#6 Competition vs. Convention

Dance competitions were something I did while growing up. I started competing around the age of five, and stopped competing when I was 14 years old.  A dance competition is an organized event in which dance studios from all over come together to to perform, and they get judged by what they showcase. Then, they are awarded with prizes and metals for their accomplishment. Having a child grow up in a dance competition circuit, is definitely a great way to get them used to performing to a big audience. There are certainly many things that the judges look for while critiquing a dance. They look for technique, presence, and how well one can execute the movement. Depending on the score one would receive on the routine, they are given an award from, Platinum being the greatest, and Bronze being the lowest score. Dance competitions can get very competitive at times, but they are very fun and enjoyable to watch.

This is a picture of a bunch kids attending a convention
learning a  combination.

A dance convention on the other hand, is very different. Unlike a dance competition, people don't gather to compete against one another, they come together to learn. A dance convention is a big event where professional choreographers come together to teach a bunch of kids. There are certain levels- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, and from there, you are given the chance to take class from these professional choreographers. Conventions are a great way to train the brain to pick up choreography faster. I started conventions around the age of six, and it has helped me grow so much as a dancer. Conventions enable you to adapt to different choreographers as well. There are a ton of different conventions that focus on certain styles of dance, and it is a great way to learn and meet new people even. Also, with conventions, you are able to meet accomplishing and professional choreographers who already know and can help you prepare for auditions in the real world. Conventions usually last for a weekend only, and on the last day of the weekend, there is usually a ceremony where dancers who stood out to the choreographers during class are awarded a scholarship. Depending on the scholarship you receive, once can get a scholarship that enables you to come back to another convention for free or it can also give you a scholarship to a dance center in Los Angeles.

Sources: Brittany Andres
Picture: Taken by my mother, Myrtle Andres