Learning dance as a tall teen
Hi everyone!!
I’m 16, 6’4”, guy and I started dancing less than a year ago because I joined winter guard. Now that the season is wrapping up, I want to advance my dance for the next season.
For anyone unfamiliar with it, winter guard is a performance sport that combines dance, choreography, and equipment work (such as flags, rifles, and sabres). It’s similar to jazz and ballet in many ways, except we perform choreographed routines while manipulating equipment to music.
Here are a couple of short examples (I’d really appreciate it if you watched one!)
Paramount at WGI – (Dance focused)
Arcadia HS – (Equipment + Dance)
Over the past year, I’ve been practicing dance on my own as much as I can. I’ve also worked with my winter guard instructor, where I’ve learned some of the basics, across-the-floor exercises, and floor work.
When I watch videos of myself, there are a few things I notice that I’d really like to improve, and I was hoping you all could give me some advice.
1. Why does it look like only my upper body is moving, even though I am trying my hardest to move my legs to the choreo? It feels like everything below my waist disappears on video, and I have no idea how to fix it. Its so embarrassing.
1a. How do I become more comfortable with my body as a dancer? I’m about half a foot taller than everyone else on my WG team, and I feel so awkward because of it.
2. Would you recommend ballet, jazz, contemporary, or another style as the best foundation to practice for WG?
3. Is there anything you wish someone had told you when you first started dancing?
4. Honestly, any tips for a tall beginner would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all so much!