Not sure what dance styles to choose?
Answering these 6 questions will help you decide.
WRITTEN BY MARIEKE TIMMER
1. When you play dress-ups, you like to wear:
A. All the trendiest outfits.
B. Anything you could jump off the walls in. Its all about comfort.
C. The baggiest, comfiest clothes in your big brothers/sisters wardrobe. Its all about ‘the look’.
D. Everything and anything, as long as you looked good and can use your happy feet.
E. Your pink leotard, frilly skirt and if you could find it, your beautiful princess crown.
2. Your favouritest favourite song is:
A. “We’re all in this together” High School Musical. You love the poppiness and happiness of it.
B. Not sure what its called but it makes me want to dance in an original way, my way.
C. “Forever”, Chris Brown. Drop that phat beat!
D. Whatever’s playing on the radio. If its got a beat, its a favouritest favourite.
E. “Gotta go my own way” Vanessa Hudgens. Its just so pretty!
3. When you’re walking home from school, how do you walk?
A. Skipping, jumping, twirling and maybe some kicks (not hitting the cat of course!)
B. Like a monkey, but more graceful and prettier.
C. Like Chris Brown or maybe doing the Soulja Boy dance.
D. Tapping your toes and scuffing your heels. Looks easy, but you’ve made it an art.
E. On your tippy-toes with your head held high and your arms beautifully curved.
4. Hurrah you get to go shopping! What do you wear on your feet?
A. I would wear socks, but mum won’t let me, so I wear my flat pump shoes.
B. My new sandals that don’t fall off when I run. Very handy.
C. Duh! My Nike Airs. Man I look dope!
D. My “Click-Clack’ shoes. I love the sound they make on the tiles.
E. The pink ballet slippers my cousin gave me. Its the only pair of shoes that I feel myself in.
5. My dance idol/idols are:
A. Britney Spears, Beyonce, Kylie Minogue. Girl power!
B. The guy I saw in town dancing on his own, without music. How did he do that?
C. Ciara, Justin Timberlake or the backup dancers in the Missy Elliot videos.
D. Mumble from Happy Feet. So what if he’s a penguin? That bird can DANCE!
E. Anna Pavlova, the dancers in the ballet my Grandma took me to when I was younger. I was absolutely amazed.
6. When I dance my moves are:
A. Fast, slow, in the air, on the ground, on the chair and if Grandmas over, with her walking stick.
B. Depending on what mood I’m in. Beat Schmeet. My moves are to the beat of your own drum.
C. Strong, low to the ground and just plain gangsta. I love the beat and let it move your body.
D. Loud! According to your neighbours. Down the Street. But I just love using my feet to make music. They’ll get over it.
E. Graceful, pretty and beautiful to watch. I move with the grace of a swan and am very proud of it.
If you picked mostly A, you should give a funky JAZZ class a go.
Jazz dancing is energetic, modern and can be done by very nearly anyone. Movies such as High School Musical and Step Up are good examples of Jazz dancing which is a combination of Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Musical theatre. Jazz classes are always heaps of fun while still being challenging and is a great way to get fit.
If you picked mostly B, quirky CONTEMPOARY could be for you.
Always wondered if there was a dance style out there that didn’t follow the ‘normal’ style of dancing? Well now there is. Contemporary dancing is a style where anything goes. Walking like animals, flying through the air, using awesome props, this isn’t your typical ‘leotard, tights and hair in a bun’ type of class. Contemporary is unique, detailed and simply out of this world.
If you picked mostly C, try a popping, locking HIP HOP class.
You’ve seen it on TV, the movies and on the streets. You wear the clothes, you’ve got the attitude and now you need the moves. Hip Hop is all about the funk and the strong yet casual moves give you the chance to add your personality into the moves. Learn moves that will impress your friends and get to dance to all your fave songs in a big studio, with a big stereo. And a mirror.
If you picked mostly D, try a toe-tapping TAP class.
Tap dancing is all about making music and beats with only your feet. You’ve seen Happy Feet and can’t wait to give those beats a try. Tap dancing in 2009 isn’t what it was in 1909. Today, it’s all about tapping along to modern music from High School Musical and Hairspray to Queen and Justin Timberlake. It’s not as easy at is looks but once you get it, you’ll never stop!
If you picked mostly E, you’re destined to float around the studio in a BALLET class.
You flit and you float around your bedroom and have always been spellbound by professional ballerinas. A ballet class is the perfect way to improve your balance while looking elegant and graceful. Ballet isn’t all classical music and Tutus. During a year of ballet you will learn about not only the slower, classical forms of ballet but also more upbeat, fast moving ballet. With a little practice and a lot of fun, you will be a beautiful ballerina in no time!