THE TRUTH ABOUT DANCE MOMS Uncovering the World of Dance Competitions
for the past two years,” Amy says of her daughter, who competes with DeFrances Academy of Dance. Her competitions range from local to across the South, from Biloxi to Texas or Florida. No matter where they take place, they are an all-day affair. “It’s months and months and hours and hours of prep,” says Stephanie Simeon, director of LA Dance. “I like my kids to have a home-dance balance, so I don’t have them rehearsing every weekend, but it’s somewhere between four to seven hours per week of technique and choreography training.” Kylee has four to five competitions per year. On top of that, she has two conventions where she learns different dances. The competitions require about three days of practice per week, but for a national competition, they are practicing for two weeks straight, four hours per night. By Emily Drez Photo by Kleinpeter Photography
For the big day, dancers will perform the routines they have worked on all year in front of several judges, depending on the competition. Dance competitions are undoubtedly an exhausting sport, but the hard work pays off when your team is awarded a trophy, medal, or even a scholarship. Even if you don’t win, there are still plenty of benefits to being a competitive dancer. Understanding the Benefits Speaking of winning, your dancer will learn all about how to handle life’s wins and losses as a competitive dancer. They’ll learn how to take turns, build tenacity, and develop empathy for those who aren’t on their team. An even greater development takes place within the team. “They learn teamwork and how to work out conflicts,” Amy notes. “They are constantly
The benefits of enrolling your child in dance classes are many: while they are being physically active, they are also making friendships, learning important life skills, and establishing routines in their young lives. If your child loves these dance classes, you may want to consider enrolling them in a competitive dance team. Competitive dancing is a big, yet rewarding, commitment for dancers looking to take their passion to the next level. You may even find it rewarding as the dancer’s parent. Amy Foreman, our associate publisher, discusses what it means to be a “dance mom” and what it takes to be a competitive dancer.
A Day in the Life of a Dance Competition
“Kylee has been dancing since she was two-and-a- half years old, and she’s been competitive dancing
18 AUGUST 2023 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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