Anthony LoCascio’s Blog

Recent General Competition Notes

What a great few days this has been. Teaching at a NADAA event is always a treat and I get to see so many people I enjoy. I love working with the students and the teacher’s dedication to reach positive goals for their dancers is fantastic.

Classes were great and everyone was wonderfully attentive. Competition was excellent and for the first time Bethany and I were inspired to create a new scholarship because of Leah Woodward’s excellent performance and consistance over a two day Competition. Congrats Leah, we wish you nothing but success.

Every competition I make general notes that seem to pop up more than once during the event.four or five things stuck in my head….work on these and always give great attention to detail…….

1) (tap) press into the ball of the feet and dace in “pop”

2) (jazz, lyrical, contemporary) elongate and connect transitions. Treat every transition with equal importance and as if they were an individual step.

3) (all styles) careful on flashy entrances and exits. You are the major focus at that point, there is no other distractions. We SEE & HEAR everything. If you are going to dance on or off the stage w/o music for an entrance, you better make sure it is perfect!!!!!

4) No matter how many dances you do in one day, you can NOT look tired on stage when you are performing…Fight for every step, detail and movement!

5) Though most were pretty good at this, remember. It is called a QUICK change because you need to be FAST. However, breath, don’t rush, and keep calm. Breaking those general rules will actually make your change into a longer process….Also, be sure to utilize pre-sets.

6) (jazz, lyrical, ballet, modern, contemporary) When you do any type of leap or jete - lift and float!!! I do NOT want to hear you land!!!! Period!!!

O.K. hope this helps everyone out there in competition land….Break a leg. As always…..

Tap w/u Soon,

Anthony

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Dance Shoes

I get tons a questions about dance shoes. I have addressed TAP shoes before in my blog and it really comes down to 4 syllables - Miller & Ben -or- for students Bloch. After the “which shoes do I tap in?” questions It stops there for the most part. However, there is more to unveil.

I see all students going from their “dolly dinkle” patten leathers to flat taps. I think this creates a problem with lifting heels when Tapping. Ideally I would like to see students n a small heel until they are about 12 years of age. I do not like to see Tap Dancers in a flat tap shoe until they have a greater understanding of technique. It isn’t until about 13 years of age that i move them to a flat tap shoe. This means the shoe choice actually aids in the learning curve of the dancer/student. I keep them in Blochs until their foot stops it’s quick growth spurts and then move them into a Miller & Ben shoe - Where they Tap happily ever after.

On a different dance shoe note. Remember the shoe is part of the leg line when you dance any style. Don’t forget about your Character shoes when performing a Theatre piece, a stylized jazz dance, or any other dance mood where a heel is more fitting for the performance than a flat shoe. Much to often I see the wrong choice of footwear on dancer’s feet when performing/competing.

Hope this helps - and as always

Tw/uS, A.

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Latest News on Anthony

I was recently interviewed by Jahna Jacobson of the Pensacola Florida Tribune. I found the digital version online. It was a great article and I wanted to post a link on J4T so it is easy for everyone to find.

Thank you Jahna for such accurate quotes and your interest in my views on the current state of Tap in America. Jennifer, your photos in the paper were great. I also enjoyed the picture included in the digital version of the article. Thank you both.

Legendary tap dancer feels he’s teaching a lost art.

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PJC Dance Workshop

Just wanted to thank everyone at the PJC. Dianne, Kristens, Students, Parents, and Students. I had a wonderful time. To both teachers and students: Your dedication, excitement, and interest in dance this weekend was appreciated and welcomed. I look forward to next year. To your growth, your improvement, and dedication to their art.

Tap w/u Soon,

Anthony

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Dancebutton.com

I love this idea and think EVERY studio should adopt it ASAP! If you are like me and want your students to watch others perform to increase their knowledge of themselves as a dancer? Then This is perfect for you…..it is a student to student “award” that your students can give to others they see and admire at conventions & competitions.

I got my dancebutton from Alison & Megan in North Carolina and it still sit on my cork board years later. My dancebutton is #584.

I highly recommend you introduce www.dancebutton.com to as many studios as you can!

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