Precision's Pointe

A resource for dancers and their coaches from Precision Dance Camps.

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CALM THOSE NERVES

Happy Monday!

The following post is written by Lea Wride, a former Cougarette President. She has great advice on how to calm nerves before a performance or competition. Thank you Lea!

As a dancer and performer, there is no doubt that you will experience nervousness before a big performance or competition. While dancing as a BYU Cougarette for 3 years, I often experienced anxiety before an important performance but learned that nerves can actually be positive if you know how to handle them. We often view nervousness and anxiety as a burden, however it can be an asset to create a show stopping performance if it is managed correctly. Learning how to stay calm under pressure it an extremely important part of being a dancer. Here are 5 ways I learned to help combat stress, tension, and anxiety before a performance. 

1. Be PREPARED. There is no reason to fear if you have put the time, energy, and commitment into your routine. We fear the unknown, so if you are unsure of the choreography or a certain trick, the anxiety from that can really bring you down. The best way to feel confident before walking on to the stage is to be prepared! 

2. Do not focus on the OUTCOME, focus on the PROCESS. It is very easy to psych ourselves out when we think about winning, placement, and the overall outcome of the event. Instead of thinking about the first place trophy, think about each step of the dance. Focus on the precision it takes to give an outstanding performance, one step at a time. With dance being a subjective art form, we cannot control the outcome but we can control our own personal performance. 

3. Think about your LOVE for dance rather than the FEAR you feel. Dancer's are artists that can inspire, touch, and uplift others. Before you go on stage, think about how you are going to connect with the audience. Showing your love for dance and telling a story through movement is far more important than having a flawless performance. 

4. Don't get caught up in what others are doing, focus on YOU. If you are focusing too much on what other dancers or teams are doing, it can be a huge downfall. If you give something attention, you also give it power. Make sure you are channeling all your energy to your own performance rather than worrying about someone else. The only person you can control is yourself! 

5. Allow yourself time to MEDITATE. Whether you are performing as a soloist or in a group, it is important to set aside some personal time to reflect on the task ahead. Rather than frantically doing your turn combination or reviewing choreography minutes before going on stage, take a few minutes to meditate. Meditation can be done through deep breathing, prayer, or positive affirmation. 

This post was written by Lea Wride, a former Cougarette President.

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Performing at Your Peak: Fire-Up!

A nonthreatening competition or performance isn’t the only time a dancer might feel flat, fatigued or unmotivated (i.e., under-activated).  Under-activation can, and often does, occur during regular practice time.  We’ve all had those days when lack of sleep, poor diet, sore muscles or other life distractions leave us feeling less than enthused to give it our all.  To make matters worse, maybe practice is held during a time when your body’s natural energy cycle is already at a low.  Fortunately, we have some strategies you can use to fire-up when you catch yourself dragging.

Remember your long-term goals.

We recognize not everyone will have a desire to fire-up when they find themselves in a slump.  You may think, “It’s just another practice; it doesn’t matter”, but, you know what?  It does matter.  These types of thoughts can be dangerous and prevent your progression since you’re more likely to develop bad habits or injure yourself due to lack of focus and effort.  If you desire to be the best, you must practice like the best and give it your all each and every day.  Keeping your end goal in mind will help you to accomplish this.

Make sure your self-talk isn’t adding to the problem. 

On an off day, are you reminding yourself you’ve made it through days like this before and you’ll feel so much better afterwards if you can just push through?  Or, are you using your self-talk to enforce just how tired you are or how much you’d rather be somewhere else?  The choice is ultimately yours.  Choose wisely. 

Get moving!

Studies show that when you’re tired, a good workout can ironically give you a boost of energy.  If you’re dragging before you’ve even entered the studio, a vigorous physical warm-up is just that much more important.  Try incorporating a few high energy moves into your warm-up routine like burpees, jumping jacks or even sprints if you have the space.  The goal is to break a sweat, increase your heart rate and get that blood pumping.

Combine energizing breathing and cue words.

Energizing breathing consists of taking short, rapid breaths just before a surge of energy is needed.  If it’s helpful, think “energy in, fatigue out”, while imagining energy beginning to flow throughout your body with each breath.  Combine this breathing technique with energizing cue words such as, “burst”, “explode”, or “attack” and you’re bound to get that much needed boost!

Use external resources of motivation if necessary. 

