Jazz Team Dancing is a style that blends ballet with jazz movements. The songs or music the dance team moves to tend to be slower and more ballet like. The dance team uniforms tend to be designed in the ballet fashion. The movements are slower and flowing.
Prop Team Dancing is just what it sounds like. The dancers use props in their performance. The props can range from books to stuffed animals, or whatever the routine might call for to illustrate the vision the choreographer wants to showcase.
Pom Team Dancing is more like the standard cheerleading most people think of, using pom poms to accentuate the moves the dancers make.
Hip Hop Team Dancing is an exciting routine that incorporates not only hip hop dance movements to fast-paced songs, but also the dancers dress in urban street clothes rather than traditional dance costumes. The movements are raw and synchronized at the same time. The music is loud, has a deep bass beat, and gets everyone fired up.
Modern Team Dancing is a form of team dancing that incorporates modern dance into its routines. The dancers move in an often chaotic pattern. The dance uniforms can be wild or outrageous depending on the routine. There really is no form to modern dance, so this team dance has the most variety to it.
Novelty Team Dancing is similar to prop dancing, there is a theme to the dance and often exaggerated costumes are used to illustrate the change from standard team dancing. Think of a routine that uses country line dancing with the team members wearing jeans, cowboy hats and button down shirts, clothing dancer don’t usually wear except when there is a theme to showcase.

Today, dance teams incorporate many of these different styles of team dancing in to their routines. It depends on the choreographer to put it all together into a performance the dance team is able to perform, and the audience is most likely to enjoy watching. There is no set in stone style that must be used. It is simply the preference of the team and choreographer.

Read Related Posts

Why Costumes Are Important in Team Dancing?

Kathe Jones — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:00:13 +0000

Team dancing costumes and other articles of teamwear clothing are not necessarily uniforms. Oftentimes, they’re more than that. Just depending on the event, or what the team is looking for in their teamwear, will often define what a dancer will wear.

It’s important to remember that these costumes will be performed in many times, they are not a one-time deal, like many traditional dance costumes. When ordering uniforms, use a catalog specifically for teamwear. There are costume catalogs and uniform catalogs. Make sure you know which catalog you are ordering from. If you need a uniform order from a uniform catalog, if you need a costume make sure you are getting it from a costume catalog.

Many uniforms and even practice wear are very flexible when it comes to adding and subtracting other articles and accessories. There are many styles of both, but durability is important when choosing performance costumes. That’s why many teams and schools will purchase practice wear and convert it to costumes: because the outfits have to last well beyond the first or second performance, usually for more than one year.

Motionwear dancewear is built to last from one year to the next. The colors don’t bleed or fade and the pieces can be used interchangeably. For instance a team might purchase a pair of black pants and zebra patterned spandex top for one routine, the next routine might require a leopard print spandex top and therefore only the tops need to be changed. The pants can be used for both costumes. So our dancewear has to be able to handle the versatility and the extra workload.

Costumes are all about the mood that is set either by a song in the routine or by the type of routine performed. Uniformity is important, all the dancers need to look the same, but this does not mean the costume is a uniform.

In addition to being durable, costumes must be flexible enough for the dancer to move and at the same time snug enough to show off the dancers fit physique. Costumes must breathe so the dancer is as comfortable as possible. Team dancing is an extremely physical sport, obviously the dancer sweats when performing such a physically challenging routine, it is imperative that the costumes that are chosen allow the dancer to move as freely as possible and without causing the performer to overheat.

Photo: Doug Waliing

Read Related Posts

What is Team Dancing?

Kathe Jones — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:00:23 +0000

If you have never participated in team dancing or seen it performed, you might assume that team dancing is the same thing as cheerleading. While both are very challenging sports, there are several key differences between the two.

Like other forms of dance, team dancing is something you have to train for. It is a very competitive area of dance and you have to have experience. There are tryouts, and the dancers are expected to have knowledge of dance, and to know what it takes to become a team dancer. There are many things that are required for a person to know in order to be considered for a spot on a team.

People who participate in team dancing usually have many years of dance training under their belt. Team dancing is not a sport you just decide to try out for one day and get picked to join the team. Team dancers have been practicing their art since they were children, just like hockey, golf or any other sport.

It’s actually quite easy to tell the difference between cheerleading and team dancing, once you know what to look for. For example, team dancing has heavy jazz and hip-hop influences. In cheerleading, there are more flips and cheers. Ultimately, it really depends on the choreographer and whether they were influenced by dance or cheerleading. The Boston Celtics have dancers and not cheerleaders while the Dallas Cowboys have a cheerleading squad.

