36 The Courier SUN • dance • august 22, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com dance s What to look for in dance classes Look cooler in any hip hop class BY SHAWN BYFIELD If you are thinking about taking a plunge into the world of hip hop dance there are some things you should know. Hip hop class is a great outlet to release the everyday stress of life and learn a bit of history. The class is a great physical activity and excellent exercise no matter where you take it. Of course, nobody wants to stand out as “the new kid.” So here’s some proven tips to help you rank higher on the cool factor, no matter what your color, age or ability! AGES 2 1/2 TO ADULT ALL STYLES OF DANCE ALL LEVELS RECREATIONAL H H H H H TKO HHHHH Dance REGISTER NOW FOR ALL FALL CLASSES! 99-16 98th Street, Ozone Park * 718-322-5678 & COMPETITIVE email: [email protected] * website: www.tkodanceacademy.com REGISTER ANY DAY NOW THRU SEPTEMBER JOIN US FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE SAT. SEPT 7TH 12-4PM AcAdemy H Join the #1 Competition School in Queens NEW! ACRO-GYMNASTICS NEW! Classes Begin Sept. 9th Look And Dress The Part When was the last time you saw a hip hop video and the dancers were in bodysuits and tights? It’s amazing how just looking the part helps you dance and feel better. Here’s what to wear: • Find some baggy sweats, army pants or cargos. • Get a funky t-shirt or top that you feel comfortable and stylish in. • Find a pair of running shoes that absorb shock. No ballet or jazz shoes! • Accessorize with bandanas, hats, armbands and belts as long as they don’t distract and prevent you or others from dancing. • For the ladies, warm up with your hair up, then when it comes to dance, practice with your hair down. No celebrity ever performs with their hair in a ponytail. And lastly ladies – leave your Lulu Lemon pants at home. Bend Yo’ Knees and Get Low Hip hop has roots in African dance, which is very earthy and grounded. A basic rule for hip hop is, stay low to the ground. Here’s how: • Bend those knees of yours, and widen your stance like a football linebacker. This allows you to transfer your weight quickly as needed in class. • Center yourself squarely over your pelvis, and “sit” into it, almost like you’re going to ride horseback. • And no straight backs! It’s not ballet. Bend that spine, curve forward slightly and relax your neck. Bring a Positive Mindset Because we’re humans, as we age we tend to fear anything new. Afraid of change. Afraid of anything different. Afraid of what others will think. Afraid of how we’ll look. Afraid of making mistakes. ALWAYS remember this: You become what you think about most of the time. It’s true. So tell yourself that you’re here to learn, you are proud of yourself and you’re not afraid to make mistakes. Be positive! You’re eager to learn. And remember, you didn’t learn to run overnight. First you had to learn to crawl, then you learned to walk. The same basic process applies to hip hop dance – and any dance style for that matter. Be confident. Be patient. Encourage yourself and in time you will succeed. Get Professional Guidance Lastly, get involved often! You will only improve based on the level of effort you put forth. So if you dance once a month, you won’t get too far. But if you dance two or three times a week, now we’re moving forward. Set your schedule and PLAN to take yourself seriously. Research a professional hip hop instructor or school you’re interested in, sign up and commit to a class, and prepare to have a blast! Shawn Byfield (www.ShawnByfield.com) is an award winning choreographer, show director and a leading expert in dance lessons and industry advice. BY CATHERINE M. LOZADA [email protected] When searching for the right dance class, parents have a number of opportunities at their disposal. First, ask around and get some wordof mouth recommendations. Then, search online; find reviews of dance studios and check out their web sites to see which classes they offer and how qualified the instructors are. Finally, take a tour of the studio and ask lots of questions. “Look to see if the school is clean and well managed. Is there an opportunity for the students to perform? If other students or parents are around ask them about their dance experience at that studio. Visit the school’s web site and read about the instructors. Make sure they have experience in teaching, studying dance, performing, understanding the developmental stages of children,” suggested Regina L. Hill, artistic director of The Dance Hut in Jamaica. Terri Cassiglia, owner of Gotta Dance Studio in Middle Village, encouraged parents to take a tour of the studios before enrolling. Look for a dance studio professional floor that is well-absorbed to absorb the shock of jumping. Are the floors clear, no wires out? Is the ballet barre sturdy against the wall? Also be sure the studio is clean and well-maintained. There should be some way for parents to be able to monitor their children’s dance. While many studios prefer parents not be in the studio while children dance, there should still be view windows or a camera that allows the dancers to be monitored. Alexandra Pikoulas of Flushing is mom to five-year-old Teresa, and danced formally herself for 25 years and as a Rockette for the 1994-1999 seasons. When she was searching for a dance school for her daughter, she was sure to do research on the studio and instructors ahead of time. “I scouted out at least three potential schools and requested Teresa attends at least two trial classes at each school. I then let Teresa decide which one she had the most fun at. It was important to me that the instructors have both formal training (at a college/university) as well as ‘dancing school’ training,” she said. Pikoulas believes that no matter what level a prospective student is at, she/he should request taking at least two trial classes to get a feel of the energy of the class, the level(s) of the other students, as well as the level of the instructor, and the way the instructor guides the class and teaches the craft. Niall O’Leary of the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance said to look for a teacher who’s certified but also deals well with kids. A good instructor has a way about them to get kids interested so they want to learn. The teachers should offer individualized attention, have an understanding of anatomy and its application to dance and offer positive reinforcements to students. “As a parent, you should feel your child is the most important thing. You should get the feeling that the studio and instructors are there to serve you, not the other way around,” said Cassiglia.
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