External resources might include upbeat music, inspirational highlight film and speeches or your own personal support system (e.g., coaches, teammates, family, friends).  Sometimes a kind word of encouragement from a respected coach or teammate is just what you might need to get over that hump. 

                           Tell us how you fire-up or if any of our techniques worked for you.

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Performing at Your Peak: Chill Out!

Alright, you’re backstage and have assessed your level of activation.  Good.  That’s what we want you to do.  Since your mind is racing with negative thoughts and your heart feels as if it’s about to burst out of your chest, you’re probably over-activated.  It’s now time to chill-out and get back into your zone of optimal performance as we discussed in our last post.  So how do you do that?  Don’t stress.  We’re here to help you.

Breathe.

Start by taking three deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth, simple as that.

Talk to yourself.

You want me to talk to myself?  Yes, we really do.  But not out loud since you might get some weird looks from your fellow competitors.  But, hey, if that’s your thing, then by all means, chat away.  Our point is this: your self-talk is responsible for getting your body all worked up in the first place.  Thoughts like, “I must be the best”, “I have to win”, or “If I don’t do well, everyone will be so disappointed in me” lead to feelings of extreme pressure.  Luckily, just as you talked yourself into a state of anxiety, you can talk yourself into a state of relaxation.  Switch out your pressure inducing thoughts for more encouraging statements like, “I expect to do my best today because I have prepared well” or “This is going to be fun.  I’m excited to show off what I’ve been working so hard on these past few months”.  Figure out what statements work best for you.  It may be something as simple as, “I can only do my best and whatever happens, happens.”

Go to your happy place.

Focusing on a soothing mental image (think warm beach, peaceful garden, snowbound cabin in the mountains—you get the idea) can help you to relax.  This technique might also spark a strong desire to book a much needed vacation, but that’s a completely different topic.

Flex those muscles, baby!

Squeeeeze and release.  Squeeeeze and release.  No, we’re not suggesting you do Jane Fonda’s infamous butt workout backstage (although, once again, we wouldn't judge you if you did;)).

                            We are, however, recommending you try some easy muscle relaxation techniques to help calm your nerves quickly.  Here’s what to do:

Close your hands in a tight fist for ten seconds then slowly open them.  Repeat five times then do the same thing with your toes.

Slowly roll your head from side to side and your shoulders from front to back repeating at least five times.

Flick your hands as though you’re shaking off excess water, but instead, imagine you’re shaking off unwanted stress.

Chilling-out isn’t always easy when nerves are running high, but like most things in life, practice makes perfect.  Keep practicing these techniques and before long, you’ll have trained your mind and body to calm down quickly allowing you to perform in your optimal zone when it matters most.

How do you chill-out before a big performance?

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Performing at Your Peak

The moment you’ve been working months, maybe years, for has finally come.  You’re now just moments away from stepping on stage for what seems like the most important performance of your life.  Your heart is pounding, your breathing is heavy and you feel utterly weak and shaky.  Cold, sweaty hands?  Yes.  Scared you’re going to forget the choreography?  Absolutely.  Just went to the bathroom?  Need to go again?  Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

Okay, now think back to a time when you weren’t so invested in performing well, maybe a competition in which the opposing teams posed no threat or a trivial performance for a group of rowdy school children.  How were you feeling then?  Sluggish?  Unemotional?  Flat?  Why so different?  Would you consider your performance in either scenario to be a personal best?

You probably realize that the degree to which your body activates before a performance is largely determined by your perception or feelings about it.  Were you aware, though, that being too activated (i.e., nervous, energized) or not activated enough (i.e., fatigued, indifferent) can lead to a poor performance?  Yuri Hanin, a pioneer in sport psychology research, theorized that each athlete has an optimal zone of anxiety at which he or she performs at his or her peak.  If an athlete's anxiety leaves this zone, performance levels will invariably decrease; thus, an athlete performs best when his or her mind and body are moderately activated, not too much, not too little.   

Next time you’re waiting backstage, check in with yourself and assess your activation level.  If you think you might be over-activated, take steps to chill out.  If you’re under-activated, simply make the necessary adjustments to fire up.  We’ll be sharing tips in our coming posts on how to do both so you can quickly get yourself back in the zone and perform at your peak every time. 

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                          Here's another link to an article we thought you might enjoy as much as we did. So true!

