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Dancer # 1 Questionnaire

  1. When did you start your dance training? 4 yrs old

  2. Where did you train (what kind of studios/schools) and for how long at each? Just Off-Broadway Dance Studio (14 yrs), Competition Dance School for Creative and Performing Arts (5 yrs), Concert Dance

  3. In what genres were you trained and at what ages did you start training in each?

    1. Ballet 14 yrs

    2. Jazz 12 yrs

    3. Contemporary 12 yrs

    4. Tap 8 yrs

    5. Modern 5 yrs

    6. Pointe 5 yrs

    7. Acro 12 yrs

    8. Lyrical 12 yrs

  4. If you did competitive dance, at what age did you start and end?  Ages 6-18

  5. At what age did you begin training in modern dance and where?  Age 13 at the School for Creative and Performing Arts

  6. If applicable, describe the ease or difficulty of transition from studio/commercial/competitive dance to conservatory/modern dance.  It was difficult at first integrating modern dance techniques into my previous known training.  Over time I began to use everything I learned from competitive and modern dance and used it as an advantage/benefit to my dance training.

  7. How would you describe the main difference between studio/commercial dance and conservatory/modern dance?  Competitive dance is more on the “flashier” side of things, but after taking part in both styles I believe they are more similar than they are different.  I’ve been able to use many different tools that I’ve learned in competitive dance in my modern dance training and vise versa. Competitive dance really teaches young dancers the art of performing, while modern dance conveys a more artistic meaning/flow to movement.  Modern dance exposes you to a deeper meaning on why you are doing a step rather than just doing it because it looks good.

  8. What advice would you give dancers who are transitioning from competitive/commercial dance to conservatory/modern dance?  Utilize everything you have learned from both fields because you can use them to your benefit/advantage that will expand your dance training.

One Hour Study 

My anticipated result was that the mind and body must make a distinct shift in order to move appropriately in the given style in order to project a convincing performance. Also, the transition has to take time due to muscle memory, emotions, and maturity.

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There is a distinct difference in these two types of dance. However, as I researched and talked to various dancers, there was a common thread. All are in agreement that one can learn from both styles and that they enhance each other. In general, I found that most dancers begin in a studio/competitive/commercial technique style of dance, in genres such as ballet and jazz. The focus is on mastery of strong technique and picking up choreography for performance. There is not much thought or emotion in this type of dance beyond the perfection of the specific choreography.  

Dancer #2 Questionnaire

  1. When did you start your dance training? I was around 4 years old when I was put in my first class.

  2. Where (as in what kind of studios/schools) did you train and for how long at each? I trained at my local studio, Dublin Dance Center and Gymnastics, for the entirety of my training….so 13 years.  This studio is a family owned business that encourages all types of people to dance: young, old, beginner, advanced, and special needs/adaptive.  They offer technique classes in almost all styles and at various “levels” depending on the individual’s skill. They also have performance companies for different age groups where students learn rep pieces and put on extra shows throughout the year.  All students in the studio (nearly 1,500 people) have the opportunity to participate in the end of the year production. And I mean every student.

  3. In what genres were you trained and at what ages did you start training in each of them?  This question is hard because I started and stopped training in a lot of artforms.  I started with ballet at age 4, but moved to hip hop around 7. I stuck with hip hop until around 12 when I picked up a beginner ballet class again.  At 13, I started modern and jazz. At 14, I began contemporary. When I was 15, I began to train more seriously in ballet and took an advanced class, never en pointe though.  Also when I was 15&16, I tried break dance.

  4. If you did competitive dance, at what age did you start and end? I was on a competitive dance team in high school my freshman and sophomore years.

  5. At what age did you begin training in modern dance and where? I started modern dance in 8th grade (13 yrs old) at my studio DDC&G

  6. If applicable, describe the ease or difficulty of transition from studio/commercial/competitive dance to conservatory/modern dance. Not applicable

  7. How would you describe the main difference between studio/commercial/competitive and conservatory/modern dance? The main difference is the focus/purpose of learning technique.  In competitive dance, I feel the technique is learned to perfection for the best performance during competitions.  In conservatory dance, the technique is learned to master for a high quality performance

  8. What advice would you give dancers who are transitioning from competitive/commercial dance to conservatory/modern dance? Focus on embracing where you stand with yourself and your technique.  Try to better yourself by making artistic choices in your progress with dance rather than doing everything you’re told.

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