The brand new dance season has simply begun, which suggests dancers across the nation are selecting which conventions to attend this 12 months. If all the alternatives are making your head spin, you’re not alone. Between greater expectations, the stress of competing and social media, many dancers discover themselves in a race the second they start their dance journeys. Whether or not they really feel stress to realize abilities at a youthful age, practice extra hours, win awards or titles, or simply be “seen” and do as many issues as attainable, feeling overwhelmed or discouraged at occasions is an expertise many dancers relate to. So, what function ought to conventions play in a dancer’s life at present?
“It has actually been wonderful to see the extent of expertise and dedication at such a younger age these days, however the problem is to proceed to discover, to push previous set requirements that dancers might examine themselves to,” says Elina Gordienko, co-founder of Transcend Tour. “Dance conventions have an enormous function to play in inspiring the subsequent era of dancers and artists.” However Transcend believes that “extra” isn’t at all times “higher.” “For us, the query grew to become ‘How can we create an setting the place exploration and risk-taking are inspired?’ To succeed long run, it’s extra essential than ever for dancers to concentrate on their particular person paths and attempt to interrupt molds as a substitute of becoming into them,” says Gordienko.
As a former skilled dancer, Gordienko remembers her personal expertise as a younger dancer within the conference world and the way she felt initially unprepared when the time got here to launch her personal skilled dance profession. After becoming a member of views with a longtime studio proprietor and buddy, they got down to create a conference expertise that might equip dancers with one of the best instrument belt attainable—it doesn’t matter what their subsequent steps in dance and life could also be.
“The objective has at all times been to be a hub of data, sources and neighborhood. We do our greatest to be very deliberate and continuously reevaluate what we provide based mostly on analysis in the neighborhood,” Gordienko shares. Transcend school member Jessica Richens elaborates: “The tradition of our conference begins on the prime; it’s a close-knit, family-oriented group the place everybody strives to share related data with the subsequent era of dancers!”
As Transcend gears up for its fifth season, listed below are the “…5, 6, 7, 8” causes dancers will be positive it’s a conference that may assist them develop.
…5 Be taught From Working Professionals Who Are Passionate About Sharing Their Craft
To be able to guarantee dancers are receiving essentially the most related info, Transcend school are at present working professionals, who’re additionally keen about passing on their data. “TV, movie, Broadway, firm work—whether or not they dance or choreograph, we search for academics who’re constantly growing their craft,” Gordienko explains. Bonus: These academics are additionally at all times the judges!
Based on Richens, sharing experiences with college students does greater than create a connection. “I attempt to cross alongside the knowledge I’ve realized as a dancer in order that this era generally is a little forward of the place I used to be once they get to the place I’m.” Curating a gaggle of academics and choreographers who’re keen about giving again to youthful dancers is one Transcend’s priorities.
…6 You Gained’t Be Misplaced in a Sea of “Numbers”
Transcend is concentrated on creating an optimum class setting, so the capability of every room has at all times been based mostly on the dimensions of every explicit area. At many conventions, dancers are only a quantity within the room, however that isn’t the case at Transcend. “Everyone seems to be tremendous supportive, heat and alluring,” shares 15-year-old Sophie Baldwin, who has attended Transcend for 4 years. “The academics actually take a look at us and get to know us, and they’re very approachable.”
…7 No Audition Stress
At Transcend, the emphasis is on the tutorial side of the weekend. Dancers can nonetheless earn scholarships and regional titles, however they’re based mostly on individuals’ efficiency all through all the weekend—versus a single scholarship audition. This creates the chance for extra class time, and for dancers to be rewarded for his or her versatility and work all through the length of the weekend.
“Not having the audition makes the conference stress free—you don’t have to fret about being good in an audition, and since academics zone in on us in each class, it feels extra personable,” Baldwin says. Richens remembers the hour-long audition class being all the focus of conference weekends when she was younger. “I like that we don’t do the auditions—dancers can concentrate on exhibiting as much as each class and conserving their vitality all through the entire weekend as a substitute of being consumed by an audition,” she says.
…8 Additional Alternatives, Lessons and Particular Visitors
Transcend supplies alternatives for dancers past common workshop lessons and competitors. Each weekend, Transcend provides business lessons for Teenagers and Seniors led by an business choreographer. “Loads of occasions, they educate choreography from knowledgeable set and supply dancers with real-to-life skilled situations,” Gordienko says.
Transcend additionally provides scholarships for varied packages, summer season intensives, and company consultations, and infrequently invitations faculty representatives, brokers, or different business professionals to regional occasions for bonus lessons, Q&As, and seminars. Macey Herbison, 14-years previous, says these alternatives have been actually useful, and he or she is grateful for the possibility to satisfy one-on-one with business professionals. “Transcend has given me so many real-world experiences; they gave me the possibility to have an company assembly, and I acquired to satisfy with Michael Damien, who created the Excessive Strung films,” she shares.
Finally, a weekend at Transcend provides a next-level conference expertise for these trying to be impressed and pushed in new methods. “Lately, we’re all so targeted on the end result and getting there as quick as attainable,” says Gordienko.” “We would like dancers to benefit from the journey and discoveries made alongside the best way as nicely!”