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Words of Wisdom for Dancers

                 Dance Magazine wrote an article back in September 2007 highlighting past interviews with some of the world’s most accomplished dancers.  During the interviews, the dancers were asked what they wish they had known early on in their careers.  Since we are still captivated by the talent, work ethic and charm of these amazing dancers, we thought we’d share their words of wisdom with you.

                                “Unless somebody asks for help, it’s not a good idea to force your ideas on people. You can only change within a working process. Otherwise, it’s just turning on the remote control and tuning in another bit of information. You have to invest in yourself and have experiences on many different levels of working.”

Gelsey Kirkland, Former principal, American Ballet Theatre

“When you’re able to dance, really enjoy it and take every opportunity to fulfill it rather than expect something you don’t have. Don’t get stuck with not having the opening night or doing the matinee, because that’s not what’s important. With each performance you grow and learn and get better.”

Martine van Hamel, Faculty, the JKO School at American Ballet Theatre

“There are highs and lows, and it’s tempting to say, “I wish that hadn’t happened.” But in the long run, those things, if you can surmount them and endure, make you stronger. I always trusted my talent and knew that I wanted to be an independent. I didn’t think of it as a career—it’s a calling. Dancers shouldn’t even try unless they are absolutely driven to it and believe in the strength and universality of dance.” 

                       Paul Taylor, Artistic director, Paul Taylor Dance Company

“I wish I’d known more about how to avoid injury, about the things I could have changed in my training. My Achilles tendons were constantly plaguing me. In my day you paid no attention to injuries. You just braved it and kept going. And, of course, sports medicine was unheard of, so we didn’t have the kind of understanding or resources dancers have now… I tried to remain a student to the very end. It was never a question of wanting to be number one. I simply strove to do my very best.”

Violette Verdy, Former principal, New York City Ballet

“Always be hungry for knowledge and hungry to be a better dancer and things will turn out right. Strive for perfection but know you can never be perfect. You have to allow things to happen.”

Yuriko, Former lead dancer, Martha Graham Dance Company

What do you wish you had known when you started dancing or what advice would you give to a young dancer just starting his or her career?

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Preparing for Dance Camp

                            Three weeks.  That’s it.  Twenty-one days, 504 hours, 30,240 minutes and 1,814,400 seconds before the first Precision Dance Camps camp of the summer!  But, hey, who’s counting?  Okay, we might be just a wee (okay, a lot) bit excited about what we’ve got planned for this year, but for good reason.  We’ve got some awesome new material and some amazing teachers to share it with you.  So whether you’re gearing up for a PDC camp, or (ahem) some other dance camp, here are some things you can and should do now as well as the day(s) of to prepare for and make the most of your camp experience.

1. Make sure you’re staying physically fit, training hard and stretching regularly the weeks leading up to camp!  Not doing so will only make for sore muscles and lead to minor aches and pains that may have been avoided had your body been more physically prepared for the intensity of camp.  If you’re a coach, think about throwing in longer stretch sessions or spending a little extra time helping your students brush up on their technique.

2. Get those Zzzz’s.  A good night’s sleep before the big day is a must, but even better, tuck in early each night at least a week in advance to give your body ample time to catch up on any missed sleep and leave you feeling well rested and energized for camp.

                    3. We don’t know about you, but when we eat crappy, we feel crappy for at least a couple of days afterward.  Yuck.  Eating well the weeks leading up to camp will not only make you feel better physically, it may also help you to feel more confident in your dancewear.

4. Save time and stress the day of by laying your clothes out the night before.  If you’re not required to wear something specific, be sure to choose outfits that are flattering on your body and make you feel comfortable.  Don’t forget to pack all types of dance shoes including sneakers so you’re not forced to get jiggy with it barefooted.  It’s also helpful to bring along a small bag to transport everything you’ll need that day from class to class.

5. Stay hydrated, stay hydrated, stay hydrated.  ‘Nough said.  Don’t like water?  Try coconut water.  It’s super refreshing when drunken cold and is a great source of electrolytes which are needed for proper energy production.

    6. Along with packing some sort of hydrating liquid, be sure to bring along some healthy snacks (e.g., homemade trail mix, apple and string cheese, dried edamame beans, protein bar, etc.) and a lunch if one isn’t provided by your camp.  Don’t let your growling stomach steal your focus away from learning intricate choreography or finally perfecting your triple pirouette.

