Do you compete?

[SDsalsaguy]

We've had quite a few new members join over the past month or so and I wanted to get a feel for how many of you were competitors and in what styles...

As for myself, and to get us started, I’ll soon be making a return to the comp floor after an almost two year hiatus but, in the past, have competed as an amateur in all four major styles contested in the U.S.

[Puss'nBoots]

We've had quite a few new members join over the past month or so and I wanted to get a feel for how many of you were competitors and in what styles...

As for myself, and to get us started, I’ll soon be making a return to the comp floor after an almost two year hiatus but, in the past, have competed as an amateur in all four major styles contested in the U.S.
Hey ya SDsalsaguy, I am not a new member, but, I have not let it be known that I am not a competitor in any way shape or form. For many unsucessfull years, I have tried and practiced to learn all the numerous dance numbers, etc.....but have failed to master the talent. I lack the talent and disipline of following....I tend to want to lead in a major way.... mind you not knowing which way to lead or not to lead. I have a single minded one way tunnel Italian Mind, and an easy to follow any stray minded two left handed foot gender makeup. I feel more at ease performing and freeforming in the area of Hip-hop style of dancing. I know and feel all style of dancing is inside of me, its just the more up to date version of dancing feels much more comfortable when "letting myself loose". My father competes, hence the dance floor in the garage, as well does my step mother, and I appreciate watching them practice trying to get their "waltz" routine down..........all the different styles of dancing is a unique perspective and appreciation to dance. If one has the right partner, then all styles and forms are correct for those individuals. To look into one anothers eyes and to follow THAT lead, is uncoverable. But, for myself at the moment, hip hop is the most energy releasing dance that I can do to satisfy my desire.

[Blondie]

I am an amateur dancer and have competed in pro/am for the past 3 years, primarily in rhythm/Latin and smooth. I work on 12 dance styles...waltz, foxtrot, tango, viennese waltz, cha cha, rumba, EC swing, mambo, bolero, samba, merengue, and hustle. I enjoy all of the dances although lean heavily toward the Latin and rhythm. It takes a lot of work and it seems as though there's never enough time to work on everything adequately but I just keep forging onward. I am learning correct technique and have gained a lot of leg and foot strength, so essential in dancing. My teacher is outstanding! I plan to keep on learning and competing, the goal to get up to gold level (and possibly beyond!). It takes time, it takes patience, perseverance, and much hard work. I love to dance and especially love competitive style dancing. :D :banana:

[pygmalion]

Hi Blondie! Welcome. :D

I have so many questions I'd love to ask, but I don't want to pry too much when you've just joined. Don't want to scare you away, but I'd love to compare notes sometime. I've been dancing two and a half years, have completed bronze ISTD student certification, am working in silver, do American rhythm and smooth, and have a goal, like you, to get to gold or maybe beyond.

I just completed my first pro-am competition this past November, and thought it was a great experience. I plan to do at least one, probably two, pro-am comps this year, and am actively looking for an amateur partner.

Welcome. :D

[superbimmer]

Hi, all!

International Standard (... and some Latin) take's up our time. We compete in the Masters and Champ Standard ... occassionally in the Masters Latin, when offered ;-(

We enter virtually every Southern Cal/West Coast comp ... and will be in Miami for the USDSC.

Got'ta go ... time to practice!!

[virginiadancegirl]

I am training to be an instructor, and am not sure if I'm going to do the competition thing or not! I will have to see as I feel comfortable with my own ability. I am going in just a few weeks to my first comp LIVE as opposed to televised....can't wait to see and feel the energy in the room! Anyone in the area of The Heritage Classic? (Just wondering!)

[Blondie]

Hi Blondie! Welcome. :D

I have so many questions I'd love to ask, but I don't want to pry too much when you've just joined. Don't want to scare you away, but I'd love to compare notes sometime. I've been dancing two and a half years, have completed bronze ISTD student certification, am working in silver, do American rhythm and smooth, and have a goal, like you, to get to gold or maybe beyond.

I just completed my first pro-am competition this past November, and thought it was a great experience. I plan to do at least one, probably two, pro-am comps this year, and am actively looking for an amateur partner.

Welcome. :D

Thanks, Pygmalion! Glad to hear you'll be doing more competing. By the way, nothing could scare me away so don't hesitate to ask or comment on whatever. That reminds me, at my upcoming comp I'll be dancing in bronze and for the first time silver level. Also entering a couple of scholarship events. It'll be a full deck in that comp.

[pygmalion]

Thanks, Blondie. Then I guess we'll be comparing notes soon.

All the best for your upcoming comp. Staying on the floor as much as possible seems to be the best strategy, at least for me. Keeps you warm and comfortable, at least I think so. What do you think?

[Blondie]

Staying on the floor as much as possible seems to be the best strategy, at least for me. Keeps you warm and comfortable, at least I think so. What do you think?

I agree with you. I'll be on the floor a heck of a lot at the next comp. Staying warm, to say the least! Also, I'll certainly be seen, a good thing at a comp.

[dancin_feet]

I am not competing, but am training towards medals / trophies with my studio. They have their own syllabus where they hold exams twice a year, next lot coming up in April. I will be going for my Preliminary Bronze, but am actually training for my Intermediate Bronze. Working really hard and hoping to get the technique and styling right before exams so I can go for my Intermediate straight up.

I am also training for a performance in May. We hold a ball twice a year (usually about a month after exams) where some of the students do a "showcase" performance. I am doing a rumba routine and have a class with my instructor once a week to work on the choreography and technique that this involves. Also doing a group performance with about 11 other students, which takes up another 1.5 hours every week. Pretty full on at the moment, but I'm loving it!

[Blondie]

I am also training for a performance in May. We hold a ball twice a year (usually about a month after exams) where some of the students do a "showcase" performance. I am doing a rumba routine and have a class with my instructor once a week to work on the choreography and technique that this involves. Also doing a group performance with about 11 other students, which takes up another 1.5 hours every week. Pretty full on at the moment, but I'm loving it!

Wow, that's great! I've done formation team dancing as well as routines with my instructor in showcases. It is all a lot of hard work, but fun and very worthwhile. I wish you well. :D

[dancin_feet]

Thanks for that Blondie. Will be my first performance since I gave up dancing 16 years ago (was a school at the time) and my first ever ballroom / latin performance so I'm really excited!

Good luck with your comp stuff :wink:

[pygmalion]

Good luck to you too dancin_feet. I'm glad to hear you've decided to return to dancing after so much time away. Enjoy! :D