There are specific schools and teams that focus solely on dance or cheerleading, and different philosophies and outlooks for each sport. Team dancing is a team sport, and is never about an individual, everything is about unison. With cheerleading, there are opportunities to express your talents individually. It really depends on what style a person is looking for.

So the next time you’re watching a game on TV, and the cheerleaders take to the floor or field, pay particular attention to what they’re doing. Are they dancing? Are they doing flips and kicks? You’ll be able to say with confidence what that squad is actually doing.

Photo: ZenMama

Read Related Posts

America’s Funniest Dance Studio Videos

Kathe Jones — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:06:36 +0000

As a former dance instructor and current Motionwear employee, I visit a lot of dance studios, talk to a lot of dance teachers and get to see thousands of little dancers.

The experience is always fun, if not downright hilarious, particularly with the really little ones.

Dancers are starting younger and younger and with 3-year-olds entering into creative movement and beginner tot’s classes, it’s hard to imagine how these dance teachers keep those little ones under control. Between the bathroom breaks (or worse, the missed bathroom breaks), temper tantrums, funny dances and kids who say the wildest things, I see the dance teachers struggling to keep a straight face… sometimes the kids are just too funny!

If you’ve not been to a little tot’s dance class, imagine this: some kids are rolling around & falling down, a few are wiping their noses on their leotards, others are dancing with one shoe on and one or two might have even opted for a nap.

But, you know, it’s all part of the package. They’re kids, they’re having fun and, most importantly, they’re starting out on what will hopefully be a lifelong relationship with dance… and I love seeing it all!

As dance instructors, we have to expect these crazy kid moments and be ready to take them in stride. My only wish though was that we had video cameras to capture these darling, and sometimes hilarious snippets on film. They’d make perfect footage for America’s Funniest Dance Studio Videos (a show I’d love to see!).

Do you have any funny stories from your studio?
What about favorite YouTube videos of little dancers doing cute things?
If so, please share them in the comments section, I’d love to see them.

Read Related Posts

The Latest Trends in Ballet Leotards

Kathe Jones — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:07:31 +0000

Part of my job here at MotionWear is to watch dancewear trends. I keep my eyes on the runways of New York and Paris too.

Why?

For one, I am a fashion nut but primarily because we know the fashion-forward runway styles are what eventually and inevitably trickle down to ballet dance and performance wear.

Well, imagine my surprise when I was flipping through coverage of Paris Fashion Week and I discovered that the ballet leotard was actually inspiring the runways.

That’s right, ballet leotards are one of the hottest fashion trends for this year. Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Sonia Rykiel all showcased a range of ballet-inspired pieces and leotards in their collections this year. It was inspiring from basic leotards to full tulle skirts, it was all there, prancing down the runways of Paris.

For the first time since the 1980’s, dance is inspiring fashion.

Wearing a Ballet Leotard as a Fashion Piece
Most of the designers I mentioned featured a classic ballet leotard paired with either a pair of long, skinny jeans, tights or a flowing dancer’s skirt. The look was either sleek and dancer-chic or bohemian, depending on how it was accessorized. The Yves Saint Laurent leather number pictured above seems to defy classification, I’m guessing it’s more dramatic than functional.

Meanwhile, other and lesser-known designers like Gareth Pugh put out a few dresses and skirts inspired by ballet tutus, a look first made popular in the mid-90s by the Carrie character on Sex and the City.

The Price of Looking Good
The thing is, these designer ballet leotards are selling for a mint. A basic black Marc Jacobs’ black leotard costs close to $200. Meanwhile MotionWear offers authentic, high-quality ballet leotards in a range of trendy styles starting at about $25. We have almost every neckline, sleeve length and color combination you can think of and we don’t do leather leotards.

It all starts with a base leotard and then use your imagination and creativity to accessorize a unique look of your own.

Unless you are a million dollar designer, there is no wrong way to do it!

photo:Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Ready-to-wear collection

Read Related Posts

Top 4 Ways to Really Inspire Your Dancers

Kathe Jones — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:48:04 +0000

As a former dance teacher, I know how hard it can be to inspire dancers, especially during that middle-of-the-season slump between the spring recitals and end-of-year shows. The summer for dance teachers & studios can turn into a long few months.