7. Even those of us with the best memories forget things from time to time.  We suggest jotting down a few quick notes on a small notepad while the choreography is still fresh in your mind and then reviewing everything you learned that day before going to bed.  If videotaping is allowed, record the routines in class or tape yourself doing the choreography afterwards if it is not.  You can also write down any questions you may have so you don’t forget to ask when the opportunity arises. 

8. We understand that the first day of dance camp can be overwhelming.  Please just take it in stride and don’t worry about being perfect.  That’s not what camp is about.  Instead, focus on how much you can grow and learn in just a few short days.  Do your best to get out of your comfort zone and try new styles and moves without fear of feeling judged or making a mistake.  Everyone makes mistakes; that’s how we improve.  As long as you go with an open mind and positive attitude, you’re sure to have a fun and memorable dance camp experience. 

We look forward to working with you again or for the first time this summer.  See you soon! -PDC

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A Dancer's Guide to Improving Musicality

Musicality--one of the greatest skills a dancer can possess. So what is it? Musicality is the ability to sense the rhythm, melody and mood of a piece of music and then to effectively portray what is heard through movement. Those dancers and choreographers who understand musicality are able to perceive differences in pitch, harmony and rhythm and then vary their movements accordingly. Those less musically aware (think awkward teenager at his or her first school dance) tend to focus too heavily on the main beat or volume of the music for movement cues.

                          Since not all dancers are blessed with natural musicality, we thought it would be helpful to offer up some ideas on how to help your students improve their musicality.

1. Discuss the basics components of music composition in your curriculum (e.g., beat, tempo, harmony, mood, etc.).

2. Expose your students to music with varying meter or time signatures other than 4/4.  You may find it beneficial to have them count complex patterns or phrasing out loud.  

3. Have your students sit quietly and simply listen to whatever song you may be using to help them hear subtle intricacies that may be missed in the stress of learning new choreography.

4. Allow students to get their creative juices flowing by tacking on x number of counts of improvisation at the end of a combination or giving them some class time to create and perform their own choreography.  Be sure to encourage them to vary their dynamics and timing.

What are your suggestions for improving musicality?  Do you agree it can be taught? 

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Vacation Ideas for Dancers

                   With summertime almost upon us, it’s officially time to book those summer vacations.  Hooray!  Since some of you may still be cooking up plans, we thought we’d throw out a few ideas specifically tailored to dance lovers.  We understand these ideas might take some major budget planning, but we promise the scrimping and saving will be worth it—you won’t be disappointed.

New York, New York.  The city that never sleeps is an obvious choice as NYC has been known for decades as a mecca for dancers.  With its rich history and endless opportunities to experience the art of dance at its finest, NYC is a must see for any dancer.  Whether you choose to take classes from world renowned instructors at some of NYC’s stellar dance studios (e.g., Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Steps on Broadway) or simply want to sit back and experience the magic of a Broadway play, you can’t go wrong in the Big Apple (most musicals have a lot of dancing in them, but some of the heavy hitters include: “42nd Street”, “A Chorus Line”, “Movin’ Out”, “Contact”, “West Side Story”, “Chicago”, “Cabaret”, “Cats”, “Crazy for You”, “Sweet Charity”, “Hairspray”, “Grease”, “Oklahoma” and “Billy Elliot”).

                     .

If New York is a little too far from home for you, Los Angeles, California might be a more viable option.  Many dance studios in LA are famous for attracting the best dance talent from all over the world (e.g., The Edge Performing Arts Center), and most Broadway plays make a run in LA at one time or another.  

Cruising with the Stars.  A cruise in itself is a surefire way to have a lot of fun with family or friends, but when combined with dance lessons from some of the world’s most talented dancers from ABC’s hit television show Dancing with the Stars, you’re destined to have a ball.  The Dancing with the Stars: At Sea cruise offers complimentary dance lessons throughout the week as well as chances to meet and watch the DWTS stars perform live.  Don’t worry if you’re new to dance or have never taken a class in your life; levels range from beginner to advanced so everyone can feel comfortable joining in on the fun.  And, if you’re up for a challenge, there’s a Dancing with the Stars: At Sea competition.  The winner of each ship will be invited on a complimentary 7-day cruise for two to the Caribbean to compete against other finalists for the coveted mirror ball trophy and title of DWTS: At Sea Grand Champion!  Who wouldn’t love that?

