Dance squad

Once I started university I decided that I definitely wanted to join a society. I came across dance squad at the fresher’s fair and decided to go for auditions. Dance squad are hip hop based group that compete across England representing the university. In the first round of auditions we were taught a routine and then we had to perform it back to them in groups of around 5 people. The second round consisted of being taught a routine and then making up the next few counts of 8. I received a call after getting through both rounds that I had got in. We performed all year and I had such a brilliant time competing with them. I had choreographic input into each performance and I was able to reflect of others chorography and adjust to styles that I wouldn’t normally do. This year I have taken up the role of vice-captain of dance squad and we are now preparing for three competitions Southampton competition, bucks new university competition and Northampton university competition.

Christmas Performance

When making a group performance for dance squad we split into groups and choose songs and then choreograph to them. We were asked again after the Halloween performance to perform at the student union but for the Christmas flirt. The Christmas performance was about that everyone had their input into the final performance. We wanted to make the Christmas performance all about the end of 2013 as this would be our last performance in this year. Each group chose a popular song from 2013 and we performed a mash up of them all. Our groups dance had a particularly slow beat and so we found it difficult to choreograph too. After finally getting together our routine we taught it to each other. We performed at the student union and it was well received by everyone. I felt my input into this routine was one that I particularly struggled with. I found it difficult choreographing to a slower songs as I am used to the fast rhythms.

 

Hip hop or contemporary

I have always felt that I wanted to keep both my passion for contemporary and hip hop running throughout what I choose to do. Before coming to university I was unsure on whether or not choosing choreography and dance was the best option for me. I enjoyed contemporary dance at sixth form but has done little exploration into different ideas and concepts. In a way I was performing contemporary dances that had little meaning. The thrill and adrenaline that I feel after a performance in hip hop I have never felt before in contemporary. During my first year of university contemporary dance became a legre part of my life and I learnt more about it than I ever thought I would. I am so glad I chose to do this degree and wouldn’t change it for the world but my heart still lies with hip hop dance with contemporary in a close second which I never thought would happen as musch as it has. 

 

Past reflection

Hip hop has been a big part of my life and has been something that developed from classes in Jazz and production shows performed in when growing up. Learning many different peoples choreography has shaped the way I dance into my own individual style. I have previously choreographed and taught classes which has probably reached me to make the decision that I do not want to be a dance teacher. During my time at sixth form I was made a dance ambassador and helped with the production of the schools dance show. The dance shows consisted of a range of styles but the dances which I choreographed were hip hop. I didn’t explore the idea of playing with concepts in a dance until I reached university and so the dances that I choreographed did not have an idea or theme behind them it was literally just dance for the sake of dance. All the choreographic decisions made in the past have led me to where I am now building up further.

Dance Squad halloween performance

For Halloween dance squad are asked to perform at the Halloween flirt at the student union. Once we start back after summer this is the first project we focus on. We choreographed strong and scary routines in full costume and make up. For me I feel this is one of the best to choreograph as it has a set theme running through.