What Makes you weird?
“You don’t get a solo because weird girls don’t win, Bree!”.
These words, cruelly delivered by a Disney villain of a comp director, in front of the entire dance team when I was 10 years old, had such a profound impact on me that I became determined not just to win, but to become a coach fiercely motivated to bring out the weird in every student. Some of our most compelling and engaging traits are things others may judge as weird. Our weird self is also our authentic self, and judges love to see authentic expressions of self on stage.
Hiding what makes us unique in an attempt to fit in not only stifles our creativity but also stops us from loving our time on the stage. Dancers spend hours training and perfecting their routine. Those hours become much more enjoyable and memorable when one of the goals of the routine is to show the judges who we are and what we are capable of doing.
I’m not interested in making my students weird like me; I want you to be weird like you.
Together, we will craft a routine that showcases your unique traits, skills, and abilities. I will challenge you to push yourself further than you think possible. It’s going to be hard, and exhausting, and it’s also going to be fun, and SO REWARDING.
My Process and Expectations
I understand that a successful season starts before choreography begins. I also understand that poor communication and undelivered promises can make even a winning season feel like a drag.
My process starts with a (free) 30-minute consultation to discuss vision and goals for the season. This meeting can be a video call, but ideally it’s in person at your studio. I want to talk to both the student and (for petites and juniors) their dance parent/s. For Duos and Trios, this meeting usually takes a bit longer.
Once we’ve decided we’re a good creative fit, you’ll get a contract with my fees and the expected choreography schedule. Because I am in college at UO, I do almost all my choreography between nationals and the start of the school year.
Every routine is a collaborative process with my dancers, highlighting your unique skills and abilities to create a story you are excited to showcase.
My expectations:
As a dancer, you must be willing to be uncomfortable and push yourself physically. Almost all my routines include a few skills that are beyond your current ability. I do this intentionally. The only way we grow is when we challenge ourselves. Nailing a routine that once felt impossible will be something that you can be proud of for years to come.
I understand injuries and backslides happen and together we will find ways to modify a dance midseason if necessary.
You must be willing to be honest with me. If you aren’t happy with your routine or with me for any reason, PLEASE tell me. I will never get angry with someone who’s honestly expressing their feelings.
Trophies are awesome, but they can't be your only motivation
I'll never forget the season when one weekend I won 1st place with a 297, and 2 weeks later, in the same category, competing against the same dancers, on a day when I felt confident I'd nailed my routine, I didn't even place in the top 20.
If your only metric for success is your placement, you will find yourself full of self-doubt and anxiety.
You have control over your preparation, training, determination, and ability to respond to the stage during the 2:30 seconds you are on it. Everything else is up to chance.
Whether you dance with me or not, I want you to remember that what makes a successful dance is subjective. The thing that one judge loves might be another judge's pet peeve.
Blood, sweat, and tears aren't metaphors in dance; they are real, lived experiences. Who we are as people isn't defined by our score; it's defined by our tenacity and resilience.
You must set your own goals for each performance. And hold yourself to your own standard.
And PLEASE, when you win, don't be cruel to those who didn't; if you didn't win, don't be mad at those who did. We are all a part of this wild, exhausting, and complicated world of competitive dance. The person who you're kind to this season will remember you next season.
In the photo above, you might first notice the Planum awards and first-place trophies, but if you look closer, you'll spot many gold medals, rubies, and "Potential" awards.
If you know, you know.