                         Viva Las Vegas!  A few years back, we took a road trip to see Celine Dion’s show, “A New Day”, at Caesar’s Palace in Vegas during its closing season.  The choreography by Mia Michaels and dancing were absolutely breathtaking (and Celine wasn’t too shabby herself).  The show was everything we imagined it would be (if you’re a dancer and you were lucky enough to see the show before it ended, you know what we’re talking about.  I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E!).  Since then, dance focused shows have exploded onto the Vegas scene. 

                         If you’re a fan of the tv show America’s Best Dance Crew, you may recognize the b-boys of Jabbawockeez doing their thing at the Luxor Hotel and Casino.  Another show featuring hip-hop is Cirque du Soleil’s “LOVE”.  If ballroom is your specialty, be sure to get tickets for “Le Reve” at Wynn Las Vegas (hint: it’s ballroom in water).  Other good picks are Cirque du Soleil’s visionary masterpiece, “O”, and Donny and Marie’s variety show at the Flamingo.  Both are sure to please dancer and non-dancer alike. 

Whether you’re planning to take a vacation this summer or in a few summers from now, we hope we’ve given you some ideas to get excited about.  If not, maybe you’re looking for something a little more out of the ordinary.  In that case, check out the annual Chincoteague Square Dance Festival.  Be aware if you go, however, you are required by PDC law to send us a full report and pictures. ;)

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BYU Cougarettes Take 1st at NDA Nationals!

Well, they've done it again.  The Brigham Young University Cougarettes took 1st place in the IA "Hip-hop" and "Open Dance" divisions at the 2013 NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida this past weekend.  Congratulations, ladies! 

To watch the Cougarettes' winning routines as well as the other college dance and cheer teams who competed, click here.

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Increase Your Flexibility

Dancing and flexibility go hand in hand.  Not only is flexibility required to perform many of the physically demanding moves asked of instructors and choreographers, flexibility is important in preventing injuries and easing the day-to-day aches and pains associated with long hours of dancing.  Here are our tips for strengthening your flexibility:

Never stretch cold.  Have you ever taken a rubber band out of the freezer and immediately tried to stretch it?  Probably not...so we’ll just tell you what happens.  It snaps.  But, if you let the band warm up a bit, the brittleness wares off and it stretches just as you’d expect a rubber band to stretch.  It’s the same with your muscles.  If you really want to increase your flexibility and prevent injuries, make sure you warm your body up beforehand with a little cardio (e.g., jumping jacks, burpees, jogging in place, etc.).

                         Don’t bounce.  Never force a stretch by bouncing or by any other means.  It won’t do your body any good and may even decrease your muscles ability to respond.  Instead, gently ease into a stretch until it’s slightly uncomfortable, but still manageable.  Breathe.  Once you feel your muscles relax slightly, go a little further.  Release and repeat a few more times before moving onto another body part.

Stretch every day.  Set aside some time each day to work your flexibility, preferably in the morning since studies suggest muscle fibers are more receptive to change early on in the day.  Don’t have the time or energy for an early morning stretch session?  No stress.  You will still notice improvement by stretching every day regardless of what time you can fit it in.

Trick your muscles.  Back in the 1940s, Herman Kabat, a neurophysiologist, designed a procedure to help rehabilitate paralysis patients called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.  His method was eventually adopted by sport therapists as a way to improve flexibility and range of motion in top athletes.  To try this technique, reach into a stretch and hold for 6 to 8 seconds.  Then, without coming out of the stretch, contract whichever muscle you are stretching and hold the contraction for 2 to 4 seconds before releasing.  Repeat.          

Foam roll after practice.  If you can’t afford a professional deep-tissue massage every day (oh, wouldn't that be nice?), give foam rolling a try.  Foam rolling offers many of the same benefits but in a much more practical and economically savvy way.  It consists of using your own body weight to apply pressure to sore muscles or “knots” thereby relieving muscle tension and simultaneously increasing flexibility and range of motion.  If you’re new to foam rolling, the internet is a great place to purchase a foam roller or to find helpful resources explaining basic foam rolling techniques.

                        Drink water and eat right.  Last but not least, drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet.  When toxins build up in the body due to pollution, poor diet, etc., it can lead to unnecessary muscle tension.  Drinking plenty of water and choosing healthy foods like fruits and vegetables over junk food will help flush out excess toxins and reduce the amount of toxins your body accumulates.  With less muscle tension, your flexibility can improve at a faster rate.

