How do Judges become 'Big' Judges

[caw]

There are lots of professional world champions who didn't become big judges (maybe because they didn't want to), and yet there are also lots of pretty good dancers who never made it as far and yet are international judges, working at the highest competitions in the world.

What goes into becoming a big judge? Skill? Judging history? Having trained good dancers? Being liked by the other judges? What?

 

[bia]

I assume a good bit of it is being motivated to continue the process of getting ever higher levels of certification.

 

[Mr 4 styles]

Eat more

 

[Mengu]

Get old... is that better?

I believe it's mostly a matter of gaining the respect of their piers through a solid career in the industry from dancing to coaching, being knowledgeable, and making themselves available for judging. Beyond that, it's mainly a career choice. Many accomplished and well respected dancers end up opening studios, coaching, dancing pro-am, and other endeavors that don't involve as much judging.

 

[Hedwaite]

Have a better tolerance to politics? I dunno. I'd lose out on personality flaws alone.

 

[tangotime]

Interesting Q ...Scrivener ( One of the greatest dance minds, ever ),3 times British champ ( was no world events in his time period ) was never asked to judge at Blackpool . Read between the "lines " .

 

[tangotime]

Beyond that, it's mainly a career choice.


dancing pro-am,

Not really ( with very few exceptions )

And, Pro/AM has little or no bearing, as its not in effect in the UK.
In matter of fact, no world champion has ever danced Pro/am, and. most UK teachers frown upon the concept .

One does not "choose " to adjudicate.. its by invitation .

 

[Loki]

Is that true in the U.S. as well?

 

[Joe]

heynow...

Well, there is a certain truth to what he said...

 

[tangotime]

Is that true in the U.S. as well?

Yep...

 

[Mengu]

its by invitation .

Not disagreeing with that. But that's the part where you need to be sufficiently well respected to be asked. Whether you say yes, or no, is a choice. And when you say no a few times because you are unavailable due to coaching, traveling, running a studio, raising kids, or whatever else you are doing (pro-am is just an example, and certainly is a valid career choice in the US, whatever the Brits think), organizers will get the hint you're busy, and won't keep asking until you provided an indication that you are available.

 

[debmc]

To the OP...are you referring to judges here in the US or judges at the major events overseas?

In the US, I believe that virtually all the judges are previous US or World champions or finalists in their respective dance styles.

 

[debmc]

Not really ( with very few exceptions )

And, Pro/AM has little or no bearing, as its not in effect in the UK.
In matter of fact, no world champion has ever danced Pro/am, and. most UK teachers frown upon the concept .
.

That's totally different here in the US where many finalists or champs also have a very busy ProAm business as well.

The UK may frown on it...but it is an excellent way for pros to pass on their knowledge and make a nice income too! Perhaps the UK needs to catch on to this!

 

[middy]

Not really ( with very few exceptions )

And, Pro/AM has little or no bearing, as its not in effect in the UK.
In matter of fact, no world champion has ever danced Pro/am, and. most UK teachers frown upon the concept .

One does not "choose " to adjudicate.. its by invitation .

I'm pretty sure Gherman and Iveta and Slawek currently dance pro-am. Unless you mean, no world champions dance pro-am before retiring from professional competition. But in that case, I think Peter Perzhu does as well. Unless American style doesn't "count."

 

[Daphna]

"And with the final split between NDCA and Usadance I even had to choose which organization I would be judging for."

Boooooooooooo, not fair to you, to the other judges or to the competitors. We still want and love you Larinda. Come to NY (well actually NJ) in Jan. 2016 please.