Prodigy Dance Convention: A priceless experience that can take you one step closer to making it on to your dream team.
Save The Date: October 12-13 NASHVILLE
For this week’s edition of More Than Poms we are featuring…
Prodigy Dance Convention
www.prodigydanceconvention.com
1. Tell us a bit about your background and how it has led you to where you are today!
I grew up as a competitive dancer and transitioned into the professional industry at 17 years old. I've been lucky enough to have touched almost every facet of our industry as a professional. From over 10 film and television shows, to being the main character in a Cirque Du Soleil show, music videos, live tours and Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes as a performer, choreographer or creative director. At 17, I also began teaching. Over the last 10 years I have taught at over 500 of some of the most prestigious dance studios, institutions and conventions in the USA, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK and France.
2. Inform us of all things The Prodigy Dance Convention! What initially inspired you to create this convention?
The inspiration behind Prodigy Dance Convention came from wanting to bridge the gap between the convention/competition world and the dance team world. I get to teach all over the country and I always ask, “who wants to be a professional dancer or have dance a part of their life after they graduate high school?” and the common answer now is that they want to be on a University Dance Team but always seem to have questions about the crossover, how to audition, what recruiters/coaches and schools are looking for, and so much more. Seeing first hand the divide in between the two industries sparked the idea of Prodigy.
3. What can someone expect when attending this event? What do you hope it accomplishes and evolves into over time?
Coming to Prodigy, dancers will feel that blend of convention styled classes mixed with the environment they will experience in college on a dance team. The event will be housed in a gym just like the rehearsal space of college dance teams. We have brought together a faculty of industry professional that is unmatched from both sides of the dance communities. Dancers will be watched by all of our attending recruiters throughout the weekend in all styles of classes, and on day two they will also have the unique opportunity to attend our EXPO. The Prodigy Expo is a part of our event where dancers can meet, greet, ask questions and get to know the attending university recruiters.
Nashville 2024 attending recruiters are the University of Minnesota, Washington State University, University of Alabama, Hofstra University, Hope International University, Clemson University, Texas A&M University, University of Miami, University of Memphis, Florida State University, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee, and Texas Tech University.
Our main goal is to have the dancers leave the weekend feeling inspired and educated with new relationships with each recruiter/ coach.
4. What is your biggest piece of advice to dancers when training and preparing to make their dream team? What kind of technical aspects do you suggest they focus on along with what kind of mental preparation?
Stay versatile, be YOU and be KIND. In any aspect of our industry being versatile is key. In dance team specifically, they want to see that you have good technique in all required styles, movement quality, attention to detail, team spirit and more.
They also want to see what YOU bring to the table and who YOU are. Above all else, they want you to be a good person, they want to like who they are going to spend the next four years and countless hours with creating their team and their family.
5. What has been your biggest blessing so far in creating Prodigy Dance Convention?
Prodigy’s biggest blessing has been the network and community dance has. I have felt so lucky to have so many friends and new colleagues that are willing to help spread the word, attend, teach and so support our new event.
Huge thank you to Derek with Prodigy Dance Convention for taking the time to share his story and more about the upcoming Nashville convention! Spread the word! Tell your friends! This is an amazing opportunity within our dance community and it can really be a game-changer for young athletes wanting to pursue their dance dreams.