So You Think You Can Dance is in the midst of its seventh season on Fox.
Who would have thought it would last this long? I couldn’t believe the general public could compare ballroom to hip-hop and choose an appropriate winner.
But what I forgot was that the rules of dance apply to life in general – which basically means if you breathe, you’ve got the prerequisite to judge this show.
I once read that “Life is a dance, from one stage to the next.” So of course, the best guidelines begin with the five basic ballet positions.
First Position: Heels together, a solid turned out base from which all other positions develop.
Open yourself to new opportunities. Believe that a breakdancer can learn the cha cha or a ballerina can smash a hip-hop routine and magic will happen.
Second Position: Feet apart, turned out, side-by-side.
Nobody goes it alone. Although SYTYCD is a competition, dancers are paired up with someone at their side. And they know: if you don’t support your partner, you’ve failed one half of your job. Sure, there will be times when you, alone, must dance for your life. But your partner will always be there to cheer you on.
Third Position: Feet turned out, one foot partially overlapping the other, heel against the arch; often a transition position for beginners.
There’s no shame in taking baby steps. Choreographers often incorporate the dancer’s own natural movement when teaching a new dance style. Sometimes, it dilutes the purity of the dance form. But once dancers start broadening their repertoire, they become more confident, discovering there’s nothing they cannot learn.
Fourth Position: Feet turned out and lined up a foot apart in single file; back foot hidden by the front.
Let yourself shine. Each competitor is partnered with an all-star from a previous season.
These pros have enjoyed the limelight. However, now they’re backing up the new dancers, supporting them if they stumble but giving them every opportunity to shine for the audience.
Fifth Position: Feet are completely crossed with the heel of the front foot touching the toe of the back; the base is solid and appears as one.
Skill and personality are an unbeatable combination.
Weeks of competition weed out those who slide by on personality and others who, despite incredible technique, leave us flat.
We’re left with a clear winner who gives heart, soul and body to the dance. This is the performer we want to see again and again.
SYTYCD continues to be a fan favourite because whether or not you know the names of the steps, you understand their language, their point.
It’s as much about life as it is about dance. Because just like life, “Dance is the only art in which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.” (Ted Shawn)
Who would have thought it would last this long? I couldn’t believe the general public could compare ballroom to hip-hop and choose an appropriate winner.
But what I forgot was that the rules of dance apply to life in general – which basically means if you breathe, you’ve got the prerequisite to judge this show.
I once read that “Life is a dance, from one stage to the next.” So of course, the best guidelines begin with the five basic ballet positions.
First Position: Heels together, a solid turned out base from which all other positions develop.
Open yourself to new opportunities. Believe that a breakdancer can learn the cha cha or a ballerina can smash a hip-hop routine and magic will happen.
Second Position: Feet apart, turned out, side-by-side.
Nobody goes it alone. Although SYTYCD is a competition, dancers are paired up with someone at their side. And they know: if you don’t support your partner, you’ve failed one half of your job. Sure, there will be times when you, alone, must dance for your life. But your partner will always be there to cheer you on.
Third Position: Feet turned out, one foot partially overlapping the other, heel against the arch; often a transition position for beginners.
There’s no shame in taking baby steps. Choreographers often incorporate the dancer’s own natural movement when teaching a new dance style. Sometimes, it dilutes the purity of the dance form. But once dancers start broadening their repertoire, they become more confident, discovering there’s nothing they cannot learn.
Fourth Position: Feet turned out and lined up a foot apart in single file; back foot hidden by the front.
Let yourself shine. Each competitor is partnered with an all-star from a previous season.
These pros have enjoyed the limelight. However, now they’re backing up the new dancers, supporting them if they stumble but giving them every opportunity to shine for the audience.
Fifth Position: Feet are completely crossed with the heel of the front foot touching the toe of the back; the base is solid and appears as one.
Skill and personality are an unbeatable combination.
Weeks of competition weed out those who slide by on personality and others who, despite incredible technique, leave us flat.
We’re left with a clear winner who gives heart, soul and body to the dance. This is the performer we want to see again and again.
SYTYCD continues to be a fan favourite because whether or not you know the names of the steps, you understand their language, their point.
It’s as much about life as it is about dance. Because just like life, “Dance is the only art in which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.” (Ted Shawn)