But, you have to keep your dancers inspired, motivated and pumped to dance, otherwise you risk losing them. Bored dancers either won’t perform at their peak or they’ll eventually fade away without enrolling next year. For the development of your dancers and your studio, here are some great dance teacher tips on how to inspire your dancers:

1. Go Slow
There’s a common misconception that the more you learn, the more motivated you are. This can be overwhelming. Instead, take it slow and cap your instruction at 1-2 dance steps per week for little ones. With older students, you can step that up significantly.

No matter how old your dancers are, always do a refresher at the start of next class. It cements the moves in their mind and starts off every class with an accomplishment, not a challenge. By not overloading your students, you’ll keep them feeling successful and happy to practice.

2. Attendance Prizes
Attendance prizes are especially effective for older students who may be more likely to skip out on class. Try offering a prize for, say, eight weeks of consecutive attendance. You could give out a t-shirt or leotard with your dance studio logo or a gift certificate for your studio.

3. Fresh Routines
While you shouldn’t rush your students, introducing fresh routines and new little dances are a great way to keep them motivated. Doing the same routine week after week can lead to boredom and apathy.

4. Performance Opportunities
The opportunity to perform is the perfect amount of pressure to keep students excited and motivated. Make sure you provide at least two to three performance opportunities per year. A good performance schedule and just a pinch of pressure is truly one of the best ways to inspire dancers.

photo:grongar

Read Related Posts

Dancing is About Expression, Not Competition

Kathe Jones — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:00:00 +0000

I have many friends who are “dance moms,” it’s part of the business of being a former dance instructor and now a dancewear designer.

And while I love seeing my friends’ little dancers grow and learn, I get sad when I hear the stories about how competitive dance has become (in some studios), particularly for younger children.

This is what I mean:

I have a friend whose daughter has, what some call, a “learned gymnast’s form”. Her back arches more than usual while dancing. It’s not a tragedy, but it changes the way she carries herself and while there’s no real problem with it, it can be an “issue” with stricter forms of dance like ballet.

Her little girl has been left out of competitions, recitals and award opportunities at her studio. She’s only 10 and her mother is understandably heartbroken because, although she’s begged the teachers to help sort out her little girls posture or allow her to participate at the next level, this hard working little dancer is simply being left behind.

When a Dance Studio is Too Competitive

Dance moms, we need to be watchful and know when a studio is getting too competitive. From the awards ceremonies to the high-pressure auditions, it’s all designed to pile on the stress. Why do we allow this to happen? It doesn’t always translate to better dancers. Sometimes, that high-pressure atmosphere ends up discouraging dancers who become disheartened after falling behind even a little bit.

As a former instructor, I believe that dance is about expression and creativity first and foremost.

Competition comes second.

If you suspect your little dancer’s studio is too competitive or there’s a risk your child may be left behind, schedule a meeting with the studio director right away. Talk about your concerns, their thoughts on your child and how you and the studio can move forward.

If the studio is unwilling to talk with you or be proactive, take your business elsewhere.

photo:yogi

Read Related Posts

So You Want to Be a Dance Teacher

Kathe Jones — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:16:03 +0000

Trained dancers don’t just walk into dance studios and become dance teachers, they need experience in both dancing and teaching. It’s not always easy finding that experience, but here are my top tips on how to become a fantastic dance teacher:

Start Early
If you’re in school for dance or even considering a career as a dance teacher, start practicing teaching now.

Call up a local dance studio and ask if you can do an internship by helping out with a junior class. Get involved as a volunteer at a local middle school working with their theater students (or cheerleaders), or see if you can help out with a younger class at your own dance studio. Every hour of teaching experience helps.

Start on the Bottom Rung
If you have little-to-no teaching experience, you’ll likely have to start at the bottom of the ladder. While an apprenticeship or teacher assistant position may not pay well, it could be the entrance you need to break into the dance studios of your dreams.

If you’re an experienced and qualified dancer, but just need teaching experience, try contacting a local dance studio and expressing your goals and interests to the owner. You’ll be surprised at how accommodating they can be.

Go Private
Before you break into dance studios, think about private instruction. Enlist a few students from family members and friends in order to build up your references and testimonials. Use these as your foot in the door.

Try Substituting
Offering your services as a substitute dance teacher is a great way to get your feet wet. It gives you a chance to try out teaching and it gives the dance studios a chance to try out you.

Enroll in Teacher Training
There are a number of private and public dance schools that offer teacher training. Most Bachelor of Fine Arts programs offer some teaching instruction, as do non-profit groups like the Dance Educators of America or private organizations like Rhee Gold. Rhee Gold has a great resource for would-be dance teachers at DanceLifeTV, check it out.
photo:glamour schatz