USA Dance Newbie

[DancingShoes]

Hey folks,
Been dancing Fred Astaire a couple yrs. Just joined USA Dance and reading rules it seems the syllabus is some different from FA syllabus. Getting ready to compete end of April and again in June.

Any help to differentiate between allowed steps?

[Laura]

At all the USA Dance competitions I have worked at, "any pubished syllabus" is allowed, including Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray. So, if you have current routines, you can use them, but perhaps you can take the USA Dance list to your teacher for when you go to design new routines for your next level.

[latingal]

Welcome to DF DancingShoes!

[_malakawa_]

Welcome. :p

in which studio you are dancing??

[avab]

Let me clarify Laura's response. Any recognized syllabus is allowable in American style, with the same caveats as noted in the NDCA approved list of moves at any proficiency level. International styles are specifically bound to the USISTD syllabi for standard and latin. Step lists are available at usistd.org.

[suburbaknght]

From the NDCA rulebook: APPENDIX 1 - NDCA APPROVED FIGURES, ELEMENTS & RESTRICTIONS (Bronze Level) (http://www.ndca.org/information/rules/Rulebook-Master-January2009.htm#TOC1_7)

The figures will vary from syllabus to syllabus, and that's not even getting into different namings, so the important part to pay attention to are the restrictions, such as the following example from waltz:

* Partners may not completely separate. Open Work is limited to single or double hand holds, and may not last for more than eight (8) consecutive measures (24 beats)
* Open work may not comprise more than 25% of any routine
* No continuity style in Bronze Waltz, feet must be closed on three except on allowed figures
* No foot changes/fakes, partners must always be on opposite feet
* No consecutive pivots left or right, one (1) pivot is allowed
* No open left or right box turns
* No fallaway actions of any kind
* No picture lines or figures (i.e. contra check, chair, oversways, lunges, etc.)
* No solo, shadow, or same foot figures
* No syncopations other than chasse from Promenade - No syncopated underarm turns
* Progressive twinkles must finish by the sixth (6th) measure of music (18 beats) with the feet closed. (counting from when they are started)
* Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (no aerial ronde, etc.)

[JANATHOME]

I dance international standard syllabus at both FADS comps and USADance comps. We actually take a backwards approach as to what has been suggested here. We use the same routines, or rather groupings for both events. However, we are the ones that take responsibility for what we will dance. We use the ISTD book to be sure we are dancing steps that are allowed for USADance, using the blue book.... and then use these same groupings for FADS. If you are competing in both organizations it is much easier to go by the ISTD rules, which are always accepted at a FADS comp.

Most instructors at FADS can read the ISTD blue book without any issues and can work with you to make sure you are OK. I find that FADS instructors are really great in preparing and supporting you for USADance comps, and really enjoy doing it.

Smooth is quite different... What is fine for gold level at USADance comps can only be danced as champ open at FADS.... But having said all this, AM/AM couples are so rare are a FADS comp that even if you dance out of category the judges do not much care.

[BallandChange]

Welcome to the Forum DancingShoes! It is a great place to connect with other dancers. In regards to your question, I have been in the Fred Astaire System for 9 years and have been competing at USA Dance sponsored events (NQE & Nationals) for about 7 years and have never done any other syllabus other than the Fred Astaire syllabus. Here is the official ruling that is found on the USA Dance Site.

"The dance syllabus figures are used in two fundamental ways. First, they provide a learning framework for the student of dancing. One learns Bronze, then Silver, then Gold and then non-syllabus figures. The syllabus is also used to define competition proficiency levels. For example, a Gold Syllabus competition event will have more advanced dancers than a Silver Syllabus event.
*Please note that while the International Standard and Latin styles have relatively consistent syllabus lists throughout the world, the American Smooth and Rhythm syllabus lists can differ significantly depending on the organization which provides them. Because of the differences between various syllabi, syllabus events in the American styles at USA Dance competitions will require that the competitors stay within the technical difficulty of the proficiency level in which they are dancing (Bronze, Silver, Gold) but not necessarily within a specific set of steps. The American syllabi provided should be used as a measure of the difficulty of each proficiency level for the Rhythm and Smooth styles. See current syllabus lists in the USA Dance Rule Book (http://usadance.org/snippets/4/) available for review or download under forms and resources in the DanceSport section of our website."

Section 8 of the USA Dance Rule Book provides more details regarding the syllabus.

[DancingShoes]

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm getting used to finding my old post, with some help; thanks Lorinda. My studio is in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. BTW, my wife and I are finishing our Bronze level and are starting to learn our opens for comp. This has gotten addicting. lol

[etp777]

I must say I'm jealous that you're at that studio. As I've started to follow TA/cabaret, just amazed that two of (if not THE) the best couples in the country are both from that studio. And jealous that I keep missing seeing them dance for various reasons. :)

[RickRS]

My studio is in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

I'm not part of FA studio crowd, but just saying "Hi, neighbor!" to the first other dancer from Fort Walton Beach I've seen here at DF.

[DancingShoes]

Thanks for the "Howdy" Rick. Been fishin lately? Waitin on some flat water myself