Our next student showcase will be here in no time, and we anticipate several new performers rising up and pushing their comfort level (and manifesting an extraordinary life in doing so). Sure, it can be scary the first few times you get up in front of a crowd and perform but no one ever regrets doing it. The opportunity to perform will push you as an aerialist / pole artist as you work to link skills together and it is so rewarding because student showcases have incredibly supportive audiences made up of family and friends (as Lady Gaga once said: "applause, applause, applause").
One of the hardest part about performing is choosing a song. Therefore, I have some pointers for you on this as well as some other choreography strategies:
1. Definitely choose a song you love ('cuz duh).
2. Consider tempo.
Music with big crescendos and different tempos makes a more interesting piece and I find them easier to perform because the music queues me for my next trick.
Alternatively, music with same beats per minutes can be choreographed in less time and with less practice since you don't need to worry about hitting a particular skill at a certain point in the song.
3. Consider currency of music.
If you plan to use the piece only over the next month or two, a song that is in mainstream is suitable.
Otherwise, performing a piece to a song that was on the Billboards a year ago can feel dated. If you are going for a timeless piece, choose a less popular song or one that is already classic.
4. Everyone choreographs differently. For me, I write down my favorite skills and then I copy lyrics off the internet onto a piece of paper. I sit down at my desk & write in what skills I might like to do during certain points in the song before I even go to the studio to see how my plan flows together.
5. Remember less is often more. You can always throw in some simple rond de jambes or développés as filler if you are ahead on time.
6. For pole, you can engage the audience by using all elevations (the floor, low pole, mid pole, high pole). Their eyes won't be able to look away as they follow you up and down through all the heights!
7. Props can add a lot to a performance piece. My favorite prop is a chiffon scarf!
Still stuck? We are here to help. Hit us up in class or take us up on our 50% off private lessons for showcase prep. An hour of one-on-one with your instructor can help a lot to bust through a choreography block! Lunch hours or Saturday or Sunday evenings are open, or let us know when works for you! Whatever you decide on, just put your fears aside, believe in yourself, trust in your ideas and it will be amazing! XOXO, Mindy
Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is the founder of Kalispell's Levitation Nation Aerial Studio, where the catch phrase "fitness is fun" is embodied alongside a culture of movement & women empowerment. Mindy is also a columnist for "Montana Woman Magazine." Her column "The Real Levitation Experience" shares expertise for elevating health and wellness that she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. For more about Mindy, please visit: https://www.levitationnation.org/mindy.
