How to Keep Your Skills Sharp
The change in our times impacts us in big and small ways! It is interesting to see that some pro cheer squads are choosing to do their auditions online for the upcoming season. For aspiring pro dancers and cheerleaders, this throws a major wrench in preparation. While the option to go to a prep class was always there, now at home training is the new word. As a former pro cheerleader, I want to help you stay on track to making your dream team. I know there are so many elements to earning your spot, like wardrobe selection, resume writing and interview skills. However, a huge component of making a dance team is being able to learn choreography quickly and retain it. Here are a few tips to help you do just that!
Side Note: this isn’t just for aspiring pros! Anyone who wants to dance for weekly cardio or just for fun will benefit from these tips!
1. Do a Wide Variety of Research
There are a ton of dance videos online, so do your due diligence in seeking them out! I would suggest that you look for routines that follow the style of the team you’re auditioning for. But don’t stop there. Any choreography that you can find to learn is going to help you with the most important skills, which are again learning and retaining. If you’re trying out for an NBA team, still learn NFL style routines, all star teams, look at jazz classes, etc. The more you stretch yourself, the more you’ll be ready for any routine thrown at you on audition day.
2. Mimic and Perfect
Something that will help you a lot is to mimic the choreographer as best as you can. While no one wants to see a bunch of carbon copies, emulating the style of your choreographer will show you are capable of dancing in the team’s style. Everyone has their own style of dancing, and that’s a really great thing! But remember that you’re auditioning for a team, so try your best to match its style.
3. Slow It All the Way Down
When you’re learning choreography online, it can be very difficult to see what’s going on…especially if the routine fast! I like to take a screen recording of the snippet I’m trying to learn, Then I hold my finger down over my phone and slow it all the way down to really see what the steps are. Slowing it down will help you to immerse your brain in the movement and lock it in. You also don’t have to dance the whole time…sit with the video and put it in slow motion as much as you need to!
4. Tape and Observe Yourself
You will learn something new about your dance style every time you tape and watch yourself. Even more when you send it to someone you trust to critique. You’ll see things that look great, things that need work and completely random elements of your dancing that you wouldn’t otherwise notice. This is a must, and having a smart phone makes it easier than you think. Dance in a mirror if you can as well. If you never see yourself you can’t see or tweak any issues! It’s great to watch the choreographer multiple times, but you must get comfortable and confident in your ability to dance the steps by yourself.
I hope these tips help you on your journey!
I have stated this before, but I believe we will be coming out of this better than ever, so don’t give up on audition prep! Here’s another thing…if you can learn choreography, you can do a bunch of dances in succession and there’s your cardio for the day! You don’t have to prepping to be on a dance team to utilize these tips, I’m certainly not! Dance releases a special kind of feeling and a mad rush of endorphins. It makes you feel confident and happy, and its most definitely a full body workout that challenges multiple muscle groups at once! Looking for some online choreo to learn? I have a few resources for you below:
- Monique Young Choreography: Monique is a former pro dancer for the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Rattlers, Phoenix Mercury and Oakland Raiders! She is the coach and choreographer for the Benedictine University cheer and dance programs, and she posts choreography online that you can learn! Visit her Instagram here.
- Go Fit Win: Neeley Neal is a Cardinals Cheerleader alumni, and she has developed a full program for learning routines online! She breaks everything down and teaches in a really fun style! Her program is called Go Fit Win, visit her Instagram by clicking here.
- Oscar Hernandez: Oscar does it all, seriously. He has choreographed and danced for multiple major dance teams, and he was featured on America’s Got Talent! Oscar teaches virtual classes that you can sign up for. Check out his Instagram by clicking here.
I want y’all to know that I practice what I preach, so check out my Instagram to see me doing a sideline I just learned from Monique! And stay tuned, I might have created choreo for you to learn in the coming weeks. Garage dancing is my favorite these days. Ask me any questions you want on this topic! Talk to you soon!
Disclaimer: This post isn’t sponsored. 🙂