JC Dance Co Blog

News and insights from JC Dance Co.
Lifts & Tricks!!!
Lifts & Tricks!!! 150 150 Clara Shih

The JC Performance Team is going to be doing several shows at Robson Square this Friday. Some of the shows you may have seen before, and some may be new. Regardless, we have tried to incorporate a few new lifts and tricks that will be done this Friday for the very first time!

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Dancing: Natural or Learned?
Dancing: Natural or Learned? 150 150 Clara Shih

In order to really master any form of dance, the sequence of understanding has to be there. As my Danish teacher, Hans Laxholm, always says… You must go ‘from knowing nothing – to knowing everything – to knowing nothing’.

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Don’t Just Practice Harder, Train Smarter!!!
Don’t Just Practice Harder, Train Smarter!!! Clara Shih

Time and time again, I see too many dancers waste their time “practicing”. They think that being at the ballroom for 2 to 3 hours means that they are hard working and diligent students; but in reality, they really don’t accomplish much. Either they are running through material aimlessly, not knowing what to fix and how to fix it; or they are standing on the floor “discussing” (or worse arguing) about what they should be doing.

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The Lost Art of Social Dancing
The Lost Art of Social Dancing 150 150 Clara Shih

I have to say that I am a tad disappointed to see that more competitors don’t come out to Robson Square. I know that everyone is super-busy and that there are a million other things to do, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say… I suspect (and you can all comment and correct me if I’m wrong) that many competitors don’t come, because they are not comfortable dancing outside their comfort zones!

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Dancing Requires Energy Plus!
Dancing Requires Energy Plus! 150 150 Clara Shih

Ballroom Dancing has certainly changed over the years! Just the name itself already gives you a hint to where it has gone: DANCESPORT. Whether you like it or not, Ballroom is definitely more athletic these days. Especially in the IDSF amateur categories, dancers are pushing the limits as to how fast they can go and how far they can move!

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Straight Arms and Broken Backs!
Straight Arms and Broken Backs! 150 150 Clara Shih

Shaping is one of those things that are so often misunderstood. Often dancers break their backs and necks in order to attain what they perceive as a big shape. One of my biggest pet peeves is ladies that dance with a straight right arm. It is obvious that they do not know how to create shape properly, and are therefore using that right arm to push themselves into the space that they think they should be in.

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Making an ASSumption Out of You and Me
Making an ASSumption Out of You and Me 150 150 Clara Shih

As the Snowball Classic draws near, many people are feeling the pressure of competing at this important local event. Here’s one main ingredient that causes tensions to rise and emotions to flare at this stressful time. Please read this article, keep your cool, and have a positive and productive practice…

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The Dance (Baby) Whisperer – Introduction
The Dance (Baby) Whisperer – Introduction 150 150 Clara Shih

As I am reading and re-reading the Baby Whisperer, I discover so many parallels that could be very useful for Ballroom dancers. Just like for the Baby Whisperer, there is no singular almighty solution that is perfect for everyone; each baby and each family (or each dancer and dance partnership) needs to look within themselves and find the strategy that best suits their individual situations.

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UBC Dance Club – A Piece of History
UBC Dance Club – A Piece of History 150 150 Clara Shih

Last weekend was the 48th Annual UBC Gala Ball. Being organized entirely by student volunteers of the UBC Dance Club, the Gala Ball always has a very fun, exciting and youthful atmosphere about it… and this year was definitely no exception! Congratulations to all the executives of the Club and the volunteers of the Gala committee for putting on such a great event.

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Interview with Emanuel & Tania – Part II
Interview with Emanuel & Tania – Part II 150 150 Clara Shih

Thank you to Emanuel & Tania for sharing their experiences with us to help inspire up and coming local dancers, as well as dancers from all over the world. Here is Part II of their Interview…

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