Entertainment: Rockport Dance Conservatory Preparing for 5th Dancers Inc. Regional Competition

Rockport Dance Conservatory Preparing for 5th Dancers Inc. Regional Competition 

Photo By Ellen Curtis

Rockport Dance Conservatory is busy putting the finishing touches on routines and costumes for their 5th trip to the Dancers Inc Regional Dance Competition to be held March 16th and 17th in North Berwick, Maine.  Ten RDC students will compete over the weekend in nine numbers.  Dancers will be judged by level on technique, style, and delivery of choreography and will compete against other studios from all over New England.  Last year RDC brought home tops honors including several 1st place overalls.  All choreography is done in house by RDC's versatile faculty lead by director Kari Cameron, who also designs and executes most of the costuming.
The Competition will kick off Friday night with Teen and Senior Solos.  Saturday afternoon the Junior dancers will compete and the evening will finish off with Teen and Senior Groups.

This year's Competition Team members include, Alyssa Griggs, Hannah Olsen, Moira Pieri, Franny Bray-Bateman, Sydney Fields, Ellie Berez, Matt Nickerson, Cecile Burbank, Kelsey Guinn, and Annika Charland. RDC Director Kari Cameron along with faculty members Sally Leighton and Katie Thompson will accompany the girls.

What are Dance Competitions? There are many dance competitions throughout the USA and Canada.  These competitions have similar formats each with their specific rules and special offerings.  Competing numbers are entered into a category based on their age and experience range, and are judged on technique, style, showmanship, and precision.  They are critiqued in comparison to other numbers in their age/level division.

What are the benefits of Dance Competition? The benefits of dance in general--strength, coordination, flexibility, discipline, commitment, and teamwork-- all are magnified in a competition program.  Students work hard to get choreography clean and performing style strong which means more hours in the studio. Team spirit is enhanced with a strong sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.

Rockport Dance Conservatory focuses on cultivating the balance of the benefits with some of the negative drawbacks.  RDC still promotes dance numbers high in artistry and good technique rather than "tricks" and flash. Proper sportsmanship, group support, performance ability, and creative exploration are reinforced.  Though everyone would like to have their dances win, it's more about the good attitude and the dancers' individual growth.  Getting away from your home environment, especially a smaller community, allows dancers' to see what is out there in abilities, choreography, and styles.

RDC does not require students to participate in Competition. Many individual dancers request the opportunity and class students are asked if they are interested since it does require more commitment.  Rockport Dance Conservatory is only in its fifth year but already has had their costumes photographed and featured in Dance Spirit Magazine and director Kari Cameron interviewed for an article in Dance Teacher Magazine. RDC Faculty and students work hard and it shows.  As the director of Dancer's Inc often tells them--"Here's Maine, small but mighty!"

Those in the photo are from left to right, Alyssa Griggs, Matt Nickerson, Ellie Berez, and Annika Charland. (Intermediate Hip Hop students). We here at Rocky Coast News wishes all those the best of luck with their competition this weekend.