COMPETITION FOR ALL
By Alexandra Y. Caluen (9/06)

The recent success of television's "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars" shows that there is considerable public interest in ballroom dancing as a competitive sport. These programs have also done much to educate the general public and show what DanceSport can be.

Competition dancing, a.k.a. DanceSport, is open to dancers of all ages and all proficiency levels. Most all-amateur competitions, and some mixed competitions, provide at least one "newcomer" event for couples who have never before stepped on a competition dance floor.

One of USA Dance's precepts is that dancesport athletes compete ONLY against others of the same age group and proficiency level as themselves. In practice, this distinction can sometimes be blurry. In American Style adult and senior events, it is not uncommon to have very few couples entered, and thus two age groups may be combined. You will not, however, typically see Gold and Silver events combined. And generally, when events are combined, the competitors are still judged separately in their appropriate categories.

NDCA and USA Dance operate their amateur competitions in parallel. The rules for Syllabus and Open, the age divisions, and costume guidelines are generally the same. Both organizations offer championship events. USA Dance National champions become eligible for the World Games. Dancers may belong to both organizations.

NDCA competitions offer a type of competitive event that isn't generally available in USA Dance competitions, where most events are combinations of dances. This is a single-dance entry.

Single-dance entry forms are principally created for pro-am competitors. However, amateur couples who wish to compete in a single dance may also use these entries. If you have a Silver Smooth Waltz or a Gold Samba routine, you may compete at the same time as the pro-am competitors. You will be judged separately from the pro-am competitors.

International Style events are offered in greater quantity. In part, this is because many students who begin dancing specifically for competition are trained in that style. For social dancers interested in competition, American style will be closest to what they have been taught (in most cases). It is possible for a social couple to become competitive in American style with only a few private lessons. Private coaching is, incidentally, the best way to improve one's proficiency very quickly.

Another competition option for dancers up to 22 years old is through the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). The AAU operates the annual Junior Olympic Games, and many events are available for dancers - ranging from hip-hop to DanceSport. Collegiate competition organizers may wish to consider creating an AAU Club (registration fees are very low) and requesting an AAU sanction for their events, so that competing junior and youth dancers may be eligible for the Junior Olympics qualifying events.

Entering and training for a competition isn't just about the athletics or the thrill. Adrenaline rushes there certainly will be, and it's really something to pick up that first blue ribbon. But what you will learn by taking part in competition - even as a spectator - is that this is a great, big, inclusive sport. Where else can athletes of all ages compete on the same floor, on the same day, using the same changing rooms? It's great to watch the tiny kids as they stomp their way through a jive; it's equally great to see a Masters couple glide through a Senior II waltz. The entertainment value of competition is generally very high, and organizers usually try to leave time for the spectators to come on the floor and dance.

Competition dancing, in other words, embraces all dancers in a way that even social dancing doesn't. (You won't see ten-year-old couples showing up at a chapter dance.) The next generations of dancers will benefit greatly if social dancers help promote competition. The more spectators attend, the easier it is for organizers to keep entry fees low. Competition dancing drives the development of public dance facilities and events. Give it your support!