Go ahead and give our tips a try over the next few weeks and see if you don’t find yourself gaining an edge when it comes to flexibility.

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Jodi Maxfield lands the cover of Dance Teacher magazine!

Jodi Maxfield, Director of the Brigham Young University Cougarettes, has been featured in this month's issue of Dance Teacher magazine!  With 10 National Dance Association National Champion titles under her belt and countless other prestigious honors, this comes as no surprise.  

                                   We asked Jodi what her initial reaction was when the folks at Dance Teacher magazine approached her to not only be featured in their March issue, but to grace its cover.  Jodi said after experiencing a brief moment of disbelief, she felt an immense sense of gratitude and was very humbled by the opportunity as she has subscribed to and read Dance Teacher magazine for years; being offered this opportunity was something she never could have imagined.

  The week of the photo shoot, Maxfield said she was a nervous wreck. Fortunately, the crew at DT were nothing but kind and professional and encouraged her to "relax and enjoy it".  Once she was able to do that, the day became very special, especially since her dancers were able to be a part of it with her.  Them being there, "was just icing on the cake."

  We also asked Jodi if she had any advice for aspiring young dance teachers hoping to establish a long lived teaching career such as herself.  Her response was as follows:

 "You have to truly love and have passion for what you do. You need to be willing to make sacrifices where necessary and most importantly understand that you are shaping lives and look for all the ways you can encourage, inspire, and change the young people you will be privileged to work with in a positive way.  Be hard working, never stop learning, growing and improving.  Don't become set in your ways...there is always something you can learn from other teachers and programs.  Do everything you can to make your program/studio a place where young people want to be."

  Great advice, Jodi! And congratulations again! What a well deserved honor! 

  To read the article on Jodi in Dance Teacher magazine, click here.

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For centuries, all sorts of fad dances have made their way into the spotlight only to fade quickly into oblivion.  Take the “Macarena” for example.  Do half of you reading this even know what the “Macarena” is?  What about the “Madison”, “The Frug”, the “Mashed Potato”, or the “Bump”?  When did you last get your “Twist” on in the club?  Um, probably never if you weren’t around in the 1960’s. 

Thanks to modern technology like the internet, specifically YouTube, dance crazes arise and disappear more frequently than ever before.  One of the most recent dance sensations to hit the scene is South Korean rapper Psy’s “Gangnam Style”.  The song was released on July 15, 2012 and as of February 10, 2013, the music video has been viewed 1.324 billion times and has become the most watched YouTube video ever! 

But, if history has taught us anything, Gangnam Style’s popularity isn’t likely to last forever.  In fact, there’s already a new dance meme making its way to the top.  Harlem Shake, anyone?  No, not the REAL Harlem Shake from 1981; we’re talking about the new version where people flail around in random costumes to DJ Bauuer’s techno track “Harlem Shake”.  Whether you like it or not, it’s out there people.  Enjoy it while it lasts.

What are your all-time favorite fad dances?  Do you know of any other up-and-coming crazes we should all learn?  What dances did you grow up doing?

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Here's a good read we thought you all might find useful.

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It's that time of year again.  Auditions for the 10th season of "So You Think You Can Dance" are happening this Thursday, February 21st, in Boston, March 14th in Memphis and March 22nd in L.A.  Click here for details.  Good luck to anyone auditioning!

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Do You Deserve Victory?

The other week, we posted a powerful quote from Winston Churchill that can be applied to us as dancers, choreographers, competitors.  While rallying the British during World War II, Churchill told his people that while they could not guarantee victory against the Germans, they could guarantee they deserved it.  “Deserve Victory”.  What does it mean? 

                For better or for worse, we, as dancers, learn at an early age that success in the dance world is often measured by how many accolades one collects throughout his or her career as a dancer.  Unfortunately, just like the British in WWII, we can’t always guarantee a victory over our competitors every time we compete or audition for a part no matter how much we hope or pray we will.  We can, however, make sure we've put in enough time and hard work to actually deserve to win. Because when all is said and done, that’s what truly matters.  “Deserve Victory”.  Do you?

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If you're lucky enough to be in Utah February 21-23, we highly suggest you check out the Cougarettes in Concert.  These talented women never fail to amaze us; it's guaranteed to be a good show.  Visit www.coveycenter.org for tickets or call 801-852-7007.