Competition Styles

Competition Styles

Some people learn to dance for fun. Some people learn to dance for a wedding - or if you live in New Orleans, for a funeral. Some people learn to dance as a cultural part of their ethnic heritage. Other people learn to dance because they want to prove they are better than everybody else. Welcome to the world of competitive dancing!

Dancing competitions are held all over the world, from your local bar to the international finals. More formal than your average suds joint where you can win $50 or a t-shirt, international awards are bigger and so is the prestige. Dancing competitions are not for the casual dancer, however, as they require a great amount of training, determination, practice, discipline and creativity.

Your journey through the world of competitive dance will most likely begin in your teacher's dance studio. Even Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly were taught by someone at first. You participate in local competitions held throughout the year, and if you win you move up to the next level competition until you are at the state, national, and international contests.

Expect to pay entry fees, travel costs, and spend perhaps hundreds of dollars on costumes. Money isn't the only expenditure, as you will need to spend many, many hours developing and working on your routine with your teacher and practicing with your partner. You can't do something like this motivated by ego alone, you have to love it! You have to love to dance, love to perform, love a challenge, and love to win.

Unfortunately, spending a lot of time and money isn't enough either. You must have been born with a natural talent. Dancing is an art, not a science, and true talent on the dance floor must come from inside. Steps can be taught, but talent and true style? Never! You can teach anyone to dance, but you can't teach anyone to be great. Some of the greatest dancers in the world can make the simplest steps look impressive and make the most difficult steps look easy.

The first thing you'll want to do is choose your category. Will you compete solo, with a partner or a group? There are categories for age and style of dance, and the rules will dictate what moves you can use or must avoid. There are 10 International Style categories: five International Standard (Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep) and five International Latin (Cha-cha-cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive). The American Style includes four American Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz) and five American Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo) categories. You will be judged by a panel, usually consisting of professional dancers, and will be competing against some very talented dancers.

If you have two left feet or aren't dedicated enough to be a contender, stick to the Saturday night t-shirt contests. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just have a good time. But if you're really good and you are driven to be the best, then lace up those shoes and get to work. Who knows? You could be dancing with the stars sooner than you think!